Untitled Sermon (21)

Why are you here?

Why are you here? I don’t know if you’ve ever thought consciously about that. Many Christians or people who identify themselves as people of faith know that they’re “supposed” to attend church, but if you were to press in and ask why, many find it difficult to articulate the purpose of attending a local church or identify what activities a local church is should do.

We live in a world that is full of high-profile individuals “deconstructing” their faith, and it is leading many other to use that same language to describe their process of walking through seasons of doubt and uncertainty as they move further and further away from biblical truth.At heart level every person who deconstructs to the point of all-out apostacy do so because they lack a genuine conversion to Christ in the first place.

But I also believe that one of the reasons that individuals end up leaving the church is that they find a disconnect with what the church is supposed to do and be with the individuals who make up their local church. Local churches can lose their way and find themselves mired in internal conflicts, or become a church that exists to enrich the leadership without caring for the flock, or become focused on feel-good messages that don’t ground people in sound theology, or lose touch with the Gospel they are obligated to proclaim. or a myriad of other possible pitfalls.

When churches lose sight of their purpose before God, it is of no surprise that individuals will eventually leave because they were never grounded in truth. It’s tragic that many will leave churches who have lost their way, but not only that they will leave Christianity all together.

There is much to be gleaned from Paul’s ministry, he wanted the church to thrive! The same things that motivated and drove Paul, the same things he was obligated to perform as a minister, we are all called to the same things. Paul wanted the Colossians to be Alive in Christ! 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6–7).

As we celebrate black history month its important to think about how the church played a role in our history. Its verse 6 and 7 that gives us true marching orders.

Walk in Him

Rooted and Built Up in Him

Established in the Faith

I have a question for you.

Why are we here, even today?

Yes I know the Church is about worship, its about the word, its about the Gospel, its about discipleship, but really its all about Christ!

That’s what is missing in our response we forget Its ALL ABOUT CHRIST!

How many know that?

Last week i told you about the Preeminence of Christ

Its clear to me that our ancestors made it because first they walk in Christ!

This is what Paul is saying walk in him. Walking in him is deeper than just walking with him. Walking in Him means you are walking in HIS WORD, HIS WILL and HIS WAY. Why do you think that’s important? Walking In Him establishes our relationship with Christ. Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. . (1 Th 4:1). Our relationship helps us in our walk.

“When Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).

When we look back through history it was the walk with Jesus that we survived. In times of slavery, During times of difficult labor, slaves would break out in a song to pass the time, and lift their spirits. Slaves would often sing songs that praised the lord, or asked the lord for help and guidance. You remember: “Walk with me lord, walk with me! All along this tejus journeys, I want Jesus to walk with me.”[1] This song was usually sung during a very stressful and strenuous situation. Most slaves were devout Christians. This gave them hope and faith in the worst times of their lives.

Secondly We must be rooted and built up

We must go deep to go higher! The Ephesian writer said it this way

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:17–19).

We have too many shifty Christians not stable. Moving from church to church. Paul said in chapter 1 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. (Col 1:23).

We need to be rooted in this Word. There great benefits of being rooted Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ( Ps 1:3).

Thirdly we must be established in the faith!

We've come this far by faith Leaning on the LORD Trusting in His Holy Word He never failed me yet We know the just shall live by faith Hebrews 10:38 38  but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back,

my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Heb 10:38–39).