owScripture: Colossians 2:6-10

I. The Command: Live in Christ

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Co 2:6–7)

A. Rooted and Built Up

• To live in Christ is to be rooted in Christ, the Life-giving Soil.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Ps 1:3)

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. (Matthew 7:24–26)

• We can stand tall amidst the storms when we are built up on Christ, the Sustaining Foundation.

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pe 2:5)

Therefore, as Christians, we are attached to Christ the Vine and God desires for us to be fruitful and to integrate us, like stones, into the new structure that is the body of Christ.

B. Strengthened in Faith

C. Overflowing with Thanksgiving

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ... 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer

and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Ph 4:4, 6)

II. The Threat: Beware of Falsehoods

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. (Co 2:8)

What are the characteristics of this false teaching?

A. Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy

• No intellectual, moral or spiritual value; without content, basis, truth, or power.
• Deceptive means that its motivation has nothing to do with Christ.

B. Based on Human tradition.

C. Focused on the elemental spiritual forces of this world.

III. The Reminder: You Are Complete In Christ

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9–10)

A. Fullness of God in Christ

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:15–20)

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:5)

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18)

B. Fullness of Christ in Us

11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:11–12)

"God tells us everything we need to know exactly when we need to know." - Jon Bloom

Ask for the FULLNESS of God in your situation and circumstance. He is more than able to do it, so have faith in God that He can!

Conclusion and Challenge

Live In Christ, Look Out for Falsehoods, and Always Be Mindful of the FULLNESS of Christ in Us.

• Are you rooted and established in Jesus, with Him as the solid rock and foundation of your faith?
• Are you living in the FULLNESS of Christ?