“Strengthend in Faith”

Colossians chapter 2

We are in our study of Colossians.

Remember with me that the apostle Paul is writing to the church in Colossae from a Roman prison.

He is addressing false teaching which has attempted to gain access to the hearts and minds of the believers.

The false teaching presented the idea that works needed to be added to faith in Christ.

Throughout the letter, Christ is presented as the sole provider of our salvation and there are no additional works required.

Today, we pick up our study in Colossians chapter 2.

The title of my message this morning is: “Strengthened in faith.”

Not only are we saved by faith, but we must also become strengthened in our faith.

[Col 2:6-10 NIV] 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

Prayer . . .

Illustration: Joining the gym

Skinny

Wanting to become strong

Joining the gym

Tearing down the muscles

“No pain, no gain

Repair (recovery)

I believe that many today are becoming stuck in the tearing down process.

They are constantly tearing down without ever engaging in rebuilding.

As a result, instead of faith becoming stronger, it becomes torn down to such an extent that what is left is a pile of rubble.

Unless or until rebuilding takes place, the individual will eventually discard faith altogether.

Teaching: How can Colossians 2 help us?

[Col 2:6 NIV] 6 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,.”

The emphasis throughout the letter to the church focuses on “continuing” in Christ.

To continue suggests that there is first a beginning.

Paul encourages the believers to continue “just as you received Christ.”

We receive Christ by faith.

We continue to live in Christ also by faith.

Rooted:

Utilizes the imagery of the root system of a tree going deeply into the ground

To be rooted in Christ will result in our spiritual roots going deep relationally into a consistent abiding in Christ.

Abiding in Christ is a key principle Jesus taught His disciples. It is only through continual abiding that we can develop a strongly rooted faith.

Built up in Him:

As we become deeply rooted in Christ, we establish a firm foundation upon which to build.

Like any structure, the strength of the building is dependent upon the foundation.

Our spiritual root system provides the strength of foundation upon which we then build (reconstruct) the reality of our faith in Christ.

[Col 2:8 NIV] 8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

One of the most common prayer requests I have heard throughout my years of pastoral ministry is for the salvation of children not currently serving Christ.

The beliefs of children raised in church have been set aside for a new pursuit in life.

This pursuit becomes based on a personal interpretation of truth and its application to the individual’s lifestyle.

As a result, faith is dismissed as an antiquated belief system, or passively endured with occasional church attendance to satisfy the wishes of a parent’s faith.

The philosophical term associated with this process is “deconstruction.”

At its core, deconstruction challenges traditional assumptions about language, meaning, and truth.

Those stuck in the process of deconstruction . . .

They are constantly tearing down without ever engaging in rebuilding.

Remaining constantly in the tearing down process would be like going to the gym with the end goal to be sore.

We go to the gym for the goal of becoming stronger.

[Col 2:10 NIV] 10 “In Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

“In Christ, you have been brought to fullness.”

We all want to experience fullness of life

I believe the reason many become stuck in tearing down is because they are searching for fullness.

The belief centers on the pursuit of what is real and trustworthy.

The key to rebuilding is experiencing reality in Christ.

“These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Colossians 2:17

There is a desperate cry today for something real.

Information alone is unfulfilling.

Information with real life experience that makes a difference in the world is the pursuit.

As a result, we as followers of Christ are being looked at with eyes that question, “are you living in the reality of Jesus or just making a sales pitch?”

Paul teaches that fullness can only be accomplished, “in Christ.”

Notice the wording “brought to.”

This would indicate that fullness is a process and not an immediate activity.

As we question our beliefs, we do so in Christ.

Questioning our beliefs “in Christ”:

God isn’t afraid of our questions.

He invites the honest seeker to fully explore His love and grace, but God doesn’t want us to become stuck in our questions.

This is the primary difference between someone who is engaging in deconstruction for its own sake and one who is honestly questioning to be brought to fullness in Christ.

How can we help those who are caught in tearing down?

Close:

[Col 2:1 NIV] 1 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you”

Loved ones who were raised to know the Truth of Christ but who are not currently living for Jesus need to be “contended” for.

It could be that they have become stuck in a process of tearing down without the ability to re-engage the strengthening of faith.

As we “contend” for them, we ask that the Holy Spirit would enable them to:

[Col 2:2 NIV] “Be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.”

Prayer for those with lost loved ones . . .