Rooted In Christ - Sermon 3

All You Need Is Jesus

Text: Colossians 1:15-23

Introduction

Have you ever seen those commercials that featured multiple issues and selling something that can handle them all? They even provide a FULL SATISFACTION GUARANTEE!

Illustration Video: Hoover vacuum commercial

Now, we all know that products such as the vacuum cleaner does provide some multipurpose benefits. However, we are not hear to talk about vacuum cleaners. We are hear to gain a fuller understanding of WHY Jesus completes us. Therefore, giving us the reason why we should daily be spiritually and practically ROOTING in to His person.

We have already learned that the most valuable life treasures dwell exclusively in Jesus Christ.

TODAY, we want to continue on in chapter one and discover how it is that Jesus truly is the “one stop shop” for your soul.

Here is the flow of the text: “fulness” is explained, the heart of God the Father is revealed; How Jesus brought restoration to all things; what Christ does for the believer; Finally, the evidence of genuine conversion.

1) The Nature of His Fulness

VERSE 19

Before we dive in to the fulness Christ provides for us, DON’T MISS God’s attitude toward this provision!!!

IT PLEASED HIM!

This fulness was not a created fulness, but rather a fulness that dwelled within God himself.

Christ always retained this fulness. Yet, his incarnation was the first ever moment when His fulness was brought down TO YOU!

For us to have any abilities, it must be given to us by God.

These abilities or provisions do not come from any secondary source; they come from within God!

This should encourage us to dive deep into Christ.

Illustration: Advertisements will say, “look no further, all you need is right here.”

(vv.16-18) Speaks about how/why all things dwell in Christ.

All things were created THROUGH Him and FOR Him.

He is BEFORE all things.

IN Him all things consist.

2) The Working Of His Fulness

VERSE 20

What I mean by “working,” is Jesus’ work of reconciliation.

to reconcile back v. — to reconcile, perhaps emphasizing the restoration of the previously harmonious relationship.

It also pleased God for Christ to bring reconciliation to ALL.

Due to God’s fulness only being found in Christ, we could not do this work for ourselves, it took God taking the initiative in His love and grace.

Romans 5:6 “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Romans 5:8-10 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

This was done by Jesus’ Life’s blood.

Through this work of restoring our soul back to harmony with His holiness, this restoration can now reach your personal weaknesses, struggles, marriage, parenthood, etc.

NEVER reverse this order when witnessing to an unbeliever.

This is why Christians praise God for the cross and the empty tomb.

VERSE 21-22

This speaks of the greatest transition of the soul!

They went from being dead above ground, to Christ giving them roots permanently attached to Him!!!

“sometime” = formerly/at a previous time/past.

“…by wicked works”

Your mind was severed and always opposed to God by the results of your own sin; the result from your deeds of sin is GUILT before God and HATE toward His person.

Because your mind is severed from God, your actions will be also; actions that is classified as RIGHTEOUS.

Adam gave you the nature by which you have made yourself guilty before God.

The first Adam presented you guilty, but the SECOND ADAM (Jesus Christ) now presents you HOLY, BLAMELESS, and ABOVE REPROACH.

(v22) If it was the sin of your body that made you guilty, then it must be by the works of similar flesh that frees you from that guilt; “In the body of His flesh through death.”

Similar in body, yet perfect in nature; JESUS CHRIST!

This was the only way Jesus could die.

All for the purpose of presenting you before the Father:

Holy — moral purity

Unblameable = without blemish

Isn’t it amazing that God can look at you RIGHT NOW and see no blemish; speaking of your position in Christ.

Ephesians 1:4 “4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

Will you stand alone in judgement or will Christ be standing with you? The placement of your faith in the HERE AND NOW determines that!!!

Unreproveable = free from accusation

No charges can be brought against you!!!

This doesn’t mean Satan won’t keep trying.

You most certainly have done everything Satan accused you of, but it can’t change your relationship with God!!!

3) Evidence of Christ’s Fulness In You

VERSE 23

Paul is speaking of the FAITH tap root that is in the power of Christ’s gospel

Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

1 Peter 1:5 “5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

If what Paul is saying does not line up with YOUR FAITH, then you have yet to be reconciled to God.

Continue in “the faith”

If the roots of your faith begin in Jesus’ gospel, they will indefinitely remain/continue there.

Grounded, settled, not moved.

Salvation is not kept through the continuing of our faith. Our salvation is validated by the continuing of our faith in Christ.

There has been and will continue to be the pure gospel of Jesus preached.

Thank God for all the body of Christ who continue to live without shame of the message Jesus has entrusted them with.

Can this thanksgiving be extended to you???

Conclusion

Nature of Christ’s fulness — All things God has waiting for you in Christ are good, pure, restorative, helpful, healing, strong, eternal.

The work of Christ’s fulness — Let Christ be the only one you rest your faith and continue your faith because He alone can change your eternal destiny.

The evidence of Christ’s fulness in you — Is your faith currently resting in Christ alone as Savior and Lord of your soul? Is your faith continuing to trust Jesus’ work on the cross for salvation?

ARE YOU ROOTED IN THE FULNESS OF JESUS???