Preeminent: Part Seven

In our series, PREEMINENT: Hope For A Confused World From Colossians, we'll uncover how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus.Paul's letter to the Colossians boldly declares how we should see, feel, and think about Jesus. Jesus is supreme over all! Existence itself was created by Him and for Him. Who He is and what He has done liberates us to live every day by His power and in His presence.In Part seven of this series, Lee Cummings dives into how we must be rooted, built up, established, and abounding in our maturity. The enemy captivates, while Jesus liberates. Don’t miss this word!Focus Scripture // Colossians 2:6-15 (ESV)“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.”Four Stages of Maturity:1. ROOTED - organic. Not just inanimate foundations, but a living attachment that anchors your faith.2. BUILT UP - under construction. Being “framed” but not finished.3. ESTABLISHED - closed in and completed. Mature.4. ABOUNDING - overflowing in attitude and action.Nothing outside of Christ can fulfill you or complete you.Every tactic of the enemy is to get you alone so you can be taken.The Enemy Captivates. Jesus Liberates.Jesus Liberates Us From:1. Sin (Both nature and actions)2. The Law (debt we owe God. The Law is Pass/Fail)3. Guilt and Shame (through complete forgiveness)4. Influence of Evil Ruling Spirits