Colossians: Christ in You, the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27–29)

"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." (Colossians 1:27, KJV) Preached at Pastor Trevor Ringwaldt's Thanksgiving service, this message was based on his favourite verse and reflected his two final desires: that the gospel be clearly proclaimed and that believers know the Christian life is possible through Christ. The first emphasis was Christ in you for salvation—that eternal life comes by personally receiving Jesus Christ through repentance and faith, not by works. The second and third emphases were Christ in you for sanctification and Christ in you for service. Just as we are saved by grace, we also grow and serve by grace. The Christian life is not lived through self-effort but through God's power, not our own strength. As the preacher repeatedly emphasised, "Not I, but Christ."