Jesus, the heart of your church (Colossians 1:1–14)

·40 min·4 clips

A nighttime power cut triggers a chaotic symphony of alarms, revealing how easily we can be disconnected from our source without realizing it.

The episode begins with a personal anecdote about two power cuts, one during dinner and one at night, to create an analogy for spiritual disconnection. The speaker, Pastor Wayne, explains that just as we can be unaware of a power cut, we can be disconnected from Jesus without realizing it. He introduces a new sermon series titled 'Jesus, the heart of everything' based on the New Testament book of Colossians. Wayne provides background: Colossians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, a young church with mixed beliefs started by Epaphras. The core message is that when Jesus is removed from the center, we enter an unsteady or dangerous place. Wayne argues that the modern world is similar, with people creating custom faiths. He states the sermon will focus on Jesus being the heart of the church, as the letter is addressed to a church community. He references Mark Vroegop's idea that the gospel creates a unified church of diverse people. Wayne then uses a humorous story about a mobile tyre fitter named Ty to illustrate how our focus naturally aligns with our role, arguing the church's focus must be Jesus. He reads Colossians 1:1-14. The first point is that a church with Jesus at its heart has a 'compelling faith'—not just belief but a devoted life that attracts others. Wayne challenges listeners to consider if their faith is compelling or half-hearted. The second point is 'compassionate love' for fellow believers. Wayne shares stark, personal examples of being hurt by church members, including slander, threats, and cruel comments about his health and family. He contrasts this with Jesus' command to love one another as he loved, which serves as an evangelistic tool. The third point is 'constant life change', meaning ongoing spiritual growth from the moment one hears the gospel. Wayne compares this to physical growth and fruit bearing, emphasizing that discipleship never ends. He admits his own need for growth and challenges the congregation against settling in their faith. Wayne concludes that the church belongs to Jesus, not us, and we are stewards who should expect constant change under his leadership. He ends with a prayer asking for a compelling faith, compassionate love, and willingness to change.

As heard by us

A blackout story that opens into a plain, steady case for Jesus at the center.

A Tuesday evening power cut gives the sermon its opening image: dinner washing up, the gas hob, no internet, and a family suddenly left in the dark.

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Why you'd press play

You want a sermon that starts with a blackout and ends with Jesus.

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