Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Dr. Condy Richardson
Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8
Sermon Title: Marks of a Healthy Church
Colossians 1:1-8 (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[b]
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father.[b]
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Introduction
“As You Go” through life, will you share your Jesus story with people nearby?
Matthew 28:18-20 tells us to “GO” into the world and tell others about Jesus.
In Colossians 1:1-8, Paul describes a healthy church.
Who We Are
In verse 1, Paul summaries who he is.
In verse 2, he reminds the church who she is.
In describing the church, Paul uses the language of family.
At FIFBC, we have a heavenly Father and many brothers and sisters.
Church families do not have to wonder where we come from and why we are here.
Faith, Hope, and Love
In Colossians 1, Paul thanks God for the faith, hope, and love shown by the church.
Faith sees us through fear and pain, and it opens a door for us to accept Christ.
Love binds us together even when we disagree.
Their faith and love come from their hope.
In these hopeless times, we can look to Christ because he overpowers the world.
The Result
Paul is aware that the Colossians are famous for their faith, hope, and love.
The world was drawn to what the church at Colossae had.
How do we at FIFBC give the world the faith, hope, and love that we know?
As we give away our faith, it only grows stronger within us.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful message of the church is enough to drown out the chaos of this world.
Who are you sharing your Christian story with?
Who are you inviting to “Friend Day” on February 15, 2026?
“As You Go” through life, will you share your Jesus story with people nearby?
Matthew 28:18-20 tells us to “GO” into the world and tell others about Jesus.
In Colossians 1:1-8, Paul describes a healthy church.
Who We Are
In verse 1, Paul summaries who he is.
In verse 2, he reminds the church who she is.
In describing the church, Paul uses the language of family.
At FIFBC, we have a heavenly Father and many brothers and sisters.
Church families do not have to wonder where we come from and why we are here.
Faith, Hope, and Love
In Colossians 1, Paul thanks God for the faith, hope, and love shown by the church.
Faith sees us through fear and pain, and it opens a door for us to accept Christ.
Love binds us together even when we disagree.
Their faith and love come from their hope.
In these hopeless times, we can look to Christ because he overpowers the world.
The Result
Paul is aware that the Colossians are famous for their faith, hope, and love.
The world was drawn to what the church at Colossae had.
How do we at FIFBC give the world the faith, hope, and love that we know?
As we give away our faith, it only grows stronger within us.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful message of the church is enough to drown out the chaos of this world.
Who are you sharing your Christian story with?
Who are you inviting to “Friend Day” on February 15, 2026?