Discover the theology of Christ in the book of Colossians – where Jesus is the ultimate solution to every question and challenge. He reigns supreme, fulfills every need, and gives us new life. We pray that this series on Jesus will lead to an overflow of obedience that ripples through our hearts, homes, community, and, ultimately, the world, all for the glory of Christ.
Rooted & Built “In Him”
Speakers
Josh Blount
Lead Pastor
Notes
Colossians 2:1 I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
"struggle" agōn.
The word agōn captures the idea of striving, not in the sense of desperate hopelessness, but in the sense of focused determination—fighting for something that is worth the struggle.
Colossians 2:2 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged,
may be encouraged = parakaleō.
Para to come alongside,
kaleo to call
#1 Community
Colossians 2:2 knit together in love,
The more connected we are, the more powerful we become.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
#2 Competency
Competency – the ongoing development of knowledge, encompassing not just the acquisition of information, but also the ability to apply, refine, and expand upon it through experience and continual learning.
Colossians 2:2-3 To reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Ambiguity leads to anxiety
The Goal: A Courageous and Competent Community
Everything you’re searching for—wisdom for life, understanding for the journey, purpose for your soul—it’s all found in Jesus.
Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
The same way you received Him is the same way you walk in Him.
walk - to walk around.
Everywhere I go, I should be walking around in Him
Colossians 2:7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
The deeper your roots go in Jesus, the more steady and purposeful your steps become.
Get solid in the fundamentals: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
What we understand clearly, we can explain clearly. — J.C. Ryle
Colossians 2:7 built up in him
Don’t try to live your life apart from the person you’ve built it upon.
The same place you got rooted is the same place you build from.
If you’re rooted in Christ, you’re meant to be built up and established in Him.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Colossians 2:7 abounding in thanksgiving.
If you don’t like the output change the input.
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.
Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Colossians 2:9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
theotēs—It means the very essence of God, the full, undiminished reality of God.
When Paul says the 'fullness of deity' dwells in Christ, he’s saying everything God is, everything He has, and everything He does—His power, His wisdom, His authority—dwells fully in Jesus. Jesus doesn’t just reflect God; He is the totality of God, in all His completeness, made visible to us. If you want to know God, look at Jesus, because in Him, you have everything God is. — Tim Keller
Colossians 2:10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
The fullness of God dwells in Jesus, and if you have made Jesus your Lord, His fullness now dwells in you!
Colossians 2:11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands,
God wants to do something in you that’s built by Him, and only Him.
All the fullness of deity is in Him, and in Him, we are made full.
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Sermon Series || Colossians Series - Rooted & Built “In Him” || Colossians 2:1-11 “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 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. 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. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ”
Being rooted and built in Jesus is the best thing you can do, but it isn’t always the easiest; sometimes it involves vulnerability. But there’s strength and courage that come from being in Community. Do you find it hard to be in community? Do you have community? If not, how can you begin to step in/towards community?
To go with Pastor Josh’s C points, being Competent in Jesus is important if we are to be rooted and built in Him. We need to know the right information, or else it can lead to anxiety. The goal is to be a courageous and competent community, do you feel like you know Jesus and the Gospel? Is that something you could spend more time learning? If so, how can you practically begin doing that this week?
Everything you’re searching for is found in Jesus. So how do we become a courageous and competent community? The same way you received Him is the same way you walk in Him. You walk everywhere in Him - meaning you don’t leave Him on your nightstand in the morning before going to work, or you don’t find truth in the world, but you find it in Him. Are you walking everywhere in Him? Or are you separating Him from other things?
We need to be rooted in the Gospel, we need to get rooted in the ESSENTIALS. Don’t try to live your life apart from the Person you’ve built it upon. The same place you got rooted is the same place you build from. So what are you feeding your soul? What are you allowing to have inputs in your life that are not Jesus?
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October Series: Sound the Trumpet!
Power Verse: The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Week 4 Lesson: Spread Joy
Where does our joy come from? God
What does it mean to spread joy? Share it with others
Who are some people you can spread joy to?
What are some ways you can spread the joy of Jesus? -
October Series: Sound the Trumpet!
Power Verse: The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Week 4 Lesson: Spread Joy
Where does our joy come from? God
What does it mean to spread joy? Share it with others
Who are some people you can spread joy to?
What are some ways you can spread the joy of Jesus? -
October Series: Do Not Fear!
Pre-K Power Verse: “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Learn the Isaiah 41:10 hand motions here!
Week 3 Lesson: Peter Walks on Water
What was the name of God’s people? Israelites
Who was Gideon? the army’s commander
What did Gideon do when he felt scared? prayed & worshipped
What did God help Gideon do? defeat the Midianites
What should we do when we feel scared? pray & worship!
What will God give us? a sound mind
What is a sound mind?
When has God given you a sound mind?
NEW!! Pick up an October parent resource page from your child’s class! -
October Series: Do Not Fear!
Twos Power Verse: “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Learn the 2 Timothy 1:7 hand motions here!
Threes Power Verse: “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Learn the Isaiah 41:10 hand motions here!
Lesson all month in both classrooms: Peter Walks on Water
Who was in the boat? Peter and the disciples
What happened when they were on the boat? A big storm came
Did they feel scared? Yes
What did they think they saw on the water? A ghost
Who was it really? Jesus!
Who tried walking on the water with Jesus? Peter
Why did he start stinking? He took his eyes off of Jesus
When does Jesus love us? All the time!
Whaat can we do when we feel scared? Pray, worship, say the name of Jesus, say our power verse!
NEW!! Pick up an October parent resource page from your child’s class!