Resting in Christ: The Foundation of Our Faith
Summary
In our journey through the Christian life, we must constantly remind ourselves that it is not by our own efforts or power that we stand, but solely by the grace and work of Christ. The essence of our faith is not about what we can do, but about what Christ has already done and continues to do within us. It is Christ who sanctifies us, who cleanses us from within, and who holds all things together. Our sufficiency and hope are grounded in Christ alone.
We must resist the temptation to claim ownership over our spiritual walk, to become the gods of our own lives. The moment we shift our focus from Christ to ourselves, we risk distorting the truth of the Gospel and the essence of our salvation. It is not about performing or achieving; it is about resting in the finished work of Christ.
In Colossians chapter one, we are called to remember three critical aspects of our faith: the person of Christ, the position of Christ, and the work of Christ. Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and through Him, all things were created. He is the head of the church, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, and in everything, He is preeminent. Through Christ, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him, God reconciled all things to Himself, making peace by the blood of His cross.
The Gospel message is clear: it is not about being better or earning our way to heaven. It is about turning to Christ, recognizing the work He accomplished on our behalf, and trusting that He will do all the work in us that needs to be done. Salvation is obtained through Christ and Christ alone.
If you have not yet turned to Christ, know that the Gospel is the good news of God sending Jesus to take on our punishment. He died in our place, experienced God's wrath on our behalf, and rose from the grave, proving His deity. To be reconciled to God, all we must do is turn from ourselves and believe in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Our Christian identity and sufficiency are found exclusively in Christ, not in our own efforts or achievements. When we embrace this truth, we find rest and assurance in the transformative power of the Gospel, which is not dependent on our performance but on Christ's finished work on the cross. [49:33]
2. The person of Christ is central to our faith; He is the exact representation of God, fully divine and fully human. Understanding the true nature of Christ fortifies our faith against false teachings and leads us into a deeper relationship with God, who is fully revealed in His Son. [40:19]
3. Christ's position as the head of the church calls us to a life of submission and obedience. As members of His body, we are to align our desires and actions with His will, recognizing that our unity, growth, and purpose are all derived from His sovereign headship. [55:03]
4. The work of Christ on the cross is the cornerstone of our salvation. It is only through His sacrifice that we are reconciled to God, a truth that should humble us and inspire a profound gratitude that fuels our worship and service. [59:50]
5. The call to turn to Christ is urgent and essential. If the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart, respond by acknowledging your need for Christ's forgiveness and lordship. This decision marks the beginning of a transformed life, reconciled to God and secured in His eternal love. [01:13:02]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
> "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what are some of the key attributes and roles of Christ mentioned in these verses?
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between Christ and creation in Colossians 1:16-17?
3. What does it mean that Christ is the "head of the body, the church" as stated in Colossians 1:18?
4. How does Paul explain the reconciliation of all things through Christ in Colossians 1:20?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Christ is described as the "image of the invisible God" and the "firstborn of all creation"? How does this shape our understanding of His divinity and authority? [41:48]
2. In what ways does recognizing Christ as the head of the church influence our approach to church leadership and community? [51:01]
3. How does the concept of Christ's preeminence in all things challenge or affirm your current understanding of His role in your life and the world? [50:01]
4. What does it mean for our daily lives that Christ holds all things together and that all things were created through Him and for Him? [42:07]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to take control of your spiritual walk. How did that affect your relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to refocus on Christ's sufficiency? [38:28]
2. How can you practically submit to Christ's headship in your daily decisions and actions? Identify one area of your life where you struggle with submission and discuss ways to align it with Christ's will. [51:01]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of resting in the finished work of Christ rather than performing or achieving. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself to rest in Christ's work this week? [40:39]
4. Think about the people in your life who do not know Christ. How can you share the message of reconciliation and the work of Christ on the cross with them? What specific actions can you take to be more intentional in your evangelism? [01:12:02]
5. The sermon mentioned the danger of false teachings that shift focus from Christ to ourselves. How can you guard against such teachings in your personal study and in the church community? [36:04]
6. How does understanding Christ's role in creation and His sustaining power impact your view of the world and your place in it? Discuss ways this understanding can influence your daily interactions and responsibilities. [42:07]
7. Reflect on the gratitude you feel for Christ's sacrifice and reconciliation. How can you express this gratitude in your worship and service within the church and your community? [59:02]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon’s message and apply its truths to your lives. May your discussions be fruitful and transformative.
Devotional
Day 1: Resting in Christ's Sufficiency
In the Christian walk, one may often feel the pressure to perform, to prove one's faith through actions and achievements. However, the core of the Gospel invites believers to rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. It is not about human effort or merit; it is about the grace that flows from the finished work of Jesus. This grace is transformative, not because of what one does, but because of what Christ has already accomplished. Believers are called to find their identity and assurance in Him, allowing His work to change them from the inside out. This restful trust in Christ's sufficiency is the bedrock of a vibrant faith that thrives not on personal performance but on divine provision. [49:33]
"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17 ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus today from your own efforts to trusting in Christ's sufficiency for your spiritual growth?
Day 2: The Centrality of Christ's Person
Understanding who Christ is remains pivotal to the Christian faith. He is not merely a historical figure or a moral teacher; He is the exact representation of God, fully divine and fully human. This profound truth protects believers from being swayed by false teachings and deepens their relationship with God. Recognizing Christ's divine nature and His role as the mediator between God and humanity is essential for a faith that is rooted and grounded in truth. As believers grasp the fullness of Christ's person, they are drawn into a more intimate and accurate understanding of who God is and how He relates to the world. [40:19]
"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." (Hebrews 1:3 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of Christ's divine nature and its significance for your faith today?
Day 3: Submission to Christ's Headship
Christ's position as the head of the church is not just a title; it is a call to submission and obedience. As members of His body, believers are to align their desires and actions with His will. This alignment brings unity, growth, and purpose to the church. Recognizing Christ's sovereign headship means understanding that the church's direction and vitality come from Him. It is a life lived in response to His lordship, where every decision and action reflects a heart that is submitted to His authority. [55:03]
"And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to submit more fully to Christ's headship, and how can you take a step toward that submission today?
Day 4: Gratitude for Christ's Work
The work of Christ on the cross is the foundation of salvation. It is a gift of grace that believers could never earn. This truth should lead to a deep sense of humility and gratitude. The sacrifice of Christ is a call to worship and service, not out of obligation, but out of a heart overflowing with thankfulness for the reconciliation He has provided. As believers reflect on the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice, their lives become a response to His love, a testament to the power of the cross. [59:50]
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 ESV)
Reflection: How can you express your gratitude for Christ's sacrificial work in a tangible way in your community or church today?
Day 5: The Urgency of Turning to Christ
The Gospel is not just good news; it is an urgent call to turn to Christ. The Holy Spirit works in the hearts of individuals, drawing them to recognize their need for forgiveness and the lordship of Jesus. This turning is the beginning of a transformed life, one that is reconciled to God and secured in His eternal love. The decision to follow Christ is the most important one can make, and it is a decision that should not be delayed. [01:13:02]
"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV)
Reflection: If the Holy Spirit is prompting you, what is one step you can take today to respond to the call to turn to Christ or to help someone else hear that call?
Quotes
1) "We are what we are today because of Christ. Because of what he did, because of what he's doing, and because of what we know he will do." [40:19] (Download | Download cropped video)
2) "The moment you start leaning on your own effort or the moment you start trusting in your own power, that's when everything else around you will fail." [39:05] (Download | Download cropped video)
3) "Jesus reconciles everything, all things to himself, by making peace by the blood of whose cross? His cross." [59:50] (Download | Download cropped video)
4) "We submit to Christ. We submit to his headship. We submit to his commands. We submit to his authority, his agenda." [57:27] (Download | Download cropped video)
5) "Jesus is God himself. And you've got to understand, this wasn't just Paul making these claims alone. Jesus himself, he claimed deity." [45:01] (Download | Download cropped video)
6) "It's all about Jesus and his person and his work, and guys, it's all despite us." [01:08:40] (Download | Download cropped video)
7) "Only Jesus, being God and becoming man, only Jesus's blood was worthy enough to satisfy God's wrath towards sin." [01:02:17] (Download | Download cropped video)
8) "It's all built on your son Jesus. And it's all because of him and it's all for him." [01:20:13] (Download | Download cropped video)
9) "It's a singular pursuit of Jesus. Is that where your heart's at? Is all of your beliefs built on that? Is that where your focus is?" [01:10:33] (Download | Download cropped video)
10) "Jesus, he's the exact imprint of God. That word in our passage from Colossians, it's a little deceiving in the English because an image, it's something entirely different for us." [43:57] (Download | Download cropped video)
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