WE ARE COMPLETE HIM

Colossians2:10 INTRODUCTION: This completion is received simply by faith in Christ. We have completion by being in Him. Many precious truths are implied and taught by Scripture as connected with being in Christ. Verses 11-15 explain this for us. We are made complete. I. BY BEING FORGIVEN Verse 13 "... having forgiven you all trespasses." Through faith in Christ sin is forgiven. Since God forgives us our sins on the basis of Christ's payment at Calvary's cross, we learn that God's forgiveness is complete. So, we have complete forgiveness. "... having forgiven you all trespasses." II. WE ARE COMPLETE BY HAVING THE BOND THAT WAS AGAINST US CANCELLED Verse 14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross." And we are completely free from the judgment the law brought on us. Thank God for His grace that saved us! III. WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM BY BEING BURIED WITH HIM Let us make it plain from the outset that we do not mean baptism is a part of the Gospel. It is a picture of the Gospel. Baptism does not save, nor does it help save. Consider now Colossians 2:12: "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." IV. WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM BY BEING RAISED WITH HIM Verse 12 "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God who raised Him from the dead." Having been identified with His death, we have been "quickened together with Him" (verse 13). We are made alive with Him. V. WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM BY HAVING OUR ENEMIES CONQUERED BY HIM Verse 15 "And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." Romans 8:37-39 "Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." If God be for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31).

LIFE APPLICATION

FILLING THE GAPS

Look around you. People are searching for something to give their lives a boost. Few people seem content within themselves. A strange and often hard-to-identify inner vacuum gives most people an uneasy sense of incompleteness.

But Christ fills the vacuum. As Jesus' person is fully divine, so we, united by faith to Jesus, find personal fulfillment in him. We are complete in Christ.

Some days may not feel like it, but, in fact, in Jesus the vacuum is gone; the full power and presence of God has taken up residence in your mind and heart. You are a new person, equipped for life and satisfied in God. So . . .

1. Take more risks—God will guide you.

2. Give more generously—God will supply you.

3. Love more freely—God will energize you.

4. Say "can do" more often—God will amaze you