We are assured of forgiveness, however we look for growth as a Christian in the struggle of ongoing sin. In these verses Paul gives a list, but the aim is not behavioural modification but a new self, a new identity. We are to look up to the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrected Christ, seated in the place of honour. And we are raised with him. And we keep looking up to him.

Paul is sounding the alarm about the Colossians being deceived by new ideas about adding to the gospel. Certain practices, food, festivals, self-denial, forms of worship, were being promoted and blended into the church, but Paul exposes and calls them out. Paul brings them back to Jesus - we are made complete through him and he is the fullness of God, nothing extra needed, no "Jesus plus". So what do we listen to? Rules that are only shadows of reality? Jesus Christ himself is that reality.

We are rooted in Christ – that is a fact – so how then do we live? We are to allow Jesus to be Lord over all aspects of our lives. We are to build each other up so that we might all become mature in our faith. We are to overflow with thankfulness, both towards God and towards each other.

Jesus shows us God, as he is the image of the invisible God, and in his humanity he shows us ourselves. But what about the many ways in our culture that people seek to deal with their needs? For Christians it really is "all the eggs in one basket". Jesus is supreme. We belong to him, his name is written on our soul and we find peace when we acknowledge him. So are we as completely centred on Jesus, as he is the centre of all things? We have an invitation to be free from all accusation, dearly loved, and to grow into our identity and all the blessings that come with it.

Our identity is given by God, not others or even ourselves. This identity is a gift from God because he loves us, and that our activity is a response, shaped by our identity. So, whatever our activity, we are encouraged to work at it from a place of peace, security and understanding; being reminded of who God is and what he has done in our lives.

The climax of the story of Joseph is his reconciliation with his family - in this God shows us our future, being reconciled to God and each other and then being given His ministry of reconciliation.

Joseph had favour from God, even when his brothers put him in a pit, even when he was falsely accused and imprisoned. And God shaped him in the pit. When we find ourselves in a pit, none of the things we do to get out actually lead to life, but we have access to God's power through relationship with Him. God meets us in the pit, he forms us in the pit, but it's really easy to forget once we're out of the pit. Our church family is there to help us remember and to build us up in the Lord.

Joseph's story strengthens our confidence in God working out his purpose for us: Mess doesn't disqualify us from God's promises and purpose for our life - God breathes his promises into our mess; God provides for us on the journey - and may take us to places that change us for the better; God's purposes are greater and more magnificent than we can imagine - His idea of a happy ending is much happier than our idea.

This psalm, written for a festival, says that God reigns, for all people - he is the one to be trusted, rather than idols in whatever form.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. With the Lord as the builder, our lives have a purpose. And he uses us in his building and gives us rest and the security of a community around us. What are we building? How can we live according to God's plans?

This psalm reminds us of being at rest in Christ. We are not the main character, God is. And we don't cling to him desperately out of fear, but come to him freely in faith and love, choosing to rely on him and trust him. Where do I find my rest? Where might my selfish ambition or insecure dependency need pruning?

These psalms touch on the topic of grief, for the community and ourselves. Grief hurts, and can feel like a lonely wilderness, but we need to grieve and acknowledge that all is not well. By sowing our tears like seeds we can grow in sharing, slowing down, letting go, and gain joy and freedom as we bring everything into God's presence. To bring healing to our grief we are to look to Jesus, who entered our wilderness and experienced grief, crying with us and for us. But our pain and loss is not the end of the story as the cross brings hope and confidence in the future, coming from his unfailing love.

We live in interesting times - so much change, unsettling, future uncertain, and we are pressured to doubt what we believe. This psalm is encouragement - God will keep his promises, keep going because God is in control, pray for God's peace that Jesus offers.

God is involved both in the masterplan for the world and in the details of our lives. We are not promised a cosy bubble without discomfort, but how can we more live as if God really is in charge and God is in the details?

How do I stay true to who I am? We lift our eyes to the Lord. Jesus names his followers as no longer servants but friends - we are brought into something good, to participate in his mission. Being followers of Jesus is central to our identity - we are sons and daughters, heirs.

This passage covers disagreements in the early church about how gentiles should follow the Jewish law. The message is that only grace gets us into heaven, whether Jew or gentile - we all need forgiveness at the cross. The solution found was to emphasise unity. Do we offer our problems, our life to God to keep Him at the centre? How are we living lives that reflect God's character to the nations? What are we willing to sacrifice in order to pursue unity in the church?

In Acts 8 through the actions of Philip speaking with the Ethiopian eunuch we see the Holy Spirit leading in unexpected ways and to unexpected people. What is our answer when the Spirit calls? Are we willing to be disturbed by the Spirit? Who are those we may assume don't want to hear the word of God by are actually hungry for it?

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is shocking, but you can't fake faith, you can't have the kingdom without the King. The message is always not just "don't lie to each other" but also "repent and believe".

We look at the early church - ordinary people, spirit filled, persecuted and scattered. They were prayerful, united and generous, bold and active. So what would it look like to follow their example in rhythms, resources and relationships?

With a special emphasis on Tearfund, we read stories of the early church and the contemporary church at work making the kingdom known in words and works, in the power of the Spirit through weakness, limitations and opposition.