Exalting Jesus, Living Fully

Thank You’s:

Occassion: 19th Anniversary of Church

Thank: Pastor Alexander Collins

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION:

Central North Regional Pastor for Foursquare Churches

Pastor the church my grandparents started in Mahomet, IL

Married 6 years to Andrea (PICTURE)

Kids: Kayla is 5 and Luke is 3

SERMON INTRO:

STORY TO INTRO BIG IDEA: Time share presenter tried to convince us what was Living Fukky

BIG IDEA: Living Fully Happens By Being Anchored to the Exalted Jesus

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?… WHAT PROBLEM DOES THIS SOLVE?

Our world wants to shift

Our world wants to be “fluid”

Our world wants to go from one worldly pleasure to the next and call it good, when God calls it evil.

‌Let’s PRAY..….

Opening Scripture:

Colossians 1:9 (ESV)

9 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,

v. 1:3 “heard of your faith in Christ Jesus”

Colossians background: Paul writes from prison due to a man he probably met in Ephesus who is leading the Col. church. False teaching questions the Deity of Jesus has made its way into the Col. church (early form of Gnosticism.)

Exalting Jesus because of Creation, Redemption, & Transformation (Colossians 1:15–20)

1. Exalt Jesus because of creation (vv. 1:15–17)

Colossians 1:15–17 ESV

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.

Colossians 1:15–17 “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.”

(a) As the image of the invisible God (v. 15a)

(b) As the firstborn over all creation (v. 15b)

(c) As the Creator of all things (v. 16a, b)

(d) As the goal of all things (v. 16c)

(e) As the one “before” everything (v. 17a)

(f) As the sustainer of all things (v. 17b)

TIMES ARE TOUGH

…”green” initiatives

…wars

EXALT JESUS FOR HOLDING IT TOGETHER AS OUR SUSTAINER

2. Exalt Jesus because of redemption (vv. 1:18–20)

Colossians 1:18–20 ESV

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 1:18–20 “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.”

(a) As the head of the body, the Church (v. 18a)

(b) As the beginning (v. 18b)

(c) As the firstborn from the dead (v. 18c)

(d) As the possessor of all God’s fullness (v. 19)

(e) As the agent of God’s reconciliation (v. 20)

…Marriages are struggling

…Generations are struggling to understand each other

THE CROSS brings Rec.

…Reconciliation is the vertical beam - God

…Reconciliation is the horizontal beam - each other

EXALT JESUS FOR RECONCILIATION and step out as a minister of RECONCILIATION (2 Cor. 5:18)!

TRANSITION: As we recognize and exalt Jesus, we are transformed…

3. Exalt Jesus because of our own transformation (vv. 1:21-23)

Colossians 1:21–23 ESV

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Colossians 1:21–22 “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”

Where From and Where To?

a. By nature we were at enmity with God (v. 21)

b. By grace we have been reconciled to God (v. 22a)

c. By grace and perseverance we shall be presented irreproachable before God (vv. 22b–23a)

Points:

This speaks of transformation

Not where we were…but not yet where we shall be!

TRANSITION: As we recognize and exalt Jesus, we are transformed…as we are transformed we are settled on HOPE…

Colossians 1:23 “23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Staying Anchored to Jesus, Keeps You Exalting Jesus (Col 1:23; Hebrews 6:19-20)

Hebrews 6:19–20 ESV

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hope as an anchor…Hebrews 6:19–20 “19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

1. This anchor grounds our souls (v. 19a)

v. 1:23 continue, stable, steadfast, not shifting

How is your soul?

2. This anchor tethers us to the heavenly sanctuary (v. 19b)

Tethered to the Presence of God…the holy of holies…the throne of Heaven

3. This anchor connects us to Jesus in Heaven (v. 20)

Do you continue DAILY IN faith AND hope?

…Read your Bible and Pray everyday so you will grow, grow, grow!

…Silence and Solitude

Staying Anchored to Jesus, Keeps You Living Fully

Conclusion/Reflection:

Picture of Anchor Tethered to boat…in the storm.

Paul’s Prayer for Colossians: be filled, walk worthy, be strengthened (vv. 1:9-11)…This prayer happens when we are TETHERED to Jesus…John 15 calls it connected to the vine…another image of Paul is “bearing fruit.”

As we recognize and exalt Jesus, we will live fully, with our lives anchored in the hope of heaven.

Live anchored and people will HEAR of your faith!

“Helping others elevate”

SOURCES:

Murray J. Harris, Colossians and Philemon, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament (B&H Academic; WORDsearch, 2012)