Putting Down Roots: Moving to Town

Scripture and Introduction

Pray up front.

Colossians 2:

Colossians 2:6–7 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Each week we will then use this verse as a lens to look at the rest of the book.

Colossians 1:

Colossians 1:24–2:5 NIV

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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 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. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Colossians 2:11–15 NIV

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:

Colossians 2:6–7 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Putting down roots:

When we first moved here there was a remaking of ourselves. We slowly and intentionally considered friendships and learned about this new part of life. We did not jump head first into each opportunity but guarded it and invested in some key relationships. We did small things like seek out restaurants, grocery store of choice, we explored the city. We looked for a house and where we wanted to live. Lauren had to get a tx DL again, we joined the church, we began to give to the church. We began putting down roots so to speak.

When ever we get somewhere we think of putting down roots. Or at least that is a phrase we understand. Some of us may revile at such a thing because you dont want to be tied down. However, for the most part what do you think about when you consider what it means to put down roots?

Unfortunately, today we can go a long time without putting down roots, without investing in relationships. Furthermore, when it comes to church we are too guilty in staying surface level. Overcommitment requires too much time or sacrificing a critical part of our privacy.

Putting down roots is important though, isn’t it?

longevity

strength

protection

community

life (I would argue without putting down roots you are missing something)

Book of Colossians

As I said, throughout this series we will spend our time here....

Colossians: Background of writing. One of the shortest of Paul’s letters and is one of the most exciting as he writes to a young church discovering what it was like to believe in Jesus Christ and follow him. Likely one of the prison letters that Paul wrote though that is debated. The force of the letter is likely a polemic to encourage these new Christians to not waiver by influence of the pagan syncretism around them and even from inappropriate Jewish influence. Syncretism is the blending of all types of religions. Christianity getting spun in with the rest. Perhaps Jewish synagogues pressuring Christians to leave their faith and come to the “real faith,” thus the discussion Paul has about circumcision in our text.

What does this all have to do with me?

Putting down roots....live the faith. The first step in this process is baptism, committing that Jesus is Lord.

What is baptism?

Our definition: Rob Staples:

“Baptism is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” -Rob Staples

Water being something material that God’s grace is available in. Communion elements are the same. Something we can touch and feel.

What happened back there becomes real in the present....

Baptism Themes

Today I want to do a little work on baptism. This is the first step of putting down roots and an opportunity for us to discover or rediscover what we believe about baptism. So if you are brand new, or visiting today…I am not simply presenting a Methodist view of baptism but want to give us NT and early church images about what baptism. Robin Jensen a church historian has a neat book on Baptismal imagery in Early Christianity, I will be referencing her findings. So what are the early church and NT themes of baptism? In other words, what do we believe happens in baptism?

1) Baptism as Cleansing from Sin and Sickness

Freedom from sin and sickness

There are hints of it here in the passage but we can find it very pronounced in the NT and the early church knew this. They would draw on texts like

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

In the passage comparing the sinners to the ones that were washed. Ephesians compares baptism to the bride that is given a purifying bath before the wedding day, a ritual ceremony of the time. Or thoughts of

Hebrews 10:22 NIV

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 5:25-26

Probably all of these have in mind Ezekiel

Ezekiel 36:25 NIV

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.

Baptism is the grace of God that purifies, cleans, washes away.

2) Incorporation into the Community

Freedom from sin, freedom for community

I think this is a subtle theme with the dialogue of circumcision in our passage. There is the obvious imagery of what takes place in circumcision compared to a circumcision of the heart. But circumcision meant you belonged to the Jewish faith. That you were in the family. Baptism is the same seal, the same promise that you are a part of the family.

“When you received Christ Jesus as Lord....

Jesus is Lord is the communal declaration before the family. Early baptism stories tell of the celebration of these experiences. The first meal together after this....

Then they were given a sponsor and put into place of continual accountability.

Jensen:

“Like little fish, they needed to remain in the water of their baptism to survive. Like sheep in a flock governed by a loving shepherd they were protected and cherished, rescued when in danger, and persistently herded toward their place of safety.”

This is putting down roots.

This is putting down roots.

3) Baptism as Sanctifying and Illuminating

Freedom from Sin, freedom for community, freedom by the power of the Holy Spirit

This is the Empowerment of God. Logical beginning point of sanctifying grace.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 NIV

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Ephesians 1:13–14 NIV

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Baptism is the launching pad of the journey of grace. In baptism you are marked a child, but then you become a child.

4) Baptism as Dying and Rising

baptism into and under the cross. and also out of the grave

we can see this imagery best in our passage....

Colossians 2:12 NIV

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Colossians

and later....

Colossians 2:13 NIV

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

Colossians 2:13–14 NIV

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:14

What happened back there, becomes real in the present. The cross of Christ becomes our cross. Not the cross you are on, but the one He is on for you. We are putting ourselves under that. And we do not simply stay in the water but we come up again because we are raised to life in Christ.

Robin Jensen: “The font into which [you] step is, simultaneously, a watery tomb and a watery womb.”

This is important yall....we have too many baptized walking around like they are still under the water. All of these have conditions, consequences for what life should be like. Sickness is gone, community restored around you, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of life.

If you believe Jesus can take away sin, brokenness, then why dont you believe He can restore life?!

5) Baptism as the Beginning of the New creation.

(John Wesley resonates strongly here). participating in the new creation and reign of Christ.

“He gives us heaven in exchange for earth, and bestows paradise with a bounteous hand, and makes us more honorable than the angels… Didymus (4th century Alexandrian catechist)

Baptism is a firstfruits, a restoration to Genesis’ eden and a vision of what is to come. Baptism is a launching point for people to have a new lens for the world and to see hope where there is darkness. This is missional and brings calling to us all.

Two thoughts to close....

Most people think I graduated from A&M because I kind of claim the aggies. But I was really all over the place. I have credits from 4 different universities on my transcript. I graduated from SHSU. By the time i got there I was so ready to be done. I commuted, driving straight in and straight out back to Bryan 2-3 a week. When people hear that I went there, some will ask me about my time in Huntsville and the campus. And everytime I have to explain that I am a terrible reference for either. Why? Because I did not live there. I did not get involved in school extra curriculars, i have never been to a football game, the only thing I know about Huntsville is the chilis I would eat at because I got an employee discount. I never put down roots there.

The first step of putting down roots is moving to town. It is declaring that Jesus is Lord. It is being baptized. Dying to self and walking in life. Joining the community.

If you have not been baptized, what is stopping you?

2. Second, maybe you have been baptized and this is challenging you again. I know there is some inclination to want to get rebaptized when these moments come along. But let me tell you something, if you were baptized yesterday or as a baby, God’s work was good and complete…you do not need to go through that again....you have an opportunity to choose life today. To allow the promise to come alive in you.

I can relate to this....my baptism story.

Here is the image: (Lazarus) John 11

Jesus has these great friends that he loves. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Lazarus is dying when the sisters send for him, but he is too late. Jesus is about to give them a real life image of what resurrection looks like in one of the most moving scenes in the Bible. After three days of being in the grave, three days sound familiar to anyone? Jesus’ resurrection after three days brings us life....you hear me church? After three days, Jesus calls Lazarus out. A dead man, he calls a dead man to walk out of the grave.

So this dead man is now alive and he walks out of the grave, then Jesus says “take off the grave clothes.”

For some of us we need to move to town. Be baptized.

For some of us we have already had the promise of life given in baptism, but we are walking around in grave clothes.

Maybe for others we need to be reminded of the promise in baptism. Life, forgiveness, hope, promise of the Holy Spirit.

How will you respond?