Rooted in Christ: Building a Life of Faith
Summary
The message today centers on the profound truth of living a life anchored in Christ. As we journey through the book of Colossians, we are reminded that life in Christ is not a temporary refuge or a mere addition to our lives, but the very foundation upon which we are called to build. The Apostle Paul challenges us to move beyond a superficial faith and to immerse ourselves fully in the reality of Jesus. This involves a daily commitment to follow Him, grow deep spiritual roots, and construct our lives on His teachings and presence.
The expansion of our church facilities and community impact initiatives, such as the opening of the new Life Tauranga building and the Help and Hope Week, are tangible expressions of our commitment to living out our faith. These efforts are not just about physical growth but about creating spaces where people can encounter Jesus and become His disciples. The expansion offering is a call to partner together financially to further this mission, and we are grateful for the over a thousand individuals and families who have already joined this cause.
In our personal lives, we are encouraged to resist the temptation of a "Jesus plus" mentality, where we seek fulfillment in Christ alongside other worldly desires. Instead, we are called to find our complete identity and satisfaction in Him alone. This requires intentionality and perseverance, as we navigate a world that often pulls us away from our true source of life.
As we continue to explore Colossians, let us be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, allowing Him to shape our understanding and deepen our relationship with Jesus. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of life that God has designed for us, living in the freedom, peace, and joy that come from being rooted in Him.
Key Takeaways:
- Living in Christ as a Foundation: Life in Christ is not a temporary refuge but the foundation of our existence. We are called to immerse ourselves fully in Him, making Him the center of our lives rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly desires. This requires a daily commitment to follow Jesus and build our lives on His teachings. [01:02:27]
- Growing Deep Spiritual Roots: Spiritual maturity involves growing deep roots in Christ, which are often unseen but essential for sustaining our faith. This growth comes from intentional practices like prayer, worship, and community, allowing us to withstand life's challenges and bear fruit in our spiritual journey. [01:09:44]
- The Danger of a "Jesus Plus" Mentality: We must resist the temptation to add Jesus to a list of worldly desires, seeking fulfillment in Him alone. The Apostle Paul warns against a "Jesus plus" mentality, urging us to find our complete identity and satisfaction in Christ, who provides everything we need. [01:00:24]
- The Power of Obedience and Belief: Obedience to Christ is the hard proof of our belief, and it requires us to build our lives on His blueprint rather than cultural or societal norms. By aligning our lives with His teachings, we can experience the peace, joy, and hope that come from living in Him. [01:15:37]
- Freedom and Identity in Christ: In Christ, we find freedom from sin, a new identity, and the disarming of the enemy's power. By positioning ourselves in Him, we can leave our past behind and embrace the life we were created to live, discovering our true identity and purpose. [01:19:34]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Introduction to Expansion 2024
[01:45] - Life Tauranga Building Opening
[02:11] - Community Impact: Help and Hope Week
[03:24] - Christmas Box and Known Platform
[04:22] - Life North Campus Construction
[05:26] - Invitation to Join Expansion
[06:25] - The Power of Revelation
[07:48] - Living in Christ: A Personal Story
[08:46] - The Allure of a "Jesus Plus" Life
[10:24] - Paul's Challenge to the Colossians
[12:27] - Spiritual Maturity: Follow, Grow, Build
[14:01] - The Importance of Deep Roots
[15:37] - Building Life on Christ's Blueprint
[18:21] - Freedom and Identity in Christ
[23:29] - Invitation to Live in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 2:6-7
- Colossians 2:11-15
- John 15:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Colossians 2:6-7 say about how believers should live their lives in Christ? How does this relate to the idea of growing deep spiritual roots? [01:04:01]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the "Jesus plus" mentality, and why is it considered dangerous? [01:00:24]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping our understanding and relationship with Jesus? [52:42]
4. What are some of the tangible expressions of faith mentioned in the sermon, such as community impact initiatives? [41:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "growing deep roots" in Colossians 2:6-7 relate to the challenges faced by the Colossian church, and how might it apply to modern believers? [01:09:44]
2. What does it mean to find one's complete identity and satisfaction in Christ alone, as opposed to a "Jesus plus" mentality? How does this align with the teachings in Colossians 2:11-15? [01:00:24]
3. How does the sermon suggest believers can resist the temptation to seek fulfillment in worldly desires, and what role does obedience play in this process? [01:15:37]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to partner with the church's mission, and how does this reflect the teachings of the Apostle Paul? [49:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be living with a "Jesus plus" mentality? What steps can you take to find your complete identity in Christ alone? [01:00:24]
2. Consider the idea of growing deep spiritual roots. What specific practices, such as prayer or community involvement, can you commit to in order to deepen your faith? [01:09:44]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of obedience to Christ. What is one area of your life where you feel called to align more closely with His teachings? [01:15:37]
4. How can you actively participate in your church's community impact initiatives, such as the Help and Hope Week, to live out your faith in tangible ways? [41:45]
5. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to His guidance and allow Him to shape your understanding and relationship with Jesus? [52:42]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of building one's life on Christ's blueprint rather than cultural norms. What cultural or societal pressures do you face, and how can you resist them to live according to Christ's teachings? [01:15:37]
7. In what ways can you support the church's mission financially or through service, and how does this reflect your commitment to living a life anchored in Christ? [49:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ as the Foundation of Life
Life in Christ is not a temporary refuge but the foundation of our existence. We are called to immerse ourselves fully in Him, making Him the center of our lives rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly desires. This requires a daily commitment to follow Jesus and build our lives on His teachings. [01:02:27]
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to seek fulfillment outside of Christ? How can you intentionally make Him the foundation in that area today?
Day 2: Deep Spiritual Roots
Spiritual maturity involves growing deep roots in Christ, which are often unseen but essential for sustaining our faith. This growth comes from intentional practices like prayer, worship, and community, allowing us to withstand life's challenges and bear fruit in our spiritual journey. [01:09:44]
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What specific practice can you commit to this week to deepen your spiritual roots in Christ? How will you ensure consistency in this practice?
Day 3: Resisting the "Jesus Plus" Mentality
We must resist the temptation to add Jesus to a list of worldly desires, seeking fulfillment in Him alone. The Apostle Paul warns against a "Jesus plus" mentality, urging us to find our complete identity and satisfaction in Christ, who provides everything we need. [01:00:24]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one worldly desire that competes with your devotion to Christ. How can you shift your focus to find satisfaction in Him alone?
Day 4: Obedience as Proof of Belief
Obedience to Christ is the hard proof of our belief, and it requires us to build our lives on His blueprint rather than cultural or societal norms. By aligning our lives with His teachings, we can experience the peace, joy, and hope that come from living in Him. [01:15:37]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area where you struggle to obey Christ's teachings? What practical step can you take today to align your actions with His word?
Day 5: Freedom and Identity in Christ
In Christ, we find freedom from sin, a new identity, and the disarming of the enemy's power. By positioning ourselves in Him, we can leave our past behind and embrace the life we were created to live, discovering our true identity and purpose. [01:19:34]
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on an aspect of your past that you need to let go of. How can embracing your identity in Christ help you move forward in freedom today?
Quotes
1) "Life in Christ is not some short term. Short term vacation stay that we kind of get out of jail free when life is kind of all chaotic and I need something. Life in Christ is not somewhere I visit when I've got a need. Life in Christ is not somewhere where I retreat to in crisis. Life in Christ is the posture in which you and I were designed to live out of in the high times and in the low times, in the good times and in the challenging times. We were designed to live life in Christ." [01:00:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "And the apostle Paul is saying, if we find a life in him, we will find everything we need. Is there something wrong with the house? No. Is there something wrong with believing to have your mortgage paid off? No. Is there something wrong with believing for a life partner who will be a God? Absolutely not. However, those things don't determine how well life goes. Jesus determines how well life goes. We can live life in him as we discover these other things." [01:02:27] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Following Jesus is not easy. But when we persist with the process, we will live the life He wants us to live. And for some of us, the encouragement, don't be discouraged, the encouragement today is to resume after interruption. Is to get back to anchoring my life in who He is. You know, John 15, Jesus illustrates this. He says, And oftentimes we can read a scripture like this and be like, man, I am a terrible Christian. No, you are human living in 2024." [01:06:25] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And what would it look like as a church if we committed over this next season to growing deep roots? Because here's what I've discovered, that fruit is a by-product of deep roots. that above the ground growth is a byproduct of below the ground growth and what if we committed to growing deep roots because roots aren't necessarily something that we notice but they are the unseen process of growth." [01:09:44] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Obedience is the hard proof of belief. A daily choice to follow Jesus and live in the reality of all that is in him. About 10 years ago, when we were at a different phase in life and we didn't have a lot left over financially at the end of a week. In fact, I've now got two weddings. So we're back to that phase of life all of a sudden." [01:15:37] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "I think sometimes we underestimate what's covered by what Jesus did on the cross. I think sometimes we underestimate what's covered when we choose to live a life that is based on Him. There is the free gift of salvation. What is included in salvation is peace, joy, hope, confidence. It's all included in there. And the apostle Paul goes on to explain that if we, if we follow Jesus, if we grow deep roots, if we persist in building our life on Him, then everything that is in Christ becomes accessible to us as we move into the future." [01:18:21] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "In Him, the grip of sin is removed from my heart. And you might be, well, sin, listen, here's the best definition of sin I've got for you. Sin is anything I do that does not reflect my creator. Because I was made in the image of God. So anything I do that doesn't fully reflect Him, any thought I have that doesn't reflect Him, sin, any action I have that doesn't reflect Him, sin, any desire I have that doesn't reflect Him, sin, and I don't know about you, but I've got too much humanity in me to by my own power, day by day, try and overcome everything in me that doesn't reflect Him." [01:19:34] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "What would it look like this week what would it look like the back end of this year if we discovered freedom from our sin in him if we discovered freedom from our past in him if we discovered our identity and the thing that we hold deepest in our hearts it's not on us to build it's in him that my debts are forgiven and that their powers are forgiven and that their powers are the enemy the enemy's power has been disarmed in him." [01:23:29] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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