The Believers Progress

Good morning, Children of God! I hope you do not get tired of me saying that. We all need that reminder of who our Father is. I have to remind myself constantly of who The Great I Am says I am. A lot of times, it keeps me from getting in trouble. Usually in traffic or at the grocery store. Sometimes when my kids are talking to me. Anyway...

Last week, we dove deep into the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. My prayer was that we could clearly see and relate to what Jesus Christ experienced, remembering that he did those things as our High Priest, to experience what it is like for us.

Jesus taught us that there are only three things we need to overcome temptation. The same three things that we use to overcome temptation are the same three things we use to progress in our walk.

We Progress as Believers through:

Holy Spirit

The Word of God

Faith in God and Jesus

I want to look at the word “Faith” this morning. What does it mean when we say “We have faith in Christ?” Here is a short biblical definition of faith.

"Faith is the knowledge of, trust in, and commitment to Jesus Christ that is required for salvation.”

Faith means that we know who Jesus Christ is, but knowing him is not enough. The demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God and tremble. Do demons know the Word of God? Better than any of us. Do demons know who Holy Spirit is? Yup. The enemy knows the God-Head personally. Are demons saved through knowledge of Christ? No.

Faith means that we trust Christ. It means that we TRUST in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS in making us acceptable to God. Faith in Christ also means that we make a commitment to follow Christ. For me, personally, faith, trust, and truth are synonomous with one another when I am talking about God. I can’t separate one from the other.

We are going to look at Colossians 2:6-10 this morning. Colossians is one of the letters Paul wrote from prison. It is said that “Where most people check out hotels when they visit a town, Paul checked out the jails to see what his accommodations were going to look like.”

Before we jump in, it is important to understand that the Colossians where a faith filled church. Much like we are! They were true believers. Unfortunately, false teachings started creeping into their church. People were trying to add to the message of salvation.

Colossians 2:6 (NIV)

6 So then, just as you received (paralambanō) Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

When we put our trust in Christ, we are proving our faith. We come to a place where we realize that Christ is the “all-sufficient” Lord. We trust that God is our provider.

Now that DOES NOT mean that we expect God to do everything for us. We are to do what we are supposed to according to scripture, and trust that God will do what God does. What He promises to do.

For some reason, I struggled for some time with the phrase “you received Christ.” Whenever I said “I received Christ” I felt like I was elevating myself above Christ (IT WAS I WHO RECEIVED CHRIST). Now I know it can just be a play on words, semantics, but you all know me. If something does not sit right with me, I have to dig in. Now you have to pay the price.

The Greek word used in scripture for “received” is paralambanō. It is so much deeper than saying we “received Christ.” it really means that we “RECEIVED FROM Christ.” An even closer translation is “TOOK FROM.” That one word, “from,” completely changed this verse for me.

It means that our Savior, our King, the one who was, is, and will always be, offered us the gift of salvation, he made the first move, and we “accepted.” WE RECEIVED FROM HIM! We gratefully TOOK FROM HIM, what no one and nothing else could give us. Salvation, a relationship with God, and right standing before God.

I do not know if you have ever thought about this; When you RECEIVED FROM HIM his gift of salvation, he brought you into a personal covenant relationship with God. That is HUGE!

Covenants are relationships God establishes with people on the basis of His promises.

Do you see that! GOD STARTED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU! You had to “receive from Christ” who then brought you into a relationship with the God-Head. The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. As His child, you are a beneficiary of God’s promises and you are counted as royalty in the Kingdom of Glory!

THAT IS THE LIFE, THAT IS THE TRUTH THAT YOU AND I ARE TO WALK IN AS BELIEVERS! We walk in fellowship with the Great promise keeper! We must CONTINUE to walk with him, step by step and day by day.

The reason that Paul says to “continue” is because if we are not moving forward, we stop. When we stop, we can stall. When we stall, we can fall. God is not expecting us to sprint. We are just to make steady progress walking with Him.

In Colossians 2:7, The Apostle Paul continues:

Colossians 2:7 NIV

7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

This is where the Apostle makes a distinction between “Savior” and “Lord.” So many believers will say “Jesus is my Lord and Savior,” but not really understand the “Lord” part.

As embarrassing as it is for me to admit this, it took me several years into my walk to realize that I was not living with Christ as “Lord” of my life. I accepted his gift of salvation, I received that, I took that, but I was not living submitted to Christ as the Lord of my life.

Salvation is the first step we take. The remainder of our walk is “submission” and “obedience” unto Christ.

The Apostle is telling us that the only way we progress in our walk is to be deeply rooted in Christ. What happens to plants that do not take root? They die. How about plants that take deep root in rich soil? They thrive and produce good fruit. The Apostle is eluding to the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

"The Fruit of the Spirit" in the believers life is the result of a deeply rooted relationship with Christ AND the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Holy Spirit produces these qualities in the believer. We can’t do it. These are the very characteristics of Christ.

I stared at this list for awhile when I was preparing this teaching. There are still some areas that I struggle. Anybody else struggle with some of these at times?

I am grateful that God does not abandon us in our imperfection and brokenness. That Holy Spirit doesn’t abandon us. He continues His work in us. He loves you and me enough to never leave us nor forsake us.

In Colossians 2:7, the Apostle Paul also tells us “to be strengthened in the faith as you were taught.” Sola Scriptura baby! Scripture Alone! The Word of God is the final authority in the believers life.

Some people argue that the Bible does not give us all the answers. YES IT DOES! We are to stand strong and hold fast to the Living Word. We know that Jesus is the Word, and that Holy Spirit never contradicts, but leads us back to the Word and to Christ.

Paul also says we should “overflow with thanksgiving.” HE WROTE THIS FROM A PRISON CELL! I am going to be honest with you all, as I always am. There are times I do NOT feel thankful! There are times I act like an ungrateful little brat! Anybody else willing to admit that?

We need to walk in an unbroken spirit of thanksgiving. It does not mean we always feel great. With all the Lord has done for us, with all that He continues to do, we should be overflowing with thanksgiving every moment! His love, grace, and mercy never stop!

The Apostle Paul goes on to say this:

Colossians 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.

The Apostle Paul had to deal with this problem everywhere he went. This is a topic that seems to keep coming up in today’s church and for good reason! Believers face a very real threat of being led away from the Truth of Christ.

The word “captive” means to be carried away or kidnapped. Just in the last ten years, we have watched entire denominations carried away by certain agendas, popular opinion, and beliefs that are not based on scripture.

Paul is not bad-mouthing philosophy here. Paul studied philosophy and used it to bring people to the Kingdom. He is talking about deceptive philosophies that place human thought, reasoning, opinion, and desires over the Word of God. He saw it everywhere back then, and we see it everywhere today.

If you want to get a picture of what Paul is talking about in today’s world, simply look at what some progressive churches are pushing. When you get home, do an internet search of “progressive Christianity.”.

Beliefs that contradict the Word of God. Self-appointed prophets claiming that Holy Spirit has given them some kind of new revelation that they are sharing with the world. They are intentionally leading people away from the Truth and away from Christ, for their own earthly benefit.

There is not a Pastor, Priest, not the Pope, not a church doctrine, nor a theology that holds authority over the Word of God. God is the all-sufficient and final authority.

Colossians 2:9–10 NLT

9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

And there it is. The Great I AM. Jesus is God. Now the reason that Paul says “the fullness of God in a human body” is to say that Jesus is every bit God.

The fullness of God Paul is talking about refers to the divine nature of Christ. The divine nature of God came in human form, Jesus Christ, but it does not mean that Christ is all there is of God. The Father and Holy Spirit are equally divine.

If you are in Christ, you are complete in Christ. You have received the fullness of Christ. He has already given you everything! You can stop searching.

Many believers spend time “searching for more.” The enemy and this world want us to believe that Jesus is not enough for salvation.

That some “new knowledge” of God has been revealed that will make us complete in the LORD. You will usually here things like this from cult leaders.

That we need to have some kind of ecstatic experience to bring us closer to God.

These are both lies and stand opposed to the sufficiency of Christ as Lord and Savior. Believers are complete in Him. If we are in union with Christ, if He is the head of our lives and homes, we will continue to grow. But not by adding human garbage.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV)

30 It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

When I fully realized what this meant, it changed my life.

Wisdom means that we understand God, the world, and man. We know the origin, purpose, and end of creation. We do not have to keep searching for “the meaning of life” or “our purpose.” He has told us! We choose to believe him, or we don’t. We choose to submit, or we don’t.

I have had several people ask me “Bob, do you really believe everything in the Bible?” YUP! It is in His Word, and that is enough for me! Do I believe everybody’s opinion about the Bible? Not a chance.

If you are a believer, you have received His righteousness. We understand evil in this world, we know what sin is. He taught us how to overcome sin and temptation. We also know that the only way to attain righteousness is through Christ.

Through Christ, you are Holy, you are sanctified, you are set apart for His good works. I know that is tough to wrap our minds around, but it is the truth. God does not lie.

And Praise God, He has redeemed us! He has saved us from sin and corruption. He has brought us from death to life! Jesus alone swung the gates of the Kingdom wide open, and personally walks you in!

Worship Team

Prayer

Abba Daddy, thank you. We thank you for the grace and mercy that you rain down upon us everyday. We thank you for walking with us in this life. We thank you for your promises fulfilled and your unending love. We thank you for this church, Vision of Hope that you have blessed and continue to bless. We lay all things at the foot of the cross and we ask that you continue to walk with us as we continue to glorify you. In the unmatched and perfect name of Jesus Christ, Amen.