Text: Colossians 1:15-23

Topic: What difference Jesus can make in your life

Introduction:

• Illustration: May tells the story of meeting a man whose marriage is falling apart to convey the point that Jesus can make a difference in hurting lives.

• Big Idea: Jesus can make a tremendous difference in your life—if you will accept it and act on it.

• When you choose to follow Christ, you are connecting with the God of the universe, the creator of all that exists, the one with more authority and power than any other in heaven or on earth.

• Colossians 1:15-16

• Jesus makes his unlimited power available to you.

• Ephesians 3:20-21

• Illustration: May compares the Denver Broncos reliance on star John Elway to produce wins to the pivotal role Jesus plays in our ability to win at life.

• Psalm 18:32

• In spite of how things appear to be, no one has everything completely together 100 percent of the time.

• Colossians 1:17

• 1 John 1:9

• Illustration: May tells the story of how Christian musician Michael English destroyed his career with a sexual scandal and how God forgave and restored English's career.

• Whether the problems in your life are the result of sin or circumstances beyond your control, you can be sure that Jesus can restore sanity to your life—if you turn to him.

He can give you peace with God and with yourself.

• Illustration: May quotes several people he has counseled, all of whom shared a longing for peace.

• The good news is that Jesus wants to fill your life with peace every day, day after day, from now on.

• John 14:27

• John 16:33

• Colossians 1:19-20

• He begins by giving you peace with God.

• He also gives you peace with yourself.

Conclusion:

• When you give your life to Christ, fear, turmoil and chaos can become a thing of the past.

• If you surrender yourself to him, saying, "God, I can't do this without your help. I need your strength," you can count on him to be there.