DEFINING LIFE: Influences of Identity

INTRO

Colossians 2:6–15 ESV

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. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

IDENTITY OF A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE:

1) …RECEIVES CHRIST JESUS THE LORD. (vs. 6-10)

Colossians 2:6–10 ESV

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. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Jesus “the” LORD. (vs. 6)

recognition of authority outside of my designation

Jesus isn’t Lord because I establish Him to be; He is LORD because God has established Him in staying true to His character

If we have received, we also walk [live]… (vs. 6-7)

rooted in Him (substance)

built up in Him (growth)

established in faith (trust)

abounding in thanksgiving (recognition)

A faithful disciples is firmly rooted in Him, therefore the delusions of the enemy have no influence. (vs. 8)

Jesus has all authority and we must recognize it and embrace it’s influence over the empty ideologies and influences of this world. (vs. 9-10)

2) …REBORN FROM DEATH TO LIFE. (vs. 11-13)

Colossians 2:11–13 ESV

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Circumcision was an Old Testament sign of dedicating oneself to being in covenant relationship with God. ( Genesis 17)

A literal separation of flesh is an outward symbol of obedience signifying an inward dedication to a separation of worldly influences.

In establishing the Covenant of Circumcision God also gave Abram a new identity of Abraham. (Name change from “exalted Father” to “Father of Multitudes)

All of this while Abram was 99 years old.

Baptism, likewise, is an outward symbol of obedience that signifies an inward dedication to the new covenant that still draws us to a separation of worldly influences.

The focus here is not on baptism as a saving work, but rather as an expression of dedication and devotion to God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The focus is not what we’ve done, but what Jesus did and continues to do.

A faithful disciple lives moment by moment knowing that their life, ambitions, dedications, and devotions are different because of who Jesus is and how He has called them from death to life.

What would your life look like if Jesus wasn’t in it?

I was saved when I was nine. I don’t have a real dynamic story of a change of what life was like before Jesus, but I certainly have a testimony of what my life would be like if He wasn’t there!

I can look to the daily struggles and the victories that Christ brings in my life and can tell you that I would be someone totally different if Jesus wasn’t influencing me. I can also tell you that I’m a work in progress and who I am months and years from now will be different because Jesus is still influencing me and still bringing victory and triumphs to daily struggles.

3) …REDEEMED TO A LIFE OF VICTORY AND TRIUMPH (vs. 14-15)

Colossians 2:14–15 ESV

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

The victory that Jesus has over the “rulers and authorities” he brings to your life.

We are redeemed to live in victory by surrendering and submitting to Him.

We are going to always be on a side: The World vs. Jesus.

If we remain in the world, we will experience shame and defeat.

A Faithful Disciples jumps on board with team Jesus and lives in victory and triumph.

The struggles don’t disappear, but the intensity of the struggles diminish as Jesus brings more and victories because we are daily repenting to Him.

Repenting to Jesus means we are repenting from the world.

CLOSING