Continue In Christ

Colossians 2:6–7

“6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

⏱️ 3–4 Minutes — INTRO :

Tone: Warm, personal, hopeful

“Have you ever noticed we make New Year’s Resolutions like:

‘I’m going to read my Bible every day!’ ‘I’m going to pray more!’ ‘I’m going to be patient!’ …and then someone cuts us off in traffic and we fail all three at once. 😅

We’re great at big promises… but God isn’t just looking for big promises… He’s looking for faithful people who continue in Christ.”

Stay rooted

Stay steady

Stay faithful

READ SCRIPTURE

PLEASE STAND (IF YOU ARE ABLE) FOR THE READING OF GODS WORD

Colossians 2:6–7

“6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

BIG STATEMENT

“God doesn’t just want decisions. God wants disciples. God doesn’t just want moments. God wants movement. God doesn’t just want beginnings. God wants continuers.”

Transition

“So what does it look like for our church to Continue in Christ this year?”

CONTINUE IN FAITH

⏱️ 6–7 minutes

Key Thought

We must be grounded in truth.

📖 Key Scriptures to reference

(don’t read all—refer and quote portions):

Jude 1:3 — “contend for the faith”

Definition:

maintain, assert

1 John 5:13 — assurance

Definition:

a being certain in the mind

2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture authority

Definition:

power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

Preach This

We want believers who KNOW Jesus, not just know about Him.

We want a church confident in salvation.

We want a church rooted in God’s Word.

Emotion fades. Excitement passes. Truth keeps you standing.

Application

Settle salvation

Stand on Scripture

Build confidence in Christ

Short Line

“We don’t want a shallow church. We want a sure church.”

Transition

➡️ “Once faith is grounded… growth must follow.”

CONTINUE IN GROWTH

⏱️ 6–7 minutes

Key Thought

Saved people should grow people. 2X

📖 Scriptures

2 Peter 3:18 — “grow in grace”

John 15 — abide

Hebrews 12:1–2 — run the race

Preach This

Spiritual growth is intentional, not accidental.

You don’t drift into godliness.

God wants maturity, consistency, strength.

Growth Areas

Prayer

Scripture practice

Spiritual discipline

Becoming like Jesus in attitude and behavior

Application

“For the next 3 months we’re going to help people not just SAY they love Jesus…but actually learn to WALK with Him.”

Short Line

“God saves you where you are… but He loves you too much to leave you there.”

Transition

➡️ “But God never called us to walk alone…”

CONTINUE IN FELLOWSHIP

⏱️ 6–7 minutes

Key Thought

You cannot live Christianity alone.

📖 Scriptures

Acts 2:42

“42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Hebrews 10:24–25

“24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Ephesians 4

Preach This

Church is not a place you go.

Church is a family you belong to.

People don’t just need a sermon— they need support, encouragement, accountability, love.

Emphasis

Unity

Serving together

Using gifts

Encouraging each other

Short Line

“We don’t want a church that just sits together. We want a church that stands together.”

Transition

➡️ “A church grounded in faith… growing spiritually… walking together… eventually turns outward…”

CONTINUE IN MISSION

⏱️ 5 minutes

Key Thought

Healthy churches reach lost people.

📖 Scriptures

Matthew 28:18–20

“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Acts 1:8

“8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Romans 10

Preach This

God didn’t save us to be comfortable.

God didn’t build a church to be silent.

God calls us to GO.

Emphasis

Share the Gospel

Love the lost

Be a light

We exist for more than ourselves

Short Line

“We don’t want a knowing church. We don’t want just a growing church. We want a GOING church.”

🏁 CLOSING RETURN TO TEXT

⏱️ 2 minutes

Re-read the key line in your own words:

“As you received Christ… continue in Him.”

Challenge with questions:

Will you continue?

Will you commit?

Will you be part of the vision?

Will you help build this church?

Short summary line:

“Let’s be a church that doesn’t quit, doesn’t drift, doesn’t fade— but continues in Christ.”

❤️ SALVATION & SURRENDER MOMENT

2 minutes

Short, clear Gospel reference:

Romans 3:23

“23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Romans 6:23

“23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 10:9–10

“9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Say:

“If you need salvation… if you need assurance… if you need to come back… this is your moment.”

🙏 ALTAR INVITATION

⏱️ 2 minutes

Soft, warm tone:

“Church… This isn’t just a plan. This is a calling.

If God is stirring you… Come pray. Come surrender. Come commit.

Let’s begin this year at His feet.”

Prayer:

“Lord, root us… Grow us… Unite us… Send us… Help us continue in Christ this year. In Jesus’ name… Amen.”