Blameless Before Christ: A Journey of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Faith Anchors Us in Hope

Remaining steadfast in faith is essential to being presented holy and blameless before Christ. This perseverance is not passive but requires active participation, a commitment to remain anchored in the hope of the gospel. The journey of faith is a collaborative effort involving Christ's reconciling work, our steadfast faith, and God's empowering presence. As believers, we are called to continue in faith, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring His work to completion. This steadfastness is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to us, urging us to resist the allurements of the world and remain grounded in the truth. [02:39]

Colossians 1:22-23 (ESV): "He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to remain steadfast in your faith, resisting the temptations to shift your hope to the fleeting promises of the world?

Day 2: The Communal Nature of Salvation

The journey of faith is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative effort involving Christ, ourselves, and the community of believers. Christ's reconciling work, our steadfast faith, and God's empowering presence form a triad that ensures we are presented mature in Christ. This highlights the communal nature of salvation, where each believer plays a role in supporting and encouraging one another. Paul's writings in Colossians emphasize this collaborative effort, urging believers to remain anchored in the hope of the gospel and to support one another in their spiritual journey. [04:06]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of your community, ensuring that each member is supported and encouraged in their faith journey?

Day 3: The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

The mystery of the gospel, once hidden, is now revealed: the inclusion of the Gentiles in the promises of God. This truth, "Christ in us, the hope of glory," offers both a future promise and a present reality. It invites believers to experience the riches of wisdom and knowledge in Christ, urging them to remain steadfast in faith. This mystery is a profound revelation that transforms our understanding of God's plan for humanity, emphasizing the inclusivity of the gospel and the hope it brings to all who believe. [19:13]

Ephesians 3:4-6 (ESV): "When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace and share the inclusivity of the gospel, ensuring that others experience the hope and wisdom found in Christ?

Day 4: Leaders as Manifestations of Christ's Love

Our leaders' toil and suffering are not merely human efforts but manifestations of Christ's love and labor for us. Their ministry is a tangible expression of Christ's ongoing work, urging us to see His love in their actions. Paul's emphasis on his own suffering and toil serves as a reminder that our leaders embody Christ's love and labor for us, encouraging us to support and pray for them as they guide us in our spiritual journey. [31:07]

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV): "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."

Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage your spiritual leaders, recognizing their efforts as manifestations of Christ's love and labor for you?

Day 5: Vigilance Against the World's Allurements

Remaining steadfast in faith requires vigilance against the world's allurements. The world constantly tempts us to shift our hope, but gathering in worship and engaging with God's Word anchors us in the truth, preserving us in faith. This vigilance is essential to maintaining our commitment to the gospel, ensuring that we remain grounded in the truth and resist the temptations that seek to draw us away from our faith. [28:15]

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

Reflection: What specific worldly temptations are you facing today, and how can you actively resist them by anchoring yourself in worship and God's Word?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of being presented blameless before Christ, a theme that resonates deeply with the heart of the gospel. The journey of faith is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative effort involving Christ, ourselves, and the community of believers. We are reminded that Christ's death was not just a historical event but a transformative act meant to reconcile us to God, making us holy and blameless. This reconciliation is not automatic; it requires our steadfastness in faith, a commitment to remain anchored in the hope of the gospel.

Paul's writings in Colossians highlight the roles of different actors in this divine drama. Jesus acts decisively in reconciling and sanctifying us. We, as believers, are called to continue in faith, and God empowers us to do so. Paul introduces himself as another actor, laboring to present the church mature in Christ. His toil, suffering, and ministry are not for his glory but to manifest Christ's work in him. This labor is a reflection of Christ's ongoing work in the world, a tangible expression of His love and commitment to His people.

The mystery revealed to Paul, and now to us, is the inclusion of the Gentiles in the promises of God. This mystery, once hidden, is now made known: Christ in us, the hope of glory. This truth is not just a future promise but a present reality, offering us the riches of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. The challenge is to remain steadfast, not shifting our hope from the gospel to the fleeting promises of the world.

Paul's emphasis on his own suffering and toil serves as a reminder that our leaders, too, embody Christ's love and labor for us. Their work is a manifestation of Christ's ongoing ministry, urging us to see beyond the human effort to the divine love at work. As we gather, worship, and learn, we are continually being saved, held firm in the faith by the power of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The goal of Christ's death is to present us holy and blameless before Him. This requires our active participation in faith, remaining steadfast and anchored in the hope of the gospel. Our perseverance is a testament to God's faithfulness in bringing His work to completion. [02:39]
2. Paul emphasizes the collaborative effort in our spiritual journey: Christ's reconciling work, our steadfast faith, and God's empowering presence. This triad ensures that we are presented mature in Christ, highlighting the communal nature of salvation. [04:06]
3. The mystery of the gospel is the inclusion of the Gentiles, revealing that Christ in us is the hope of glory. This truth offers both a future promise and a present reality, inviting us to experience the riches of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. [19:13]
4. Our leaders' toil and suffering are not merely human efforts but manifestations of Christ's love and labor for us. Their ministry is a tangible expression of Christ's ongoing work, urging us to see His love in their actions. [31:07]
5. Remaining steadfast in faith requires vigilance against the world's allurements. The world constantly tempts us to shift our hope, but gathering in worship and engaging with God's Word anchors us in the truth, preserving us in faith. [28:15]
** [28:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Opening Prayer
[01:22] - Reconciliation Through Christ
[02:21] - Condition of Faithfulness
[03:35] - God's Faithfulness
[04:54] - Paul's Role in the Gospel
[06:50] - Salvation Sermons
[09:51] - Paul's Labor for the Church
[12:16] - Paul's Self-Reflection
[14:15] - Paul's Stewardship
[17:51] - Mystery of the Gospel
[20:35] - Christ in Us: Hope of Glory
[25:31] - Proclaiming the Gospel
[29:25] - Perseverance in Faith
[30:25] - Paul's Suffering and Toil
[39:32] - Application to Church Leaders
[42:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Colossians 1:22-29
Philippians 1:6
1 Thessalonians 5:24

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Observation Questions:

What is the ultimate goal of Christ's death according to Colossians 1:22, and how does it relate to our presentation before Him? [01:39]
In Colossians 1:23, what condition is mentioned for believers to be presented blameless before Christ, and how does this relate to the concept of steadfastness in faith? [02:39]
How does Paul describe his role in the spiritual journey of believers in Colossians 1:28-29, and what actions does he take to fulfill this role? [05:26]
According to the sermon, what is the "mystery" that Paul reveals in Colossians 1:27, and why is it significant for both Jews and Gentiles? [19:13]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of being presented blameless before Christ challenge the common perception of salvation as a one-time event? [01:50]
In what ways does Paul's emphasis on his own suffering and toil serve as a model for church leaders today, and how does it reflect Christ's ongoing work? [31:07]
How does the inclusion of the Gentiles in the promises of God, as described in Colossians 1:27, expand our understanding of the gospel's reach and impact? [22:17]
What does it mean to remain "steadfast" in faith, and how can believers guard against shifting their hope from the gospel to worldly promises? [28:15]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own journey of faith. Are there areas where you struggle to remain steadfast? What practical steps can you take to anchor yourself more firmly in the hope of the gospel? [02:54]
Consider the role of community in your spiritual growth. How can you actively participate in the faith journey of others, as Paul did for the Colossians? [05:40]
How do you perceive the role of suffering and toil in your own life? Can you identify ways in which these experiences might be manifestations of Christ's love and work through you? [31:07]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of not shifting our hope from the gospel. Identify one specific area in your life where worldly promises tempt you to shift your focus. How can you address this temptation? [28:15]
How can you support and encourage your church leaders in their efforts to present the congregation mature in Christ? What specific actions can you take to show appreciation for their labor and suffering? [39:32]
Reflect on the "mystery" of the gospel as it relates to your own life. How does understanding that Christ is in you, the hope of glory, change the way you live daily? [19:13]
Identify one person in your life who might feel excluded from the promises of God. How can you share the inclusive message of the gospel with them this week? [22:17]

Sermon Clips

Christ has reconciled us in his body of flesh by his death in order to present us holy and blameless and above reproach before him so the aim in the death of Jesus is that we would be brought holy, blameless, and someday be presented like a bride to the bridegroom before Jesus no condemnation in all purity fullness of joy pleasures forevermore. [00:01:37]

In other words, this if clause in verse 23 means that there is a condition to be fulfilled by us if we're going to make it to that presentation. See therein 23 if indeed we continue in the faith stable and steadfast not shifting from the hope of the gospel and Kenny emphasized that none of God's elect will fail to fulfill that condition. [00:02:54]

There are three actors in verses 22 and 23 not just two. There's Jesus acting decisively for reconciling for sanctifying that we might be presented. There's us continuing in the faith and there's God enabling us to continue in the faith so three actors one goal namely to present the church in this case the Colossians in my case Bethlehem to present the church to Christ blameless no condemnation on the last day. [00:03:57]

Paul proclaims he warns he teaches he toils he struggles to present you mature to Christ in Christ so the goal has remained the same last week text this week's text goal the same get Bethlehem home. I came to this church in 1980 as a pastor after a few months of preaching someone came up to me and said pastor when are you going to preach a salvation sermon. [00:06:19]

Every time you're under the word of God you are being saved you are being helped to continue firm in the faith steadfast not shifting onto the world away from Jesus and every one of you is prone to shift shift off of Jesus every week you're prone to shift right off of Jesus onto the world and you show up here again and you are laid hold up by God and kept and saved. [00:08:05]

The goal of the death of Jesus is to present us blameless to Christ the goal of our continuing and persevering is to make it home and be blameless before Jesus the goal of God's faithfulness in and through his persevering preserving work is to get us home to Jesus Paul's proclamation here is warning teaching toiling struggling that he may present us mature to Christ. [00:08:49]

Paul is laboring he's laboring to present the Colossians and I'm laboring to present Bethlehem Kenny will go on laboring the elders labor here to present you before Christ and to prevent that you would make shipwreck of your faith. Verse 24 Paul's stressing his own action this is what gripped me in this text this week I rejoice are you with me in verse 24 I rejoice in my sufferings. [00:09:46]

I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh my suffering flesh imprisoned beaten with rods five times 39 lashes danger on the roads I mean every day Paul was denying himself and enduring some kind of hardship I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body that is the church. [00:32:40]

I know that Christ loves you he died for you but that was years ago when Christ is in heaven and you can't see him and he still loves you he's still working for you and in me in my sufferings in my toiling Christ is loving you Christ is suffering for you Christ is toiling for you I want you Colossians to look at me not from me. [00:36:34]

When they Kenny the other elders when they preach to you when they teach you when they pray for you when they lead you when they toil and suffer for you you're being loved by Jesus don't miss it don't miss it the Bible is given to you to help you understand reality that you can't see that's why it's in the book. [00:39:39]

When you are preached to taught prayed over led suffered for by the pastors and elders feel loved by Jesus because you are being loved by Jesus one more sentence maybe two lest you think that a Christian hedonist pastor like me overlooked the third word of our text in verse 24 now I rejoice in my sufferings. [00:41:04]

As you embody the sufferings and the toil of Jesus for this church do it with joy right otherwise you'll be of no advantage to us as you suffer as you toil as you teach as you warn do it with joy there isn't anything greater Kenny than to be a spokesman for the mysteries of Christ. [00:42:51]

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Blameless Before Christ: A Journey of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Faith Anchors Us in Hope

Day 2: The Communal Nature of Salvation

Day 3: The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed

Day 4: Leaders as Manifestations of Christ's Love

Day 5: Vigilance Against the World's Allurements

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Blameless Before Christ: A Journey of Faith

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