In this sermon, Pastor Bart Blair continues his exploration of God's "house rules" for relationships, building on his previous discussion of marriage. Using Colossians 3:20-4:1 as his text, he examines parent-child and employer-employee relationships.
Blair emphasizes that Jesus should be the nucleus of all relationships, with concentric circles representing different types of relationships emanating from that center. He discusses the Biblical command for children to obey their parents, noting that this obedience transitions to honor as children become adults. For parents, particularly fathers, Blair stresses the importance of not exasperating their children and instead nurturing their God-given potential.
Regarding work relationships, Blair applies Paul's instructions to slaves and masters to modern employer-employee dynamics. He encourages employees to work as if serving the Lord, seeing their workplace as a mission field. For employers, he stresses the importance of treating employees with fairness and compassion. Throughout, Blair emphasizes the need for all believers to embody qualities like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in their relationships.

In this sermon, Pastor Bart delves into Colossians 3:1-17, focusing on the theme of renewing one's mind and actions as a follower of Christ. He uses the analogy of choosing the right "coach" to illustrate the internal struggle between listening to the Holy Spirit and giving in to our sinful nature. The pastor emphasizes the need for believers to actively "put to death" their old selves and embrace their new identity in Christ.
Pastor Bart discusses the importance of setting one's mind on heavenly things and resisting the cultural flow that leads away from God. He explains the concept of "phantom pain" - the lingering effects of our old sinful nature even after we've died to sin - and encourages believers to continually choose to follow Christ's teachings. The sermon also highlights the importance of unity in the church, cultivating positive attributes like love, forgiveness, and gratitude, and living every aspect of life in a way that honors Jesus.
The pastor concludes with practical commitments for the church community, including creating a grace-filled environment for open discussion, studying the Bible together, practicing forgiveness, and holding each other accountable in love. He also provides homework suggestions for listeners to apply the sermon's teachings in their daily lives.

Bear Creek Community Church is a new church plant in Lavon, TX. Learn more at www.bc3.church

This sermon delves into Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically focusing on Chapter 2, verses 16-23. The speaker begins by reflecting on a recent podcast about young adults' perceptions of church, highlighting common issues like feeling judged and overwhelmed by rules.

The sermon then explores how Paul addresses similar concerns in the early church at Colossae. Paul warns against legalism, asceticism, and the worship of angels, emphasizing that these practices are merely shadows compared to the substance found in Christ. The speaker explains how Paul critiques the idea that following strict rules or severe self-discipline makes one holier or closer to God.

Throughout the message, the speaker draws parallels between the challenges faced by the early church and those experienced by modern Christians. He emphasizes that Christianity is fundamentally about a relationship with Jesus, not about adhering to a set of rules. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and practices, encouraging them to examine whether they have inadvertently created rules that they believe define a "good Christian."

The speaker uses relatable analogies, such as comparing religious rules to disposable utensils, to illustrate the temporary and ultimately unfulfilling nature of legalism. He also addresses common doubts and questions about faith, reassuring listeners that it's okay to wrestle with difficult concepts.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to identify any self-imposed rules they may have created and to pray over them, seeking to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above rule-following. The overall message encourages a shift from a religion based on regulations to a faith centered on a genuine connection with Christ.