What gospel tool prepares both the hearer, and the speaker? The answer, according to Colossians 4, is "prayer." Paul asks readers to pray for open doors, and also for open communication - that he would be able to "speak forth the mystery of Christ" in a clear way. That's an impressive tool, and we need more experience in using it! Some instruction and encouragement wouldn't hurt, either. Today Jim brings our Colossians series in for a landing with part 2 of his message, Prayer: the Master Offense.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Are you a "justice" Christian, or a "forgiveness" Christian? I know some believers whose favorite phrase is, "It serves them right." And justice is a good and necessary thing. The problem is, us. We often don't have the necessary information, or perspective, or impartiality to make good judgments. We had better forgive, and offer mercy, like Jesus did. But how do we do that when those other folks are just so, so wrong? Pastor Jim says the answer is "prayer."

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

You've heard that couples who are married a long time start to look like each other. That's not going to work out well for my wife, but it should give hope to us, as the Bride of Christ! As we continue to look on the Bridegroom, to listen to Him, learn His personality, and observe how He interacts with people, won't we become like Him, naturally? Especially if His Spirit is inside us, urging us on? Those are thoughts that will draw us to prayer and to the Word. For the last 2 days we've been listening to the message, Do People Mistake Me for Jesus? It's not out of the question that this would happen, as we continue live with Him. Here's the conclusion of that sermon. Jim's in Colossians, chapter 3.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Do people mistake you for a Pharisee? I hope you heard the beginning of yesterday's program, and that story about the man who was so selfless he was almost mistaken for Jesus. Because we'll never rise to that level of Christlikeness by keeping rules. Nor by honoring traditions, nor by mounting theological arguments. We'll get there only by supernatural transformation. Fortunately, the inner renewal we're looking for has 7 outward signs. Jim's reading from Colossians 2:20.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

In the devil's tackle box are a number of different lures, for different kinds of fish. We'll talk about 3 of them, today. You probably know people who had some kind of experience with Christ...then they heard something new; some secret, "deeper" knowledge that pulled them away. Maybe they discovered a philosophical Jesus, or a traditionalist Yeshua, or the Lord of the holy diet plan. As we continue our study of the book of Colossians, we'll hear Paul condemn these as "hollow and deceptive." Here's Pastor Jim to open the sermon, Do People Mistake Me for Jesus?

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

Paul gave the Colossian church some warnings, but he also wrote about "welcomes." The Apostle first pointed out some poisonous plants to avoid: namely legalists, and false teachers who put their personal experiences above the Word of God. Then he turned to things that are necessary for our health and growth. Pastor Jim has dubbed these the "welcomes," and that's what we'll study today. We're hovering over Colossians chapters 2 and 3, in the final segment of Jim's sermon, Let Us Beware.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

How many heads do you need? The correct answer is "one." No heads is too few, and two heads are too many. If Jesus is our Head, we need no other; and Paul argues in Colossians that anyone who forms his faith around angelic visitations and visions has lost his Head! That will tend to create problems with the rest of the body. No, this "Jesus Plus" doctrine isn't a different interpretation made in good faith - it's a no-headed monster. Here's Jim with part 2 of Let Us Beware.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

If the Jewish dietary laws applied to everyone, that would defeat their purpose! God gave the Israelites laws about diet, and holy days, and even clothing... to make them different. Their odd customs would set them apart from their Gentile neighbors, and provide a picture of holiness. A picture of holiness. Real godliness goes deeper than these skin-deep matters. Paul gave the Colossians the same advice he gave everyone: Let Us Beware of those who teach shadows over substance.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

I've got a new self; I need some new threads! Everyone - not just the ladies - likes putting on a brand-new outfit. And we need one after the radical transformation we've undergone, being buried with Christ, then raised with Him. Our old get-up of anger, malice, obscene talk and lying just didn't fit us anymore. So, what to put on, instead? How about compassion, humility, "And above all these, put on love." Now that's a stylish ensemble! We're ready for part 2 of the sermon, The Proof is in the Product. Here's Jim in Colossians 3, reminding us of who paid for this beautiful new wardrobe.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

In the kingdom of God, being comes before doing. In recent episodes we've heard Paul say that we're to "put off the old self;" and that former "us" had to go - he was no good. When we come to Colossians 3:12 the Apostle will tell us to "put on" some things... but not before he reminds us that these are not "good works" as we used to think about them; ways to earn "brownie points" with God. They're expressions of a new nature, and He is the sovereign Source. Here's part 1 of the sermon The Proof is in the Product from Pastor Jim.

Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand.