Colossal Christianity: Living in Christ

Colossians 1:15-20

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And 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, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 2:6-10

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Faith in Christ (2 Colossians 6-7)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving

1. Rooted and built up in him

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

1. Strengthened in the faith as you were taught

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.    Acts 20:32

1. Overflowing with thankfulness

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Colossians 1:3

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Colossians 1:12

rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7

Colossians 3:15-17

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 4:2

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. Freedom in Christ 2 Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

1. Watch out for hollow and deceptive philosophy

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; Acts 20:29

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,  Colossians 1:13

1. Do not look to human tradition or the basic principles of this world

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men   Mark 7:8

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.  Galatians 4:3

Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.  But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?    Galatians 4:8-9

1. True freedom is found in Christ alone

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

III. Fullness in Christ (9-10)

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 2 Colossians 2:9-10

1. All the fullness of God lives in Christ

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,       Colossians 1:19

1. Christ is the head over every power and authority – Matthew 28:18

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:16

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..  Matthew 28:18

1. You have been given fullness in Christ

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace  John 1:16

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:19

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,    Colossians 1:9

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  Colossians 1:19

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,  Colossians 1:24-25

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, Colossians 2:2

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.  Colossians 2:9-10