Complete in Christ

Friends, I am complete in Christ! I have made Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior and I Am Who God Say’s I Am. Everything I need is found in him and him alone and so is my identity. I don’t have to seek other sources. Jesus Christ has reconciled me to God the day I accepted him as my Abba Father and he reigns supreme over my life.

When my Pastor preached on Sunday I loved what he used as his illustration to start his sermon.

Introduction to Being Complete in Christ:

He asked the question if we’ve ever flown in an airplane before? The biggest majority of us had. He went on to say when you’re flying and the airplane hits turbulence, you realize that you are NOT in control at all. Our safety and security are in the hands of the pilot at that point.

So he asked this question:

“If the stewardess came and asked you to fly the plane, could you do it confidently or would you be really intimidated by all of the controls in the cockpit?”

If you are like me I would have NO IDEA where to begin or what fifty million buttons to push. Have you noticed the cockpit when you walked by as you’re boarding? 

I’d be saying this, “Houston We Have A Problem!”

As we read in Colossians they found themselves in a similar situation. In Colossae, others were saying that we needed more than Christ and they cast doubt and caused them to feel intimidated. But, we know that it is Christ and Christ alone that we need for salvation.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Colossians 1:21

He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. Colossians 1:22

If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:23

There were people in Colossae who doubted the supremacy of Christ because they doubted the sufficiency of Christ. So, they looked at rituals and philosophy as necessary. There are some churches today that teach a “How To” list. But we know that Jesus Christ is sufficient to get right with God and to stay right with God.

Christ is ALL we need, and there is a way to be complete in Christ!

BIG IDEA: Being reconciled through Christ covers every aspect of our lives. Is Christ enough? When turbulence hits, is Christ enough? When trials come upon us, is Christ enough?

How we are Complete in Christ and that is more than enough

1. Christ Addresses Our Past Sins (Vs. 21-22)

2. Christ Secures Our Future Standing (V. 22)

3. Christ Encourages Our Present Situation (V. 23)

First Point: Christ Addresses Our Past Sins

Do you remember your BC (Before Christ) days? There were some movies that we used to watch, certain songs we used to listen to, a certain kind of speech we used to use, and certain things we used to do. When we think back, we are now appalled at how we were.  During these days, we were alienated from God.

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12

We were alienated and had no hope. “Alienated” suggests a fixed position that was not going to change. We would still be alienated today if it weren’t for Christ. We might have been better than some others, but even a cute alien is still an alien, cut off from God.

I can only speak for myself when I say I rationalized my sin. Before receiving Christ as our Savior we were hostile toward God. There is no such thing as an innocent heathen. We could not claim ignorance. We suppressed the truth.

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18

Some will say, I wasn’t really that bad, I just didn’t know any better. This is not true. A two-year-old child may be cute, but they can still recognize when they should or shouldn’t be doing something.

Example:

If you place a few two-year-olds in the same room and ask them NOT to specifically touch ____ turn away a split second and right back and see if they aren’t watching you see if you’re looking at them doing that specific thing. God will not be content to just let our Sin go. Even our deeds proved that we were evil.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Sexual immorality – fornication, sexual lust, sexual passions, adultery, all of the things on this list amount to idolatry.

Is Christ enough?

By all means, He is enough because He saved us and cleansed us from all of our Sins. Any thought that is contrary to God says is considered evil.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Colossians 1:21

We once were, but God sees our alienation as past tense. We need to see the difference between who we once were and who we are now because we have been reconciled. Colossians 1:22

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1

In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 2:2

Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:3

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us. Ephesians 2:4

Each of us who have received salvation has had a “But God” moment

Jesus Christ has redeemed us. In our BC days, we were slaves to sin, and Jesus through His blood redeemed us and took us out of the slave market. Christ forgave us and paid the infinite debt that we could never pay. He took us from being an enemy of God and made of a friend of God.

“Body of Flesh” – This was Jesus Christ in His incarnation.

There is no other substitute because Christ was perfect.

False teachers taught that this work of reconciliation could only be done through angels, but the Scriptures teach that Christ alone is qualified and His atonement was sufficient.

Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Corinthians 5:21

This IS the greatest exchange in human history. Jesus Christ had to suffer outside of the city gate, but this allows us to come inside. There are implications of reconciliation:

1. If you are not reconciled to God, this should be your main focus. Nothing is more important than reconciliation with God. Don’t wait!

2. You should be about sharing the message of reconciliation. You have a ministry now

Help others be reconciled to Christ so they can be Complete in Christ!

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18

That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19

3. Jesus crossed an infinite chasm to work to reconcile you to God. How much more should we be willing to work to reconcile others in terms of horizontal relationships?

Second Point: Christ Secures Our Future Standing

In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. Colossians 1:22

Previously we were hostile and enemies of God, and now we are set apart to God. Born again believers in Jesus Christ are considered holy and blameless because of the blood he shed on our behalf.

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love! Ephesians 1:4

Based on our life alone, we would be found guilty before a holy God. But because of the atoning work of Christ on the cross, those that put their faith in Him are not guilty.

For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:30

Now, there is no condemnation for believers in Christ.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death. Romans 7:24

It is Jesus who will deliver us.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 7:24

Just because You and I have no more condemnation that does not mean we have a license to sin.

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33

Satan tries to accuse us and he tries to make us doubt, but no one can bring a charge against us.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

For those who are striving and fighting against sin, there is no condemnation.

Christ is infinite in power to save you and sustain you, so rest in His power and know you are complete in him.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy. Jude 1:24

Third Point: Christ Encourages Our Present Situation: 

If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:23

It’s not that your work saves you and your lack of work will cause you to lose salvation.  Perseverance proves that you are saved.

Don’t add some other philosophy or other religion. Christ is sufficient. We are Complete in Christ!

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples John 8:31

Continue in this faith and don’t deviate. There will be false teachers, but don’t be persuaded by these winds of doctrine. Christ is stable and steadfast, meaning He is secure.

How can we remain steadfast while being complete in Christ:

1. Come to Church. Seek the truth through the preaching and seeking of the Word of God.

2. Serve His kingdom.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

• The gospel is sufficient and it’s universal
• All people need the good news of the gospel
• We are to proclaim it in all creation

If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven. Colossians 1:23

What is causing you to wander in your faith?  Is it Christ plus thinking? We must be committed to the fact that Christ is sufficient.

Christ is enough because He addresses our past sins, He secures our future standing, and He encourages our present situation.

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