Completeness in Christ: Embracing Truth and Grace

In this message, I wanted to emphasize the profound truth that all the grace of God is given to us through Jesus Christ. We are made complete in Him, and this completeness is realized as we grow in the knowledge of Him. This growth allows us to fully utilize and receive the spiritual blessings prepared for us since the foundation of the world. Outside of Christ, we may encounter God's general kindness, but the fullness of His grace, power, and wisdom is only found in Jesus.

Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, warns believers to be wary of being led astray by philosophies and traditions that are not rooted in Christ. Satan seeks to distract us from the glory of God in Christ, using various means, including religion and morality. The way to become stable and fruitful Christians is by being established in faith, the same faith by which we received Christ. This faith grants us access to God's grace and allows us to continue in it.

The kingdom of God is a spiritual life under the lordship of Jesus, and entering it requires being born again. This spiritual life begins now and continues beyond our mortal bodies. Jesus, through His Spirit, is with us always, guiding us into all truth and making known to us the riches of God. The Holy Spirit leads us in specific ways, helping us to live out the truth of God's word.

There is a stark contrast between the spirit of truth and the spirit of deception at work in the world. The Holy Spirit guides us into truth, while the spirit of the antichrist leads people into lies. Believing and loving the truth is essential for living in the light and being set free from sin. Those who reject the truth are led into destruction, as they choose to believe lies that align with their desires.

Ultimately, we are what we do, and what we do reflects what we believe. True disciples of Christ abide in His word, love the truth, and are set free by it. The path to life is narrow, but it is a highway of holiness, set apart by the truth. Jesus prayed for His disciples to be sanctified by the truth, and living by this truth protects us from the evil one. As we walk in the truth, we experience the freedom and abundant life that Jesus offers.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Completeness in Christ: Our completeness is found in Jesus Christ, and it is through growing in the knowledge of Him that we can fully receive and utilize the spiritual blessings God has prepared for us. This completeness is not found outside of Christ, where only God's general kindness is encountered. [00:45]
• 2. Faith as the Foundation: Just as we received Christ by faith, we must continue to be established in faith to access God's grace. This active faith is essential for entering and living in the kingdom of God, which is a spiritual life under the lordship of Jesus. [03:47]
• 3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus with us, guiding us into all truth and making known to us the riches of God. He leads us in specific ways to live out the truth of God's word, helping us to love and do the truth. [09:17]
• 4. The Danger of Deception: There is a spirit of deception at work in the world, leading people into lies that align with their desires. Rejecting the truth leads to destruction, while loving and believing the truth sets us free from sin and the lies of the enemy. [13:45]
• 5. Living by the Truth: We are what we do, and our actions reflect our beliefs. True disciples abide in Christ's word, love the truth, and are set free by it. The path to life is narrow, but it is a highway of holiness, set apart by the truth. [46:11]
  ** [46:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:10] - The Grace of God in Christ
• [00:45] - Completeness Through Knowledge
• [01:32] - Paul's Warning to the Colossians
• [03:32] - Establishing Faith
• [04:32] - Entering the Kingdom of God
• [06:36] - Walking in the Holy Spirit
• [08:18] - The Advantage of Jesus' Ascension
• [09:17] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
• [12:36] - Being Led by the Spirit and Truth
• [14:03] - Freedom Through Truth
• [19:02] - Walking in the Light
• [22:26] - Doing the Truth
• [27:38] - Freedom from Lies
• [31:07] - The Danger of Rejecting Truth
• [46:11] - We Are What We Do

1. Colossians 2:6-10
2. John 16:5-7
3. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

1. According to Colossians 2:6-10, what does Paul warn the Colossian believers about, and how does he suggest they remain stable in their faith? [01:42]
2. In John 16:5-7, why does Jesus say it is to the disciples' advantage that He goes away? What role does the Holy Spirit play according to this passage? [07:38]
3. What does 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 say about those who are perishing, and what is the reason given for their destruction? [31:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into truth? [09:17]

1. How does the concept of being "complete in Christ" influence a believer's daily life and spiritual growth? Consider how this completeness is achieved through faith and knowledge. [00:45]
2. What are the implications of Jesus' statement that the Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth? How might this guidance manifest in a believer's life? [09:01]
3. In what ways does the spirit of deception work in the world, and how can believers protect themselves from being led astray by it? [13:45]
4. How does the sermon explain the connection between loving the truth and being set free from sin? What does this freedom look like in practical terms? [14:03]

1. Reflect on your current understanding of being "complete in Christ." What steps can you take to grow in the knowledge of Him this week? [00:45]
2. Consider a time when you felt guided by the Holy Spirit. How did that experience impact your decision-making or actions? How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's guidance in your daily life? [09:17]
3. Identify a philosophy or tradition in your life that might not be rooted in Christ. How can you align your beliefs more closely with the teachings of Jesus? [02:11]
4. Think about a situation where you might have been deceived by a lie that aligned with your desires. How can you ensure that you are living in the truth and not being led astray? [13:45]
5. Jesus said that knowing the truth will set you free. What is one area of your life where you feel bound or restricted? How can embracing the truth of God's word bring freedom to that area? [15:31]
6. Reflect on your daily actions and decisions. How do they reflect your beliefs and faith in Christ? What changes can you make to ensure your actions align with your faith? [46:11]
7. How can you actively cultivate a love for the truth in your life? What practical steps can you take to prioritize God's word and truth in your daily routine? [53:20]