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Scripture Reading:  Colossians 1:24-29

Complete in Christ

 

Intro.

1.  God is concerned about our completeness, cf. Gen 2:18, 23.

2.  God is most concerned about our spiritual completeness (Jer 10:23; Jas 1:4).

3.  Jesus is complete in every way; full of humanity, deity, glory, grace and truth, Col 2:9; Jno 1:14-18.

4.  Christians are filled up by Christ’s fullness, Jno 1:16 (Eph 1:3):

  a.  Revelation of and from the Father, Jno 1:18 (Col 2:3).

  b.  Access to the Father, Jno 14:6.

  c.  Peace that removes fear with joy, Jno 14:27 (16:33).

  d.  You are complete in Him, Col 2:10 (plēroō: Filled up, full, liberally supplied).

 

I. ONE MUST BE IN CHRIST IN ORDER TO BE COMPLETE, Col 2:10.

  A.  He is the Source (means) of our Fullness, Col 1:19; Heb 2:10; 5:9.

    1.  Salvation is in none other, Acts 4:12.

    2.  Redemption is in Christ, Rom 3:24; Col 1:14 (Eph 1:7).

    3.  Peace with God is in Christ, Eph 2:14-16.

  B.  You must be in Christ to be Saved by Christ.

    1.  By putting off sin, Col 2:11; Acts 2:38; 3:19 (repentance).

    2.  By coming into a saved relationship with Christ:

      a.  Not a “sinner’s prayer” (Saul, Acts 9:11; 22:16).

      b.  Not “faith only”, but “faith that obeys”, Col 2:12.

      c.  Baptized into Christ, Rom 6:3; Gal 3:26-27.

      d.  Buried with Christ, Col 2:12.

  C.  Every Spiritual Blessing is in Christ, Eph 1:3; Col 2:10.

    1.  Every other religion is futile, Col 2:20-23.

    2.  Every other “knowledge” is impotent, Col 2:3.

    3.  Every creed is superfluous.

    4.  Every other church fails to possess the fullness of Christ, Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23.

 

II.  PREACHING CHRIST EQUIPS US TO BE COMPLETE IN CHRIST, Col 1:24-29 (28-29).

  A.  Preaching Christ Warns Every Man, 1:28; cf. Acts 24:24-25.

    1.  Of sin and death, Rom 6:23; Acts 2:40-41; 8:20-24 (1 Pet 5:8).

    2.  Of counterfeit gospels, Gal 1:8-9.

    3.  Of falling away, 1 Cor 10:12; Heb 3:12-13.

  B.  Preaching Christ Teaches Every Man, 1:28 (2 Tim 2:2).

    1.  Since all wisdom and knowledge are treasured up in Christ, by learning His gospel we are made complete! Col 2:3; 1:9-11

    2.  Knowledge of truth frees from sin, directs our lives, Jno 8:31-32.

    3.  Learn in order to grow spiritually, Col 2:6-7; 2 Pet 3:18; 1:5-8.

    4.  Learn to teach others (pass on the truth), 2 Tim 2:2.

 

III. YOU ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST (Eph 3:19).

  A.  Complete in His Church (One Body), Jno 17:23; Eph 4:4; Col 1:18-19.

    -Filled up with every spiritual blessing, Eph 1:3.

  B.  Perfect Law of Liberty to Guide You, Jas 1:22-25.

    -Filled up with knowledge of His will; truth, Col 1:9-10; 3:16.

  C.  Completed by a New Covenant, Heb 7:18-19 (Col 2:17).

    -Filled up with hope of inheritance (draw near to God).

  D.  Complete Love of God, Eph 3:17-19.

    -Filled up with God’s love, inseparable (Rom 8:39).

  E.  Full of God’s Forgiveness, Heb 10:12-14.

    -Filled up with God’s mercy, Heb 10:17-18.

 

Conclusion

1.  The object of being full (plēroō) in Christ is to be presented “complete” (teleios, finished, lacking nothing) in Him, Col 1:28.

  a.  Our “hope of glory” is “Christ in you”, Col 1:27.

  b.  So, we preach Christ to bring people into Christ, Col 1:28.

2.  Become complete in Christ by being baptized into Christ, then living by His gospel, Phil 2:12.