Walking in Christ: Embracing Faith and Victory
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound journey of walking in Christ, drawing parallels between our spiritual life and the metaphor of a journey. This journey requires stamina, strength, direction, and a clear destination. Paul’s teachings remind us that our walk with Christ is not just about the destination but also about the process of deepening our intimacy with Him. As we walk in Christ, we are called to be rooted and built up in Him, much like a tree that is firmly planted and a building that is constructed on a solid foundation. This rootedness in Christ provides us with the strength and stability needed to withstand the challenges and temptations of life.
Paul warns us against being taken captive by empty philosophies and deceitful traditions that are not rooted in Christ. These misleading ideas can distract us from the truth of the gospel and the fullness of life that Christ offers. Instead, we are encouraged to focus on the truth of the gospel, which reveals the true nature of God and our relationship with Him. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are set apart, forgiven, and given new life. Our past sins no longer define us, and we are no longer condemned by them. Instead, we are invited to embrace the victory that Christ has won for us, a victory that disarms the powers of darkness and sets us free.
As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded of the importance of being grounded in our faith, continually growing in our relationship with Christ, and living out the truth of the gospel in our daily lives. This walk with Christ is not just about avoiding pitfalls but about embracing the fullness of life that He offers, a life marked by forgiveness, purpose, and victory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Deepening Intimacy with Christ: Walking in Christ requires us to deepen our relationship with Him, much like a tree that is rooted and grounded. This rootedness provides stability and strength, enabling us to grow and bear fruit in our spiritual journey. [38:31]
2. Beware of Empty Philosophies: Paul warns against being taken captive by philosophies and traditions that are not rooted in Christ. These misleading ideas can distract us from the truth and fullness of the gospel. We must remain vigilant and grounded in our faith. [47:47]
3. The Truth of the Gospel: The gospel reveals the true nature of God and our relationship with Him. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are forgiven and set apart, no longer defined by our past sins. This truth empowers us to live a life of purpose and victory. [53:52]
4. Victory in Christ: Christ’s victory on the cross disarms the powers of darkness and sets us free from the condemnation of sin. We are invited to embrace this victory and live in the freedom and fullness that Christ offers. [59:36]
5. Living Out Our Faith: Our walk with Christ is not just about avoiding pitfalls but about embracing the fullness of life that He offers. This involves being grounded in our faith, growing in our relationship with Christ, and living out the truth of the gospel in our daily lives. [01:01:33]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:23] - The Journey of Faith
[38:31] - Deepening Intimacy with Christ
[42:21] - Rooted and Built Up
[47:47] - Beware of Empty Philosophies
[53:52] - The Truth of the Gospel
[58:10] - Forgiveness and New Life
[59:36] - Victory in Christ
[01:01:33] - Embracing Freedom
[01:03:41] - The Best News Ever
[01:08:58] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 2:6-15
2. Psalm 1:1-3
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 2:6-7, what are the key elements of walking in Christ? How does this relate to being "rooted and built up" in Him? [38:31]
2. What does Paul warn against in Colossians 2:8, and why is it important for believers to be vigilant about these things? [47:47]
3. How does Colossians 2:13-15 describe the transformation that occurs through Christ's sacrifice? What imagery is used to convey this change? [53:52]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does being "rooted and built up" in Christ provide stability and strength in a believer's life? How does this metaphor of a tree or building help us understand our spiritual growth? [42:21]
2. How can believers discern between philosophies and traditions that are empty and those that are aligned with the truth of the gospel? What criteria might Paul suggest for this discernment? [47:47]
3. What does it mean to be "set apart" and "forgiven" as described in Colossians 2:13-15? How does this understanding impact a believer's identity and purpose? [58:10]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. In what areas do you feel deeply rooted in Christ, and where might you need to strengthen your foundation? How can you take practical steps to deepen your intimacy with Him this week? [38:31]
2. Consider the philosophies or traditions in your life that might distract you from the truth of the gospel. How can you identify and address these influences to remain grounded in your faith? [47:47]
3. How does understanding the victory that Christ has won for us on the cross change the way you view your past sins and current struggles? What steps can you take to embrace this victory in your daily life? [59:36]
4. In what ways can you live out the truth of the gospel in your interactions with others this week? Identify one specific action you can take to demonstrate forgiveness, purpose, or victory in Christ. [01:01:33]
5. Think about a time when you felt captive to misleading ideas or traditions. How did you overcome this, and what role did your faith play in that process? How can you use this experience to help others who might be struggling with similar challenges? [47:47]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Deepening Roots in Christ
Walking in Christ is akin to a tree deeply rooted in fertile soil, drawing strength and nourishment from its source. This rootedness in Christ is essential for spiritual growth and stability, enabling believers to withstand life's challenges and bear fruit. As we deepen our intimacy with Christ, we are called to cultivate a relationship that is not superficial but deeply entrenched in His love and truth. This process involves intentional time spent in prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers, all of which contribute to a robust spiritual foundation. [38:31]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your roots in Christ and strengthen your spiritual foundation?
Day 2: Guarding Against Deceptive Philosophies
Paul cautions believers to be vigilant against philosophies and traditions that are not grounded in Christ. These deceptive ideas can lead us astray, diverting our focus from the truth of the gospel. In a world filled with competing ideologies and beliefs, it is crucial to discern what aligns with the teachings of Christ and what does not. This requires a commitment to studying Scripture and seeking wisdom through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By remaining anchored in the truth, we can resist the allure of empty philosophies and stay true to our faith. [47:47]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: Identify a philosophy or tradition in your life that may not align with Christ's teachings. How can you actively guard your heart and mind against its influence?
Day 3: Embracing the Truth of the Gospel
The gospel reveals the true nature of God and our relationship with Him, offering forgiveness and new life through Christ's sacrifice. This truth sets us apart, freeing us from the condemnation of past sins and empowering us to live with purpose and victory. Embracing the gospel means accepting the fullness of life that Christ offers, a life marked by grace, redemption, and transformation. As we internalize this truth, we are called to live it out in our daily interactions, reflecting God's love and grace to those around us. [53:52]
Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."
Reflection: How does understanding the depth of God's forgiveness and grace change the way you view yourself and others? What steps can you take to live out this truth today?
Day 4: Living in the Victory of Christ
Christ's victory on the cross disarms the powers of darkness, setting believers free from the bondage of sin. This victory invites us to live in the freedom and fullness that Christ offers, no longer defined by our past but empowered to walk in newness of life. Embracing this victory means acknowledging the authority of Christ over all things and trusting in His power to overcome any obstacle we face. As we live in this victory, we are called to share the hope and freedom we have found in Christ with others, becoming beacons of His light in a world that desperately needs it. [59:36]
1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV): "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace Christ's victory more fully? How can you share the hope of this victory with someone in your life today?
Day 5: Living Out Our Faith Daily
Our walk with Christ is not merely about avoiding pitfalls but about embracing the fullness of life He offers. This involves being grounded in our faith, continually growing in our relationship with Christ, and living out the truth of the gospel in our daily lives. It is a journey marked by intentionality, where each step is taken with purpose and reliance on God's guidance. As we live out our faith, we are called to be examples of Christ's love and truth, impacting the world around us and drawing others to Him. [01:01:33]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out your faith today, demonstrating Christ's love and truth to those around you? How can you ensure that your actions align with your beliefs?
Quotes
1) "The first thing that we see is that walking with Christ means that we must deepen our intimacy with him. We must have a deeper relationship with him. The first step that he says in verse 6 is that in walking with Christ we need to be. Remember last week Wes gave an analogy of two trees? Well guess what? We're back again. Being rooted or grounded refers to our positional status in the world. He supplies our needs and when he does so we grow stronger and more stable in our relationship with him. We get stronger and we're stronger." [38:31] (73 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Walking in Christ also means that we have announced the insufficiency of him. We have to be removed. Beginning verse eight. Paul goes on to tell us, see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty the seat. According to human tradition. For in him the whole. Thinking back to our introduction to this book. Were reminded. There were. There were Gentiles. There were other believers. There were Gnostics. There were all these other teachings that do we still face those dangers now? But if you look at the past, he says, see to it as a command to be mindful, to pay attention, and he goes on to say that running at risk, that's another strong word." [47:47] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "But because of our relationship, we get to experience the fullness when Jesus died on the cross. He was the blood sacrifice for our sins. We need to remember that. And as followers of Christ, when we're baptized, and held there for a second, it's a connection between his burial and when we are brought up. It is because we no longer have to face the ultimate punishment. Our sin no longer condemns us to death, but instead we are able to be given a new life, a new purpose in heaven. But we're not just alive and restrained by our sins because God has forgiven us." [59:36] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "The sins of our past, do not define us when we walk in Christ. we accept the forgiveness that was paid for with the blood of Jesus on the cross. Satan wants us to wallow in the sins of our past. He wants you to believe that the things that you've done make you unworthy of being in a relationship with him. He wants you to think, that your addiction to pornography is not to make you have an abortion. He has. He nailed it to for us. And we need to preach the victory tonight." [01:01:33] (90 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "He disarmed the rulers and authorities, put them in open shame. Paul was a saint, and he thought just like a conquering general who braved the defeated army, who braved them, and threw them through the streets of Rome. And he would be in front of them on a chariot. This is what Christ has. He has won. He has disarmed. We can trust this. We can go, sure, come on. That is like the best news ever, right? Because we don't have to do things like, we need to remember, this is more than sufficient. To make it." [01:03:41] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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