WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.299 J.B. Phillips, in his book, Your God is Too Small, writes this. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:46.700 Many men and women today are living often with inner dissatisfaction without any faith 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:48.200 in God at all. 00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:53.920 This is not because they are particularly wicked or selfish or, as the old-fashioned 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:59.980 would say, quote-unquote, godless, but because they have not found with their adult mind, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:08.500 a god big enough to account for life, big enough to, quote, fit in with the new scientific 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:17.420 age, big enough to command their highest admiration and respect, and consequently, their willing 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:19.000 cooperation. 00:01:21.780 --> 00:01:28.159 Phillips wrote this in 1952, but I think it speaks to our age today as well. 00:01:28.879 --> 00:01:34.319 Certainly, discussion of God, and particularly the God of Christianity in public square, is 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:40.299 unfailingly characterized as a God whose weakness and insufficiency are on display in various 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:40.920 ways. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:41.920 The hypocrisy of believers. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:47.500 The growth of naturalistic materialism. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:53.159 Increasing ignorance in what the Bible actually says about who God is. 00:01:53.159 --> 00:02:00.399 The conflation of Christianity with social or political movements have all weakened our understanding 00:02:00.399 --> 00:02:03.700 of who God truly is. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:09.379 And have undermined the perception of God in the public square. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:15.919 Maybe you're here this morning, and you feel this acutely. 00:02:17.299 --> 00:02:19.960 You wonder about the God of Christianity. 00:02:20.139 --> 00:02:21.340 Perhaps you're here exploring. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:22.359 We're welcoming you. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:23.460 We're glad you're here. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:30.120 But, you know, I don't think this weakness is simply something that's outside of the church. 00:02:30.700 --> 00:02:36.020 In fact, I think it's prevalent within the church just as much. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:38.080 In our own hearts, we struggle. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:44.740 We struggle to think, is God big enough for our modern world? 00:02:44.980 --> 00:02:50.340 Is God big enough for the complexity that I face every day? 00:02:51.560 --> 00:03:01.080 So often, we find ourselves excluding God and thinking He is too small in areas of modern 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:04.760 expertise like medicine or psychology or management. 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:11.599 We question God's ability to be big enough in the face of natural and human disasters. 00:03:12.519 --> 00:03:15.539 We're in the face of personal pain and suffering. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:23.739 In our modern world, our increasing sense of our own control makes us doubt whether God is 00:03:23.739 --> 00:03:25.359 actually in control. 00:03:28.359 --> 00:03:34.739 And as we face the ongoing and insistent gnawing of our soul that we were making 00:03:34.759 --> 00:03:41.859 for something more in this life than what we're experiencing, yet we still doubt whether 00:03:41.859 --> 00:03:49.840 God could be the answer, whether God could be the direction we could go to find the satisfaction 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.680 that our souls crave and long for. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:59.120 And so, Phillips poses a question to us, our society and our church. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:06.439 Is God actually big enough for the complexity of the lives that you face? 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:12.580 Is He big enough to command your highest admiration and respect? 00:04:13.580 --> 00:04:22.319 Is He big enough to command your willing cooperation with Him in His plans for your life and for the world? 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:24.439 Is He big enough to command your life and for the world? 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:28.939 This brings us to our new preaching series for the fall. 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:31.420 We are preaching through the book of Colossians. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.099 If you want to look there, you can turn there. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:38.899 We're going to be dipping in and looking at a number of different passages rather than simply reading one. 00:04:39.439 --> 00:04:44.659 So, I would recommend if you can pull one of those pew Bibles out, it's page 984. 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:52.100 And we're looking at the book of Colossians because in it, God speaks to us about this very question. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:56.720 In it, God tells us who He is. 00:04:57.640 --> 00:05:03.800 And in it, we are able to see the greatness of the God of the Bible and the God of Christianity. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:11.660 As you're turning there, let me just give you a brief introduction to the book of Colossians. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:13.640 It is a letter from the Apostle Paul. 00:05:14.260 --> 00:05:20.620 It was probably written in about 72 AD, which would be near the end of his life. 00:05:21.200 --> 00:05:24.320 It was written to a church that he had never been to. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:30.100 Seemingly, what happened was there was a man named Epaphras, who you see in chapter 4, verse 12, 00:05:30.260 --> 00:05:35.360 who had probably come to Ephesus where Paul had lived and ministered for a number of years 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:45.939 and had returned back to this town of Colossae and had proclaimed about the good news about Jesus 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:47.460 that he had heard from Paul. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:52.360 So, Paul is in some ways the grandfather of this church. 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:58.020 But it seems, as we see clearly, he had never actually met them or been with them. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:59.639 We see that in the beginning of chapter 2. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:10.879 And so, this letter is a letter taken by two men, Tychicus and Philemon, to this church, 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:16.919 along with a couple of other letters, to be passed along to encourage the church and to remind them. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:21.300 And it was written to encourage this new church about Christ. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:27.900 Paul talks about his thankfulness, about the gospel work that he's heard about in them. 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:30.360 But he also writes with some concern. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:37.000 Concerned that in the milieu of both Judaism and folk religion of the day, 00:06:37.460 --> 00:06:45.120 that perhaps the Colossians were starting to think that Jesus was good, but not quite good enough. 00:06:45.340 --> 00:06:49.519 That maybe Jesus was, as one commentator, Doug Moo says, 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:55.359 that Christ was most important, but most important among others who were pretty much like him. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:00.259 In terms of spiritual options and in terms of their salvation. 00:07:03.839 --> 00:07:08.339 Paul says, I want to remind you of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:13.899 I want to remind you that Jesus is great and he is sufficient. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:23.000 You don't need to turn to other rituals, other spiritual practices, other spiritual powers in your life. 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:27.259 For Christ actually is enough. 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:31.099 The hinge verse and the central exhortation is in chapter 2. 00:07:31.179 --> 00:07:32.399 And if you want to turn there with me. 00:07:32.779 --> 00:07:39.639 Chapter 2, verses 6 and 7 is the key exhortation that Paul is giving to this church. 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:42.079 He says, 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:48.719 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:51.579 Rooted and built up in him. 00:07:52.279 --> 00:07:55.000 And established in the faith, just as you were taught. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.379 Abounding in thanksgiving. 00:07:57.379 --> 00:08:03.639 Paul's heart is that they would be encouraged. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:08.860 And his means of doing so is he's going to lift up Jesus Christ before them. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:11.379 And that's what we're going to talk about this morning. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:14.339 Jesus Christ, the exalted one. 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:16.839 Jesus Christ in all of his greatness. 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:20.579 Jesus Christ who is sufficient for all of our needs. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.379 So that's what we're going to look at this morning. 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:28.360 Let's pray before we dive in. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:35.139 Lord, we thank you for this book and we thank you for this word. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:42.720 Lord, we thank you that you have not left us to grope and to grasp about who you are. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:50.759 But you have in fact made us able to know who you are by your word. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:56.240 Lord, we thank you for this book and we pray that today and in the coming weeks and months, 00:08:56.740 --> 00:09:03.299 as we preach through it, Lord, that you will bless us individually and as a community. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:11.299 Lord, that we might see more clearly the greatness of the Savior that we have in Christ. 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:13.399 Lord, help us. 00:09:13.399 --> 00:09:20.480 Lord, we confess our need to be instructed by you, to be reminded by you. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:25.759 Lord, I pray for your help this morning that as we look at your word together, 00:09:25.939 --> 00:09:32.240 that I might speak clearly and that my words would be useful in your hands, Lord, 00:09:32.319 --> 00:09:36.199 so that we might all be encouraged to worship you. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:38.620 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:40.139 Amen. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:46.000 If you're following along, my outline this morning will be very simple. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:50.199 As we're looking at the book of Colossians and thinking about his greatness, 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:54.960 we are going to look at Christ the preeminent one and Christ the sufficient one. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:58.879 Those two things, and we'll break those down. 00:09:58.980 --> 00:10:01.580 And as we do this, we'll start the first one. 00:10:01.699 --> 00:10:04.340 Turn with me to chapter 1, verse 15. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:08.220 We're going to see that Christ is the preeminent one. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:10.980 You see that word preeminent in verse 20. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:18.040 In other translations, you might see it being supremacy or having the first place. 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:21.420 Preeminence isn't always a word that we talk about today, 00:10:21.540 --> 00:10:27.360 but it means taking the highest and the most central place among a community, 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:29.639 in our own hearts, in our lives. 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:37.679 And part of what Paul says here to this early church is that there is a God, 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:44.720 and we can know him fully, completely, because of Jesus Christ. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:49.059 So look with me in verse 15 of chapter 1. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:51.100 He's talking about Jesus. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.939 You can see that from verse 13. 00:10:52.940 --> 00:10:57.760 He says, he, that is Jesus, is the image of the invisible God, 00:10:57.860 --> 00:11:00.140 the firstborn of all creation. 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:04.380 And if you skip down to verse 19, it's helpful to see this too. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:09.400 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:14.160 These are striking, staggering statements. 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:17.720 We could spend all day simply camping out on this one truth, 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:22.240 that Jesus himself is the image of God and the fullness of God. 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:26.660 And the reason why we need to be reminded of this is because in our humanness, 00:11:27.060 --> 00:11:30.680 because Jesus Christ became a human being and took on human flesh, 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.460 we often think less of him. 00:11:33.160 --> 00:11:36.420 We often think of him as simply a good moral teacher. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:41.379 We think of one who commends to us a better ethic for our world. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:48.159 We might think of him as one who is a revolutionary to bring social change. 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:53.700 But in doing all those things, we see him as merely a better human being, 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:58.059 a greater human being than others around us. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:03.439 And Paul speaks to this and says, no, no, no. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:07.799 Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:13.959 And in him, the fullness, all of who God is, dwells. 00:12:15.359 --> 00:12:17.599 And friends, what good news this is for us. 00:12:18.719 --> 00:12:21.679 If we want to know God, we don't need to guess. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:24.939 If we want to know God, we don't need to think, 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:27.019 well, what do I think he might be like? 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:31.099 God has come to us in Jesus Christ. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:36.700 Christ and the very center and the very core of what Christianity is all about. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:40.659 Of what the Bible is all about. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:51.960 What the Bible is all about is that Jesus Christ is the one we can look to 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:55.080 to know everything we need to know about who God is. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:57.920 Everything is in there. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:01.460 So we need not look further. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:09.960 Not only is Christ preeminent because he is the fullness of deity expressed in human form 00:13:09.960 --> 00:13:16.540 so we can know what he's like, but he's also the preeminent one over all of the world. 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:21.020 Look with me in verses 16 and 17 of chapter 1 for a minute. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.279 It says, 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:28.519 For by him, that is Christ, for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:32.679 visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:36.399 all things were created through him and for him, 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:43.340 and he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:49.820 For those of you who are English majors, these two verses are a cornucopia, 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:53.759 a banquet of prepositions about Jesus. 00:13:54.560 --> 00:13:55.680 Did you see them all? 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.500 By him. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:14:03.399 That is, he is the means by which everything was created in the whole world. 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:06.840 Not only by him was everything created, 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:11.720 but we see at the end of verse 16 that all things were created through him, 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:14.680 the instrument, and for him. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.019 That is, he is the goal. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:21.840 Everything in this world was made for Jesus Christ. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:28.080 Not only that, but verse 17, 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.940 he is before all things, 00:14:30.019 --> 00:14:33.519 which means that he was eternally present before the created, 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:37.440 and therefore distinct from the created world in which we live, 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:42.320 and in him all things hold together. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:46.400 Jesus not only formed all this, 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:50.019 not only was he the one by whom it came into existence, 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:52.059 but today, every day, 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:54.139 he is the one who holds it together. 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:57.659 He is the one who holds the gravitational constant 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.960 so the world doesn't fall apart. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:03.419 He is the one who makes molecules hold together. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.519 I'm not a scientist. 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:07.779 I'm about to get way in over my head here. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:12.559 But you keep going into the complexities of the physical and material world, 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.419 the biological world, 00:15:14.419 --> 00:15:17.360 and you realize Jesus is the sustaining power 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.939 by which all of those things happen. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:27.500 And it gives us as believers the joy to be a scientist, 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:32.039 those who explore the creative and sustaining work of God 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.840 in the physical world. 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:43.659 The 19th century theologian Abraham Kuyper, 00:15:44.699 --> 00:15:46.779 well-known quote that you should know, 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:49.100 and it's one of the quotes that, by the way, 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.639 Tim Keller uses in the book, 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.539 Every Good Endeavor, 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:53.179 which is the basis of the Sunday School. 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:56.079 So this is a good sort of plug for that. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:16:02.079 There is not a square inch in the whole domain of human existence 00:16:02.079 --> 00:16:05.480 over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.240 does not cry, 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:15.299 You ride to the bus, 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:17.620 you ride on the bus in the morning, 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.940 your days in the classroom, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:22.860 on the playing fields and in the labs, 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.560 Christ says, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.220 Mine. 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:27.019 In the lecture halls, 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:28.419 in the departmental offices, 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.740 in the seminar rooms, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.039 Christ says, 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:31.840 Mine. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:35.320 In your morning commute, 00:16:36.280 --> 00:16:39.139 your office desk space, 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.060 your boardrooms, 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.259 Christ says, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:42.940 Mine. 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.120 In your friendships, 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.080 your marriage, 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.200 your leisure, 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.240 and your bedroom, 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.060 Christ says, 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.620 Mine. 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:49.680 In your homes, 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.759 in your laundry piles, 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:51.639 your playrooms, 00:16:51.780 --> 00:16:52.460 and minivans, 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:53.300 and preschools, 00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.200 Christ says, 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.740 Mine. 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.900 In your apartments, 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.740 in your shelters, 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.780 your tent cities, 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.259 in your food kitchens, 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.100 in your hospitals, 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:01.139 Christ says, 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.820 Mine. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.240 In our neighborhoods, 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.620 in our state, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.299 in our city, 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:09.680 in the countries that span the globe, 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.640 Christ says, 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.059 Mine. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.519 The political powers, 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.819 and the societal structures, 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:15.099 and the economic markets, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.319 Christ says, 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:16.980 Mine. 00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:22.420 There is nothing in this world 00:17:22.420 --> 00:17:26.019 that was not made by Christ, 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:29.200 and sustained by Christ. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:31.319 And will, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.219 in the end, 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:35.579 show that it was made for Christ, 00:17:35.959 --> 00:17:37.480 for His glory. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:40.039 Every part of your existence, 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:43.199 Christ rules over. 00:17:44.919 --> 00:17:47.759 He claims the place of preeminence, 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:51.299 first place in all of them. 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:55.819 But He doesn't just rule it over creation. 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.339 If you look further on, 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:59.679 in verses 18 through 20 of chapter 1, 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.279 He says, 00:18:01.399 --> 00:18:02.759 And He is the head of the body, 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.299 the church. 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.000 He is the beginning, 00:18:06.159 --> 00:18:07.460 the firstborn from the dead, 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.419 that in everything He might be preeminent. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.539 For in Him, 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.619 all the fullness of God 00:18:11.619 --> 00:18:12.819 was pleased to dwell, 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.679 and through Him, 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.619 to reconcile to Himself 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.839 all things, 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:18.559 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:22.099 making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:24.859 So not only is God, 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.119 is Jesus Christ, 00:18:26.459 --> 00:18:27.980 claiming a place of preeminence 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.319 over all of creation, 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:31.000 but He's claiming preeminence 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:34.079 over all of His new creation work as well. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.419 For we might wonder, 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:38.899 how is it that Christ could be preeminent 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:40.939 in this broken, fallen world 00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:42.759 that is full of pain, 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.879 and sorrow, 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.579 sickness, 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.319 and evil? 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:49.939 Well, His preeminence is demonstrated 00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:51.759 in this new creation work 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.159 that He has begun, 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:54.659 and that He has started. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.779 And it is based on His work 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:59.639 of His life and death and resurrection. 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:04.439 And His goal is to redeem individual people 00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.819 from the death of the world 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.740 into the life 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.679 that is being joined with Him. 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:11.740 But it is not only that. 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.439 Did you see the end of verse 20? 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:17.400 It is also to reconcile all things to Himself. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.700 That is, everything will be brought in 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.900 and under His rule and His reign. 00:19:22.160 --> 00:19:23.960 And one day the world again 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:26.880 will be remade in a new creation, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.620 a new heavens and a new earth, 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:31.920 where everything will display His glory 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:33.580 and His goodness and His beauty 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:35.519 and His majesty and His power. 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:40.059 So Christ is redeeming people today, 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:42.000 and He is redeeming the world 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:45.880 for an eternity that is yet to come. 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.980 Again, for those of you who are linguists, 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.720 look at the number of time 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:54.240 that all and every was mentioned 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.059 in these verses. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.500 As a matter of fact, 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:58.279 I want to encourage you, 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.000 read through the book of Colossians. 00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:03.400 Commit to reading through it once a week 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.599 for the next three months 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.779 as we preach through it. 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.380 And one of the questions I want you to ask is, 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:11.340 look for how many times do you see 00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:13.980 all and every in your translation? 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:19.700 Because this Christ that Paul has proclaimed, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:22.660 this Christ that we are proclaiming to you today, 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:26.100 is a Christ over all. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.660 Over all creation, 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:31.540 and in His saving, redeeming work, 00:20:32.040 --> 00:20:34.260 He is over His people, the church. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:39.640 Friends, one of the implications of this today 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:41.440 is that we must see 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:45.839 that Christ is not merely a tribal God. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:48.940 He is not merely the God of the Christians 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.539 who can be compared 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:55.400 and honored in the same way 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:58.140 with all other gods of the world. 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:03.580 We have the privilege 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:05.800 of proclaiming a God who says, 00:21:06.320 --> 00:21:07.280 this is all mine 00:21:07.280 --> 00:21:10.640 and I am the Savior of all the world. 00:21:12.020 --> 00:21:14.000 And this has a sharp edge to it 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.840 because the Christ of Colossians, 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:18.280 there is no room for other Saviors. 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:21.640 There are no other paths to know God. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.020 There is no other way out of sin. 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:27.360 Christ alone can do that. 00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:31.780 And yet it also gives us the ability 00:21:31.780 --> 00:21:34.360 to interact with the whole world 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.680 with graciousness. 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:38.880 We may never hate people 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.100 because of their religion, 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:43.580 but we may point them 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:46.480 to the one who claims over all, 00:21:47.100 --> 00:21:47.560 mine. 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:54.640 The central act of this, as we'll see, 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.660 the way that this work is being done, 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:00.100 the way that Christ is showing His preeminence, 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.080 is through the preaching 00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:04.060 of the good news of Jesus Christ, 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.920 this message of the gospel. 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:08.980 This is what He's doing in the church. 00:22:09.140 --> 00:22:10.940 This is what He's doing in the world. 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:18.740 Friends, is your Christ too small 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:20.880 to save the whole world 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.820 and to redeem it? 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:26.159 Is your gospel too small to save you 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:29.200 from the depths of your sin and brokenness? 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:37.259 Is your Savior big enough 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:40.519 to be able to save even this world? 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:48.359 Christ has come to redeem all things 00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:52.019 so that all things He might be preeminent. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:58.000 Friends, as we see that this is what Colossians 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.000 is telling us about who Jesus is, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:03.400 J.B. Phillips' questions come back to us. 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:05.920 Is He worthy of our loyalty? 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.460 Do we give Him the esteem and honor 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:12.300 that He deserves? 00:23:13.080 --> 00:23:14.480 Do we trust Him? 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:18.240 Do we give Him our affection and our love? 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:22.920 Jesus Christ is claiming 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:26.160 the gravitational center of your life 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:28.360 such that everything you do 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:30.019 and everything that you are 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:33.599 is meant to revolve around Him. 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.799 Him is the creator. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.059 Him is the sustainer. 00:23:37.379 --> 00:23:38.460 Him is the redeemer. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:45.160 This is what it means to be rooted 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:47.720 and grounded in Christ. 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:51.359 This is what it means to know Christ. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:56.579 Not only is Christ, however, 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:58.480 in Colossians, 00:23:58.639 --> 00:24:00.460 lifted up as the preeminent one 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:02.139 who says to all of the world, 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.659 mine, 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:05.259 and who has worked His saving work 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.519 so that it might be so. 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.559 But it is also, 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.859 as we see the rest of the book unfold, 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.779 we see that Paul is encouraging 00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.699 the Colossians 00:24:13.699 --> 00:24:15.259 and encouraging us to recognize 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:17.019 that Christ is sufficient. 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:20.079 That is, He is enough 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.619 for us to know God 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:24.039 and to walk with Him 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.619 and to walk in Him. 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.480 There are three different ways 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.399 in which He is sufficient. 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.619 First, He is sufficient 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:32.399 for our salvation. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.339 Turn with me in chapter 2 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:37.679 to verses 13 through 15. 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:47.279 Verse 13 of chapter 2 reads this, 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.699 And you who were dead 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.819 in your trespasses 00:24:49.819 --> 00:24:52.559 and the uncircumcision of your flesh, 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:55.779 God made alive together with Him, 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.399 having forgiven us 00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.799 all our trespasses 00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.740 by canceling the record of debt 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.940 that stood against us 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:03.700 with its legal demands. 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.619 This He set aside, 00:25:05.899 --> 00:25:07.420 nailing it to the cross. 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:09.139 He disarmed the rulers 00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:09.899 and authorities 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:11.460 and put them to open shame 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:14.339 by triumphing over them 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:16.240 in Him. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.440 Again, friends, 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.500 this is a passage 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.759 worthy of a whole sermon. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.640 We'll get there. 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.819 That's why we're doing series 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.539 and we'll go through it 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.039 more slowly. 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.400 But to see that 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:31.640 what Paul is reminding 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:33.019 the Colossians about 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:35.559 is that when Christ died 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.700 on the cross, 00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:39.420 He did all that was necessary 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.879 to take care of sin. 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.960 He doesn't spell it out here, 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:48.740 but He's putting the application 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.339 on the logic of the gospel, 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:52.159 which is that all of us, 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.119 all men and women, 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.199 have rejected God 00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:55.679 and therefore are under sin. 00:25:55.959 --> 00:25:57.419 And the wages of that sin, 00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.579 the result of that rejection of God 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.659 is death itself, 00:26:01.439 --> 00:26:03.179 physical and spiritual death, 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.259 separation from God, 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:07.339 and experiencing His judgment 00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:10.579 upon our sin and our rebellion. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:14.019 But that what Christ has now come 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:15.259 is that He has come 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.500 and in our place 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:18.000 died for us. 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.460 And in doing so, 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.259 He has paid the debt. 00:26:21.699 --> 00:26:22.740 Did you see that language? 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:23.779 He has canceled 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.740 the record of debt 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:27.019 that stood against us. 00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:29.019 We owed God our lives 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.819 for our sin. 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.599 Christ said, 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:32.159 I will pay that for you. 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.299 The sin that we bore, 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.099 Christ took it 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:37.740 and He nailed it to the cross 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:41.019 so that by the public display of it, 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:45.500 the world might see His triumph 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:47.700 over sin and death. 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.799 He has conquered 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:54.120 through sacrifice and suffering 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:56.000 and He has taken away 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.380 what would be ours, 00:26:57.859 --> 00:27:00.420 that is condemnation and death. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.099 And He has freed us 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:04.359 from what enslaves and controls us, 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.700 triumphed over the power of sin 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.319 and the spiritual powers 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.640 in the world 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:12.160 that align themselves 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:14.340 against God and His kingdom. 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:20.180 Friends, we often have a tendency 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.640 to slip into the desire 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:24.039 to think that we must atone 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:26.080 for our own sins. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.900 But somehow it's up to us 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:32.340 to try to fix the problem 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:33.880 that we've created by our sin. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:38.900 And I tell you that this is a lie. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.900 We will never be able to do it. 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:45.340 No religious rites and rituals. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:48.740 No spiritual calendars and holidays. 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.200 No moral improvement 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:53.460 and being a better person. 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.860 And no serving the world 00:27:55.860 --> 00:27:57.300 and even sacrificially 00:27:57.300 --> 00:27:58.660 trying to make the world 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.600 a better place. 00:28:00.300 --> 00:28:01.740 No being a good boy 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.779 or a good girl. 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:06.720 No personal success. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:10.400 Not even church involvement 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.559 and activities 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:14.880 have the power to save us 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.640 from our sin. 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.120 All of those things, 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.420 which may be good 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.519 in and of themselves, 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:24.099 find themselves unable 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.720 to bear the weight 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:28.279 of saving us from our sin. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:32.799 And we love to turn to them 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.359 to save us 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:35.160 because when we can be in control 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:37.039 and we can measure them 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.579 and we can say, 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:38.460 look, I've done this. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.399 I've jumped this high. 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.440 I've been this good. 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.500 Isn't that good enough? 00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:47.160 And we avoid facing the fear 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.980 that in fact, 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:49.299 in the face of our sin, 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:51.379 we are completely unable 00:28:51.379 --> 00:28:52.240 and helpless. 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:55.940 And we don't want to acknowledge 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.460 how enslaved we are 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.400 to sin 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.680 and how much we love it 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.120 rather than God. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:04.599 But Christ comes 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:06.319 and Christ says, 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:07.420 I will do for you 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.839 what you can't do for yourself. 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.539 I will die in your place. 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.900 I will do all that is necessary 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:15.120 to nail that to the cross 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:16.859 so that you might be free 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:17.700 from its power, 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.920 so that you might know 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.299 the joy of salvation, 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.380 so that you might know 00:29:21.380 --> 00:29:23.160 the power of being forgiven 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:24.080 of that sin 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:25.000 and welcomed 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:26.600 and accepted in love, 00:29:27.020 --> 00:29:28.400 being fully known 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.640 and fully loved 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:31.380 by the God of the universe. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.860 This is what Christ 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:34.100 has opened up for us 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.320 and He is sufficient 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.840 for all that is needed 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.720 for that. 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.960 And He calls us 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:44.140 to come and believe. 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.580 And that's really 00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.260 what chapter 2 00:29:49.260 --> 00:29:50.260 of Colossians is about, 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.559 is just unpacking 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.980 the sufficiency of Christ 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.039 and the insufficiency 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.740 of some of these 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:55.559 other patterns. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.460 But it's not merely 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:59.059 that Christ is sufficient 00:29:59.059 --> 00:30:00.200 for entering into 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.400 that life with God, 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:03.259 but it's that He is sufficient 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:05.000 for the ongoing growth 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.039 in and experience 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.839 of our life with God. 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.779 Look at chapter 3, 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.420 verses 9 through 11. 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.140 Basically what Paul does 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.099 at the end of chapter 2, 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.920 he warns them, 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.019 hey, don't believe 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.920 that there are other things 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.259 out there, 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:19.220 other philosophies, 00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:19.960 other rituals, 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:21.340 other spiritual experiences 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.160 that you really need. 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.560 You don't need those things. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.920 In chapter 3, 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.640 he basically says, 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.660 instead what you need 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.340 is Christ. 00:30:30.300 --> 00:30:30.920 He says, 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.400 set your mind on Christ. 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:34.060 Seek the things above 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:35.360 where Christ is. 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:39.320 And then in this great description 00:30:39.320 --> 00:30:40.000 of how to, 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.580 of what the Christian life 00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.000 looks like, 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:43.519 it's not these other things. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:46.220 it's putting off sin 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:47.819 and putting on Christ. 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.660 So verse 9 says, 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.740 do not lie to one another 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.819 seeing that you have put off 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:54.359 the old self with this practice 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:56.359 and have put on the new self 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.400 which is being renewed 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:59.099 in the knowledge 00:30:59.099 --> 00:31:00.720 after the image 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.700 of its creator. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:04.119 Here there is no Jew, 00:31:04.639 --> 00:31:06.079 or no Greek and Jew, 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.019 circumcised and uncircumcised, 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.519 barbarian, Scythian, 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.220 slave, free, 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:10.680 but all. 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.799 Christ is all 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:13.579 and in all. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.519 You see, friends, 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:24.059 we often live in a world 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.019 where just like 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.079 for our salvation, 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:28.019 we think we need to add something 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.360 to what Christ has done. 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.880 So in the church, 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.600 how easy is it 00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.720 for us to think 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:35.420 that we need a Christ 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:37.000 plus something else 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.200 in order to live 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:39.799 a faithful life with God? 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:42.339 Right? 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.980 We need Christ 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.079 plus really good 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.100 spiritual disciplines 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:48.519 or really hardcore 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.620 ascetic practices 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:52.400 or social activism 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.759 and serving the poor 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:58.140 or serving in the church 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.579 and finding ourselves 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.660 busy in those things. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:02.299 We need Christ 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:04.700 plus deeper theological understanding 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.240 and a knowledge 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.319 of the original languages 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.440 and a deep understanding 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:08.640 of systematic theology 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.920 and historical theology 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.940 and biblical theology 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:13.180 to really know. 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.160 As a church, 00:32:18.280 --> 00:32:19.140 often we think 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:20.440 we need Christ 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:22.540 plus some good marketing, 00:32:23.540 --> 00:32:27.759 some sleek leadership strategy 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:30.820 or better counseling techniques. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:34.879 friends, 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.279 in all of these things, 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.919 we are prone to say 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.579 that Christ 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.759 is not enough. 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.119 And we often 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:44.639 deny what 00:32:44.639 --> 00:32:45.339 chapter, 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.240 or verse 4 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.960 of chapter 3 says 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.619 that Christ 00:32:48.619 --> 00:32:49.559 is our life 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.419 and we also 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.639 then pursue life 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:53.319 outside of Christ 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.859 as well as within Christ. 00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:55.439 We think Christ, 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.279 life with Christ 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.740 is good 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.799 but we really need 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.399 more than that 00:32:58.400 --> 00:32:59.100 and so we live 00:32:59.100 --> 00:32:59.620 our lives 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:00.280 for the praise 00:33:00.280 --> 00:33:01.080 of our peers, 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:01.960 our parents 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:02.740 or our professors. 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.380 We need Christ 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.640 plus good grades 00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:07.480 or a successful career 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.540 or achievements. 00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:09.820 We need Christ 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:10.800 plus a date, 00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:11.759 a boyfriend 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.480 or girlfriend, 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:14.240 a happy marriage, 00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.500 kids who grow up 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.340 and do well. 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:18.259 Christ plus 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.160 a lot of money 00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:20.960 and some really sweet hobbies 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.920 to keep us going 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.040 in our later years. 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:25.700 Christ plus freedom 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.460 from poverty 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.700 or physical suffering. 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:30.640 And look friends, 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:33.240 there is nothing wrong 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:35.080 with any of those things. 00:33:36.120 --> 00:33:39.180 They are all good things 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:42.940 if they flow from Christ 00:33:42.940 --> 00:33:45.220 and are done in Christ 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:48.040 and are done for Christ. 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.880 But when we think 00:33:49.880 --> 00:33:50.720 these things are going 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.259 to replace Christ 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:54.240 or somehow add on 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:56.040 to Christ Himself, 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:59.159 they get warped, 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:01.200 they get twisted, 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.519 they become idols 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.319 in our hearts. 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:10.000 And in taking them on 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.719 and giving them 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:11.480 that place 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.920 in our lives, 00:34:13.420 --> 00:34:17.279 we deny that Christ 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.019 is sufficient, 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.500 that Christ 00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.500 is all 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:22.000 for us. 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:24.460 friends, 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.039 pursue 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.320 many things 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.280 that God has called you 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.119 in this life, 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:29.639 but pursue Christ 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.239 first. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.780 Believe that knowing 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.860 Christ first 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.460 is going to be 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.599 the one thing 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:36.199 that you can't give up, 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.440 the one thing 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.619 that you can't lose, 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:40.059 the one thing 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:41.940 without which 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.679 nothing else matters. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:47.500 when we do this, 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.419 then we can live out 00:34:48.419 --> 00:34:48.859 what he says 00:34:48.859 --> 00:34:50.059 at the end of chapter 2, 00:34:50.319 --> 00:34:51.079 verse 17, 00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.879 when he talks about 00:34:51.879 --> 00:34:53.039 doing all things 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:55.219 for the glory of Christ. 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:00.559 Friends, 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:01.299 we're prone 00:35:01.299 --> 00:35:02.319 to hedge our bets, 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:04.299 to think Christ is good, 00:35:04.399 --> 00:35:05.179 but maybe we need 00:35:05.179 --> 00:35:06.279 these extra things too. 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:09.019 Paul tells us 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:09.980 in the book of Colossians, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.339 no, 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:12.000 Christ is all, 00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.559 Christ is enough, 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.339 Christ is everything. 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.919 Not only is sufficient 00:35:17.919 --> 00:35:18.799 for our salvation, 00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:19.779 not only is sufficient 00:35:19.779 --> 00:35:21.019 for our life 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:22.039 with him 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.619 on this earth, 00:35:22.699 --> 00:35:23.460 but he is sufficient 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:24.039 as well 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.219 for the purpose 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:25.940 of your life 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.579 and the purpose 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.559 of the church. 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.899 Chapter 4, 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.719 verses 2 through 6, 00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:34.339 we see Paul 00:35:34.339 --> 00:35:36.879 moving ahead, 00:35:37.799 --> 00:35:38.440 thinking about 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.539 having proclaimed 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.059 these things. 00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.419 He then, 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.179 he's sharing 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:43.579 out of his own life 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:43.840 a bit. 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.159 He says, 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:45.440 continue steadfastly 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:45.920 in prayer, 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.139 being watchful in it 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.940 and thankful. 00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:49.039 In the same time, 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:49.940 pray for us, 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.819 pray also for us 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:53.079 that God may open 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:54.139 to us a door 00:35:54.139 --> 00:35:55.079 for the word 00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:56.079 to declare 00:35:56.079 --> 00:35:57.460 the mystery of Christ 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.500 on account of which 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.360 I am in prison, 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.279 that I may make it clear 00:36:01.279 --> 00:36:02.000 which is how I ought 00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.519 to speak. 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.719 Walk in wisdom 00:36:03.719 --> 00:36:04.780 towards outsiders, 00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.940 making the best use 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.500 of time. 00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.679 Let your speech 00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.820 always be gracious, 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.559 seasoned with salt, 00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:12.039 so that you may know 00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:13.639 how you ought to answer 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:15.059 each person. 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.019 Friends, 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:20.260 as Paul holds up 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:21.639 the greatness of Christ 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:22.579 and he says, 00:36:22.719 --> 00:36:23.099 as you, 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:24.039 as God's people, 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:26.159 are to be caught up 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:26.739 in him 00:36:26.739 --> 00:36:28.119 and to see his greatness, 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.760 he then says, 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:30.780 people who know 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:32.080 the greatness of Christ 00:36:32.080 --> 00:36:33.740 want others to know 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:35.300 how great he is as well. 00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:38.140 People who know 00:36:38.140 --> 00:36:39.200 the greatness of Christ 00:36:39.200 --> 00:36:39.900 will proclaim 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:41.060 to the world 00:36:41.060 --> 00:36:43.700 that they ought to turn 00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:44.940 and come to him 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.240 to find him 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.860 to be preeminent 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:48.620 and sufficient 00:36:48.620 --> 00:36:49.940 for them. 00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:52.660 This is the mission 00:36:52.660 --> 00:36:53.320 of the church. 00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.920 This is why we are here, 00:36:55.080 --> 00:36:56.880 to display the glory 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.580 of Christ 00:36:57.580 --> 00:36:59.060 in our broken vessels, 00:36:59.059 --> 00:37:00.880 in our feeble 00:37:00.880 --> 00:37:01.980 little lives, 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:03.000 but to do so 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.820 so that the greatness 00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:05.179 of who Christ is 00:37:05.179 --> 00:37:06.539 can be seen 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:08.980 and not only be seen, 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.019 but that we might give 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:11.679 verbal testimony, 00:37:12.099 --> 00:37:13.860 that we might talk about 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:15.880 how great Christ is, 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:19.219 that your prayers 00:37:19.219 --> 00:37:20.079 would be for God 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:21.179 to open doors, 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:23.299 that your lives 00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:24.440 would be salty, 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:25.799 that people would want 00:37:25.799 --> 00:37:26.019 to know, 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:27.099 what is it about you 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.239 that I don't understand? 00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.920 That I want to know 00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.519 more about, 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:32.000 that your words 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.860 would be full 00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:34.719 of Christ 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:36.380 and of his goodness, 00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:38.579 that you would be ready 00:37:38.579 --> 00:37:39.719 to speak boldly. 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.940 This is what Paul 00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.579 then talks about 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.380 at the end of the… 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.360 for the rest of the chapter. 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:46.340 He talks about his friends 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.259 who are doing ministry 00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:47.820 with him. 00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:48.960 He's talking about 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.639 his partnership 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.480 in the gospel 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.719 with these other men 00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:52.259 and women. 00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:57.260 friends, 00:37:57.360 --> 00:37:58.020 this is what God 00:37:58.020 --> 00:37:59.240 has called us to. 00:37:59.480 --> 00:38:00.900 This is God's plan 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:02.280 that Christ, 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:03.460 the preeminent one, 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.540 might be made known 00:38:04.540 --> 00:38:07.600 through the weakness 00:38:07.600 --> 00:38:08.540 and the frailty, 00:38:08.700 --> 00:38:09.460 but the reality 00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.600 of Christ being that 00:38:10.600 --> 00:38:11.740 for us as church. 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:15.720 And this is Trinity's plan 00:38:15.720 --> 00:38:16.240 as well, 00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:18.780 to know Christ 00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:19.820 and to make him known. 00:38:19.820 --> 00:38:23.580 And we're not going 00:38:23.580 --> 00:38:24.460 to do it through 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.740 super slick 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.860 marketing programs, 00:38:27.240 --> 00:38:29.400 through great mass 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.220 outreaches. 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.580 There's nothing wrong 00:38:31.580 --> 00:38:31.860 with that. 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:32.940 I just want you to know 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.660 if you're coming to Trinity, 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.480 this is the reality. 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:36.019 This is how we do it. 00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:37.200 Through people 00:38:37.200 --> 00:38:38.300 who know Christ 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:41.820 and live for Christ 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:43.320 in their everyday lives 00:38:43.320 --> 00:38:44.780 and invite others 00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.380 to come 00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:47.120 and see the glory 00:38:47.120 --> 00:38:47.680 of Christ 00:38:47.680 --> 00:38:48.580 in our midst. 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:48.659 Christ. 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.920 This is what God 00:38:50.920 --> 00:38:51.719 has called us to. 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:53.639 He's called us to do it 00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:54.639 on Prospect Hill 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:56.559 and over in the Hill District, 00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:58.699 from Southern Connecticut State 00:38:58.699 --> 00:39:00.079 to Fairhaven Heights, 00:39:01.259 --> 00:39:02.239 the suburbs 00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:03.440 and the shoreline 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.719 and the inner city, 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:06.420 to the scholar 00:39:06.420 --> 00:39:07.779 and to the tradesman, 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:09.400 to the gown 00:39:09.400 --> 00:39:10.440 and to the town, 00:39:11.239 --> 00:39:12.079 men and women, 00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:12.860 boys and girls 00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:14.059 from every tongue 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.599 and tribe 00:39:14.599 --> 00:39:15.159 and nation 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.420 who come 00:39:16.420 --> 00:39:18.139 within our purview 00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:19.559 into our area. 00:39:20.099 --> 00:39:21.500 We want to make 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.700 this Christ known 00:39:22.700 --> 00:39:24.440 so that in all things 00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:26.400 Christ might be preeminent. 00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:32.599 Let me just say briefly, 00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:35.740 as a pastor, 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:37.300 as we have seen God 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:38.260 grow our church 00:39:38.260 --> 00:39:39.480 and as we're facing 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:41.720 potentially some new challenges, 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:43.480 thinking about our space, 00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:44.820 thinking about our services, 00:39:44.820 --> 00:39:46.320 thinking about changes 00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:47.120 that may come 00:39:47.120 --> 00:39:47.900 in the future. 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:49.440 It will be so easy 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.320 for us as a church 00:39:50.320 --> 00:39:51.260 to get distracted 00:39:51.260 --> 00:39:52.300 by those things, 00:39:52.640 --> 00:39:54.080 so easy for those things 00:39:54.080 --> 00:39:55.100 to become the things 00:39:55.100 --> 00:39:56.480 that fill our conversations 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.360 after church 00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:59.200 and our online discussions 00:39:59.200 --> 00:40:00.039 and our emails. 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:02.160 And we may spend 00:40:02.160 --> 00:40:03.900 far too much time 00:40:03.900 --> 00:40:05.800 worrying, 00:40:06.680 --> 00:40:07.140 fearing, 00:40:07.700 --> 00:40:08.180 complaining, 00:40:08.860 --> 00:40:09.320 griping, 00:40:11.539 --> 00:40:12.080 exhorting, 00:40:12.220 --> 00:40:12.640 encouraging. 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:13.300 Who knows? 00:40:13.300 --> 00:40:14.120 I don't know how good 00:40:14.120 --> 00:40:14.720 it's going to go, 00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.820 but we're going to have 00:40:15.820 --> 00:40:16.600 to wrestle through 00:40:16.600 --> 00:40:17.360 these things. 00:40:17.680 --> 00:40:18.660 But the reason why 00:40:18.660 --> 00:40:19.360 we picked the book 00:40:19.360 --> 00:40:20.039 of Colossians 00:40:20.039 --> 00:40:20.680 to preach on 00:40:20.680 --> 00:40:21.700 in the midst of this 00:40:21.700 --> 00:40:23.220 is because this is 00:40:23.220 --> 00:40:23.980 what Trinity 00:40:23.980 --> 00:40:25.120 is really about. 00:40:25.660 --> 00:40:26.400 The buildings 00:40:26.400 --> 00:40:27.060 and the services 00:40:27.060 --> 00:40:28.940 are merely means 00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:30.900 for us to potentially, 00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:33.220 by God's grace, 00:40:33.660 --> 00:40:34.760 lift up Christ 00:40:34.760 --> 00:40:37.000 so that He might be seen 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:37.760 as preeminent, 00:40:38.100 --> 00:40:38.940 as glorious, 00:40:40.140 --> 00:40:41.260 and that this nation, 00:40:41.840 --> 00:40:42.519 this country, 00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.239 this county, 00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:44.000 this city, 00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:45.400 this neighborhood 00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:47.239 would see the greatness 00:40:47.239 --> 00:40:47.980 of Christ 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:49.079 and would turn 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:49.759 and give Him 00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:50.320 the honor 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:51.320 and the worship 00:40:51.320 --> 00:40:52.860 that He is due. 00:40:54.179 --> 00:40:54.679 Friends, 00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:55.699 this is my hope 00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:56.519 for our church, 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.759 is that we would 00:40:57.759 --> 00:40:58.619 give Christ 00:40:58.619 --> 00:41:00.920 such esteem, 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:02.420 such loyalty, 00:41:03.159 --> 00:41:04.300 such faith, 00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:06.739 that we would give Him 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:10.419 so much admiration 00:41:10.419 --> 00:41:13.259 and willing cooperation 00:41:13.259 --> 00:41:15.899 that through us 00:41:15.899 --> 00:41:17.199 He might use us 00:41:17.199 --> 00:41:20.019 to extend His kingdom, 00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:22.239 to make us 00:41:22.239 --> 00:41:24.419 a place where Christ 00:41:24.419 --> 00:41:25.059 is known 00:41:25.059 --> 00:41:26.559 and proclaimed 00:41:26.559 --> 00:41:28.139 to His glory. 00:41:29.139 --> 00:41:29.979 Let's pray. 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:37.740 Lord, 00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:38.719 we ask this morning 00:41:38.719 --> 00:41:39.760 that You would help us. 00:41:42.840 --> 00:41:43.340 Lord, 00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:44.380 help us to 00:41:44.380 --> 00:41:46.360 face, 00:41:47.360 --> 00:41:47.860 Lord, 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.840 the inadequacies 00:41:48.840 --> 00:41:49.699 of our view 00:41:49.699 --> 00:41:51.320 of who Christ is 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:53.119 and the fears 00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:53.920 of our hearts 00:41:53.920 --> 00:41:55.420 that He won't be sufficient, 00:41:56.300 --> 00:41:57.639 that He's not trustworthy. 00:41:57.639 --> 00:42:00.739 Lord, 00:42:00.799 --> 00:42:02.879 we pray You would help us 00:42:02.879 --> 00:42:05.779 to see how great Christ is 00:42:05.779 --> 00:42:07.159 so that our God 00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:09.019 might not be too small 00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:10.879 for the complexities 00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:11.819 of our world 00:42:11.819 --> 00:42:13.219 and the realities 00:42:13.219 --> 00:42:14.159 of our lives. 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:17.099 That as Christ claims 00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:18.440 His preeminence 00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:20.019 and says to the whole world, 00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:20.579 mine, 00:42:21.460 --> 00:42:21.659 Lord, 00:42:21.719 --> 00:42:23.179 that we would say to Him, 00:42:23.319 --> 00:42:23.619 yes, 00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.639 we are Yours. 00:42:24.639 --> 00:42:28.679 let Your will be done 00:42:28.679 --> 00:42:30.119 on earth 00:42:30.119 --> 00:42:31.199 as it is in heaven. 00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:33.559 We pray these things 00:42:33.559 --> 00:42:34.359 in Jesus' name. 00:42:35.259 --> 00:42:35.579 Amen. 00:42:35.579 --> 00:42:35.699 Amen.