Sermon Notes: Independence in Christ

The hope before you (1–12). These people were going to heaven! They had heard the Word and trusted the Savior, and they had given evidence of their faith by their love for God and God’s people. God qualified them (v. 12); they did not save themselves.

Background:

Colossians 1:3‭-‬8 NIV

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Reflection

Satan can’t rob you of your blessings,  but temp you to toss them aside… Genesis 3

Remember:

  • John 10:10 NIV  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The influence of others can rob us of God’s best for lives…

  • We are tempted by others to reject our families
  • We are tempted by others to reject our identity
  • We are tempted by others to reject our goals
  • Ultimately, we are tempted by others to doubt our Faith

The Message

Colossians 1:9-12 NIV

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

  • Ephesians 3:16‭-‬18 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

  • Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

  • Ephesians 1:18‭-‬20 NIV I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Therefore:

  • Romans 12:12 NIV  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.