Presented Blameless: The Journey of Faith and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: The Ongoing Process of Reconciliation

The journey of reconciliation with God is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Through Jesus' sacrificial death, we are continually being prepared to be presented holy and blameless before Him. This process requires our active participation, as we are called to persevere in faith and not shift from the hope of the gospel. Our perseverance aligns us with God's divine purpose, ensuring that we are ready to meet Christ without condemnation. This ongoing reconciliation is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, as He empowers us to remain steadfast in our faith. [01:53]

Colossians 1:21-23 (ESV): "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 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: In what ways can you actively participate in your ongoing reconciliation with God today? Consider one specific area of your life where you can demonstrate steadfastness in faith.

Day 2: Empowered by God's Faithfulness

Our journey of faith is sustained by God's faithfulness, which ensures that His elect will persevere. This divine enablement empowers us to remain firm in our faith, as God is committed to bringing His work in us to completion. Our role is to remain steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. This steadfastness is not achieved by our strength alone but through the empowerment of God's faithfulness, which is a testament to His unwavering commitment to His people. [03:12]

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel weak in faith. How can you rely on God's faithfulness to empower you in this area today?

Day 3: Christ's Work Through His Servants

Paul's ministry is a reflection of Christ's ongoing work through His servants. His sufferings and toil are not merely personal but are a tangible expression of Christ's love and labor for the church. This perspective transforms our understanding of pastoral ministry, recognizing it as Christ's love and labor for the church. Through His appointed leaders, Christ continues to love, teach, and sustain His people, ensuring their growth and maturity in faith. [31:04]

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV): "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Reflection: Think of a leader or mentor in your life who has been a vessel of Christ's work. How can you express gratitude or support to them this week?

Day 4: The Hope of Glory in Us

The revelation of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" is a profound mystery that highlights the richness of our inheritance in Christ. This hope anchors us, preventing us from being swayed by the fleeting allure of the world. It is a reminder of the eternal glory that awaits us and the transformative power of Christ's presence within us. This hope is not just for the future but is a present reality that empowers us to live faithfully and purposefully in the world. [20:46]

Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: Reflect on the hope of glory that is within you. How does this hope influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Day 5: Joy in Suffering for God's Plan

The call to rejoice in sufferings is a reminder of the privilege of participating in God's redemptive plan. Our labor in the Lord, marked by joy, is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's work in and through us. Suffering is not in vain but is an opportunity to embody the love and perseverance of Christ. As we rejoice in our sufferings, we participate in God's redemptive work, being strengthened and prepared for the day we will be presented to Christ. [42:18]

Romans 5:3-5 (ESV): "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Reflection: Consider a current challenge or suffering you are facing. How can you find joy in this situation, knowing it is part of God's redemptive plan for your life?

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; it involves multiple actors working towards a singular goal. Jesus, through His sacrificial death, reconciles us to God, aiming to present us holy and blameless. Our role is to continue steadfast in faith, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. God, in His faithfulness, empowers us to persevere, ensuring that none of His elect will fail to meet this condition. Paul, as an apostle, labors tirelessly to present believers mature in Christ, embodying the sufferings and toil of Jesus for the church.

Paul's ministry is a vivid illustration of Christ's ongoing work through His servants. His sufferings and struggles are not merely personal but are a tangible expression of Christ's love and labor for the church. This understanding transforms how we perceive pastoral ministry; it is Christ Himself who loves, teaches, and sustains us through His appointed leaders. The mystery revealed to the Gentiles, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," underscores the richness of our inheritance in Christ, both now and in the future. This hope anchors us, preventing us from shifting our focus to the fleeting allure of the world.

The call to rejoice in sufferings is a reminder that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. It is a privilege to participate in God's redemptive plan, embodying the love and perseverance of Christ. As we gather each week, we are being saved, strengthened, and prepared for the day we will be presented to Christ. This ongoing process of salvation is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring that we remain firm in our faith until the end.

Key Takeaways

1. The Goal of Reconciliation: Jesus' death aims to present us holy and blameless before Him. This reconciliation is not just a past event but an ongoing process where we are continually being prepared to meet Christ without condemnation. Our perseverance in faith is crucial, as it aligns us with this divine purpose. [01:53]
2. The Role of Faithfulness: Our journey of faith requires steadfastness, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. God's faithfulness ensures that His elect will persevere, as He empowers us to remain firm in our faith. This divine enablement is a testament to His commitment to bring His work in us to completion. [03:12]
3. Paul's Ministry as Christ's Work: Paul's sufferings and toil are not merely his own but are a reflection of Christ's ongoing work through him. This perspective transforms our understanding of pastoral ministry, recognizing it as Christ's love and labor for the church. [31:04]
4. The Mystery of Christ in Us: The revelation of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" is a profound mystery that highlights the richness of our inheritance in Christ. This hope anchors us, preventing us from being swayed by the world's allure and ensuring our perseverance in faith. [20:46]
5. Rejoicing in Sufferings: The call to rejoice in sufferings is a reminder of the privilege of participating in God's redemptive plan. Our labor in the Lord, marked by joy, is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's work in and through us. [42:18]
** [42:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Opening Prayer
[01:24] - The Aim of Christ's Death
[02:23] - The Condition of Faithfulness
[03:30] - God's Faithfulness in Perseverance
[04:49] - Paul's Role in Presenting the Church
[06:09] - Proclaiming and Teaching for Maturity
[07:26] - Salvation as an Ongoing Process
[09:29] - Laboring to Present the Church
[10:28] - Paul's Sufferings and Ministry
[12:16] - The Question of Self-Reference
[14:15] - Paul's Stewardship and Calling
[16:22] - The Household Plan of God
[18:07] - Making the Word Fully Known
[20:46] - The Mystery of Christ in Us
[23:51] - The Riches of Glory Now
[26:00] - Proclaiming and Warning for Maturity
[29:12] - Fighting the Good Fight
[30:13] - Why Paul Speaks of Himself
[32:30] - Filling Up What is Lacking
[35:17] - Epaphroditus' Example
[37:01] - Christ's Work Through Paul
[39:10] - Application to Pastoral Ministry
[42:18] - Rejoicing in Sufferings
[43:01] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

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

---

Observation Questions:

What is the ultimate goal of Jesus' death according to Colossians 1:22-23, and how does it relate to our presentation before Christ? [01:40]
How does Paul describe his role in the process of presenting believers mature in Christ in Colossians 1:28-29? [05:38]
In Philippians 1:6, what assurance do we have about the work God has begun in us?
According to 1 Thessalonians 5:24, who is responsible for ensuring that believers remain faithful until the end?

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of being presented blameless before Christ challenge or encourage your understanding of salvation as an ongoing process? [08:55]
What does it mean for Paul to say that his sufferings and toil are a reflection of Christ's ongoing work through him? How does this perspective transform our understanding of pastoral ministry? [31:04]
How does the revelation of "Christ in you, the hope of glory" impact the way believers should view their identity and inheritance in Christ? [20:46]
What does it mean to rejoice in sufferings, and how does this attitude reflect participation in God's redemptive plan? [42:18]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on your own journey of faith. Are there areas where you feel you have shifted from the hope of the gospel? What steps can you take to realign your focus on Christ? [02:54]
How can you actively participate in the ongoing process of salvation in your life and the lives of others around you? Consider practical ways to encourage perseverance in faith. [08:05]
In what ways can you support and appreciate the pastoral leaders in your church, recognizing their role as Christ's appointed servants? How can you express gratitude for their labor and love? [39:41]
The sermon emphasized the mystery of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." How can this truth transform your daily life and interactions with others? [20:46]
Consider a current challenge or suffering you are facing. How can you find joy in this situation, seeing it as an opportunity to participate in God's redemptive work? [42:18]
Identify one specific way you can embody the love and perseverance of Christ in your community this week. How can you be a tangible expression of Christ's work to those around you? [31:58]
Reflect on the assurance that God is faithful to complete the work He has begun in you. How does this promise influence your approach to personal growth and spiritual maturity? [03:44]

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 pleasure's forevermore. [00:01:37]

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 none all the blood bought people will continue in the faith firm steadfast not shifting from the hope of the gospel all the way to the end. [00:02:48]

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. [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 beth to him home i came to this church in 1980 as a pastor after a few months of preaching. [00:06:21]

Salvation happens every Sunday that you walk into this room you are being saved by these songs it's you are you've been saved by the word of God breaking over you sung prayed preached every time you're under the word of God you are being saved you are being helped to continue firm in the faith. [00:07:44]

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. [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. [00:09:46]

I rejoice in my sufferings in my flesh I fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions verse 25 I became a minister according to the stewardship from God it was given to me for you verse 28 we proclaim we warn we teach we present verse 29 I toil I struggle with all the energy he mightily works in me. [00:10:21]

The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints that's what Paul is supposed to make known fully for the Gentiles Colossians Bethlehem now you know I think that the word mystery in the New Testament does not mean something incomprehensible for human beings we generally use the word that way. [00:18:51]

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles and you need to feel the word Gentiles here meaning something like all those non-Jewish nations out there barbarians Scythian it's just all around the Roman Empire just countless numbers of barbarians and Paul to say my job is to talk to them. [00:19:48]

Christ in you the hope of glory now the reason I give it that particular twist Christ in you the hope of glory meaning Messiah in catfish eating uncircumcised sabbath ignoring nations Messiah in you is because that's mind-blowing to the apostle Paul and that's what he meant let me read you Ephesians. [00:21:03]

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 in the book I love you. [00:39:40]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Presented Blameless: The Journey of Faith and Hope

Devotional

Day 1: The Ongoing Process of Reconciliation

Day 2: Empowered by God's Faithfulness

Day 3: Christ's Work Through His Servants

Day 4: The Hope of Glory in Us

Day 5: Joy in Suffering for God's Plan

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Presented Blameless: The Journey of Faith and Hope

Share