Christ in You: The Hope of Glory Revealed

Devotional

Day 1: Christ in You: The Hope of Glory

The greatest mystery of God, hidden for generations and now revealed, is that Christ Himself dwells within those who believe. This is not a distant or complicated truth, but the very heart of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ, through His Spirit, lives in you. This indwelling presence is your only hope for transformation, for experiencing God’s glory, and for living a life that reflects Him. It is not about striving harder or achieving more, but about recognizing and receiving the gift of Christ’s presence within. [27:22]

Colossians 1:24-27 (NIV)
"Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Christ Himself is living in you today, and how might that change the way you approach that situation?

Day 2: God’s Power, Not Our Effort

It is a common temptation to believe that the Christian life is about doing more, being better, or trying harder. Yet, the truth is liberating: it is not your effort that brings transformation, but the power of Christ at work within you. Every improvement, every victory over sin, every step toward holiness is the result of Jesus’ presence and power, not your own striving. Let go of the pressure to measure up, and instead, allow God’s Spirit to work in and through you. [36:27]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Reflection: Where have you been relying on your own strength to “be better” as a Christian, and how can you invite God’s power to work in that area instead?

Day 3: The Accessibility of God’s Presence

Unlike the ancient mystery religions that required long journeys, secret rituals, and exclusive access for the privileged few, the presence of God is available to all who trust in Christ. You do not need to travel far, perform special ceremonies, or be chosen by human standards; Christ is with you, right where you are. The Spirit of God is not reserved for the elite, but is a gift for every believer, making the fullness of God’s love and wisdom accessible in your daily life. [34:15]

Romans 10:8-9 (NIV)
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Reflection: How does knowing that God’s presence is with you right now—without any special ritual or journey—change the way you approach your relationship with Him today?

Day 4: Freedom from Performance-Based Faith

Many people, even in the church, fall into the trap of believing that their worth or salvation depends on their performance—how well they behave, how much they do, or how little they sin. But the only hope for salvation and glory is not in what you do, but in who you have: Jesus Christ. When you stand before God, it is not your record that matters, but whether Christ stands with you. This truth brings freedom from anxiety and striving, and invites you to rest in the finished work of Jesus. [43:27]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

Reflection: In what ways have you measured your spiritual worth by your actions, and how can you shift your focus to resting in Christ’s finished work for you?

Day 5: Responding to God’s Presence Within

The invitation is simple yet profound: recognize your need for Christ, receive His presence, and respond with gratitude and surrender. Whether you have walked with Jesus for years or are just beginning, the hope of glory is found in Christ living in you. Let go of pride, self-reliance, or the fear of what others think, and open your heart to the transforming presence of God. Thank Him for carrying you, and allow Him to live through you in every part of your life. [45:25]

Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can respond to Christ’s presence in you today—whether through prayer, gratitude, or surrendering a specific area of your life to Him?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to remember the heart of our faith: that the greatest mystery of God, hidden for generations, is now revealed to us—Christ in you, the hope of glory. This is not a complicated secret reserved for the spiritual elite or those who can perform elaborate rituals. Unlike the ancient mystery religions that required long journeys, special ceremonies, and exclusivity, the gospel proclaims that the presence of God is available to all who trust in Jesus. The Spirit of Christ dwells within every believer, and this indwelling is our only hope for transformation, for glory, and for living out God’s mission in the world.

We often fall into the trap of thinking that the Christian life is about trying harder, doing more, or being better. But the truth is, our efforts alone will never be enough. The only way we experience real change, real hope, and real glory is by allowing Christ to live through us. Our growth, our victories over sin, and our ability to love and serve come not from our own strength, but from the power of God at work within us. This is liberating, because it frees us from the pressure of performance and invites us to rest in the sufficiency of Christ.

It’s easy to slip back into a mindset that measures our worth or our salvation by our deeds, or to believe that some people “deserve” heaven more than others. But the gospel levels the playing field: none of us can make the jump on our own. Only Jesus lived the perfect life, and only by His presence in us do we have any hope of glory. When we stand before God, it won’t be our record that matters, but whether Christ is in us.

So the invitation is simple and profound: receive Christ, trust in His presence, and let Him do the work in you that you cannot do for yourself. Whether you’ve been in church your whole life or are just beginning to seek, the question is not about your past or your performance, but about the presence of Christ in your heart. That is our hope, our glory, and our calling as we go out into the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Mystery Revealed: For centuries, people sought the mysteries of God through rituals, journeys, and secret knowledge, but Paul declares that the true mystery is now revealed—Christ in you. This is not reserved for the privileged or the religious elite, but is freely given to all who trust in Jesus. The presence of Christ within us is the greatest treasure and the foundation of our hope. [27:22]
2. Freedom from Performance: The Christian life is not about striving to be good enough or trying to earn God’s favor. Our efforts, no matter how sincere, will always fall short of perfection. True freedom comes when we recognize that it is Christ’s power, not our own, that brings transformation and hope. [36:27]
3. The Danger of Spiritual Elitism: Ancient mystery religions made spiritual knowledge exclusive, accessible only to those who could afford the journey or perform the right rituals. The gospel, in contrast, is radically inclusive—God’s presence is available to all, regardless of status, history, or ability. This challenges us to reject any form of spiritual elitism in our own hearts and communities. [33:51]
4. The Only Hope of Glory: Our hope for salvation, transformation, and eternal life is not found in our own righteousness, but in Christ living within us. When we stand before God, it is not our record that will save us, but the presence of Jesus who claims us as His own. This truth humbles us and fills us with gratitude. [42:27]
5. Responding to God’s Presence: The invitation is to continually open our hearts to Christ, to let go of pride, and to allow His Spirit to work in and through us. Whether we feel worthy or not, the question is simply: do we have Christ in us? Each day, we are called to surrender anew, trusting that God’s presence is enough for every challenge and every calling. [44:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:32] - Church Announcements and Financial Transparency
[06:38] - Operation Christmas Child and Prayer Requests
[07:38] - Congregational Prayer and Lifting Up Needs
[09:01] - Purpose of Worship: Transformation
[19:33] - The Spiritual Discipline of Giving
[24:30] - Introduction to Colossians 1
[25:05] - Paul’s Encouragement and the Hidden Mystery
[27:22] - Christ in You: The Hope of Glory
[29:05] - Mystery Religions and Paul’s Context
[33:51] - The Gospel vs. Spiritual Elitism
[36:27] - Freedom from Performance and Self-Effort
[42:27] - The Only Hope of Glory
[44:32] - Responding to God’s Presence
[50:12] - Closing Prayer and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:24-27 (NIV) — 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—
26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Observation Questions

According to Colossians 1:26-27, what is the “mystery” that Paul says has now been revealed to God’s people?
In the sermon, what were some of the requirements for people to access the “mysteries” in ancient mystery religions? [[31:27]]
What does Paul say is the only hope for glory in the life of a believer? [[27:22]]
How does the sermon describe the difference between trying to earn God’s favor and trusting in Christ’s presence within us? [[36:27]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes that the mystery is “Christ in you” rather than a set of rules or rituals? How does this change the way we think about faith? [[27:22]]
The sermon talks about the danger of spiritual elitism—believing that only certain people can access God. How might this attitude show up in churches today? [[33:51]]
The pastor said, “It is by his power and by his might that we live and that we grow and that we have our being.” What does it look like in real life to rely on Christ’s power instead of our own? [[36:27]]
When Paul says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” what does “glory” mean in this context? How is it different from worldly success or recognition? [[42:27]]

Application Questions

The sermon pointed out that we often slip into thinking the Christian life is about “trying harder” or “doing more.” Can you think of a time when you felt pressure to perform spiritually? How did that affect your relationship with God? [[35:14]]
The pastor described how ancient mystery religions were only accessible to the wealthy or privileged, but the gospel is for everyone. Are there ways—maybe even unintentionally—that we make faith seem exclusive or out of reach for others? How can we be more welcoming? [[33:51]]
“Do you have Christ living in your heart?” was a question asked in the sermon. How would you honestly answer that today? If you’re unsure, what steps could you take to seek Christ’s presence? [[44:32]]
The message said that our only hope for transformation is Christ in us, not our own efforts. Is there an area of your life where you’ve been trying to “fix” yourself without inviting Jesus into the process? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[36:27]]
The pastor mentioned pride as something that can keep us from receiving Christ’s presence. Are there specific ways pride shows up in your spiritual life? How can you practice humility this week? [[44:47]]
When you think about standing before God, do you tend to focus on your own record or on Jesus’ presence in your life? How does this perspective affect your daily walk with God? [[42:27]]
The invitation at the end of the sermon was to “let go of pride, and to allow His Spirit to work in and through us.” What is one practical step you can take this week to open your heart more fully to Christ’s work in you? [[44:32]]

Sermon Clips

``He said there is a mystery of God that has been hidden from people for generations and ages. This is a mystery that has been hidden from everyone. And now he is going to reveal it to you. In fact, he wrote this letter to Colossians, to Colossia, to reveal the mystery. So does everyone here know what the mystery is? Because we just read it. He said, in this mystery, which is... So, when he is talking about the mystery, and he says, and this is it. We might want to pay attention to this. We might want to pay attention to what comes next, right? This is the mystery that has been hidden from generations. For hidden all throughout the Old Testament. Any of the times you can think of for those thousands of years in the Old. Here is the mystery that has been hidden. It is Paul's whole purpose in writing this and every other book is just to make sure that you get this mystery. Here it is. Christ in you. That is the hope of glory. [00:26:20] (69 seconds) #MysteryOfChristWithin

Well, that is it. That is really all there is to it. See, we overcomplicate it a lot of times. We want it to be more complicated so that we can have something to think through. So that we can process it and see it on the tenth level. And it is really just as simple. Jesus Christ lives in you. The Holy Spirit of God is now in you. If you put your faith in God. The Spirit of Jesus Christ dwells in you. And in case you are not getting that. That is the only hope you have of anything glorious ever being made manifest in your life. That is your hope. Not that you will do better. Not that you will try harder. Not that you will sin less. Not that you will do more righteous stuff. God does not keep a scorecard like that. Because if He did, we would all fail. Here is the only hope you have. Christ in you. The hope of glory. [00:27:30] (66 seconds) #HopeFoundInChrist

So who gets to go find the mysteries of the universe? The uber rich. Well that would be all of them. Because no one in here had enough money. To travel from Colossia to Lucius. In the first century. Not a single one of us. All of us put our finances together. We might be able to get one person. On that kind of extreme journey. So really the only people this is available to. Is the uber rich. And Paul writes back to Colossia. And Ben and Colossia. And Laodicea. And he's trying to send them instruction. And they're saying we want to know these mysteries. And we don't know how to get there. And he says well here's an idea. Here's what you need to understand. The mysteries of the universe. Are not going to be found. By going through a ritual. You're not going to walk through. Some sort of ritual. That's going to then open up everything to you. And you're going to know the heart of God. About all these matters. There's only one thing. That can open you up to that. And that is greater realization. That it's Christ in you. [00:33:10] (68 seconds) #ChristInYouNotRituals

You don't need to travel. Six months. To get over. You have Christ in Colossia. You don't need to go and ask. These priests to let you in. And explain stuff to you. You have Christ in your heart. The word of God. Shared for you. His spirit living in you. And the reason why I find this so important. Is there is a great evil present. In the church these days. A great evil. And if you're not careful. I will perpetuate it. More than anybody else. I will spread it. Every last one of you. I will be consumed by this evil. And I will ask you to be consumed by it. I know it. Because every time. I let go of the reins a little bit. I get sucked into it. You know what it is? It's this lie that Christianity means. You got to do more. Be better. Try harder. It's all about your efforts. [00:34:18] (61 seconds) #BewareTheLieOfEffort

We say that it's not. We say we're saved by grace. Now make sure you don't ever sin. Or God's going to hate you. Well we know people who commit these sins go to hell. Do we? I thought the only thing that sent you to hell. Was not knowing Jesus. I didn't think sin is what sent you to hell. I thought we're all on the same track for hell. Because of sin. And the only way off of that track. Is Jesus. And to put our faith and trust in Jesus. Not in our own selves. [00:35:19] (29 seconds) #FaithNotWorksSaves

But as soon as we put our faith in Jesus. And recognize that Jesus Christ. Has come to dwell within us. Through the power of his Holy Spirit. And we start to see things in our lives. Fall off. Things that were choking us out. Things that were stealing life. And joy from us. We start to see those things falling off. And we think oh gosh. I'm doing better. I should do even better. And we don't realize we're not doing any better. We're not getting any cleaner. Jesus is just knocking a little of the dust. It's through his spirit. It is by his power. And by his might. That we live. And that we grow. And that we have our being. That we are able to know God at all. Is because he came to live within us. [00:35:47] (51 seconds) #TransformationBySpirit

Because the only hope I have. Of anything glorious. Ever happening in my life. Is the power of Christ in me. Is God's spirit. Living in me. The only hope I have. Of glory. Of glorification. Which is a picture of our salvation. When we come to the end of this life. The only hope I have for that glory. Is in Jesus Christ. [00:42:23] (26 seconds) #OvercomePrideWithChrist

And so we often look at that. As though that is a. Well we've got to make sure. That we can give an account. God already knows we can't give an account. For all that we have done. That's not going to get us anywhere. The only thing that will. Will be recognizing. No Lord I don't have an answer for any of that. But I've got Jesus here with me. Try to have him with me in all I do. That's the only hope we have. As growing as Christians. That's the only hope we have. Of raising our children. Without messing them up. That's the only hope that we have. Of seeing anything. Any piece of God's glory. In our lives. On a daily basis. In sound to the presence of God within us. [00:43:33] (47 seconds)

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