Continuing in Christ
Series: in Christ
Speaker: Nick Freestone
Date: 20th September 2026
Passage: Colossians 2:6-15
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Friends, it is good to open God's word.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:06 It is good to learn from the God who created us.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 How do you keep going?
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 How do you hold on?
00:00:15 --> 00:00:19 How do Christians keep going in Christ?
00:00:21 --> 00:00:27 When the news about Jesus was first moving across the Roman Empire,
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 it arrived in this region of what we now call Turkey,
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 called the Lycus Valley.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 There in that valley were three cities, Hierapolis,
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 which is funny because it was higher than the others,
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 Churches in those cities grew up kind of at the same time
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 and they were likely planted by the same missionary.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:01 Hierapolis was a city famous for its hot springs.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 They were like healing pools where people would go
00:01:05 --> 00:01:08 who had ailments of various kinds.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:13 Colossae was known for its ice-cold spring water
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 that came down from the mountain to the valley
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 to the foot of that mountain where Colossae was.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 And Laodicea was known for its water too,
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 but they had no water source of their own.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:32 And so the Romans piped in water from its neighbouring cities.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:37 And when the hot water from Hierapolis
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 and the cold water from Colossae combined
00:01:40 --> 00:01:45 via these very old way of doing it pipes,
00:01:46 --> 00:01:52 it arrived lukewarm, full of minerals,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 cloudy and tasting awful.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 But at least Laodicea had water.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:02 Just yuck water.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:06 But when you have nothing, you're thankful for everything.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:09 That's a phrase I heard this week
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 at my first ever trip to Synod,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 which is the gathering of everyone
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 from the local Sydney diocese
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 who is a leader of a church or a lay member of the church.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 Someone got up and reminded us
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 that when you have nothing, you're thankful for everything.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:30 Even awful tepid tap water.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:34 Laodicea understood their dependence
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 on the outside sources for their survival.
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 So just like Laodicea,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:44 these three cities were learning about Jesus
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 for the first time.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 About a saviour who would come from some other place
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 far from them, from another people,
00:02:52 --> 00:02:56 with a source of life and connection to God
00:02:56 --> 00:03:00 so that they would be completely connected to him
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 even though they were completely dependent
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 on God and his gracious mercy,
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 providing a missionary or someone
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 to bring the word of God to them
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 so they might live.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 People who followed Jesus,
00:03:18 --> 00:03:21 like Paul who wrote the piece of scripture
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 we've just had read out to us today,
00:03:23 --> 00:03:28 they would walk into cities carrying God's good news
00:03:28 --> 00:03:33 like piped in grace from God.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:39 Now Paul was one who had planted many churches
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 all across the Roman Empire
00:03:41 --> 00:03:44 but he couldn't go to these three churches in person.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 Instead he would write letters
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 to encourage those churches
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 and they would be read out
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 exactly as Helen just read today.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:55 When Christians got together
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 they'd read a letter from Paul
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 or they'd read something else.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 And this is the letter to Colossae
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 which is why it's called Colossians.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:10 Paul wrote to warn them.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 To warn them about what he'd seen
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 and witnessed firsthand in churches
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 that he had planted all across the empire.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 For in some, members of the church
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 were leading one another astray.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 They were leading one another away from Christ
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 with, in verse 8 he says,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:36 hollow and deceptive philosophies.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 And he wrote to warn them
00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 because all Christians have the potential
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 to be captured by something other than Christ.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 Be taken away.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:56 Now, I have, went to university
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 what is decades ago now
00:04:58 --> 00:05:02 and many of my Christian friends from that time
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 are no longer following Christ.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:08 We've baptised people in this building
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 who no longer attend a church anywhere.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 And Paul had seen this trend too.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 He didn't want Colossae
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 or any believer
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 he didn't want Chatswood
00:05:21 --> 00:05:25 anyone who follows Christ in Chatswood
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 to drift away
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 and leave behind
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 all they could have in Christ.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 So how do Christians keep going?
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 What can Christians do
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 to continue in Christ?
00:05:39 --> 00:05:43 To continue in our faith.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:44 Let's pray.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 Lord and Saviour,
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 Jesus Christ,
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 help us to remember
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 and to respond to
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 all you have done
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 and all you will do
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 in all of those
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 who are in you.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 Christ, our King,
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 teach us through this word
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 so that we may not drift
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 from our first love
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 but continue to follow you
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 every day.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:13 Amen.
00:06:13 --> 00:06:17 My three points today
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 are from our passage in order.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 So verses 6 and 7,
00:06:21 --> 00:06:21 verse 8
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 and then the rest of the verses
00:06:23 --> 00:06:24 from verse 9.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 My points are
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 how to continue in Christ,
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 how not to continue in Christ
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 and learning to continue in Christ.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 That's Paul's flow
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 so that's what we're going to be sharing
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 together today.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 How to,
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 how not to
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 and learning to continue
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 in Christ.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 So how do we continue
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 in Christ?
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 Have verses 6 and 7 open.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:51 Now,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 Jesus taught
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 each tree is recognised
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 by its own fruit.
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 People don't pick a fig
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 from a thorn bush
00:07:00 --> 00:07:00 or grapes
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 from briars.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:06 This kind of logic
00:07:06 --> 00:07:06 is what Paul
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 is using
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 in these verses
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 as he tells Christians
00:07:10 --> 00:07:10 who
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 receive Christ Jesus
00:07:12 --> 00:07:13 as Lord
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 to continue
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 in Christ.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 He's going to do it
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 in three ways.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 He's not talking about fruit
00:07:20 --> 00:07:20 but he's saying
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 as you have received,
00:07:23 --> 00:07:23 walk.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 As you have been planted,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:26 grow.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 As you've been taught,
00:07:29 --> 00:07:29 learn.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 So firstly,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:34 how do you continue
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 in Christ?
00:07:35 --> 00:07:35 Well,
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 as you first received
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 Christ,
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 walk.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 Have a look there
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 in verse 6.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 It says,
00:07:42 --> 00:07:42 continue
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 to live your lives
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 in him.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:47 My translation
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 is slightly different.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 It's called the ESV
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 and it says,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 continue to walk
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 in him,
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 in the ESV.
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 As you have received,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 keep walking.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 Have you ever watched
00:08:03 --> 00:08:06 the 4x100m relay race
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 at the Olympics?
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 Have you ever maybe
00:08:11 --> 00:08:11 done that yourself?
00:08:12 --> 00:08:12 Ever been a part
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 of a relay
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 where you've got to
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 get a baton
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 from someone
00:08:16 --> 00:08:16 and keep running?
00:08:17 --> 00:08:17 Well,
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 imagine
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 someone
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 trained,
00:08:20 --> 00:08:20 fit,
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 ready for their teammate,
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 standing in their lane,
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 hand reaching back
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 and then
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 bam,
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 they get the baton
00:08:28 --> 00:08:28 and
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 they just stand there.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 they stop.
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 Wouldn't that be insane?
00:08:35 --> 00:08:35 Well,
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 some people
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 had become
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 Christians
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 at Colossae
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 because
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 other Christians
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 had walked
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 from city
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 to city
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 telling people
00:08:44 --> 00:08:44 about Jesus
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 and it's still
00:08:46 --> 00:08:46 happening today.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 I go to Sydney
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 Missionary Bible College
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 and I have met people
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 who are planning
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 to do the same,
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 to take their faith
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 to a far off place
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 to hand it
00:08:55 --> 00:08:55 on to others.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 But the picture
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 to compare
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 to the relay race
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 here is these churches
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 who responded
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 to missionary
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 messages.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 They received
00:09:05 --> 00:09:05 the baton
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 with joy
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 and belief
00:09:07 --> 00:09:07 and baptism.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:08 They changed
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 their whole lives
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 but then
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 gave up
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 on their faith.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 Sometimes
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 these race runners
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 just stopped.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 At the root
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 of that
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 is that
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 Jesus,
00:09:26 --> 00:09:26 yes,
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 is our
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 Saviour.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 He's the one
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 who we've heard
00:09:30 --> 00:09:30 about in this
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 whole term.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:32 In Christ
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 He blesses us
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 with so many things.
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 In Christ
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 Christians are saved,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 justified before God,
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 freed from our sin.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 We're made holy.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 We're unified.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 Even empowered
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 to bear fruitful lives.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:51 But Jesus
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 is also
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 our
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 Lord.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 Lord.
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 Look at
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 verse 6.
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 You receive
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 Christ Jesus
00:10:00 --> 00:10:00 as
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 Lord.
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 That's what
00:10:05 --> 00:10:05 those who
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 drift
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 in their
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 Christianity
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 forget.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 Take a moment
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 to reflect
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 yourself.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 Consider this.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 How does
00:10:17 --> 00:10:17 your life
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 reveal
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 that you
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 have
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 handed over
00:10:21 --> 00:10:21 to Jesus
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 the right
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 to rule
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 your life?
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 One writer
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 says that
00:10:29 --> 00:10:29 Christians
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 are prone
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 to love
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 being freed
00:10:34 --> 00:10:34 from the
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 penalty of
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 their sins
00:10:35 --> 00:10:38 much more
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 than they
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 love being
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 saved from
00:10:42 --> 00:10:42 a life
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 continuing
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 to chase
00:10:44 --> 00:10:44 after those
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 much beloved
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 sins.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 You hear the
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 difference there?
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 to continue
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 in Christ
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 we must
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 take our
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 faith far
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 more seriously
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 than we
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 might.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 Walking as
00:10:57 --> 00:10:57 followers of
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 our Lord
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 and Saviour
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 and not
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 as followers
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 of our
00:11:03 --> 00:11:03 Saviour
00:11:03 --> 00:11:06 as our
00:11:06 --> 00:11:06 own
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 Lord.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 When we
00:11:09 --> 00:11:09 receive the
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 baton of
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 our faith
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 discover
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 ourselves
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 saved
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 in Christ
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 and discover
00:11:16 --> 00:11:16 all that
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 that is
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 we still
00:11:19 --> 00:11:19 have a
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 race to
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 run
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 following
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 and living
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 for
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 our
00:11:24 --> 00:11:24 Lord.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 As you
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 have
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 received
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 walk.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:31 Secondly
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 as you
00:11:32 --> 00:11:32 have been
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 planted
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 grow.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:36 Paul uses
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 another image
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 there in
00:11:38 --> 00:11:38 verse 7
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 for those
00:11:39 --> 00:11:39 continuing
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 to live
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 in Christ.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 He says
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 rooted
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 be rooted
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 and built
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 up
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 in him.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 Now you
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 can take
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 your pick
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 here with
00:11:50 --> 00:11:50 the original
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 language.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 It's either
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 a seed
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 that grows
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 into a
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 plant
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 or it's
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 a foundation
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 that gets
00:11:56 --> 00:11:56 turned into
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 a building
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 but we're
00:11:57 --> 00:11:57 going to
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 go with
00:11:58 --> 00:11:58 a plant
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 because like
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 a seed
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 Christians
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 are to
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 grow from
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 there and
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 grow into
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 an established
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 plant.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:10 my children
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 sing this
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 cheesy
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 Christian
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 song which
00:12:14 --> 00:12:14 gets in my
00:12:14 --> 00:12:14 head every
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 time I
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 think of
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 it and
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 as soon
00:12:16 --> 00:12:16 as I
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 started
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 thinking this
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 week about
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 this sermon
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 it was in
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 my brain.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 Apples
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 don't grow
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 on pear
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 !
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 Trees!
00:12:23 --> 00:12:23 Apples
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 don't grow
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 on pear
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25
00:12:25 --> 00:12:25 Trees!
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 Apples
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 don't grow
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 on pear
00:12:28 --> 00:12:28 trees!
00:12:30 --> 00:12:30 It goes
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 on and
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 on and
00:12:31 --> 00:12:31 on forever.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:32 And
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 bananas
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 don't grow
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 on plum
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 trees!
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 I mean
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 of course
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 that makes
00:12:36 --> 00:12:36 sense.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 Anyone
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 who's
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 ever
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 seen
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 or grown
00:12:40 --> 00:12:40 or eaten
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 from a
00:12:42 --> 00:12:42 plant
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 understands
00:12:43 --> 00:12:47 that the
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 seed
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 from which
00:12:48 --> 00:12:48 the plant
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 grows
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 the fruit
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 demonstrates
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 the nature
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 of the
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 seed.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 And just
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 like those
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 in Christ
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 we are to
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 bear the
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 fruit of
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 Christ
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 in our
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 lives.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 The seed
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 from which
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 our Christian
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 life has
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 grown.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 Christians
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 keep walking
00:13:07 --> 00:13:07 in line
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 with all
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 we received
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 in Christ
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 and we
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 bear fruit
00:13:11 --> 00:13:11 in the
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 likeness
00:13:12 --> 00:13:12 of our
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 seed.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 That is
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 what we
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 are to
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 grow
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 as.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:18 And
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 thirdly
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 as you
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 have been
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 taught
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 learn.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 On
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 Thursday
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 night we
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 had our
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 discipleship
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 explored
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 finale
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 session
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 and we
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 had nearly
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 20 people
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 there.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 and they
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 were asking
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 questions
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 and sharing
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 their thoughts
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 and reflections
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 about what
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 they've been
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 taught.
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 And the
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 teaching was
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 from another
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 letter from
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 Paul to a
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 different city
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 called Philippi.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 And every
00:13:50 --> 00:13:50 time we do
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 an explore
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 event or
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 run a service
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 like this
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 or we have a
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 community group
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 or any
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 time one
00:13:58 --> 00:13:58 of you
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 opens your
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 Bible or
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 even having
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 conversations as
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 Christian friends
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 these are all
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 places where we
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 come to learn
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 about Christ.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 Learn more
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 about Christ.
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 Learn more
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 of Him
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 and who we
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 are in Him.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 Learning
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 is a huge
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 part of
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 Christianity.
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 It's why we
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 explore the
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 Bible together
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 so often.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 It's why John
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 encouraged everyone
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 if you've
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 missed
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 teaching
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 and learning
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 from this
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 series
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 in Christ.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 You can go
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 back and you
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 can go and
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 explore it.
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 Embrace that
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 teaching and
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 apply it to
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 your life.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 As we learn
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 in Christ
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 our thoughts
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 become
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 reflections
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 and decisions
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 and applied
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 wisdom for
00:14:49 --> 00:14:49 our life.
00:14:50 --> 00:14:50 Teaching that
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 is as you
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 were taught
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 about Jesus
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 that flows
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 from that
00:14:56 --> 00:14:56 same source
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 is how
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 we got
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 here
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 and it's
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 how we're
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 going to
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 get to
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 where we're
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 going.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 Learning in
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 Christ is
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 a choice
00:15:07 --> 00:15:07 that we
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 need to
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 keep making.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 It's a bit
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 like going
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 to the
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 gym.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 If you
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 want to
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 get stronger
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 you've
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 got to
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 keep
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 showing up
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 and more
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 than that
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 you've
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 got to
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 get out
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 of the
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 car
00:15:18 --> 00:15:18 you've
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 got to
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 go up
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 the
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 stairs
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 to the
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 gym
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 you've
00:15:21 --> 00:15:21 got to
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 walk in
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 the door
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 you've
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 got to
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 say hi
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 to people
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 and you've
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 got to
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 sit down
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 you've
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 got to
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 pick up
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 something
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 heavy
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 and lift.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 Learning
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 is like
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 choosing
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 to lift
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 yet unlike
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 other things
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 that you
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 can learn
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 and you
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 can learn
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 them once
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 and you
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 can remember
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 them and
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 they stick
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 in your
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 brain and
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 that's
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 done.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 Instead
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 the Holy
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 Spirit
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 has unending
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 things for
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 the Christian
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 to discover
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 even in the
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 same words
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 over and
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 over again.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 In my
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 community
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 group
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 we're in
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 the book
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 of Luke
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 at the
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 moment
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 and it
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 is so
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 shocking
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 to me
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 that there
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 is a
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 moment
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 where Jesus
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 raises
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 someone from
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 the dead
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 I think
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 in chapter
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 seven
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 that I
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 had forgotten
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 about
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 even existed
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 much earlier
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 in his
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 ministry
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 career
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 than when
00:16:13 --> 00:16:13 he raised
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 Lazarus
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 from the
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 dead.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 It was
00:16:16 --> 00:16:16 wonderful
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 to read
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 and I
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 reckon I
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 have read
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 Luke
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 a few
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 times
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 and I
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 had forgotten
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 it.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 Well maybe
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 I had
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 read it
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 remembered it
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 and enjoyed
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 it and I
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 needed to
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 enjoy it
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 again.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 That Jesus
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 has the
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 power over
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 death.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 The same
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 words over
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 and over
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 again continue
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 to teach.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 In our
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 pursuit of
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 new learning
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 we must be
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 consistent
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 with the
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 learning
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 it must be
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 consistent
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 with what
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 we've
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 learnt
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 in the
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 past.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 And we've
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 got to
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 measure
00:16:51 --> 00:16:53 what our
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 minds
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 discover
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 and compare
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 to what
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 we've
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 received.
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 What we
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 first grew
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 up.
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 What grew
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 us up.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 Is it
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 in harmony
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 with what
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 we were
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 first taught?
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 Paul is
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 teaching here
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 a command
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 of ongoing
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 learning.
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 And it's
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 dead against
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Christians who
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 imply or
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 sometimes
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 straight up
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 say that
00:17:18 --> 00:17:18 they've grown
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 out of needing
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 the Bible
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 to teach
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 them anything
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 new.
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 A member
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 of this
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 church in
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 that space
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 out there
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 said exactly
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 that to
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 me earlier
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 this year.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 Be no
00:17:34 --> 00:17:36 friend of
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 your own
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 complacency.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 That is
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 not how
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 to continue
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 in Christ.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 But if you
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 look at the
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 passage there
00:17:44 --> 00:17:48 you will
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 find strength
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 strength to
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 continue in
00:17:52 --> 00:17:55 Christ as
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 you learn.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 Remember
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 how Colossae
00:17:59 --> 00:17:59 was one of
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 three churches
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 in this
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 valley.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 Three new
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 churches.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 Paul actually
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 starts this
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 chapter if you
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 go all the way
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 back to verse
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 one in your
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 Bibles.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 In the same
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 chapter he
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 says I
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 want you to
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 know how
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 hard I am
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 contending
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 for you and
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 for those in
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 Laodicea.
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 for all who
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 have not
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 met me
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 personally.
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 Paul was
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 contending
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 fighting for
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 Colossae and
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 Laodicean
00:18:31 --> 00:18:31 Christians.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:32 Fighting for
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 their faith
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 because all
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 Christians tend
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 to drift from
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 their Lord if
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 they do not
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 set their minds
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 on learning all
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 they have and
00:18:43 --> 00:18:45 are in
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 Christ.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:49 sadly we
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 know that a
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 few years
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 later
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 Jesus
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 himself
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 speaking to
00:18:56 --> 00:18:56 the disciple
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 John in a
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 vision
00:18:58 --> 00:19:01 called out the
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 Laodicean
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 church for this
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 very thing.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 The church
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 Paul had been
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 contending for
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 according to
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 Jesus had
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 become
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 spiritually
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 blind to
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 their love
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 of money
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 and self
00:19:15 --> 00:19:15 sufficiency
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 that was
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 leading them
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 away from
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 him.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 Jesus
00:19:20 --> 00:19:22 tasted the
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 fruit of
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 this church
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 and threatened
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 to spit
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 it out
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 like
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 lukewarm
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 bad tasting
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 water from
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 a Laodicean
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 tap.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:34 they were
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 neither hot
00:19:34 --> 00:19:36 nor cold
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 neither
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 gunning
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 for the
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 faith
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 and
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 following
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 and
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 continuing
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 in
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 Christ
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 neither
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 giving him
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 up
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 completely
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 they were
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 just
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 uselessly
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 tepid
00:19:49 --> 00:19:52 as Jesus
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 once taught
00:19:53 --> 00:19:55 no one
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 can serve
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 two
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 masters
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 either
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 they will
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 hate
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 the one
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 and love
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 the other
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 or you'll
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 be devoted
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 to one
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 and despise
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 the other
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 you cannot
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 serve both
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 God
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 and money
00:20:09 --> 00:20:12 Christians
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 in Chatswood
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 we are
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 too weak
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 to fight
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 the power
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 that financial
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 security
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 has
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 over our
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 lives
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 without
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 rejecting
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 it
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 we're too
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 weak to
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 fight the
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 financial
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 security
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 power
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 over us
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 unless we
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 reject it
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 and seek
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 to be
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 strengthened
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 by a
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 continuous
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 life of
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 learning
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 to follow
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 Jesus
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 as our
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 Lord
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 that's our
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 choice
00:20:41 --> 00:20:44 so reflect
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 with me
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 what is it
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 for you
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 that is
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 more
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 just as
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 exciting
00:20:51 --> 00:20:53 just as
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 wise
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 just as
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 enjoyable
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 in
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 competition
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 with
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 Jesus
00:21:00 --> 00:21:05 is it
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 your
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 financial
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 state
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 or your
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 credit
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 rating
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 or your
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 self
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 dependence
00:21:08 --> 00:21:11 Jesus
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 said to
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 Laodicea
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 and perhaps
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 to you
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 these words
00:21:14 --> 00:21:16 you say
00:21:16 --> 00:21:16 I'm rich
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 and I've
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 acquired
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 wealth
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 and I
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 do not
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 need a
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 thing
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 but
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 you do
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 not
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 realize
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 that you
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 are wretched
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 pitiful
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 poor
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 blind
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 and
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 naked
00:21:24 --> 00:21:27 and I'll
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 add these
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 words here
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 for Jesus
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 without me
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 without me
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 you have
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 nothing
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 Laodicea
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 without me
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 Chatswood
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 you have
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 nothing
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 in Christ
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 we're
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 completely
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 dependent
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 on him
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 just like
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 Laodicea
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 were for
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 their water
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 and we
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 are completely
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 dependent
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 on Jesus
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 to continue
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 on
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 in Christ
00:21:52 --> 00:21:55 and in
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 verse 8
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 we see
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 that Paul
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 knows
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 the drift
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 from Christ
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 that's present
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 in
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 Laodicea's
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 neighbor
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 Colossae
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 he first
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 summarizes
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 how they
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 are drifting
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 away
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 and then
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 he debunks
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 each of
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 their specific
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 teachings
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 so we're
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 going to
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 look at
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 those
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 he says
00:22:14 --> 00:22:16 that there
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 are some
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 trying to
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 literally
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 kidnap
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 them
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 with hollow
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 and deceitful
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 philosophies
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 in verse 8
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 so just have a
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 look at verse 8
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 in your Bible
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 there
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 these deceiving
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 voices
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 claim
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 that
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 simply being
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 in Christ
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 is not
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 enough
00:22:34 --> 00:22:36 being in
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 Christ
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 is deficient
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 it's a
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 less than
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 full
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 boring
00:22:40 --> 00:22:42 hollow
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 Christianity
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 and that
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 there is
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 some
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 extra
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 special
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 teaching
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 that can
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 fill you
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 to a
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 true
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 fullness
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 in your
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 faith
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 another way
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 to say
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 it is
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 simply
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 being in
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 Christ
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 is not
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 enough
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 you need
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 something
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 else
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 you need
00:23:00 --> 00:23:02 something
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 that only
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 they have
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 Paul calls
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 these
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 misleaders
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 kidnappers
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 and their
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 teachings
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 hollow
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 there are
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 at least
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 two hollow
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 teachings
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 undermining
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 this church
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 and I think
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 we need
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 to pay
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 attention
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 to them
00:23:21 --> 00:23:24 the first
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 is that
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 of
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 traditionalism
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 it's the
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 idea that
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 human
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 traditions
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 see in
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 verse 8
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 the rights
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 and practices
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 of the
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 church
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 must be
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 lived for
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 Christians
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 to get
00:23:36 --> 00:23:38 saved
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 and stay
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 saved
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 rather than
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 trusting that
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 we were
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 saved in
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 Christ
00:23:45 --> 00:23:45 by the
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 grace of
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 God
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 alone
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 and then
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 the second
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 deceptive
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 philosophy
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 is this
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 the idea
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 that
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 spiritual
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 forces
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 of this
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 world
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 still need
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 to be
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 overcome
00:23:55 --> 00:23:59 or that
00:23:59 --> 00:23:59 through
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 extra
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 spiritual
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 engagement
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 we might
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 protect
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 or make
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 our salvation
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 more sure
00:24:06 --> 00:24:08 than it
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 already is
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 in Christ
00:24:10 --> 00:24:12 these two
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 deceptions
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 are still
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 issues in
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 the Christian
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 church
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 today
00:24:15 --> 00:24:18 never forget
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 that words
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 written
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 2000 years
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 ago
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 are still
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 as relevant
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 now
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 do you
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 rely on
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 anything
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 you do
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 as a
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 Christian
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 to save
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 you
00:24:30 --> 00:24:33 do you
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 rely on
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 spiritual
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 experiences
00:24:35 --> 00:24:35 in your
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 life
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 to be
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 certain
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 that you
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 are safe
00:24:38 --> 00:24:40 and saved
00:24:40 --> 00:24:45 well Paul
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 won't leave
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 us in
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 reflection
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 mode for
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 long
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 we're going
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 to look
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 at the
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 rest of
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 this passage
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 now
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 from verse
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 9
00:24:51 --> 00:24:53 Paul
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 wanted
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 the
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 Colossian
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 church
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 to
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 unlearn
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 these
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 deceptive
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 philosophies
00:24:58 --> 00:25:00 and so
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 in these
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 following
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 verses
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 Paul
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 gives us
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 a pattern
00:25:03 --> 00:25:05 of learning
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 to continue
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 in Christ
00:25:06 --> 00:25:08 so that
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 in the next
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 chapter in
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 Colossians
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 he's going
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 to summarize
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 this by
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 saying
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 setting
00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 your heart
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 and your
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 mind
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 on things
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 above
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 in Christ
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 that's
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 what learning
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 to continue
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 in Christ
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 looks like
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 setting
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 your mind
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 and your
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 heart
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 on things
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 above
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 in Christ
00:25:28 --> 00:25:30 so let's
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 look at
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 verse 10
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 to challenge
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 these
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 hollow
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 teachings
00:25:36 --> 00:25:38 he declares
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 those in
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 Christ
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 have
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 been brought
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 to
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 fullness
00:25:42 --> 00:25:45 just as
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 in Christ
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 all the
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 fullness
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 of the
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 deity
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 lives
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 in
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 bodily
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 form
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 in Christ
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 all of
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 God
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 dwells
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 in him
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 completely
00:25:57 --> 00:25:59 if you
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 follow Christ
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 and accept
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 him as
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 Lord
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 over your
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 life
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 and
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 saviour
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 of your
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 soul
00:26:05 --> 00:26:07 you are
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 in a
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 spiritual
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 and true
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 sense
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 complete
00:26:12 --> 00:26:16 and so
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 to combat
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 traditionalism
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 Paul talks
00:26:20 --> 00:26:20 about
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 circumcision
00:26:21 --> 00:26:23 now this
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 was likely
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 one of those
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 traditions
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 that the
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 Colossians
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 had added
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 to their
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 Christianity
00:26:27 --> 00:26:29 but Paul
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 pulls apart
00:26:30 --> 00:26:30 its value
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 completely
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 in verse
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 11
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 so have
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 a look
00:26:32 --> 00:26:35 he declares
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 our bodies
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 that were
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 once ruled
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 by the
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 flesh
00:26:38 --> 00:26:40 and human
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 hands
00:26:40 --> 00:26:42 were done
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 away with
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 when Jesus
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 circumcised
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 us
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 now
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 that doesn't
00:26:48 --> 00:26:48 happen
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 literally
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 but Jesus
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 did cut
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 off our
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 whole
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 old
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 self
00:26:55 --> 00:26:57 and gave
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 us a
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 new life
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 his
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 complete
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 new life
00:27:02 --> 00:27:04 if we
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 were to
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 add any
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 tradition
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 or condition
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 to be
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 saved
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 that had
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 anything
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 to do
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 with our
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 bodies
00:27:09 --> 00:27:11 or to
00:27:11 --> 00:27:11 remain
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 saved
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 to keep
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 doing
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 then it
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 would be
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 a denial
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 of the
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 perfection
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 and the
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 power
00:27:20 --> 00:27:22 of Christ's
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 life
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 which he
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 gives to
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 all those
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 in Christ
00:27:26 --> 00:27:28 so examine
00:27:28 --> 00:27:30 your walk
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 in Christ
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 so that
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 you never
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 rely on
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 a Christian
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 activity
00:27:35 --> 00:27:37 to be
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 saving
00:27:37 --> 00:27:42 there is
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 nothing you
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 need to do
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 to protect
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 yourself
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 spiritually
00:27:44 --> 00:27:47 verses 10
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 and 15
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 declare
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 verse 10
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 that
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 Christ
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 has
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 not only
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 head
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 is not
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 only head
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 and over
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 every power
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 and authority
00:27:59 --> 00:28:02 as he
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 who
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 has
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 already
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 disarmed
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 the powers
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 and the
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 authorities
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 in verse
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 15
00:28:09 --> 00:28:11 we know
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 these are
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 spiritual
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 powers
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 as he
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 triumphed
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 over them
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 by the
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 cross
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 a
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 spiritual
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 act
00:28:19 --> 00:28:21 of
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 spiritual
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 power
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 over the
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 spiritual
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 forces
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 against
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 those
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 who
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 would
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 follow
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 him
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 all
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 kinds
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 of
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 spiritual
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 power
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 that
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 stands
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 against
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 Christians
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 died
00:28:33 --> 00:28:35 when Jesus
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 died on
00:28:35 --> 00:28:35 the cross
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 there is
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 nothing
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 that can
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 pluck
00:28:39 --> 00:28:39 the
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 Christian
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 out of
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 his
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 hands
00:28:42 --> 00:28:45 so examine
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 your walk
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 in Christ
00:28:46 --> 00:28:48 so that
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 you never
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 rely
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 on a
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 new
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 or practiced
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 spiritual
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 experience
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 to make
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 you feel
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 certain
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 or make
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 you
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 certain
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 that you
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 are in
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 Christ
00:29:01 --> 00:29:03 and
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 Paul
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 would
00:29:04 --> 00:29:07 lead you
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 to overflow
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 with
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 some kind
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 of excitement
00:29:10 --> 00:29:12 and joy
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 here
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 because
00:29:13 --> 00:29:15 he can't
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 help but
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 just tell
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 you more
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 about what
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 it looks
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 like to
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 be in
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 Christ
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 in verse
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 13 he
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 says
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 God made
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 you alive
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 in Christ
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 alive
00:29:24 --> 00:29:26 like you
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 cannot be
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 not in
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 Christ
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 alive
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 spiritually
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 alive
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 truly
00:29:32 --> 00:29:34 and all
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 we need
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 to continue
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 to really
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 live
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 in Christ
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 is living
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 in us
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 already
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 it's past
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 tense
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 we were
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 made
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 alive
00:29:43 --> 00:29:47 you were
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 once dead
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 in your
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 sins
00:29:48 --> 00:29:50 yet in
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 Christ
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 verse 12
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 we have
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 been
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 raised
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 with him
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 to
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 everlasting
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 life
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 it's
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 already
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 started
00:29:57 --> 00:29:59 Jesus
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 made us
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 alive
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 in a
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 trade
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 for our
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 death
00:30:01 --> 00:30:06 and we
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 all once
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 had
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 in verse
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 14
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 this
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 charge
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 of
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 legal
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 indebtedness
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 to God
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 against us
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 and condemning
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 us
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 but now
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 that charge
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 is cancelled
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 and taken
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 away
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 by Christ
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 for
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 the first
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 before
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 he forgave
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 us all
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 our sins
00:30:25 --> 00:30:27 Jesus
00:30:27 --> 00:30:29 gave us
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 past
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 tense
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 his sinless
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 life
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 and took
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 all our
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 sin
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 nailing
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 it
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 to the
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 cross
00:30:35 --> 00:30:40 my
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 children
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 are sick
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 of me
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 saying
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 this
00:30:42 --> 00:30:44 but in
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 describing
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 how to
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 approach
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 being
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 purposeful
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 in life
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 and making
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 good choices
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 and standing
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 by your
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 word
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 I say
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 all the
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 time
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 people do
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 what they
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 want
00:30:56 --> 00:30:58 it helps
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 you understand
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 why people
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 don't show
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 up
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 don't follow
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 what they
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 say they
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 want to
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 do
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 because
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 really
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 people
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 always do
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 what they
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 want
00:31:08 --> 00:31:10 Christian
00:31:10 --> 00:31:12 do you
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 want to
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 continue
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 in Christ
00:31:14 --> 00:31:17 well then
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 follow this
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 teaching in
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 your daily
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 life
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 as you
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 have
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 received
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 Christ
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 walk
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 as you
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 have
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 been
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 planted
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 grow
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 as you've
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 been
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 taught
00:31:26 --> 00:31:28 learn
00:31:28 --> 00:31:30 set your
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 hearts
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 and your
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 minds
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 on things
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 above
00:31:32 --> 00:31:34 in Christ
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 and hold
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 tight
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 to his
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 teachings
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 like
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 your life
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 jacket
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 in a
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 stormy
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 sea
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 hold
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 on
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 to all
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 you
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 have
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 all
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 you
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 are
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 all
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 you
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 do
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 and all
00:31:48 --> 00:31:48 you
00:31:48 --> 00:31:48 will
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 always
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 be
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 in
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 him
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 for
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 you
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 are
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 alive
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 in
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 Christ
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 and
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 Christians
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 what is
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 the
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 effect
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 on
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 you
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 when
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 you
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 hear
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 teaching
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 like
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 we've
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 heard
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 over
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 the
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 last
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 few
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 weeks
00:32:00 --> 00:32:02 nothing
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 that
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 you
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 need
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 do
00:32:03 --> 00:32:06 will
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 ever
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 get
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 you
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 to
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 God
00:32:07 --> 00:32:10 because
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 the
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 cost
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 is
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 too
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 great
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 and
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 you
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 are
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 too
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 weak
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 to
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 do
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 it
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 yourself
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 and
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 yet
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 God
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 himself
00:32:17 --> 00:32:19 will
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 do
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 that
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 for
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 you
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 and
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 give
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 it
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 to
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 you
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 what
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 is
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 the
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 effect
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 on
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 you
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 when
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 you
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 hear
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 about
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 the
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 cross
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 where
00:32:27 --> 00:32:27 Jesus
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 died
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 in
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 your
00:32:28 --> 00:32:29 place
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 how
00:32:30 --> 00:32:30 do
00:32:30 --> 00:32:30 Christians
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 feel
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 when
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 they
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 learn
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 more
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 of
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 what
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 they
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 already
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 have
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 and
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 will
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 never
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 lose
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 in
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 Christ
00:32:36 --> 00:32:39 the
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 effect
00:32:40 --> 00:32:40 is
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 thankfulness
00:32:41 --> 00:32:47 I said
00:32:47 --> 00:32:47 at the
00:32:47 --> 00:32:47 beginning
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 of
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 today
00:32:49 --> 00:32:51 when
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 you have
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 nothing
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 you're
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 thankful
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 for
00:32:53 --> 00:32:53 everything
00:32:53 --> 00:32:57 that's
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 the
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 reminder
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 for the
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 Christian
00:32:58 --> 00:33:00 without
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 Christ
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 we have
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 nothing
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 but in
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 Christ
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 we have
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 everything
00:33:03 --> 00:33:05 thankfulness
00:33:05 --> 00:33:07 overflows
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 that's
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 why
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 in
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 verse
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 7
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 the
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 effect
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 of
00:33:10 --> 00:33:13 walking
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 growing
00:33:14 --> 00:33:17 learning
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 in
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 Christ
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 is
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 that we
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 overflow
00:33:20 --> 00:33:21 with
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 thankfulness
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 with your
00:33:23 --> 00:33:24 mind and
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 heart set
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 on
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 Christ
00:33:25 --> 00:33:28 that your
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 mind on
00:33:29 --> 00:33:29 Christ
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 your heart
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 will follow
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 in
00:33:31 --> 00:33:31 thankfulness
00:33:31 --> 00:33:34 so does
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 thankfulness
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 in
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 Christ
00:33:36 --> 00:33:37 mark
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 your
00:33:38 --> 00:33:38 everyday
00:33:38 --> 00:33:40 life
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 Christian
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 do you
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 feel
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 thankful
00:33:43 --> 00:33:45 for
00:33:45 --> 00:33:46 Christ
00:33:46 --> 00:33:47 every
00:33:47 --> 00:33:47 day
00:33:47 --> 00:33:50 now
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 your answer
00:33:51 --> 00:33:52 at best
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 might be
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 well no
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 not every
00:33:54 --> 00:33:54 day
00:33:54 --> 00:33:55 but
00:33:55 --> 00:33:55 sometimes
00:33:55 --> 00:33:56 and if
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 that's
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 your answer
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 then that's
00:33:58 --> 00:33:58 good
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 that's
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 okay
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 that would
00:34:01 --> 00:34:01 have been
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 the
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 Colossians
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 answer
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 that might
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 be most
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 Christians
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 answer
00:34:05 --> 00:34:07 but I
00:34:07 --> 00:34:07 want to
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 encourage you
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 then to
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 keep making
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 the choice
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 to get
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 up
00:34:10 --> 00:34:10 walk
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 grow
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 and learn
00:34:12 --> 00:34:12 in
00:34:12 --> 00:34:12 Christ
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 and you
00:34:13 --> 00:34:13 will find
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 strength
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 as you
00:34:15 --> 00:34:15 do
00:34:15 --> 00:34:17 keep
00:34:17 --> 00:34:18 going
00:34:18 --> 00:34:21 you will
00:34:21 --> 00:34:21 find
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 thankfulness
00:34:22 --> 00:34:23 to inspire
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 your steps
00:34:24 --> 00:34:25 and to
00:34:25 --> 00:34:25 share
00:34:25 --> 00:34:26 with
00:34:26 --> 00:34:26 others
00:34:26 --> 00:34:29 too
00:34:29 --> 00:34:29 many
00:34:29 --> 00:34:29 people
00:34:29 --> 00:34:29 I have
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 loved
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 have
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 drifted
00:34:31 --> 00:34:32 from
00:34:32 --> 00:34:32 their
00:34:32 --> 00:34:32 place
00:34:32 --> 00:34:32 in
00:34:32 --> 00:34:33 Christ
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 into
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 traditionalism
00:34:35 --> 00:34:40 they've
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 been
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 kidnapped
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 and tricked
00:34:41 --> 00:34:42 into
00:34:42 --> 00:34:42 thinking
00:34:42 --> 00:34:42 that the
00:34:42 --> 00:34:42 things
00:34:42 --> 00:34:43 that they
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 do
00:34:43 --> 00:34:43 need
00:34:43 --> 00:34:44 to be
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 added
00:34:44 --> 00:34:44 to
00:34:44 --> 00:34:45 what
00:34:45 --> 00:34:45 Christ
00:34:45 --> 00:34:45 has
00:34:45 --> 00:34:45 done
00:34:45 --> 00:34:48 or
00:34:48 --> 00:34:48 they've
00:34:48 --> 00:34:48 become
00:34:48 --> 00:34:49 over
00:34:49 --> 00:34:50 spiritualized
00:34:50 --> 00:34:51 chasing
00:34:51 --> 00:34:52 experiences
00:34:52 --> 00:34:53 and spiraling
00:34:53 --> 00:34:54 into the
00:34:54 --> 00:34:54 doubt
00:34:54 --> 00:34:57 that
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 comes
00:34:58 --> 00:34:58 from
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 worry
00:34:59 --> 00:35:00 that
00:35:00 --> 00:35:00 everything
00:35:00 --> 00:35:01 Christ
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 has
00:35:01 --> 00:35:01 already
00:35:01 --> 00:35:02 done
00:35:02 --> 00:35:03 isn't
00:35:03 --> 00:35:04 yet
00:35:04 --> 00:35:04 quite
00:35:04 --> 00:35:04 enough
00:35:04 --> 00:35:05 for
00:35:05 --> 00:35:05 them
00:35:05 --> 00:35:05 to
00:35:05 --> 00:35:05 feel
00:35:05 --> 00:35:06 spiritually
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 safe
00:35:07 --> 00:35:10 some
00:35:10 --> 00:35:10 of
00:35:10 --> 00:35:10 them
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 are
00:35:11 --> 00:35:11 no
00:35:11 --> 00:35:11 longer
00:35:11 --> 00:35:11 in
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 Christ
00:35:12 --> 00:35:12 at
00:35:12 --> 00:35:12 all
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 chasing
00:35:13 --> 00:35:14 hollow
00:35:14 --> 00:35:14 things
00:35:14 --> 00:35:15 like
00:35:15 --> 00:35:16 money
00:35:16 --> 00:35:17 and
00:35:17 --> 00:35:18 comforts
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 and
00:35:19 --> 00:35:19 yet
00:35:19 --> 00:35:20 so
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 many
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 of
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 you
00:35:22 --> 00:35:23 so
00:35:23 --> 00:35:23 many
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 Christians
00:35:24 --> 00:35:24 I
00:35:24 --> 00:35:24 know
00:35:24 --> 00:35:26 continue
00:35:26 --> 00:35:27 to
00:35:27 --> 00:35:27 inspire
00:35:27 --> 00:35:27 me
00:35:27 --> 00:35:30 continue
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 my
00:35:31 --> 00:35:31 walk
00:35:31 --> 00:35:31 with
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 Christ
00:35:32 --> 00:35:34 in
00:35:34 --> 00:35:34 spite
00:35:34 --> 00:35:34 of
00:35:34 --> 00:35:34 the
00:35:34 --> 00:35:35 brokenness
00:35:35 --> 00:35:35 and the
00:35:35 --> 00:35:35 hardships
00:35:35 --> 00:35:36 in
00:35:36 --> 00:35:36 their
00:35:36 --> 00:35:36 lives
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 currently
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 happening
00:35:38 --> 00:35:38 to
00:35:38 --> 00:35:38 them
00:35:38 --> 00:35:39 they
00:35:39 --> 00:35:39 have
00:35:39 --> 00:35:39 this
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 persistent
00:35:40 --> 00:35:41 and
00:35:41 --> 00:35:42 authentic
00:35:42 --> 00:35:43 thankfulness
00:35:43 --> 00:35:44 in
00:35:44 --> 00:35:44 Christ
00:35:44 --> 00:35:46 and that
00:35:46 --> 00:35:46 to me
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 is like
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 light
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 in the
00:35:48 --> 00:35:48 darkness
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 those
00:35:49 --> 00:35:49 who
00:35:49 --> 00:35:50 lead me
00:35:50 --> 00:35:50 by
00:35:50 --> 00:35:51 example
00:35:51 --> 00:35:51 through
00:35:51 --> 00:35:51 their
00:35:51 --> 00:35:52 consistent
00:35:52 --> 00:35:53 learning
00:35:53 --> 00:35:53 and
00:35:53 --> 00:35:54 looking
00:35:54 --> 00:35:54 to
00:35:54 --> 00:35:55 the
00:35:55 --> 00:35:55 Bible
00:35:55 --> 00:35:56 to
00:35:56 --> 00:35:56 explore
00:35:56 --> 00:35:57 everything
00:35:57 --> 00:35:57 that they
00:35:57 --> 00:35:58 have
00:35:58 --> 00:35:58 and are
00:35:58 --> 00:35:58 and will
00:35:58 --> 00:35:59 be
00:35:59 --> 00:35:59 in
00:35:59 --> 00:35:59 Christ
00:35:59 --> 00:36:00 forever
00:36:00 --> 00:36:01 that's
00:36:01 --> 00:36:01 sometimes
00:36:01 --> 00:36:02 my
00:36:02 --> 00:36:02 only
00:36:02 --> 00:36:03 motivation
00:36:03 --> 00:36:03 to do
00:36:03 --> 00:36:03 the
00:36:03 --> 00:36:03 same
00:36:03 --> 00:36:06 because
00:36:06 --> 00:36:07 I
00:36:07 --> 00:36:07 want
00:36:07 --> 00:36:07 what
00:36:07 --> 00:36:07 they
00:36:07 --> 00:36:08 have
00:36:08 --> 00:36:09 I
00:36:09 --> 00:36:09 want
00:36:09 --> 00:36:10 what
00:36:10 --> 00:36:11 I've
00:36:11 --> 00:36:11 frankly
00:36:11 --> 00:36:12 tried
00:36:12 --> 00:36:12 to go
00:36:12 --> 00:36:12 find
00:36:12 --> 00:36:12 in
00:36:12 --> 00:36:12 the
00:36:12 --> 00:36:13 world
00:36:13 --> 00:36:13 and
00:36:13 --> 00:36:14 has
00:36:14 --> 00:36:14 let
00:36:14 --> 00:36:14 me
00:36:14 --> 00:36:14 down
00:36:14 --> 00:36:17 I
00:36:17 --> 00:36:17 want
00:36:17 --> 00:36:18 the
00:36:18 --> 00:36:19 knowledge
00:36:19 --> 00:36:19 they've
00:36:19 --> 00:36:19 got
00:36:19 --> 00:36:20 that
00:36:20 --> 00:36:20 makes
00:36:20 --> 00:36:20 them
00:36:20 --> 00:36:21 so
00:36:21 --> 00:36:21 thankful
00:36:21 --> 00:36:24 thankful
00:36:24 --> 00:36:25 for
00:36:25 --> 00:36:25 what
00:36:25 --> 00:36:26 we
00:36:26 --> 00:36:26 currently
00:36:26 --> 00:36:27 share
00:36:27 --> 00:36:28 in
00:36:28 --> 00:36:28 Christ
00:36:28 --> 00:36:29 already
00:36:29 --> 00:36:30 that
00:36:30 --> 00:36:31 I
00:36:31 --> 00:36:31 am
00:36:31 --> 00:36:31 so
00:36:31 --> 00:36:32 prone
00:36:32 --> 00:36:32 to
00:36:32 --> 00:36:32 forget
00:36:32 --> 00:36:34 can
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 be
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 tricked
00:36:34 --> 00:36:34 into
00:36:34 --> 00:36:35 adding
00:36:35 --> 00:36:35 on
00:36:35 --> 00:36:35 to
00:36:35 --> 00:36:37 or
00:36:37 --> 00:36:37 even
00:36:37 --> 00:36:37 doubt
00:36:37 --> 00:36:37 that
00:36:37 --> 00:36:38 I
00:36:38 --> 00:36:38 truly
00:36:38 --> 00:36:39 have
00:36:39 --> 00:36:40 in
00:36:40 --> 00:36:40 Christ
00:36:40 --> 00:36:42 and
00:36:42 --> 00:36:42 so
00:36:42 --> 00:36:42 just
00:36:42 --> 00:36:42 like
00:36:42 --> 00:36:43 the
00:36:43 --> 00:36:43 race
00:36:43 --> 00:36:44 I
00:36:44 --> 00:36:44 mentioned
00:36:44 --> 00:36:45 earlier
00:36:45 --> 00:36:46 as
00:36:46 --> 00:36:46 I
00:36:46 --> 00:36:46 was
00:36:46 --> 00:36:46 passed
00:36:46 --> 00:36:47 the
00:36:47 --> 00:36:47 baton
00:36:47 --> 00:36:47 of
00:36:47 --> 00:36:48 faith
00:36:48 --> 00:36:48 by
00:36:48 --> 00:36:49 Vivian
00:36:49 --> 00:36:49 and
00:36:49 --> 00:36:49 Chris
00:36:49 --> 00:36:50 and
00:36:50 --> 00:36:50 David
00:36:50 --> 00:36:50 and
00:36:50 --> 00:36:51 Johnny
00:36:51 --> 00:36:51 and
00:36:51 --> 00:36:51 Stuart
00:36:51 --> 00:36:52 and
00:36:52 --> 00:36:52 Sam
00:36:52 --> 00:36:53 and
00:36:53 --> 00:36:54 Steve
00:36:54 --> 00:36:57 I
00:36:57 --> 00:36:57 need
00:36:57 --> 00:36:57 to
00:36:57 --> 00:36:57 walk
00:36:57 --> 00:36:58 just
00:36:58 --> 00:36:58 as
00:36:58 --> 00:36:58 I
00:36:58 --> 00:36:58 received
00:36:58 --> 00:36:59 it
00:36:59 --> 00:36:59 and
00:36:59 --> 00:36:59 hand
00:36:59 --> 00:37:00 it
00:37:00 --> 00:37:01 to
00:37:01 --> 00:37:01 you
00:37:01 --> 00:37:04 that
00:37:04 --> 00:37:04 is
00:37:04 --> 00:37:05 our
00:37:05 --> 00:37:06 task
00:37:06 --> 00:37:07 as
00:37:07 --> 00:37:07 we
00:37:07 --> 00:37:08 continue
00:37:08 --> 00:37:08 in
00:37:08 --> 00:37:09 Christ
00:37:09 --> 00:37:10 together
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 I
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 want
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 to
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 give
00:37:10 --> 00:37:10 you
00:37:10 --> 00:37:11 some
00:37:11 --> 00:37:11 good
00:37:11 --> 00:37:11 news
00:37:11 --> 00:37:13 Laodicea
00:37:13 --> 00:37:14 who
00:37:14 --> 00:37:15 we've
00:37:15 --> 00:37:15 heard
00:37:15 --> 00:37:16 were
00:37:16 --> 00:37:16 drifting
00:37:16 --> 00:37:17 far
00:37:17 --> 00:37:17 from
00:37:17 --> 00:37:18 their
00:37:18 --> 00:37:18 faith
00:37:18 --> 00:37:19 so
00:37:19 --> 00:37:19 far
00:37:19 --> 00:37:19 that
00:37:19 --> 00:37:20 Christ
00:37:20 --> 00:37:20 himself
00:37:20 --> 00:37:21 called
00:37:21 --> 00:37:22 them
00:37:22 --> 00:37:22 out
00:37:22 --> 00:37:24 in
00:37:24 --> 00:37:24 a
00:37:24 --> 00:37:25 teaching
00:37:25 --> 00:37:25 that
00:37:25 --> 00:37:25 has
00:37:25 --> 00:37:25 gone
00:37:25 --> 00:37:26 through
00:37:26 --> 00:37:26 to
00:37:26 --> 00:37:27 every
00:37:27 --> 00:37:27 church
00:37:27 --> 00:37:28 for
00:37:28 --> 00:37:29 two
00:37:29 --> 00:37:30 millennia
00:37:30 --> 00:37:32 the
00:37:32 --> 00:37:32 good
00:37:32 --> 00:37:33 news
00:37:33 --> 00:37:33 is
00:37:33 --> 00:37:33 that
00:37:33 --> 00:37:33 that
00:37:33 --> 00:37:34 church
00:37:34 --> 00:37:34 that
00:37:34 --> 00:37:34 was
00:37:34 --> 00:37:35 lukewarm
00:37:35 --> 00:37:35 and
00:37:35 --> 00:37:35 drifting
00:37:35 --> 00:37:36 from
00:37:36 --> 00:37:36 faith
00:37:36 --> 00:37:37 turned
00:37:37 --> 00:37:37 off
00:37:37 --> 00:37:37 the
00:37:37 --> 00:37:38 cold
00:37:38 --> 00:37:38 tap
00:37:38 --> 00:37:39 of
00:37:39 --> 00:37:39 the
00:37:39 --> 00:37:39 world
00:37:39 --> 00:37:40 and
00:37:40 --> 00:37:40 destruction
00:37:40 --> 00:37:41 and
00:37:41 --> 00:37:42 competing
00:37:42 --> 00:37:42 good
00:37:42 --> 00:37:43 from
00:37:43 --> 00:37:43 the
00:37:43 --> 00:37:43 world
00:37:43 --> 00:37:44 around
00:37:44 --> 00:37:44 them
00:37:44 --> 00:37:45 turned
00:37:45 --> 00:37:45 off
00:37:45 --> 00:37:45 the
00:37:45 --> 00:37:45 cold
00:37:45 --> 00:37:45 tap
00:37:45 --> 00:37:46 and
00:37:46 --> 00:37:46 continued
00:37:46 --> 00:37:47 hot
00:37:47 --> 00:37:47 and
00:37:47 --> 00:37:48 fruitful
00:37:48 --> 00:37:48 in
00:37:48 --> 00:37:48 Christ
00:37:48 --> 00:37:49 for
00:37:49 --> 00:37:49 as
00:37:49 --> 00:37:49 long
00:37:49 --> 00:37:50 as
00:37:50 --> 00:37:50 that
00:37:50 --> 00:37:50 city
00:37:50 --> 00:37:52 stood
00:37:52 --> 00:37:53 they
00:37:53 --> 00:37:54 continued
00:37:54 --> 00:37:54 to
00:37:54 --> 00:37:54 preach
00:37:54 --> 00:37:56 Christ
00:37:56 --> 00:37:56 faithfully
00:37:56 --> 00:37:57 in
00:37:57 --> 00:37:58 Laodicea
00:37:58 --> 00:38:00 so if
00:38:00 --> 00:38:00 you're
00:38:00 --> 00:38:01 listening
00:38:01 --> 00:38:01 today
00:38:01 --> 00:38:01 and you
00:38:01 --> 00:38:02 have
00:38:02 --> 00:38:02 not
00:38:02 --> 00:38:02 taken
00:38:02 --> 00:38:02 a
00:38:02 --> 00:38:03 step
00:38:03 --> 00:38:03 of
00:38:03 --> 00:38:03 faith
00:38:03 --> 00:38:03 in
00:38:03 --> 00:38:04 Christ
00:38:04 --> 00:38:04 let
00:38:04 --> 00:38:04 me
00:38:04 --> 00:38:05 say
00:38:05 --> 00:38:05 to
00:38:05 --> 00:38:05 you
00:38:05 --> 00:38:07 there
00:38:07 --> 00:38:07 is
00:38:07 --> 00:38:08 nothing
00:38:08 --> 00:38:09 better
00:38:09 --> 00:38:10 in
00:38:10 --> 00:38:10 the
00:38:10 --> 00:38:10 world
00:38:10 --> 00:38:12 than
00:38:12 --> 00:38:12 all
00:38:12 --> 00:38:13 Jesus
00:38:13 --> 00:38:13 has
00:38:13 --> 00:38:13 to
00:38:13 --> 00:38:14 offer
00:38:14 --> 00:38:14 you
00:38:14 --> 00:38:19 Jesus
00:38:19 --> 00:38:19 offers
00:38:19 --> 00:38:19 you a
00:38:19 --> 00:38:20 purpose
00:38:20 --> 00:38:20 to walk
00:38:20 --> 00:38:21 through
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21 this
00:38:21 --> 00:38:21 life
00:38:21 --> 00:38:22 and
00:38:22 --> 00:38:23 you're
00:38:23 --> 00:38:23 going to
00:38:23 --> 00:38:23 find
00:38:23 --> 00:38:23 that
00:38:23 --> 00:38:24 purpose
00:38:24 --> 00:38:24 nowhere
00:38:24 --> 00:38:25 else
00:38:25 --> 00:38:25 because
00:38:25 --> 00:38:26 Jesus
00:38:26 --> 00:38:26 hung
00:38:26 --> 00:38:26 on
00:38:26 --> 00:38:26 the
00:38:26 --> 00:38:27 cross
00:38:27 --> 00:38:28 you
00:38:28 --> 00:38:28 can
00:38:28 --> 00:38:29 walk
00:38:29 --> 00:38:30 in
00:38:30 --> 00:38:30 his
00:38:30 --> 00:38:31 steps
00:38:31 --> 00:38:34 Jesus
00:38:34 --> 00:38:34 plants
00:38:34 --> 00:38:34 you
00:38:34 --> 00:38:35 in
00:38:35 --> 00:38:35 the
00:38:35 --> 00:38:36 soil
00:38:36 --> 00:38:36 in
00:38:36 --> 00:38:37 the
00:38:37 --> 00:38:37 sun
00:38:37 --> 00:38:38 to
00:38:38 --> 00:38:38 grow
00:38:38 --> 00:38:39 into
00:38:39 --> 00:38:40 all
00:38:40 --> 00:38:40 he
00:38:40 --> 00:38:40 created
00:38:40 --> 00:38:41 you
00:38:41 --> 00:38:41 to
00:38:41 --> 00:38:41 be
00:38:41 --> 00:38:44 you'll
00:38:44 --> 00:38:44 find
00:38:44 --> 00:38:44 your
00:38:44 --> 00:38:44 true
00:38:44 --> 00:38:45 identity
00:38:45 --> 00:38:45 in
00:38:45 --> 00:38:45 nothing
00:38:45 --> 00:38:46 else
00:38:46 --> 00:38:47 he
00:38:47 --> 00:38:47 was
00:38:47 --> 00:38:47 killed
00:38:47 --> 00:38:48 on
00:38:48 --> 00:38:48 the
00:38:48 --> 00:38:48 cross
00:38:48 --> 00:38:49 so
00:38:49 --> 00:38:49 you
00:38:49 --> 00:38:49 could
00:38:49 --> 00:38:49 live
00:38:49 --> 00:38:50 his
00:38:50 --> 00:38:50 life
00:38:50 --> 00:38:54 Jesus
00:38:54 --> 00:38:54 is
00:38:54 --> 00:38:54 all
00:38:54 --> 00:38:54 you
00:38:54 --> 00:38:55 need
00:38:55 --> 00:38:55 to
00:38:55 --> 00:38:55 begin
00:38:55 --> 00:38:56 and
00:38:56 --> 00:38:57 continue
00:38:57 --> 00:38:57 in
00:38:57 --> 00:38:57 this
00:38:57 --> 00:38:58 faith
00:38:58 --> 00:38:59 truly
00:38:59 --> 00:39:00 all
00:39:00 --> 00:39:00 you
00:39:00 --> 00:39:01 need
00:39:01 --> 00:39:01 and
00:39:01 --> 00:39:02 you
00:39:02 --> 00:39:02 will
00:39:02 --> 00:39:02 only
00:39:02 --> 00:39:03 find
00:39:03 --> 00:39:04 more
00:39:04 --> 00:39:05 and
00:39:05 --> 00:39:05 more
00:39:05 --> 00:39:06 strength
00:39:06 --> 00:39:09 for
00:39:09 --> 00:39:10 contending
00:39:10 --> 00:39:10 with
00:39:10 --> 00:39:10 this
00:39:10 --> 00:39:11 world
00:39:11 --> 00:39:12 as
00:39:12 --> 00:39:12 you
00:39:12 --> 00:39:13 learn
00:39:13 --> 00:39:13 his
00:39:13 --> 00:39:14 word
00:39:14 --> 00:39:14 for
00:39:14 --> 00:39:15 Jesus
00:39:15 --> 00:39:15 was
00:39:15 --> 00:39:16 silenced
00:39:16 --> 00:39:17 on
00:39:17 --> 00:39:17 the
00:39:17 --> 00:39:17 cross
00:39:17 --> 00:39:19 to
00:39:19 --> 00:39:20 strengthen
00:39:20 --> 00:39:20 you
00:39:20 --> 00:39:21 with
00:39:21 --> 00:39:21 all
00:39:21 --> 00:39:21 that
00:39:21 --> 00:39:21 he
00:39:21 --> 00:39:22 said
00:39:22 --> 00:39:25 and
00:39:25 --> 00:39:25 then
00:39:25 --> 00:39:25 Jesus
00:39:25 --> 00:39:26 you
00:39:26 --> 00:39:26 will
00:39:26 --> 00:39:26 never
00:39:26 --> 00:39:27 run
00:39:27 --> 00:39:27 out
00:39:27 --> 00:39:27 of
00:39:27 --> 00:39:28 riches
00:39:28 --> 00:39:28 to
00:39:28 --> 00:39:28 be
00:39:28 --> 00:39:29 thankful
00:39:29 --> 00:39:29 for
00:39:29 --> 00:39:30 riches
00:39:30 --> 00:39:31 that
00:39:31 --> 00:39:31 can
00:39:31 --> 00:39:31 never
00:39:31 --> 00:39:31 be
00:39:31 --> 00:39:32 taken
00:39:32 --> 00:39:33 will
00:39:33 --> 00:39:33 never
00:39:33 --> 00:39:33 spoil
00:39:33 --> 00:39:34 never
00:39:34 --> 00:39:35 fade
00:39:35 --> 00:39:37 you
00:39:37 --> 00:39:37 will
00:39:37 --> 00:39:37 only
00:39:37 --> 00:39:37 find
00:39:37 --> 00:39:38 everything
00:39:38 --> 00:39:38 your
00:39:38 --> 00:39:38 heart
00:39:38 --> 00:39:39 desires
00:39:39 --> 00:39:39 in
00:39:39 --> 00:39:40 him
00:39:40 --> 00:39:43 Jesus
00:39:43 --> 00:39:43 looked
00:39:43 --> 00:39:43 beyond
00:39:43 --> 00:39:44 the
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 horrors
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 of the
00:39:44 --> 00:39:44 cross
00:39:44 --> 00:39:47 everything
00:39:47 --> 00:39:47 that was
00:39:47 --> 00:39:47 before
00:39:47 --> 00:39:48 him
00:39:48 --> 00:39:49 he
00:39:49 --> 00:39:49 looked
00:39:49 --> 00:39:49 beyond
00:39:49 --> 00:39:49 it
00:39:49 --> 00:39:50 and
00:39:50 --> 00:39:50 saw
00:39:50 --> 00:39:50 you
00:39:50 --> 00:39:53 and
00:39:53 --> 00:39:53 was
00:39:53 --> 00:39:54 joyful
00:39:54 --> 00:39:58 and
00:39:58 --> 00:39:58 he
00:39:58 --> 00:39:58 went
00:39:58 --> 00:39:59 to
00:39:59 --> 00:39:59 the
00:39:59 --> 00:39:59 cross
00:39:59 --> 00:40:00 so
00:40:00 --> 00:40:00 you
00:40:00 --> 00:40:00 could
00:40:00 --> 00:40:00 live
00:40:00 --> 00:40:01 thankful
00:40:01 --> 00:40:03 in
00:40:03 --> 00:40:03 Christ
00:40:03 --> 00:40:03 he
00:40:03 --> 00:40:04 he
00:40:04 --> 00:40:04
00:40:04 --> 00:40:04
00:40:04 --> 00:40:04
00:40:04 --> 00:40:04 he
00:40:04 --> 00:40:05 he
00:40:05 --> 00:40:05 he
00:40:05 --> 00:40:05
00:40:05 --> 00:40:06 he