Rooted in Christ

Summer Series Through Colossians, MFBC

Message Three

06/07/2026

Central Idea: Remaining rooted in Christ means refusing to add anything to His finished work.

Colossians 2:4-23.

Introduction:

Colossians 2:4–7 contains two parts that should grab every Christian by the shoulders.

The first part is a warning: Colossians 2:4 “4 I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with arguments that sound reasonable.”

“Reasonable arguments.” That’s the danger. False teaching rarely sounds false. It sounds reasonable. It sounds spiritual. It uses the right words—Jesus, grace, faith—but then adds just a little something extra. “Jesus saved you, but now you need these practices to stay saved.” That sounds plausible. And it is a delusion.

The second part is an exhortation: Colossians 2:6–7 “6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”

Paul’s logic is this: The way you began is the way you must continue. You received Christ by faith alone? Then walk in him by faith alone. You were rooted in him by grace? Then don’t let anyone convince you of any other substance.

That brings us to the question we need to answer today: Why must I remain rooted in Christ?

Over the next several verses—through verse 23—Paul gives three answers. And here’s the punch: Each answer is designed to protect you from a different kind of “plausible argument.”

So let’s walk through them. But remember how we started: You received Christ Jesus as Lord. Not Christ plus angels. Not Christ plus diets. Not Christ plus self-made religion. Christ alone. Now walk in him the same way.

Question: Why must I remain rooted in Christ?

I. Because in Christ, you already have everything you need. [8-10]

Key text: Colossians 2:9–10 “9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

As covered last week, God was pleased to reveal His whole nature to mankind through Jesus Christ

You have been filled — perfect tense — a completed act with abiding consequences.

Correction: For those tempted by what the world offers — recognize the false teachings of this world are “philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition” — yet, Jesus needs no supplement. He has filled you.

Application: Don’t be deceived by philosophy — you already have Christ’s fullness. So don’t add to His sufficiency.

II. Because in Christ, God has already done the work religion cannot do. [11-15]

Key text: verses 11-15

Circumcised not done with human hands (11)

Buried with Christ in baptism, raised with him in faith in the working of God (12-13)

Made alive in Christ, forgiven of trespasses, erasure of debt (14)

Disarmed the rulers and authorities (15)

Correction: Human rituals (physical circumcision, etc.) could never forgive sin or disarm evil.

Application: Don’t try to do it all through religious works because Jesus has already done it all. There’s no need to finish what He has already completed. So don’t try to finish His work.

III. Because human religious rules cannot change your heart. [16-23]

Key text: Colossians 2:23 “23 Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.”

These things (verses 16-22):

Dietary restrictions — food and drink

Christ is the substance, these are mere shadows (pointers to) of Him.

Ascetic practices and the worship of angels

While the harsh treatment of the body and claims to access of the visionary realms through angelic mediators seemed great, Paul adds these are of no impact on the body

Correction: False teachers encouraged these things — do not handle, taste, touch…abstain from, etc. — but each attempt of these things leaves thee heart unchanged

Application: Man-made religion does not work in changing one’s heart. So don’t go back to doing things your way.

Response:

The Lost:

Colossians 2:13–15 “13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.”

If you are here today, and you have never professed Jesus as Lord of your life forsaking your sin and following Him, I appeal to you by God’s Word to hear this: It is not about your working towards being better or earning your way to God. He has already done the work — while you were dead in trespasses. He offers you eternal life through Jesus Christ:

Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 10:9–10 “9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”

The Saved:

Colossians 2:6–7 “6 So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”

If you are here today, as a follower of Christ, but maybe you have grown distracted, disinterested, or distanced from God — hear the call from Paul today: continue on walking in Him. How, you may ask?

Being rooted

Read the Bible daily

Being built up

Submit your life to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work

Established in your faith

Not shifted away; not half-hearted devotion.

Overflowing with gratitude

Ever abounding with thankfulness for what God has done for you.