Complete in Christ
Keep Christ Preeminent • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsSince we call ourselves Christians, we need to actually follow Christ. This requires keeping Christ preeminent in all things, but especially the church.
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Introduction
What do you, or other people, need to add to your life to make it complete?
contemporary ideology
political viewpoint
moral philosophy
practical psychology
behavior modification
restorative distraction
So often when we look at ourselves or we look at other people, we fret about—even argue about—our, or their, lack in one of these areas. The notion being that if we, or they, could just add this or that or correct this or that, then they would be more complete.
But would adding anything from this list really make us more complete?
Transition
Paul was addressing this very question as he wrote to the church at Colosse, and likely as he wrote to the church at Laodicea (Laodicea was also in the Lycus valley about 11 miles away.) What should we add to our lives to make them more complete?
Illumination
The Agony, 1
The Agony, 1
1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
Paul wanted to be clear: this was a big deal to him. He experienced “great conflict” over this question.
Regarding “conflict” Greek agon from which we get agony
the inward conflict of the soul”; inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict
The Answer, 2-3
The Answer, 2-3
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Then Paul answered the question, and we almost miss it because we get so wrapped up in the question and in its implications. It’s true that Paul wanted them to be encouraged, and unified, and assured; but all around the centrality of the answer.
The answer
The answer
Here’s the answer: we need the assurance, understanding, and knowledge of God (Both of the Father and Christ, the Son).
Who God is
what God wants
what God does (including creation and relationship)
The reason
The reason
Why? Because all the treasures of wisdom (Greek sophia)and knowledge (Greek gnosis)are hidden (stored and secured) in Him.
The Atmosphere, 4-7
The Atmosphere, 4-7
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Things were in good shape, so far, in Colosse. Paul commends their “good order” and “steadfastness”. But the best time for a warning is before their is a problem. And he sees danger looming. So, he encourages them to walk in Chirst. what does it mean to walk in Him?
be rooted in Him
be built upon Him
be secured to Him
be abundant because of Him
The Attack, 4 & 8
The Attack, 4 & 8
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
The attack that believers face comes in the form of persuasive words that
Deceive us - they are not true
Cheat us - not take something from us but take us from something…we are the product sought
How? Through
philosophy - love of wisdom
empty deceit - misleading imaginations
traditions of men - what has been handed down (through culture or religion)
all are according to the “basic principles of the world,” that is the fundamental understanding of the world, based on observation but not base on Christ. The idea is either apart from Him or contrary to Him.
The Answer Again, 9-10
The Answer Again, 9-10
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Christ is fullness
Christ is fullness
Can be understood in two different ways
all the fulness of the Godhead is in Him. This is true but is not really what Paul is getting at
all the fulness of life is in Him. “fulness” indicates that which is able to fill in a gap or void. God does not have gaps or voids, we do. God has the fulness to fill the gaps and voids. That fulness is in Christ.
Christ is completeness
Christ is completeness
Because He knows everything we need has everything we need and is everything we need, we don’t need to add anything. We are complete in Him.
Conclusion
The reason most believers are still trying to figure out what to add to their life to complete it is they are either ignorant (best case scenario) or deceived (worst case scenario).
Application
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, encouraged his readers to apply their hearts to wisdom, understanding that God was the source of that wisdom. We need to do the same thing. Apply ourselves to our pursuit of the knowledge and wisdom of God, rather than applying ourselves that which distracts us from God.