How do we keep the word in our hearts? Join us as Pastor Brandon goes through Colossians 1:28-2:5.

Metro Atlanta is famous for our terrible traffic. Most of us have probably had the frustrating experience of being late for a meeting because we’re stuck in standstill traffic. We can become increasingly irritated as we boil over in exasperation and anger.

Now imagine you looked over next to you to see someone blasting music, singing their guts, and experiencing what looks like real joy… in a traffic jam! We’d probably all draw the same conclusion, this is a strange time to be joyful.

In Colossians 1:24-27, Paul makes a very strange statement, “I rejoice in my sufferings…” What?!?! Suffering is a strange thing to take joy in, even more strange than being joyful in a traffic jam.

In 1985, everyone who knew Joe Simpson believed he was dead. At just 25 years old, Joe and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, became the first people to scale the west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes. Tragically, on the way down, Joe fell and broke his leg. As Simon tried to help him descend, Joe fell again—this time into a massive crevasse. It seemed certain he was lost forever and Simon returned to base camp, grieving the loss of his friend.

But then, three days later, Joe crawled back into camp. He had survived. Despite frostbite, exhaustion, infection, and permanent damage to his leg, Joe was alive. His story is almost too incredible to believe.

We’ve all heard stories like this—accounts of survival or hope that seem impossible. But perhaps the most unbelievable story of all is the resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus was crucified by professional Roman executioners, buried in a tomb, and three days later he rose from the dead. As unbelievable as that may sound, even more astonishing is the claim that his resurrection has the power to transform lives—even today, 2,000 years later.

As we enter the final week of our Neighbors and Nations campaign, we’re turning our eyes to the nations. This Sunday, we’ll focus on God’s heart for the world—His deep desire to see every tribe, tongue, and people come to know the hope and love of Jesus. While we’ve spent time talking about our call to reach our neighbors—those God has placed in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities—we also recognize the vast number of people across the globe who have never heard the name of Jesus. The mission doesn’t stop at our borders. From the Great Commission to the vision of the Great Multitude in Revelation, God is calling each of us to play a role in His global mission.

Whether you give, go, or pray, you’re a vital part of the Great Pursuit—a shared commitment to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Let’s finish this final week of Neighbors and Nations with diligence and zeal, trusting that God will use our obedience to make an eternal impact. Invite someone to join you this Sunday, ask God how He wants you to respond, and let’s be a people who live on mission—right where we are, and to the very ends of the earth.

Get ready for an incredible Sunday as we continue our Neighbors and Nations series! This week, Kevin Pounds will be preaching from Luke 10:25–37, bringing a powerful word about what it really means to love our neighbors—right here in Atlanta and across the country. Through the lens of the Good Samaritan, we’ll be challenged to see how God sends us to live on mission in our everyday lives.

We had a great start to our Neighbors and Nations Campaign this past Sunday!

We are engaged in this campaign because we believe that God is on a mission to rescue people from sin so that they can know Him. Amazingly, God invites His people to join Him in His mission. This means you have a place in God's mission in the world.

Last Sunday, we heard about the incredible ways God is at work around the globe through the International Mission Board. This Sunday, we’ll explore how we can join God on His mission in our everyday lives. God has a plan for all of His people, and that includes you!

We're starting our 4th Neighbors and Nations campaign! Follow along as we learn about how we can give, pray, and go to make much of Jesus from our neighbors all the way to the nations.

Last week, we were captivated by the immense scope of who Jesus is and the powerful work He is doing in reconciling all of creation to God. Jesus, the creator of all things, is also the one who will restore all things. He is bringing peace and healing to the entire cosmos, making all things right once again.

However, in Colossians 1:21, Paul shifts the focus from this grand narrative to the personal work of Jesus in the lives of individuals with a simple, yet profound phrase: "and you." The reconciliation He brings is not just for the universe at large, but for each and every one of us, right here, right now.

As we look at Colossians 1:21-23 this Sunday, we’ll explore this beautiful and life-changing truth—Jesus' work isn’t just theoretical or distant. It's for you.