All You Need Is Jesus Part 5 Our Loving Christ

Part 6 of 6
Colossians 3: 12- 4:6
November 21, 2010

“Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.” Col. 3: 14

The Heart of the Matter
In his letter to the Church in Colossae Paul shares some of the many facets of love that the Father possesses. He urges all who hear to strive to replicate them in their lives. Paul has saved the best for last. Love is his bow on the gift of this letter of wisdom.

To Live a Life of Godly Love We Must Possess:

1. A Pardoning Love

“Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.” Col. 3: 13

2. A Peaceful Love

“Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.” Col. 3: 14, 15

3. A Preparatory Love

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other..” Col. 3:16

4. A Practical Love

“Wives..” “Husbands…” “Children…” “Parents…” “ Slaves..” Col. 3:18 – 4:1

5. A Prayerful Love

“Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful.” Col. 4: 2

6. A Pleasant Love

“When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message.” Col. 4: 5, 6

Questions of the Week

1. Is there someone whom you need to forgive?
2. Is there someone you need to make peace with?
3. Is there someone you need to confront or instruct?
4. Is your personal life in order as outlined in Col. 3:18 – 4:1?
5. What is the correlation between love and prayer? Do you pray lovingly?
6. Is your love pleasing to the non-Christians in your life?

All You Need Is Jesus Part 5 Our Victorious Christ

Colossians 3: 1-11
November 14, 2010


“…..set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.” Colossians 3:11

The Heart of the Matter
Christ’s ascension is indisputable proof of His triumphant victory. If we are going to have overcoming victory in our lives there are things we must grasp and things we must release.

To Live a Victorious Christian Life You Must:

1. Desire the Realities of Heaven.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. V. 1

2. Dwell on Heavenly, Eternal Things.
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Vv. 2, 3

3. Destroy Sinful, Earthly Things.
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” V. 5

4. Dress in Your New Nature.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” V. 10



Questions of the Week
1. What things of this world compete with God and His plan for your life?
How can you be victorious?

2. How can dwelling on heavenly, eternal things help you live a victorious life?

3. Does it make sense to trust God with our eternity and not trust Him with the uncertainties of tomorrow or the storms of today? What lifeboats do you need to cut loose?

4. If it’s true that “the clothes make the man”, what spiritual articles of clothing do you need to wear more often?

Our Authoritative Christ
Part 4 of 6 - The “All You Need is …. Jesus” Series
Colossians 2: 8 - 23
November 7, 2010

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
Colossians 2: 9, 10

The Heart of the Matter
In this portion of Paul’s letter he shows us that we are to take authority over the philosophical systems or religious regulations of this world. We are to hold fast to Christ and his accomplished work in us because He is the only dependable, unchanging authority; all else are passing shadows. No other powers can control us, as they were all defeated on the cross.

1. Take Authority Over the Bad Doctrine Proclaimed by the World.

Take Authority Over Philosophical Systems.
“…Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” V. 8

“Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things.” V. 18

Take Authority Over Religious Regulations.
“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come.” Vv. 16, 17

“…..So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “’Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!’? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.” Vv.20 - 22

2. Take Authority Over the Good Works Accomplished in You.

Take Authority Over Your New Life
“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.” V. 11

“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.” V. 13

Take Authority Over Your New Identity
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” V. 12


Take Authority Over Your New Freedoms
“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Vv. 14, 15

“You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world…” V. 20

Questions of the Week

1. What philosophical systems do you need to take authority over? How will you accomplish it?
2. What religious regulations do you need to take authority over? How will you accomplish it?
3. How can you take authority over your new life in Christ?
4. How can you take authority over your new identity in Christ?
5. How can you take authority over your new freedoms in Christ?

All You Need Is Jesus Part 3

Colossians 1:24 – 2:7
October 31, 2010

“…and this is the secret: Christ Lives in You...” Colossians 1:27

The Heart of the Matter
The world is filled with voices claiming that we can change our lives from the outside-in. The results of these types of efforts are usually temporary and always skin deep. Only Christ can produce deep, permanent, life-altering change. And Christ can only change your life from within; that is where the revolution takes place. In this portion of Scripture Paul testifies of his experience of the indwelling Lord.

Christ’s Indwelling in You:

An Exhilarating Experience
“…rejoice in what was suffered….” v.24

An Expensive Experience.
“I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions….”
“I have become it’s (the church) servant…..” v. 25

An Enriching Experience.
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” V. 27

What Are Our Riches in Christ?

• God’s Wisdom and Understanding.
“…the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God….”
Isaiah 40:13

• God’s Kindness, Tolerance and Patience.
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience….”
Romans 2:4

• God’s Glory.
“What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy…”
Romans 9:22-24

• God’s Grace.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.”
Ephesians 1:7

• God’s Mercy.
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ…”
Ephesians 2:4

• God’s Power.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power …” Ephesians 3:16

An Enduring Experience.
“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Vv. 28, 29

An Encouraging Experience.
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love…” V. 2

Questions of the Week

1. What does the indwelling of Christ mean to you?
2. Share times when the experience of the indwelling Christ in your life has felt:

• Exhilarating
• Expensive
• Enriching
• Enduring
• Encouraging

All You Need Is Jesus Part 2

OUR SUPREME CHRIST
Colossians 1:15 -23
October 24, 2010
Pastor Tim Greseth

“And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning
and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have
the supremacy.” Colossians 1:18

The Heart of the Matter

There has never been anyone like him and there never will be. He is the beginning and the end – and everything in between. For a world searching for authenticity – He is the real deal. All the world’s questions are answered in Him. Jesus Christ reigns supreme! But, why is Christ’s supremacy so important to his followers?

Christ is Supreme Because of:

His Unique Relationship.
“…the firstborn over all creation.” v. 15

His Creative Achievement.
“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” vv. 16, 17

His Unrivaled Leadership.
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” v. 18

His Divine Nature.
“He is the image of the invisible God….” v. 15
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…” v.19

His Redemptive Work.
“In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” V. 14
“….and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” Vv. 20-21

His Transforming Power.
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” v. 22

Questions of the Week

1. 
   
   What affect should Christ’s supremacy have upon his followers?


2. 
   
   How does the fact that Christ is “holding all things together” affect you?


3. 
   
   If Christ is the head of the body, what body part are you?


4. 
   
   You, like Christ, were created in the image of the Father. What family resemblance do people notice in you?


5. 
   
   Jesus is the universal mediator between man and his Father. To whom are you a mediator for God?


6. 
   
   How has God transformed your life? In what areas are you still a “work in progress”?