Sunday 03:23:14

Jesus Christ is unique in all the heavens and creation. There is no one like him. He is supreme above every authority. His cause to redeem fallen creation is the greatest on the planet. He is the most compelling figure in the history of the world. He is all the character and infinite attributes of God in finite human form. His supremacy is described as fullness. He shares his fullness with us. Many times in our lives we don't feel a fullness of life, but Emptiness Purposeless Defeated by sin Beaten by the enemy Surrounded by darkness Ashamed b/c of our sin and inconsistency Steeped in guilt for our failure. Where is this fullness? It is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Fullness is found in him. It's like we have been freed from the prison of defeat, but don't know how to leave our prison cell. Freed from sin, but unable to walk in righteousness. Jesus has overcome all of this, but your enemy wants you to believe that somehow none of this applies to you. The truth is, if you are in Jesus Christ, you have his purpose, you have been reconciled to the Father, you have been rescued from darkness, you have his victory over sin and it is no longer your master, your guilt and failures have been removed from you and you are holy and blameless in the sight of God. Yes, we have struggles, but our lives have been for ever changed. When I struggle against sin, it no longer has the upper hand. When the enemy comes against me, he and I both know he's been defeated and has no power over me. We need to stop acting like a defeated people. you are not defeated. You are not beat. Our King has won the victory. When I'm disappointed by this life, I remember that Jesus has qualified me for a glorious inheritance (1:5, 12). When I feel the darkness closing in, I remember Jesus rescued me from its dominion (1:13). When I feel no purpose in life, I remember that I was created for Jesus Christ (1:16). When I feel like things are out of control, I remember that Christ holds all things together (1:17). When I feel like I don't belong in God's presence, I remember the Jesus has reconciled me by his death, to present me holy and blameless and above reproach before him (1:22). When I feel empty, I remember that I have been given fullness in Christ (2:10). When I feel I'm losing the struggle against sin, I remember that in Jesus' death, my sinful nature has been defeated (2:11). When I feel guilt for my sin and inconsistency, I remember that God has forgiven all my sin (2:13). When I feel shame for my failures, I remember the charges against me were wiped out and nailed to Jesus' cross (2:14). When I feel like I'm defeated, I remember that Jesus disarmed his enemies and triumphed over them (2:15). Colossians 2:16-23 The big problem in Colosse was a mystical combination of Jewish rituals, asceticism, and worship of spiritual beings. vv. 18b-20 false teachers practiced worship of angels. But these beings are under Christ. The effect, they had become proud, air of spirituality - and useless. They worshipped a headless body. We have access to Christ and have no need to worship lesser beings. vv. 16-18a there were people teaching that you had to hold to strict practice of Jewish food laws and religious festival days. They also taught asceticism - practice of denying the body material things like food, clothing, or sleep to gain control over it. vv. 21-23 the problem is that behavior modification never worked. Sin does not come from the outside, but from the inside. Behavior modification cannot change the heart. The problem with sin is that we desire it. No one will become good or holy by behavior modification. You are made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ. You are being conformed to his image by his power and through relationship with him. Your life is changed by encountering Jesus. No one and nothing else has the power to change you. When we embrace Christ, he fills us with his presence, forgives our sins, and enters into a relationship with us that will last for all eternity.