2025.10.26_JESUS_OVER_EVERYTHING_1_Enough_Already.docx

of the Sermon**

This sermon, rooted in Colossians 1:1-23, centers on the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Paul’s message to the Colossians, and to us, is that Jesus is over everything—there is nothing and no one greater. The church in Colossae was being tempted by teachings that suggested they needed more than Jesus, whether through secret knowledge, extra works, or religious upgrades. Paul’s response is not to attack these false teachings directly, but to paint a compelling portrait of Christ: the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things, and the one who reconciles us to God. The call is to stand firm in Jesus, not shifting our hope to anything else, and to let our lives be shaped by the reality that Jesus is enough. The sermon challenges us to examine what captures our gaze and confidence, urging us to let Jesus be our only “greater than.”

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus Is Not Just an Addition—He Is the Foundation Paul’s letter reminds us that Jesus is not something we add to our lives for a spiritual boost; He is the very center and foundation. When we try to supplement Christ with other sources of meaning or security, we reveal a lack of trust in His sufficiency. The call is to recognize that nothing else—no philosophy, achievement, or relationship—can compare to the fullness found in Him. Our faith is not about upgrades or secret knowledge, but about resting in the completeness of Christ.
• 2. The Fruit of the Gospel Is Present and Growing Paul celebrates the visible fruit of faith, hope, and love among the Colossians, showing that the gospel is not just a future promise but a present reality. The transformation Jesus brings is not theoretical; it is seen in changed lives and communities. We are invited to look for and participate in this fruit-bearing work, trusting that God’s grace is active and multiplying wherever the true message of Jesus is received. This is a reminder that our inheritance in Christ is both now and not yet.
• 3. Standing Firm Means Rejecting Substitutes and Additives The temptation to look for “more” than Jesus is subtle but persistent. Whether it’s through religious performance, intellectual pursuits, or cultural trends, we often seek to supplement the gospel. Paul’s approach is to hold up the unmatched greatness of Christ, inviting us to compare everything else to Him and see how it falls short. Standing firm in Jesus means refusing to shift our hope to anything else, even when it feels like we’re missing out or lacking.
• 4. Our Confidence Is Revealed by What Captures Our Gaze The sermon challenges us to examine what truly holds our attention and shapes our decisions. Our worldview is not just what we say we believe, but what we actually trust and prioritize in daily life. If our gaze is fixed on Jesus, it will be evident in how we live, spend our time, and make choices. The invitation is to let Jesus capture our gaze so fully that everything else fades in comparison.
• 5. From Emptiness to Fullness: The Testimony of Transformation The story of Carrie Sheffield illustrates the journey from seeking fulfillment in lesser things to finding true peace in Christ. Her experience is a modern echo of Paul’s message: all substitutes for Jesus ultimately leave us empty. When we surrender our “greater thans” and stand firm in Christ, we discover a peace and wholeness that surpasses understanding. This is not just a one-time decision, but a daily practice of returning our confidence to the One who is over everything.

1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some specific ways Paul describes Jesus’ supremacy and sufficiency?
2. What evidence does Paul see in the Colossian church that the gospel is bearing fruit?
3. In verses 21-23, what does Paul say has changed about the Colossians’ relationship with God?
4. What kinds of “additions” or “upgrades” to faith were tempting the Colossian church, according to the sermon?

1. Why does Paul focus on painting a picture of who Jesus is, instead of directly attacking the false teachings in Colossae?
2. What does it mean that Jesus is not just an addition to our lives, but the foundation? How might someone’s life look different if they truly believed this?
3. The sermon mentions that our confidence is revealed by what captures our gaze. What are some practical ways a person’s priorities or decisions might show where their confidence really lies?
4. The story of Carrie Sheffield was shared as an example of seeking fulfillment in “greater thans.” What does her story reveal about the emptiness of substitutes for Jesus?

1. The Colossians were tempted to look for “more” than Jesus—through secret knowledge, extra works, or religious upgrades. Are there things in your life right now that you’re tempted to add to Jesus for a sense of security or meaning? What are they?
2. Paul celebrates the visible fruit of faith, hope, and love in the Colossian church. Where do you see the fruit of the gospel growing in your own life or in our church community? Where would you like to see more?
3. The sermon challenges us to examine what captures our gaze and confidence. What is one thing that tends to distract you from fixing your eyes on Jesus? What practical step could you take this week to shift your focus back to Him?
4. The idea of “standing firm” means refusing to shift our hope to anything else, even when it feels like we’re missing out. Can you think of a time when you felt pressure to look for fulfillment outside of Christ? How did you respond, and what did you learn?
5. The story of Carrie Sheffield shows that even good things (like career, relationships, or knowledge) can become substitutes for Jesus. Is there a “good thing” in your life that sometimes takes the place of Jesus in your heart? How can you put it back in its proper place?
6. Paul says our inheritance in Christ is both now and not yet. What does it look like for you to live out the reality of your inheritance in Christ today, not just as a future hope?
7. The sermon says that standing firm in Jesus is a daily practice. What is one daily habit or reminder you could build into your routine to help you return your confidence to Jesus?