Christ Exalted (pt. 3)

Introduction

There are many people in this world who are evil. There are some people in this world that are geniuses. There are even those out there who are evil geniuses. But, I also there is another category of people called Evil Idiots. These are people who are bad, but just terrible at it.

Don’t worry I have some examples. These come in the realm of I email scams. So here are some example of people trying to steal money, identity, or whatever they can get.

Read sample Emails.

You know these are some pretty funny ways of trying to scam people. And, people are gullible enough to buy into these scams.

There are always going to be people out there trying to steal your identity, but did you know there are those out there who want to steal your spiritual identity?

This world is out to take your identity away from you (or it least get you to act otherwise)

God wants you to acknowledge your Identity in Christ

Read v. 6 and v. 12

Tonight we will see Christ Exalted in a way that applies directly to us. Many of these worlds “gods” do not have a relationship with their people. Or if they do, it is one without love. Today we will see that God not only has a relationship with us, but lives in us (and us in him)!

Transition: Before we can first see where it all starts at...

I. Our Foundation (vv. 6-7)

Paul is addressing the Colossians personally here in chapter 2. He is obviously burden for their spiritual growth, and he even highlights that he has not seen many of them personally. He is honestly reestablishing the points made in chapter 1. Remember what we talked about? Having Spiritual Wisdom, Walking Worthy, Living in the Power of God. (vv. 2-3.)

Colossians 2:2–3 KJV 1900

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

But then we get to vv. 6-7. This is the summary and charge to the Colossians. It sets the tone for who they are. It begins to point out our identity.

Colossians 2:6–7 KJV 1900

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

It all starts with Salvation.

We have to have recieved Christ.

There is a specific result of our salvation

there is to be specific action afterwards - a walk in Christ

Jesus Christ is the Word of God, correct? John 1:1. So walk (live) in or according to the Word of God. Walk in the power of the Spirit. Walk like who you are.

There is to be fruit in a believers life. (Faith without works is dead).

This is the natural result of Salvation.

We are to be rooted and established in the faith

What does it mean to be rooted in something?

Do trees start out with giant roots like this? No

I work lawn care. And we were doing this landscape job once where we were removing some plants, planting some, and transplanting others. Any ways my superior told me that the boss man wanted this holly tree removed...

We build off this foundation

Once we have a good foundation we begin to grow, we begin to build. But, it is all because of our foundation in Jesus Christ.

This is what you have been taught for your whole lives.

Paul had taught many of these believers before’

Your parents have taught you.

Abound in Thanksgiving

our whole lives are to be consumed with thanksgiving. with gratitude

Transition: This is primarily and external focus. However, Paul now begins to transition to the internal aspects of the heart. He begins his emphasis on our the internal relationship with Christ by first giving us a...

II. Warning (v. 8)

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

What does “Spoil you” mean? - take captive.

There are those out there who want to take you captive. The world, Satan, your flesh all want to decieve you. If you are not rooted in God’s Word if you are not waling in Christ. You will be deceived.

Paul is warning us to stay away. why?

These doctrines are based on man’s thinking

Anything that is rooted in man’s doctrine is going to be contrary to Scripture in some way.

Paul emphasizes that these doctrines are not after Christ.

What are some examples of false teaching that is being entertained by our culture today?

Examples:

Evolution

Transgenderism

LGBTQ+

CRT - Marxism

Maybe its something a little more subtle.

You need to act a certain way to fit in

Just do what make you feel happy

Just ignore your problems!

Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze

It means no worries For the rest of your days It's our problem-free philosophy Hakuna Matata!

These embrace a false reality. Anything outside of Christ is not reality, it will always fails.

We should not embrace these worldly philosophies. They are not what we believe, but most importantly, they are not who we are.

Transition: That is why we must acknowledge....

III. Our Identity (vv. 9-15)

Colossians 2:9–10 KJV 1900

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Jesus is the head - We are complete in Him

Paul first brings us back to who Christ is from chapter 1.

You remember this guy, yeah the head of the universe the Godhead bodily, has all power. Yeah that guy!

Well, you are made complete in Him!

We are made made perfect. sinless in Christ.

We are given the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:24 KJV 1900

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

The nature and position of Christ is clearly pointed out.

We are identified with Christ in a way that is unique

Colossians 2:11 KJV 1900

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

The jewish people were circumcised as a way of identification from the rest of the world.

This step was a must for Israelites.

Paul speaks here of a spiritual circumcision. This begins to happen at salvation

Our circumcision was the removal of the power of sin. a new nature

Ephesians 4:22 KJV 1900

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

We are buried with Him in Baptism - we are risen with Him

Colossians 2:12 KJV 1900

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

We are baptised with the Holy spirit.

Romans 6:3–5 KJV 1900

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Justification, Sanctification, Glorification

We are raised to new life with Christ.

This is through faith.

Summary of the redemptive work

Colossians 2:13–14 KJV 1900

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Christ quickened (made alive)

He forgave our sins

He blotted out the ordinances (decrees) that were against us.

He nailed it to the Cross. Jesus bore those sins.

This is who we identify with.

Conclusion

Who are you Identifying with?

- Is it a certain friend group?

Is it a certain sports team?

a political point of view?

A certain hobby?

All these things rob us from our true identity - Jesus Christ.

Maybe there are those in this room who also feel they have no identity whatsoever.

You frankly might hate yourself for who you are, the way you look, they way you act. You end up giving up.

I’m here to tell you that you are first made in the image of God. God loves you, and he is actively seeking to comfort you.

That is the awesome thing about finding identity with Christ. It is not us! It is not our natural identity. We are all flawed in this room. Some of you may think you are “all that” in this room. Well, your not. You are each at the mercy of God. But we can all find hope in the person of Jesus Christ.

Identity is important.

One blogger (I presume is unsaved) John Whittlestone wrote this about Identity.

We all have a certain image of ourselves - beliefs about the kind of person we are. Having a strong sense of identity seems to be desirable, something that brings comfort and security . ... Identity also helps us to make decisions and to know how to behave. We're constantly faced with complex decisions and circumstances. - John Whittlestone (blog)

I think this unsaved guy makes some good points. We are all looking for someone to identify with, to belong somewhere. We have it in Christ.

There are so many things in this world that are trying to steal your identity. Your Identity is in Christ. So live for Him

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.