Walk As You Have Received
Walk As You Have Received
TEXT: Colossians 2:6-10
Introduction: Paul appeals to Christians to Continue The Same Way As They Started. Just as we receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, so we must Continue Living and Laboring by Faith.
I. We Are Told What It Really Means To Be A Christian.
A. Some people think that they are Christians Because:
1. They were born in a Christian Country or Christian Home with Christian Parents,
2. They received a Christian Education in a Christian school,
3. They have been christened, Baptized or join a church,
4. They don’t participate in Certain Sins,
5. However, it is possible to do all these things and Not Be a Christian.
B. A Christian is one who has Believed in and Received the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
1. He does not simply believe About the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. He is not one who merely receives the Doctrines of Christ Jesus.
C. The proof that we are Christians is that the Lord Jesus Christ is Dwelling In Us.
2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Galatians 2:20 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.
Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
II. We Are Told Who It Is That The Christian Has Received --- The Lord Jesus Christ.
A. Notice the First of these names --- Jesus.
1. This is His Human Name --- given to Him by God at His birth
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
2. It refers to the Historical man Jesus.
3. The name "Jesus" means "Savior".
1 Tim. 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
B. Notice the Second of these names --- Christ.
1. This is His Official Title.
2. He is the Divinely Appointed and Anointed Messiah --- the commissioned One.
3. It is as "Christ" that He dwells within us
Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
4. It is in "Christ" that we are hid.
Col. 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(Buddha --- Mohammed --- Confucius --- etc.)
5. It is "Christ" Who is our life.
Col. 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
C. Notice the Third of these names --- Lord.
1. This indicates His Sovereignty --- He is Lord and sits upon the throne in Heaven.
2. He should be our Lord and Enthroned in Our Hearts.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
D. For the Christian, this means:
1. All his Sins Are Forgiven,
2. He has Received a New Life,
3. He Recognizes A New Sovereignty...
III. We Are Told How We Are To Continue In The Christian Life.
A. Notice the words "As" and "So" in V. 6 --- We become Christians in a Moment by receiving Christ Jesus the Lord.
1. However, to live the Christian life takes A Lifetime.
2. And As We Began So We Must Go On.
Col. 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
B. A person receives Christ Humbly.
1. A lost person receives Christ as the Woman of Canaan did.
Matthew 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
2. The Christian must walk humbly before Christ.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
C. A person receives Christ Prayerfully.
1. A lost person must receive Christ Prayerfully as the Publican.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
2. The Christian should pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
D. A person receives Christ by Faith.
1. A lost person is saved through faith.
Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Ephes. 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2. The Christian should walk by faith.
2 Cor. 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
3. True faith always results in Action --- does not ask for the easy way or present pay.
E. A person receives Christ Joyfully.
1. Zachaeus received Christ joyfully.
Luke 19:6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
2. The Christian walks with the Lord joyfully.
Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
F. A person receives Christ Gratefully.
1. A lost person is glad to have a way of salvation.
Luke 19:8-9 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
2. David continued to be grateful to the Lord after he was saved.
Psalm 116:16 O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
G. A person receives Christ Unreservedly.
1. The sinner must forsake his evil ways.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
2. The Christian must forsake all for Christ.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
IV. V. 7 contains Four Instructive Metaphors, describing four characteristics of a Christian who is going on with the Lord.
Col. 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
A. The First Characteristic is Security.
1. We are "Rooted" in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. If this is true, then we are Secure --- Our roots go right down into His glorious Person.
B. The Second Characteristic is Maturity.
1. We are being "Built Up In Him".
2. Our great Need Is to Grow --- to be Built Up in the faith.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
C. The Third Characteristic is Stability.
1. We must become "Stablished In The Faith."
2. Paul Warns about the Danger of being Turned aside From the Faith.
Col. 2:8 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.
Ephes. 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
D. The Fourth Characteristic is Prosperity.
1. This is indicated by the word "Abounding".
2. Our lives are to be Fruitful and a Blessing to Others.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
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.
Conclusion:
Thus, we see that there are Four Directions of the Christian life.
Downward --- "Rooted"
Upward --- "Built Up"
Inward --- "Stablished"
Outward --- "Abounding"
In Christ is all fullness --- In Him we are "Complete".
Col. 2:9-10 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:
Col. 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.