Steadfast – Keeping My Eye on the Ball

Steadfast: Living for Christ in a Wayward World

Part 5 – Keeping My Eye On the Ball

Colossians 2:1-10

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:1-10

Three Faith Goals That Really Matter (Colossians 2:2-5)

Goal #1 – Experience with my fellow Believers in .

2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love,… Colossians 1:2a

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Romans 16:17

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Goal #2 – Fully and the Gospel message.

2 My goal… that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, Colossians 2:2:b

Why is the Gospel Good News?

Think of The Law as a measuring stick, and is anything that falls short of “” according to that standard.

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23. 

Sin creates a huge between us and God. 

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Romans 4:25

Justification is an act of God when He pronounces a sinner to be because of that sinner’s in Christ as Savior.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18

Goal #3 – Remain in my commitment to Christ in a wayward world.

2 My goal is… 4 …that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Colossians 2:4b-5

How can we remain steadfast in our faith?

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Five Steps for Remaining Steadfast in Your Faith (Colossians 2:6-10)

1) with Christ daily…. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, Colossians 2:6.

2) Stay firmly and in Christ…. 7 rooted and built up in him, Colossians 2:7a

3) Find my in Christ. 7…strengthened in the faith as you were taught. Colossians 2:7b

4) Let my to Christ spill over! 7…and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7c

5) Keep my eyes firmly on Christ!… 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:8-10