Complete In Christ

[00:00:00] This audio sermon is provided by AnabaptistSermons.com and may be freely copied and distributed. You may not sell or edit this sermon. Our prayer is that you would be blessed by this ministry. Welcome to One and All this morning. You know, as we were singing that song, My Soul's Thirsty for You, Lord, I had to think of that really all of us, everyone, every person on this earth, is always thirsting, is always seeking for something. [00:00:34] And it's only as we fill ourselves with God that it is satisfying. You know, sometimes we can look around and see and observe others' lives, and things seem to be going well, things appear to be, yeah, life is good. And sometimes I've had to ask the question, can my life be fulfilling too? [00:01:05] There's different times in my life where I've asked different questions, and sometimes it seems or it feels half empty. And I wonder, can life be fulfilling? And, you know, there's much that is offered today on billboards or other advertisements that is so glamorous. so exciting so very necessary things to have in order to find fulfillment or or enjoyable and you [00:01:38] know many people slave away and are in bondage to to that type of mentality that it's only as I I have this, that I'll reach a certain level of satisfaction. And many slave many hours, so that they can afford these things, and only to find them empty. I'd like to begin today with a few questions. You know, is it possible to be fulfilled when my future is a little uncertain? [00:02:14] Whether it's financially, whether it's where God is calling me, can I be fulfilled even when my future is uncertain? Is it possible to be fulfilled when I need to do with less than what my peers are? Is it possible to be fulfilled even when I don't have a life's companion? Is it possible to be fulfilled when I might spend most of my time taking care of children and domestic duties? [00:02:47] And at times, or is it possible to be fulfilled even when what I'm doing seems so insignificant? Like I'm hardly, like my life is doing so very little for God. Well, this morning I'd like to look at where in fulfillment lies and how we can build on it. And I turn to the book of Colossians. I think it holds such a wealth of information, or not information, but admonition on this subject of fulfillment. [00:03:28] I've entitled my message Complete in Christ and I think it has many words of encouragement in this book and I'd like to focus on chapter 2 verse 10 I'd like to have as the key verse and I'd like to read that we'll be looking at quite a few different parts here in Colossians but I'd like to focus at the beginning here in chapter 2 verse 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. [00:04:28] All the way, if you have a cavity or a hollow, it would mean that it is literally full all the way to the top. It also means to satisfy, to supply, and perfect. You know, in the parable, when Jesus gave the parable to the sheepfold in John 10.10, He says, I am the door of the sheep. And he says, any other that comes not by the door is a thief and a robber and they come to destroy. But I am come that they might have life, the humdrum life. [00:05:07] Well, that's not what he says. He says that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. And that more abundantly simply means superior in quality. You know, all of us, I think, desire to get the most out of life. And I wonder sometimes if my focus in attaining this or seeking this is sometimes on the wrong areas [00:05:41] and therefore I have the wrong or the counterproductive consequences. sometimes we add on things that we think will help us and I think that's really in context here of the Colossians that seems to be what was happening here they had some add-ons to the gospel they were denying the divinity of Christ or denying Christ as God and Paul here emphasizes the preeminence of Christ in chapter 1 [00:06:17] And that's where I'd like to begin reading. I think, let me start here in verse 9. And I'm sure that this is our heart's desire as well. It is mine. Beginning here in verse 9. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joy. [00:07:02] joyfulness. Doesn't that sound wonderful? Isn't that what you want to experience as well? I do. Giving thanks unto the Father which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. and here we see how Paul is starting to come to the source of where this lies [00:07:38] and we see here as Jesus Christ being preeminent in salvation delivered us from the power of darkness translated us into the kingdom of his dear son and that's where we have the redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins you know the problem was sin And Jesus Christ was the answer. It's only through his blood that we can obtain salvation, that we can be redeemed and forgiven. [00:08:09] He continues on. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature? For by him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created by him and for him, and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Here we see the preeminence of Christ in salvation, in creation, and the importance that Paul is placing here of Jesus Christ being involved in the creation. [00:08:50] you know we were created as it says in verse 7 16 we were created for by him and for the purpose of being with him and for him how does that apply to me you know what does that mean to me doesn't that couldn't that mean that if he really created me he knows everything about me he knows what is fulfilling what is not what I need And that to me is reassuring as I think of him creating me, I see or I sense a fulfillment in knowing that he understands exactly what I'm going through. [00:09:36] And also as we continue on, he says, and he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. Here we see he is the head of the church. In his visible kingdom here on earth, Jesus Christ is the head. And it has been said that he is Lord of all. If he is not Lord of all, then he probably is not Lord at all. And here we have these three different ways here that Paul is emphasizing the preeminence of Christ. [00:10:15] And I wonder, why does he do this? But I think he did this to qualify Jesus. Because in the next verse, and this is a very important verse, I'd like for us all to stand and read it together. Because if you forget everything else I said, take this home with you. Verse 19, let's all read it together. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell. Wow. For it pleased the Father that in Jesus Christ should all fullness dwell. [00:10:50] He qualified Him by showing the preeminent of Christ. And then he says, for it pleased God that in Jesus should all fullness dwell. That's the very foundation, that's the very bedrock that we can get to. And it's critical that we remember, you know, we have everything, everything in the person of Jesus Christ. You know, it's in Him that we find comfort when there's sorrow, trial. [00:11:26] It's in Him that we find satisfaction. It's in him that we find strength when we're weak. It's in him that we really find fulfillment. And also in him that we find acceptance. Even if the whole world hates us, in Jesus Christ we have all that we need. As we think of that, quite obviously we would say that in order to experience that in our lives, we must have the new birth. [00:11:58] And I realize that this may seem so very elementary, but it's very critical, it's very foundational in how to gain this fullness of life. We must be born again, as it says in verse 13, delivered, translated, 14, it talks about the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. And as I think of the salvation experience, I'd like to read on down in verses 20 through 22. [00:12:38] And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things to himself, by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven, and you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works. That's us. Alienated. Wicked. Unworthy. Sinful. And it says, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. [00:13:15] That is more than what I can understand. doesn't that make your heart full as we think of our own unworthiness and of how Christ has reconciled us to the Father you know without the new birth there will never be true fulfillment we can continue to seek those things that appear to be fulfilling [00:13:45] and I'm not sure if you noticed I'm sure you have in the last few months. You know how people who have built their lives on money and power, and especially the money thing, that foundation is collapsing. And that's why there's so much frenzy or panic and fear out there, is because it's crumbling. What have we been building on? You know, so, if I do believe in the new birth, I've asked Jesus in my heart, then I'm on my way. [00:14:25] I'm on my way. You know, life will be fulfilled ever after. Well, believing in Jesus and experiencing the new birth is very foundational. It is critical and it's necessary. However, it's not the end. Paul continues on, and I would like to do so too, in chapter 2, verse 6, he makes mention of this, as ye have therefore received Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus the Lord, as you have received the new birth, so walk ye in him, walk ye in him. [00:15:04] To me, that speaks of duty that is connected with the new birth. You know, we can say a lot of things, we can do a lot of things, but unless our lives, unless it's demonstrated in our lives, it will mean very little. I'm sure you've heard the poem, if you'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon any day, I don't have it with me, but I was reminded of that. Well, how do we really walk in Him as we continue this process? [00:15:41] You know, we need to, we have the foundation and we need to build on it. And I'd like to look at four dimensions here of completeness. I think it's important that we realize that this whole thing is a progressive thing. thing. As we grow in our walk with Christ, we can find fulfillment in every phase of life and we find completeness in him. There's four dimensions I'd like to look at. First of all, building downward. If we continue in verse seven, he says here rooted and built up in him and established in the faith as he had been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving. I see that as a [00:16:27] Or I get the mind picture of a tree rooting down, spreading its roots downward in search for nutrients, for water, for essentials, thirsty. We were singing that song, we're thirsty for you, Lord. Where is our thirst? Are we thirsty for God? Do we diligently seek Him? Do we diligently dig into His Word? And, you know, something that happens as a tree roots down deeper and deeper, there's strength. [00:17:04] And I firmly believe that the more that we diligently seek God, the more we diligently seek in his word, the stronger that we will become. The rooted there just means to become stable. And I think as an example that I need to think of the Hebrew boys, the three Hebrew boys, from the very beginning of their captivity, quite obviously, they had rooted down, they had searched for what they believed, because even in small things such as eating the king's meat, they knew where they stood, and they took a stand. [00:17:45] And later on, I'm not sure how much later, but in the crisis moment of where there were, with all the powerful, popular men of the country, they stood. They did not bend. Now, had they been seeking fulfillment by seeking after power, they would have never stood. They would have bowed because it was a very unpopular, very not at all a way to gain promotion. [00:18:27] And yet, God rewarded them for standing out. You know, in a world that's full of evil and darkness, can you and I stand unapologetically? You know, sometimes we are maybe asked various different questions. What is our response? Do we see these things as something that, that's kind of what my church, that's how we do here at church. [00:19:00] When somebody asks about the headship veiling. Do you see it as a commandment of God? Do you see it as, oh, the way our church does it. Do I, can I stand unapologetically on the word of God? You know, sometimes we may be in a conversation when there's bad language used. Do I have the guts to say, that hurts, to use my Savior's name? I'm sure there's times when we may have to lose money in order, or lose something in order to keep a clear conscience. [00:19:45] Are we willing to do that? To stand unapologetically? In Ephesians 3.17, Paul also refers to building downward. He says, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, and there again he uses the metaphor of a tree, I would imagine, and how it's rooted down, it's foundational, and isn't love the foundation of the kingdom of God. [00:20:17] You know God rewards times that we stand and I can't explain it but as I think of times where God has given me the grace to stand in an area that may not have been There's a peace and there's a fulfillment that comes from standing for the right The second dimension I like to look at is building upward Lord in chapter three, he begins, if he then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. As we think of seeking those things above what? One thing that comes to my mind is to seek communication through prayer. And that is something that I sense a need of growth as well. You know, it's pretty easy to to just spend a few minutes in [00:21:12] And that's enough for today. Or if it gets crowded out, well, I'll do it some other time. But we really do need to see the essentialness of prayer, the communication with God, and it keeps our relationship with Christ current. It's in prayer that we can find strength. It's in prayer that we find guidance and power. There is protection from the evil one through committing ourselves to God in prayer. [00:21:48] The fourth chapter, verse 2 of Colossians, he says, Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving. I see a few things here, continue or pursue or watch and of thanksgiving. You know the purpose of prayer is to get God's will done on earth and not our will done in heaven. And I'm not sure who made that quote but I found that very thought provoking. [00:22:24] The purpose of prayer is to get God's will done on earth and not ours in heaven. How often do I seek God to bless what I've got planned instead of seeking what God would have me to do? I've had to ask myself that question. In seeking things above, I think also of wisdom. James 3.17 talks about the wisdom that is from above is first pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and genuine. [00:23:06] Verse 2 in chapter 3, it continues on, set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Our affections. Our affections are the things that we love. And here it gives admonition that we should love the heavenly things, those things with eternal value. And I think it's good for us to stop and analyze our goals. Really, our goals. Are they, do they, do they have eternal values or are they only material goals? [00:23:46] You know, some things that I sometimes have to, or I wonder, and I need to be honest in them, And that is, you know, when the work of the church infringes on my job or the things at home, what do I think about the most? Do I think about loss of income or do I think about the long eternal values that is involved in ministry? You know, when we become unfulfilled, could it be that it's a sign that we're seeking the wrong thing? [00:24:29] And it's amazing to me sometimes the fulfillment that is found when we pursue after those things of eternal value. There's many different illustrations that we could use. I think of the experiences and growth that I had in voluntary service that focused on eternal things and the benefits, the blessings, the fulfillment that was found in that was tremendously fulfilling. [00:25:01] However, it always takes sacrifice and there's all kinds of types of service, all kinds of acts of service that we can do. small or great but each have a cost it's not much of a service to others if it doesn't cost us anything and there's opportunities that arise all the time day to day you know as we serve as unto God from our hearts there is fulfillment and you know there have been times where I have done acts of service [00:25:40] to be seen of man. And it's so very disappointing, first of all, if they never notice. And even if they do notice, it's only for a short time. And it just goes to show that if I draw from the wrong source and do it for the wrong reasons, there's no fulfillment. There's pride and unfulfillment. You know, I'm sure that mothers have many days after taking care of children, sick children, fussy children, [00:26:20] or doing simple jobs that take three times as long because of all the little hands that are involved. And sometimes it may be easy to ask, what have I done? What have I accomplished? May I ask, you know, what, I don't have the answer, but it's easy for me to seek those things that get noticed, and those things are empty. [00:26:52] But as we, if we can see things in the light or in the scope of eternity, we can see or even have the promises of God's word that as opportunities rise, even though they may only be a cup of cold water, Jesus says they shall not lose their reward. So may we see these things as unto Christ and not unto man or to be noticed or to draw from the wrong well. [00:27:29] You know, there are things that look very attractive in many ways, different vacations or different places that seem very enjoyable. But you know, a lot of areas that seem to be fulfilling are simply nothing but entertainment and amusement and leave us always with planning another thing in order to try and satisfy. Our affections also include, and it can be a lot of things in business, in our houses or investments and hobbies, [00:28:07] really what what has priority in our affections the third way building inwardly if we would continue in chapter three for your dead and your life is hid with Christ in God and it continues on dealing more with the inward and so the third way I'd like to talk about is building inwardly our inner life our inner desires or thoughts that are Often of the old man need to be mortified says in verse 5 mortify to slay to destroy in verse 8 it says to put off and it's interesting to notice the call to Jeremiah and the first chapter he tells him see I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms [00:29:06] To root out, to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down And then he says, to build and to plant You know, these things need to be rooted out, destroyed, taken down You know, Manassas, I think, are planning to build a new house They don't plan to build on top of the old house It's, as I understand, to take it away And I see that mind picture here as well, that it needs to be rooted out, destroyed. [00:29:43] We need to mortify these things, the flesh, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concubiscence, covetousness, idolatry. And in verse 8, sometimes it's easy to look at verse 5 and think those are far away from us, But verse 8 really brings these things down to my heart. Anger, wrath, malice, the get-even mentality, blasphemy, filthy communications, lying. [00:30:18] We need to put those things off. And we need to put the new man on. Now, as we tear down, destroy, we need to build the new and to put on the new man. I'm not sure if I noticed it before, but in verse 10, and have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. You know, we sometimes use that little phrase as we observe other children, like father, like son, like mother, like daughter. [00:30:52] That's really what it's saying here, after the image of him that created him, like father, like son. These Christian graces or these characteristics are characteristics of God himself that must be seen in our lives, and we must exemplify these after the image of God. I'd like to notice the word renewed in verse 10. to me it means continually upgraded in our fellowship with God [00:31:26] or in Strong's I think it also mentions renovated as I think of a house or something being renovated there is completely new it was old and now it's renovated it's something new, it has a new nature and that is also the same for us If we experience Christ in our heart and nothing has changed, probably our destiny has not changed either. We will experience friction. We will experience other areas of conflict. [00:32:02] But as we can respond in a way the Father, even as Christ forgave us, as we respond in the same love that God did, It's a blessing to respond in forgiveness and there is fulfillment there as we are able to have a relationship that's restored again. And the fourth dimension is building outwardly. [00:32:33] I think of our outward life, we're all physical beings that people can see, observe, and don't kid yourself, they do. We are watched and wonder what for testimony that we leave. In the devotional this morning, what is the message that you write? There is people that are observing you. He gives a little admonition in this, in chapter 4, verse 5. He says, walk in wisdom toward them that are without. [00:33:05] How do we walk in wisdom? I'm not sure exactly what all is involved in here but he continues, redeeming the time let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man here he brings the area of speech in a way that I think could be also in the context of walking in wisdom toward them that are without [00:33:37] Now, he says here a speech should be seasoned with salt. I don't know, can you explain what salt does to your food? I don't know, but it just makes it taste better. It rounds it out or it's wholesome. It's just something missing if it's not there. And that's the way I think our words need to be. They need to be wholesome. They need to be well-rounded, honest, and gracious. I think that's one way we can walk in wisdom towards them that are without. [00:34:08] Redeeming the time, or one quote here in our speaking and that is 90% of the friction of daily life is caused by the wrong tone of voice just that little thing can make sometimes the biggest difference in how we relate to each other Redeeming the time, to me it speaks of that someday this is going to end. [00:34:40] And I had to ask the question, do I care about those around me that are lost? Do I care enough to say something? You know, to assist a soul in coming to God is one of the most rewarding things that I can think of. In retrospect, I truly believe that everything that we need can be found in the person of Jesus Christ. And if we have that foundation, we need to continue building on that foundation both downwardly, upwardly, inwardly, and outwardly. [00:35:19] And this is not the only way. There's many more illustrations that could be given or dimensions. But regardless of the circumstances, I feel we can be complete in Him The foundation, of course, is our salvation experience And I don't know, can we, maybe we ought to use a metaphor of a house being built or some kind of building You know, the foundation can be complete, all finished, and yet the house is not done [00:35:50] and the rough-in or the framing can be roughed in, can be complete. There can be growth in our Christian walk and it can be a phase of life that is complete and yet the house is not done. There is still electrical, there is plumbing and the list goes on until we're closer done. And you know, as we continue on in our Christian life, we must remember that this is progressive. [00:36:23] As we grow in Him, we can find completeness in Him. And I hope that we're all looking towards the day where it will be completely complete. I'm not sure is that grammatically correct or not, but I think you get the picture. There is a sense in which we can find fulfillment and completion in Christ today, but there is also a time that we look forward where we will be complete. I'd like to read in closing in Ephesians, the third chapter. [00:37:00] This is my prayer for you and also my desire for myself. Beginning in verse 16, chapter 3 in Ephesians. that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, the length, the depth and height [00:37:31] and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God. You know, we cannot always just depend on our feelings. It is not, our salvation is not based on feelings, but upon the word of God. And I trust that we can find fulfillment in that.