Phil continued our series looking at Colossians.
Introduction
What are we building our life on?
What is the source of your life?
What is feeding you?
While this past year may have been tough, we have had time to do things we didn't have before
What have we used that time for ?
Have we used it to build our relationship, drawing nearer and going deeper?
We have said this before is our life built on church attendance or on a relationship
Let's see what Paul says here to the Colossian church
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 NLT
Let's just look a this verse
3 things to emphasize here, and Pauls tone is strong
1 You must continue to follow him
So many start well but fall away when trouble comes or perhaps they have not fully understood what it is to follow Jesus. Jesus told them. Parable of the sower - Matthew 13:3-9 NLT
In this passage there are 4 types of ground
a. Hard footpath
b. shallow soil with underlying Rock
c. thorny ground
d. fertile soil
It seems the odds are 1 in 4 for the seed to grow and become strong and last
2. Let your roots go down into him
Paul prays his readers will be secure in their reliance on love. The imagery is that of a tree held strongly by deep roots (Matthew 13:6, 21; 15:13; Mark 4:17). Love, especially shown between fellow Christians, is meant to be the hallmark of our faith (John 13:34–35). Love is likewise meant to keep the Christian grounded, staying in place with Christ and growing us to maturity. Colossians 2:7 speaks similarly of being "rooted and built up in him and established in the faith."
Matthew 13:21
But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Psalm 92:12
But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
The Cedar Trees of Lebanon
Today, the Bulk of the Cedar trees are located on the Arz Mountains in Lebanon. The site is well protected and cherished as UNESCO named the forest one of the World Heritage sites.
Solomon used this cedar wood in Building the temple.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
Psalms 1:1-3 NLT
3. Let your lives be built on him
Paul famously speaks eloquently of faith, hope, and love at the conclusion of 1 Corinthians 13. Here, he mentions two of these attributes.
First, his desire in this passage is for growth in faith, rather than knowledge, though both are important.
Ephesians 2:22 also used the idea of a "dwelling place for God by the Spirit." Paul similarly taught the Colossians, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16).
Parable of 2 men building a house - Matthew 7:24-27 NLT
Conclusion
The fruit of being rooted
Overflowing with Thankfulness
As a nation we have a culture of complaining, blame & claim
To walk in the opposite spirit is to be thankful and in every circumstance be content. Paul knew this but did it come from within himself, his own choice or decision or from him being rooted in Christ?
When we are rooted into him the fruit will be evident.
Questions
In what ways do you need to grow up in Christ?
How are you putting your roots down into him? Are there any hindrances to this?
What do we need to do to build our lives on him?
What evidence should we be expecting when we do these 3 things Paul encourages us to do?