A WINNING WALK | Col. 2:5-7 | Dr. Bill Sims, Sunday AM 6/7/26

Paul stands in Colossians 2:5-7 and calls the young church to a steady, disciplined “walk.” The text first locates Paul’s absence in the flesh and his joy in their order and steadfast faith in Christ, then sets the anchor: “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” The word “walk” does not mean mere steps on a sidewalk; it names a life shaped, trained, and aimed at Jesus. A simple street story nails the point: true family likeness gets spotted by the walk. “He walks just like my daddy.” The world reads a believer’s gait before it hears a believer’s words.

Colossians places the order on purpose. Reception precedes locomotion. “As you have received… so walk.” The Christ who is received is not a slice of Christ but the whole person, “Christ Jesus the Lord.” The claim lands sharp: if Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all. That reception births a real walk, and that walk requires abandoning sin, arresting self, and acknowledging submission. Gasoline and water do not mix. God and sin will never be friends. Self talks loud, stalls resolve, and waits for a feeling. The cross answers with crucifixion to self and a yielded life under the Lordship of Jesus.

Paul then fixes the arena of the believer’s gait. The command is not “walk in legalism,” nor in ascetic ladders and mystical detours, but “walk in him.” That walk must be consistent and courageous, decisive and deliberate. Job’s ashes, Joseph’s dungeon, the furnace for the three Hebrews, Daniel’s lion’s den, and Paul’s chains all preach the same homily: resolve is formed before the crisis and holds inside the crisis.

Colossians 2:7 then digs the roots deep: “rooted and built up in him … abounding with thanksgiving.” Firm abiding looks like loyalty to the Father over loyalty to feelings. Opposition will arrive before the parking lot is reached, but the Word does not mislead. So the daily practice gets very simple. Thirteen thousand nine hundred eleven miles can only be walked one step at a time. A pilgrimage is not a sprint. Greater is he that is in the believer than he that is in the world; Christ strengthens; God supplies. So the text calls the church to decide before the day begins: today, walk with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Receive before attempting to walk Receiving “Christ Jesus the Lord” comes first, and the walk flows from that whole-person reception. The order matters because partial surrender breeds a partial, brittle gait. Christ will not be divided into Savior or Lord on human terms. Take the King as he is, and the steps begin. [52:27]
• 2. Abandon sin and arrest self A holy walk cannot carry contraband. Sin and God do not travel as companions, and self will always vote for comfort over cross. Crucified self makes room for the Spirit’s lead when feelings run thin and excuses grow loud. Holiness clears the road so faith can keep pace. [54:57]
• 3. Walk in Him, not legalism Colossians points the feet to a Person, not a program. Legalism offers ladders, but union with Christ supplies life, courage, and ballast. Resolve must be made now to walk decisively and deliberately when heat rises and crowds press. The fire proves the prior choice to stay with Jesus. [57:24]
• 4. Abide rooted, not ruled by feelings “Rooted and built up in him” forms a loyalty deeper than moods. The enemy will contest the decision, but the Word steadies the heart when feelings wobble. Thanksgiving keeps the sap moving, and loyalty to the Father outlasts the sway of the moment. Deep roots make for a steady stride. [61:06]
• 5. One faithful step at a time A long road is still nothing but next steps. The pilgrimage is a marathon, not a sprint, and grace meets each footfall with strength. Christ’s presence turns “impossible” into “today’s obedience.” Take the next right step and let tomorrow’s strength arrive tomorrow. [63:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [38:44] - Paul’s heart for Colossae
• [39:33] - The word “walk”
• [39:56] - Daily questions about walking
• [41:21] - Joy in their steadfast faith
• [41:42] - “Received Christ Jesus the Lord”
• [42:10] - Key verse repeated and pressed
• [44:31] - “He walks like my daddy”
• [46:46] - Enoch, Noah, Abraham walked
• [47:40] - “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
• [48:06] - Walking as privilege and passion
• [51:45] - Fully accept Jesus
• [52:27] - Receive before walking
• [54:27] - Abandon sin, arrest self
• [56:48] - Forever agree to walk with Jesus
• [57:24] - Not legalism, but in Him
• [60:20] - Firmly abide, rooted and built up
• [61:06] - Loyalty over feelings and opposition
• [62:08] - Thirteen-thousand-mile road image
• [63:33] - Not a sprint, a marathon
• [64:12] - Strength and supply in Christ
• [64:58] - Prayer and sending
• [65:27] - Invitation to salvation
• [67:32] - Blessing and close

1. What does the word “walk” mean in Colossians 2:6, and how does the sermon clarify its significance beyond literal steps?
2. According to verse 7, what three actions (“rooted,” “built up,” “established”) describe a believer’s relationship with Christ?
3. The sermon emphasizes that “reception precedes locomotion.” How does Colossians 2:6 reinforce this order?
4. What examples of biblical figures (e.g., Job, Daniel) does the sermon use to illustrate steadfast faith in crisis? [58:40]

1. Why is it critical that Paul specifies “Christ Jesus the Lord” (v. 6) rather than a partial or selective version of Christ?
2. How do the metaphors of “rooted” and “built up” (v. 7) contrast with a faith based on feelings or circumstances?
3. The sermon states, “If Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all.” How does this claim align with the call to abandon sin and self (Colossians 2:6-7)?
4. Why might Paul emphasize thanksgiving as a marker of being “established in the faith” (v. 7)?

1. What specific area of your life feels hardest to fully surrender to Christ’s lordship, and what practical step could you take this week to address it?
2. The sermon warns against mixing “gasoline and water” (God and sin). What “contraband” (attitudes, habits, or choices) do you need to abandon to walk more freely with Christ? [54:40]
3. How can you cultivate a daily habit of “rooting” yourself in Christ (e.g., prayer, Scripture) when distractions or emotions pull you away?
4. The 13,911-mile walk analogy highlights perseverance. What “next step” in your faith feels overwhelming, and how can you trust Christ’s strength for today’s obedience? [01:03:33]
5. When have you prioritized comfort over the call to “crucify self” (Galatians 2:20)? How might you reorient your decisions this week to reflect loyalty to God?
6. The sermon urges believers to “decide before the day begins” to walk with God. What morning routine could help you intentionally start each day with this focus?