COLOSSIANS 1:15-23
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.22 But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
COLOSSIANS 1:15-23 HOW DO I CONTINUE IN FAITH ESTABLISHED AND FIRM?
Springford Baptist Church: July 17, 2022.
“Continue” is such a significant word isn’t it? There are various projects that we start and may not continue and complete. In our lifetimes, there are relationships that endure and some people from whom we drift away. Certainly, with clothes and cars, styles change and are soon forgotten.
As we continue our summertime study in Colossians, today we are asking the question, “HOW DO I CONTINUE IN FAITH ESTABLISHED AND FIRM”?
This is such a key question because God never intended that our faith relationship with Him be a temporary and passing commitment. In fact, the whole idea of faith in God being established and firm indicates faith that is growing stronger all the time. The more convinced we become of Who is God and what is His call on our lives, we will be drawn nearer and nearer to Him!
Looking at today’s Scripture, we find Paul writing to the Christian believers in Colosse with words crafted to keep them established and firm in their faith, centering their faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
We read, 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.16 For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)
If we are serious about continuing in faith established and firm, than we cannot take our eyes off of Jesus. Sometimes churches are trying to attract people and plan various activities and events. Nothing can replace introducing people to Jesus who is the One who holds all things together.
When we are introduced to Jesus, we discover that:
-He is “the Son of God, the image of the invisible God”. (vs. 15) In wanting to know God who is invisible, we can meet with Jesus who became visible and lived among people like us. Jesus reflects and reveals God for us.
-“all things have been created through Him and for Him” (vs. 16b) This includes, “things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities,” (vs. 16a) If we are to continue in our faith firm and established then Jesus has to be recognized as supreme. He has to have first place!
Can you say that Jesus has first place in your life?
Can I say that Jesus has first place in my life?
Do we make our every day decisions considering Jesus and what He is asking of us?
When it appears that our world or our personal lives are falling apart, we can remember with confidence that “in Him all things hold together.” (vs.16 b)
This is so reassuring because especially in times of crisis we can feel like we are desperately trying to hold things together. This is not an accurate perception that we would even be able to hold things together.
It is Jesus who does the holding and holds all things including us together. When we are facing uncertain times and feel uncertain how we are going to keep going, we can look to Jesus who is holding us and taking care of everything. We can be certain in Him!
This really is the only way we can continue in our faith established and firm. It is by trusting Jesus completely.
The following verses confirm why Jesus has first place:
18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. (vss. 18-20)
Jesus does have the supremacy in everything. This is what God has designed. And Jesus is the one who reconciles us to God.
When we read that we are to,“continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel,” it is the hope of being reconciled to God through what Jesus has done for us.
When we are so determined about something that we absolutely refuse to move, that is definitely being established and firm.
Are you that immovable when it comes to your faith in Jesus?
We all know that people can be immovable and and at the same time wrong.
People can be extremely stubborn about particular things and be resolutely insisting on these things that are not accurate or right.
In continuing in our hope of Who is Jesus and the reconciling to God that He makes possible, we are holding on to a hope that is true and certain!
Know that the hope of the gospel really is good news. It is reconciling and being restored to relationship with God not through own own efforts, but through Christ alone. This is what we hold to in asking, “HOW DO I CONTINUE IN FAITH ESTABLISHED AND FIRM”? I want to conclude with the words of the gospel song, “IN CHRIST ALONE.”
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!