Christ is all and in All
Christ is all and in All
August 1, 2007
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free;
but Christ is all, and in all” Col 3:11
1. Here (that is, “in Christ” and in the new creation, the church) there should be no barriers of nationality, race, education level, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power.
“for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:26-28
2. The new life has implications for the church as a whole. Just as individual believers put off the habits of the old self, so also the church puts off the old barriers that separated people.
3. There is no place for racial barriers or cultural snobbery. God has united all believers in Christ Jesus. This was a startling, unbelievable revelation for the first-century world. The racial, religious, cultural, and social barriers separating people were as deep-seated and formidable as any in our day.
4. Paul pointed out four groupings that were of particular importance: First one being Racial or national distinctions, such as between Greeks and Jews.
5. Second, religious distinctions, such as between those who have been circumcised (Jews) and those who are uncircumcised (Gentiles).
6. Third, cultural distinctions, such as between barbarians and Scythians. A fellowship including Greeks, Jews, and Scythians was unthinkable in the ancient world. Yet that is precisely what happened in the church. Christ demolished the cultural barriers separating men.
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Cor 12:13
7. Fourth, Economic or social distinctions, such as between slaves and free people. Slavery was common in the ancient world. However, both slaves and freemen were saved and became brothers in Christ because they “ were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free ”
8. How could these barriers possibly be removed? Paul’s answer: because Christ is all, and is in all. For all these groups of people, Christ is everything. He “is all” they need for redemption and unity. He is central and brings believers together.
9. Christ is “in all”; he dwells in all believers so there can be no division, no prejudice. In others words, every believer is a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) with a new self (Col 3:10) by the power of Christ’s indwelling Holy Spirit.
10. In Christ, human distinctions are removed. Such distinctions are no problem for him, so they should be no problem for us. Everyone is equal at the Cross. Let us close today by looking at what Paul has to say to the slave/master relationship.
“Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” Col 3:22-4:1
Forgiveness
“No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness” - John Bunyan
Conversion
When the wheels of a clock move within, the hands on the dial will move without. When the heart of a man is sound in conversion, then the life will be fair in profession.
William Secker
GracePointe Baptist Church
2209 N Post Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73141
Phone: (405) 769-5050