Living Fully Immersed in Christ's Presence
Summary
In this first week of our new series on the Book of Colossians, we explore the profound concept of living "in Christ." This small preposition, "in," carries immense significance, as it implies immersion and being completely surrounded by Christ. Just as I had to leave behind my hometown of Sydney to fully embrace life in Auckland, living in Christ requires us to leave behind old ways and immerse ourselves in His presence and purpose.
The Apostle Paul, while under house arrest, wrote to the Colossian church to affirm their faith and remind them of the centrality of Christ in their lives. Colossae, a city at the crossroads of various cultures and philosophies, faced many competing beliefs. Paul’s letter emphasizes that Christ is the ultimate truth and the center of all life. Today, we too live amidst a multitude of beliefs and philosophies, and the message of Colossians is as relevant as ever: Jesus is not just an add-on to our lives but the very center.
Paul describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God, the creator of the world, the head of the church, our hope and resurrection, and the restorer of heaven and earth. These truths remind us that Jesus is supreme and central to all creation and history. Living in Christ means surrendering every moment to Him, allowing Him to guide and use us for His purposes.
As we continue this series, I encourage you to delve into the Book of Colossians, reflecting on what it means to live in Christ. Whether you are new to faith or have wandered away, the invitation is open to immerse yourself in a relationship with Jesus, letting Him be the center of your life. In doing so, we find our true purpose and hope, knowing that Christ is in us, the hope of glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of "In": The preposition "in" signifies immersion and complete surrounding. Living in Christ means leaving behind old ways and fully embracing His presence and purpose in our lives. This immersion is essential for experiencing the fullness of life in Christ. [03:56]
2. Christ as the Center: In a world filled with diverse beliefs and philosophies, Colossians reminds us that Jesus is not just an add-on but the very center of our lives. He is the ultimate truth and the foundation upon which we build our lives. [21:53]
3. Jesus' Supremacy: Jesus is supreme in all things—He is the image of God, the creator, the head of the church, our hope, and the restorer of all things. Recognizing His supremacy helps us understand that He is central to all creation and history. [26:22]
4. Living in Christ: To live in Christ is to surrender each moment to Him, allowing Him to guide and use us. It means choosing to immerse ourselves in His way and mission, trusting that He is at the center of every situation and circumstance. [28:23]
5. Invitation to Immersion: Whether new to faith or returning, the invitation is open to immerse ourselves in a relationship with Jesus. By making Him the center of our lives, we find true purpose and hope, knowing that Christ is in us, the hope of glory. [34:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:56] - The Significance of "In"
- [06:11] - Paul's Letter to the Colossians
- [10:15] - Discussion on Paul's Thankfulness
- [14:30] - Exploring the Cities of Paul's Letters
- [18:46] - The Crossroads of Colossae
- [21:53] - Christ at the Center
- [26:22] - The Supremacy of Jesus
- [28:23] - Living in Christ
- [32:20] - The Legacy of the Colossian Church
- [34:22] - Invitation to Live in Christ
- [36:47] - Going All In with Jesus
- [38:57] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living "In Christ"
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:1-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the preposition "in" signify in the context of living "in Christ," as discussed in the sermon? [03:56]
2. How does Paul describe Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20, and what significance does this have for understanding His role in creation and the church? [26:22]
3. What were the reasons Paul was thankful for the Colossian church, and what did he desire for them according to Colossians 1:1-14? [10:15]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the cultural and philosophical diversity of Colossae, and why was this significant for the message of Colossians? [18:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of living "in Christ" challenge the idea of Jesus being just an add-on to our lives, as mentioned in the sermon? [21:53]
2. In what ways does the supremacy of Jesus, as described in Colossians 1:15-20, impact our understanding of His role in our personal lives and the world? [26:22]
3. What does it mean to surrender each moment to Christ, and how does this relate to the idea of being immersed in His presence and purpose? [28:23]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the message of Colossians is relevant to our modern context, especially in a world filled with diverse beliefs and philosophies? [18:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you are living "near" or "by" Christ rather than "in" Him? What steps can you take to immerse yourself more fully in His presence? [03:56]
2. The sermon emphasizes Jesus as the center of all life. How can you make Jesus the center of your daily decisions and actions this week? [21:53]
3. Consider the cultural and philosophical influences in your life. How do they compare to the centrality of Christ as described in Colossians? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with Christ's teachings? [18:46]
4. The sermon invites us to surrender each moment to Christ. What practical steps can you take to surrender your daily routines and challenges to Him? [28:23]
5. How can you actively participate in the mission of Christ in your community, as encouraged in the sermon? Identify one specific action you can take this week to live out this mission. [34:22]
6. Reflect on the idea of going "all in" with Jesus. What does this look like in your life, and what might be holding you back from fully committing to Him? [36:47]
7. The sermon challenges us to read and meditate on the Book of Colossians. How can you incorporate this practice into your spiritual routine, and what do you hope to gain from it? [32:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Immersion in Christ's Presence
Living "in Christ" signifies a profound immersion, where one leaves behind old ways to fully embrace His presence and purpose. This immersion is not a superficial change but a deep, transformative experience that requires a conscious decision to let go of past habits and beliefs. In a world filled with distractions and competing philosophies, the call to live in Christ is a call to be completely surrounded by His love and guidance. It is about allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of life, leading to a fuller, more meaningful existence. [03:56]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: What old habits or beliefs do you need to leave behind to fully immerse yourself in Christ's presence today?
Day 2: Christ as the Foundation of Life
In a world teeming with diverse beliefs and philosophies, the message of Colossians is clear: Jesus is not merely an addition to our lives but the very foundation upon which we build them. He is the ultimate truth, the center around which everything else revolves. Recognizing Christ as the center means re-evaluating priorities and ensuring that every decision and action aligns with His teachings and purpose. It is about making Him the cornerstone of our lives, allowing His truth to guide us amidst the noise of the world. [21:53]
1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV): "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that Christ remains the foundation of your daily decisions and actions?
Day 3: Recognizing Jesus' Supremacy
Jesus is described as the image of the invisible God, the creator, the head of the church, and the restorer of all things. His supremacy is central to understanding His role in creation and history. Recognizing Jesus' supremacy means acknowledging His authority and power in every aspect of life. It is about surrendering to His will and trusting in His plan, knowing that He is in control and that His purposes are ultimately for our good. This understanding brings peace and assurance, even in the midst of life's challenges. [26:22]
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV): "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power."
Reflection: How can you actively acknowledge and submit to Jesus' authority in a specific area of your life today?
Day 4: Surrendering to Christ's Guidance
To live in Christ is to surrender each moment to Him, allowing Him to guide and use us for His purposes. This surrender is not passive but an active choice to trust in His wisdom and direction. It involves being open to His leading, even when it challenges our comfort zones or preconceived plans. By choosing to immerse ourselves in His way and mission, we align ourselves with His greater purpose, finding fulfillment and joy in being part of His work in the world. [28:23]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control to Christ and trust in His guidance?
Day 5: Embracing the Invitation to Relationship
The invitation to live in Christ is open to all, whether new to faith or returning after a time away. It is an invitation to immerse oneself in a relationship with Jesus, making Him the center of life. By doing so, we discover our true purpose and hope, knowing that Christ is in us, the hope of glory. This relationship is not static but dynamic, growing deeper as we spend time in His presence and allow His love to transform us. It is a journey of faith, marked by continual growth and discovery. [34:22]
Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Reflection: How can you intentionally deepen your relationship with Jesus today, making Him the center of your life?
Quotes
1) "A preposition is incredibly important. And in the same way, when the book of Colossians talks to us about life in Christ, there is a difference between us saying that we live, we live near Christ. We live by Christ. Hey, we can even live on Christ, but the book of Colossians tells us that the greatest hope we have is life in Christ. See, the word in implies immersion. It implies being completely surrounded." [03:56] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Paul writes this letter to affirm to them that Christ is the one. That actually the truth and the significance of all of life, all our answers are found in Christ. And can I say to us today, I think the book of Colossians has a lot to stir in us and affirm in us because we too today live at the crossroads of a lot of beliefs and philosophies and ideas. It's really easy to be inundated with so many thoughts and opinions and everything else, but yet this book reminds us that Jesus is the one." [18:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "But supremacy means to be above and beyond everything else. It means to have no peer or nothing like you. And in this passage, we are reminded that Jesus is supreme in many ways. So I thought there's five we can pull out from today that we can be reminded of how supreme Jesus is. First of all, Jesus is God made visible. While we have a Bible that is full of revelation about what God has done and said, Jesus alone is the visible image of God." [26:22] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "To live in Christ, to understand that he is intended to be at the very center of our every moment, not in a way in which we isolate ourselves from the world, not in a way in which we're miserable or distracted, but in a way in which we understand we can live in him. In fact, as the book of acts says in him we live and move and have our being every situation every circumstance can be brought to him there is nothing beyond him but we have to choose whether we are going to live in him or not." [32:20] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "And you may be here today at any of our campuses and you haven't made that decision to go all in. I'm not talking about being controlled by another group of people. I'm talking about living completely surrendered to God and immersed in Him, choosing to let Him lead your life. And what I'd love is right across, all our campuses and locations today, with every head bowed, every eye closed, just to make space for anyone who has never entered into that relationship with Jesus, someone who has never said, hey, Jesus, I want You at the core of my life." [36:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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