IF WE DON’T ESTABLISH THE SUPREMACY OF JESUS NOW, THE REST OF OUR STUDY DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!

Colossians 1:15-19 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…

BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR THE CHURCH, PAUL ADDRESSES ONGOING ISSUES THAT’RE DANGEROUS AND HARMFUL TO BOTH THE PEOPLE AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Colossians 2:1-3 1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

OUR LIVES SHOULD REFLECT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!

Colossians 2:6-7 6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

• Colossae was located along a major trade route between two other very popular cities called Hierapolis and Laodicia. This meant there was a tremendous amount of importing and exporting of not only physical goods but also many different religious and philosophical beliefs in this area.
• Today, we still deal with different opinions of what truth is and where it comes from, especially concerning religion.

THEY WERE DEALING WITH FALSE TEACHERS TEACHING WORLDLY PHILOSOPHIES ABOUT LIFE AND RELIGION.

Colossians 2:16-19 16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

• The Jewish leaders were also teaching their version of “True Faith” which meant not only believing in God but also keeping all of the Law. Salvation was dependent upon how closely you could follow the Law.

SO WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?

PAUL GIVES THE SOLUTION TO THE COLOSSIANS AND TO US:

Colossians 2:6-7 6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

WE MUST BE ROOTED!

Jeremiah 17:7-8 7Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

1. We must be rooted in the Word of God.

o Do I believe I need God’s Word as spiritual food, or is the Bible just a book with some good information that I reference when I get desperate?

2. We must be rooted in our Relationship with Jesus.

o Do I have a relationship with Jesus, or do I only know about Jesus?

3. We must be rooted in our relationships with one another.

o Do I pursue relationships with others who will push me and encourage me in my walk with the Lord, or is my concern only having relationships that make me feel comfortable?

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Colossians 2; Colossians 2:6-15

• What from the sermon impacted your thinking, beliefs or actions?
• Did you get a chance to read Colossians 2 this week? If so, what stood out to you?

1. What has been your experience with growing trees or plants or dealing with something rooted?

2. Read Colossians 2:6-15. What are key things you see about who God is and what He has done? A) What does this passage say about who you are in Christ?

3. What does “receiving Christ Jesus as Lord” mean? A) What has that experience and commitment looked like in your life?

4. How is being committed to follow Christ, to trusting and obeying Jesus, impacting how you see yourself and others?

5. In what ways are you intentionally seeking to be rooted, built up, and living life based on Jesus? A) How is walking with Jesus impacting your choices and actions with family, time commitments, finances, work, recreation, community, and church?

6. What is one adjustment you will make to help you walk rooted in Jesus in every area of your life?

This week, read through/listen to:

o Colossians chapter 3 two or three times—even stretch to read it daily.

As you read, ask yourself these questions:

a) What is the passage saying about God, people, and how the world works?

b) What do I learn about myself from this passage?

c) What adjustment does this require of me in my thinking, believing, and doing?

d) What changes will I make as I obey what God is showing me?

e) What area most needs to be impacted by this? Think of your Home, Church, and World (where you work, live, and play).

f) Who will I tell about what God is showing me?