Feb 22, 2017

Study by T.T. Crabtree

Christ in You, the Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:24–29

24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Introduction

We can sense a spirit of despair in the world today among all cultures and among all age groups. How can we change from having an attitude of despair to an attitude of hope? How can we cease being pessimists and become optimists? How can we live triumphant lives rather than being conquered by the events that threaten us? How much hope do you have as you face the future?

If you would have hope instead of despair, you must find and receive the gift of faith. Real faith and a spirit of hope are inseparable: “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV). Paul sought to challenge, encourage, and motivate the believers in Colossae with the tremendous truth that the living Christ has come to dwell within the heart of each believer.

I. The indwelling Christ is a basis for hope.

The indwelling Christ is the Christ of eternity (John 1:1–3).

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

The indwelling Christ is the Christ who entered time (John 1:14).

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The indwelling Christ is our contemporary. He is the living Christ who has conquered death and hell (Rev. 1:18).

18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

The exalted Lord comes to fill our total being (Rev. 3:20).

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Christ comes to us individually.

Christ comes to us collectively as we meet together for worship.

II. The indwelling Christ is the basis of God’s hope for us.

Christ has given to each of his disciples the gift of his spiritual presence (Matt. 28:20).

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Christ is at work within us to accomplish God’s good purpose within us (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:13).

Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.

Philippians 2:1313 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

The indwelling Christ is the basis of God’s hope for something significant from each of us. God sent his Son not only into the world but into our hearts as well.

III. The indwelling Christ is the basis of our hope for fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.

Paul expressed this hope in his letter to the Galatians when he declared that the living Christ lived within him and that he lived his life through faith in this living Christ. Paul had faith to believe that he would be able to meet any circumstance in life through the strength that the indwelling Christ provided (Phil. 4:13).

Conclusion

When you are inclined to be discouraged, remember that Christ has come to live within you. He wants to accomplish God’s good work in you and through you. Cling to the precious promise of his abiding presence to find the courage you need to live victoriously this week.