Rooted in Christ

Rooted in Christ -2:6-7

Received Christ

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

So Walk: Rooted, Built Up, Established

1 John 2:12–14 ESV

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Hebrews 5:12 ESV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

Far too many Christians in our churches today are but babes in christ even after years of professing Christ; children by John’s description, needing milk instead of solid food.

Ephesians 4:12–13 ESV

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

May MtJuliet church stand until the Lord returns to be a place, a community, a family that those who have received Christ can join and plant and become established; more deeply rooted in Christ

Not a slave to human tradition - 2:8-15

slave & human tradition is the problem, not philosophy

Philippians 4:6–8 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

Psalm 1:2 ESV

but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

we are to love Go with our whole mind as well!

elemental spirits of the world

demonic presence

They can trouble, harm, inflict, whisper, influence, gain control over the weak, and possess the unsaved.

God says no. Devils say you can’t.

God says it’s not good for you. Devils say you’re not good enough.

God says be faithful. Devils say give up.

common / pagan / folk religion

people becoming angels

candles or other elements as spiritual

trueisms

God won’t put more on you more than you can handle

to thine own self be true

God helps those who help themselves

Not a slave to religious tradition either - 2:16 - 23

Romans 14:21–23 ESV

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

rom 14:

Colossians 2:17 ESV

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

The gospel is first order; all else is secondary at best

Colossians 2:19 ESV

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Our Identity is in Christ, NOT in our specific practices

Colossians 2:23 ESV

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

In the end, God blesses our efforts when they are rooted in faith in Christ and The Word. Any efforts from self or mere tradition are vain.

In the end, when being rooted in Christ, there comes a confidence in the Spirit and Word of God as it is witnessed to in the life of the church family. All who press into the life of the congregation and prayer and study will be blessed with stability, with spiritual maturity, with godly wisdom regardless of circumstance.

All who receive Christ in salvation are called to walk in Him; to be rooted, built up, and established such that nothing in this life can enslave them. This is liberty. This is the continuing good news of Jesus.