Theme: Strengthening our Faith
Sunday April 7, 2024
Theme: Strengthening our Faith
Topic: Rooted and Built up in Christ
Main Text: Colossians 2:1-23
Key verse: Colossians 2:6-7a ” 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as you have been taught.”
Introduction:
In the last quarter, we studied “The Foundation of our Christian Faith,”
by taking a deep dive into the core beliefs that underpin our faith. This Quarter, we will continue with “strengthening our faith” which will help us to gain a better understanding of the importance of our faith in Christ and how to strengthen and sustain it. Paul says to the church, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith as you have been taught (Col. 2:6-7a).
If we want to go on with Christ without succumbing to the many false teachers in our day, without falling into sin, or drifting into spiritual apathy, then we must go on with this exalted, all-sufficient, Christ in the same way we received Him.
Q1. (1a) According to Colossians 2:1-7, what motivated Paul, and what encouragement and warning did he give? (1b) What is one’s “full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God”s mystery?” (See Ephesians 1:7, 18-19; 3:16-19). (1c) From Colossians 2:6, what would it look like to “walk in Christ” in your life today? Be specific.
Paragraph 2:
Paul loved the church with an intensity and devotion that came out of the deep love he had for the Lord. Paul loved those whom the Lord was willing to lay down His life for (1John 4:7-21; 1John 5:1-3). The Colossians received Christ Jesus the Lord, they had settled convictions about His deity and sufficiency, and were standing firm against the attacks of false teachers.
The task was to continue walking in Him. The familiar term walk refers to daily conduct. In this context it means primarily to continue believing the truth about Christ. Truth that finds solid footing in a believing heart and works itself out in love of fellow believers displays a deep conviction. In other words, walking in truth leads to a deeper assurance of truth. In broader terms, however, walking in Christ means living in union with Him. It means to maintain a lifestyle patterned after His. “The one who says he abides in Him,” the apostle John writes, “ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6). When faced with the dilemmas that confront Christians in their daily lives, the guideline should be, “What would Jesus do in this situation?”
Q2. (2a) Read Matt. 11:25-27; Why is it important for the believer to understand that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ?
(2b) Where are you seeking knowledge and wisdom as you face the challenges of life each day? (2c) What progression of faith do you see in Col 2:6-7?
What does it mean to be rooted and built up in Christ? Why do you think this progression ends with overflowing gratitude?
Paragraph 3:
Like a tree with deep roots in rich soil, believers have been firmly rooted in Christ. That eternal planting took place at salvation, “having been firmly rooted” suggests that Christ then, became the source of our spiritual nourishment, growth, and fruit. As we walk in Christ, we are built up in Him. That connotes the process of being more and more like Jesus Christ. “Being built up” is a present-tense participle indicating continuous action. By studying the “word of His grace, which is able to build you up”
(Acts 20:32), believers will “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). And they will come “to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). Being firmly rooted in Christ and growing in Him results in believers being established in their faith and overflow with gratitude to God. A grateful heart for all God has given us in Christ will further strengthen our grip on the truth.
Q3. From each of the following passages, what specific warning and corresponding truth did Paul give the Colossians? (3a) Col. 2:8-10. (3b) Col. 2:11-17 (c) Col. 2:18-19. (3c) Colossians 2:20-23. (3d) How can you be encouraged by the truth this week?
Prayer: Father, may we remain rooted and continually built up in Christ so we can grow in wisdom and understanding. Please guard our hearts against empty philosophies, strengthen our faith, and unite us in love in Jesus name. Amen