Hey Gang,
Last week, we began a 4-week series entitled, Christ the Center. This study is about the centrality and sufficiency of Christ, all from Paul's letter to the Colossians. It's not hard to realize that we live in a culture that doesn't acknowledge or see the centrality and sufficiency of Christ. Even some believers, because they don't have a firm grasp on the truths of the gospel, are shaken when the exclusive claims of Christ are challenged. Other Christians simply don't live Christ-centered lives. Instead, their lives are centered on other ambitions. Last week we looked closely at how we really see Jesus - do we see Him as the center of everything? This week we are taking a look at the church to see if it too, sees Jesus as the center of everything it does.
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It's sad to say, but there are too many churches that have lost their way. Some focus on activities or programs above spreading the good news of Christ. Others emphasize entertainment instead of helping believers grow.
How does a church keep Christ at the center of everything it does?
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After commending the church at Colossae, Paul told them that he rejoiced in being able to suffer for them and for Christ. He told them of “the mystery” that had been hidden for ages but now was made clear by God. The mystery was “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Paul’s ministry was to preach, teach and to warn. He was about to warn them of people who would try to deceive them. He reminded them that they had received Christ as Lord and he challenged them to live for Him.
I. WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE – COLOSSIANS 1:24-27
Paul’s Ministry
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church. 25 I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
What message did Paul suggest should be the loudest proclaimed by the church, and what priorities in our church reveal that our church is proclaiming that message to the world?
- The mystery: God’s plan to offer the good news for all people. The fulfillment of that plan meant the hope of glory for all those who believe.
What are some ways, besides preaching, that the church can proclaim the message of Christ?
- Christ suffered to save us; we suffer to be faithful to Him.
- Paul believed that faithfully suffering for Christ proclaimed the message even when words were not used. We can rejoice in our suffering on behalf of Christ.
When you read our church’s newsletter, “The Heartbeat” how do you see the gospel preached without words?
NEWS SCOOP OF ALL TIME: With today’s technology, you can get late-breaking, up-to-the-minute news anywhere, anytime. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which news source to choose.
The church ministers in this world cluttered with multiple and mixed messages. The challenge is distinguishing your church message from the others, keeping Christ at the center of everything it does. How can you help? What could we do differently?
II. ARE WE GROWING SPIRITUALLY – COLOSSIANS 1:28-2:3
28 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.
Colossians 2: 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him.
When it comes to spiritual maturity, what does it look like? What does it act like? How do I know when I see it?
If you were the pastor of a church, what standards would you use to measure its spiritual maturity?
- Many churches measure their progress by budgets, baptisms, and bodies in the seats. All of these are important. Many who do not measure baptisms fail to have the proper emphasis on evangelism. Those who do not keep records of attendance have no way of measuring their growth or decline. Budgets are important for the long-term health of the church as it lives within its means. However, each of these traditional measurements falls short in some way.
- Churches need preaching, teaching, and sometimes warning.
What goals have our church set for its future, and how do these goals account for or neglect the important measurement of spiritual maturity?
III. ARE WE WALKING THE WALK – COLOSSIANS 2:4-7
Christ versus the Colossian Heresy
4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. 6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.
What are some of the marks of Christian maturity that Paul was looking for in the Colossians?
- Paul wanted to see their “well ordered” or disciplined life. He wanted to see that their faith in Christ was strong in spite of the Colossian heresy that minimized the importance of Jesus. He wanted to see them not only trusting Christ by faith for salvation but he wanted to see them walking in faith as they grew in the faith. He wanted to see them overflowing with gratitude.
- All Christians and churches need to beware of being swayed by persuasive arguments that move them away from the true salvation in Jesus Christ.
IN STEP: From stilettos to sneakers, we seem to have shoes for every event or task. What footwear would you choose for each of these tasks?
Sports – Construction – Hiking – Church – Beach - House
How about walking with Christ?
Is the way you’re currently walking in Christ more like being on a treadmill or more like running in a long-distance race?
- After people receive Christ as Lord, they are to begin to live for Him.
- Believers should sink their spiritual roots deep.
What is one way you can improve the way you’re walking for Christ?
- Every Christians’ life should be permeated with thanksgiving.
Paul introduces here beginning in verse 6 - 12 a doctrine that is known as "Positional Truth." Positional truth is the doctrine of the believer’s heavenly, spiritual, and eternal position in Jesus Christ by which a person spiritually and positionally is united and identified with Christ in His person and work—past, present, and future. This truth is especially seen in the Pauline epistles where, over a hundred times, the apostle uses such phrases like “in Christ,” “in the Beloved,” “in Him,” “with Christ,” etc. These phrases draw attention, indeed, they put the focus on the secure position and many blessings that all believers are given through their union with Jesus Christ. The basis of these blessings is the finished work of salvation accomplished through the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.
Our position in Christ is not a conscious experience, an emotion, or a second blessing to be sought. It is a spiritual fact and takes place as a grace work of God when one believes in the Savior, and this is true for all believers regardless of feelings or understanding. Of course, understanding positional truth is important to experiencing the benefits of being in Christ. This is most obvious in Colossians 2:6-12 quoted above and in Romans 6:3-12.
We will be talking more about this in next week's lesson.
Prayer of Commitment
Help me, O Heavenly Father, to live for Christ in the same way I received Him. Amen
Well, we are into week two of a powerful series of lessons on the centrality and sufficiency of Christ - are any lights coming on? Are you looking a little deeper into where Christ is in your life? I sure am, and I hope you are too!
Continue praying this week as we continue in this thought provoking series and we will see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
