Col 2:6-7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Introduction – The Colossian Church
The book of Colossians is actually an epistle or letter that was written by Paul to the Christians in the Church in Colosse while he was in prison. And just as a background if you read Colossians 1, you will learn a few things about the church in Colosse and why Paul was writing to them.
Colossians 1 tells us that the church had been planted a few years ago by one of Paul’s coworkers, Epaphras, during the time of Paul’s 3-year ministry in Ephesus. And initially the church was doing well – we see in Col 1:4 that Paul gives thanks for their faith in Christ and the love they have for people. But along the way, something had happened. So let’s pick up the story from Col 1:28:
Col 1:28-1:29 (TNIV)
We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
So Paul writes to them that he’s sparing no effort to proclaim Christ, to correct and teach the Colossian Church, for the purpose that the church may grow up and be fully mature in Christ.
You know we’re on this series now called Following Jesus, and Peter shared last week that the Christian life is like that of a journey. And he shared that at different stages on that journey, he has learned different aspects of God and the Christian faith.
But picking up on that point that the Christian life is indeed a journey, I want to ask ourselves one very important question.
What is the purpose of this journey?
When I was a child growing up, my parents would ask me: “Gary, what do you want to be when you grow up?” How many here remember being asked as a child that question?
When I was 6 years old, I remember the first thing I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a pilot. I remember that I would play with my brother, and we convert my bed into an “aeroplane” and I would be the pilot, and my younger brother would be my co-pilot and my passengers were about 30 stuffed toys I used to have, sitting 6 abreast in our single aisle “aeroplane”, and we would have hours of fun. I had 2 stuffed pandas in my stuffed animal collection – Chao Yang and Chao Yin. And they would be our cabin crew. And naturally, because pandas were found in China, we ended up being Air China and we would simulate many flights ending in terrible disasters!
My pilot aspirations of course were totally shot down when I got to Primary 1 and discovered that I was severely myopic and the answer to the question of “what I wanted to be when I grew up” changed several times over the years.
But the point of this story is that just as we go on the journey of life and grow up in the natural – physically, emotionally, intellectually. We are also called to grow up spiritually, and Col 1:28 tells us that at the purpose of our faith journey is not so that we get lost at the end of it, but that we become as Paul puts it, “fully mature in Christ”.
So let’s get back to Col 2 and read on just what has happened in Colosse.
Col 2:1-3 (TNIV)
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
So verse 2 tells us that the church in Colosse was disheartened, and disunited. And Paul here, in his capacity as a minister or overseer to the Colossian Church is intervening all ways he can to encourage them in order that the Church may mature and come to a complete understanding of Christ.
Reading on, verse 4 and 8 give us a clue as to what has happened in the church there:
Col 2:4 (TNIV)
I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Col 2:8 (TNIV)
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces (or basic principles) of this world rather than on Christ.
Paul tells us that the Colossian Church had not rejected Christ, but instead of using Christ as their foundation to grow towards maturity, they had detracted from Christ as the focus of the church to entertain hollow and deceptive philosophy, which were based on human traditions, mysticism, and basic principles of this world (such as logic, individual needs, equality in views and understanding) .
Doesn’t it sound like a situation we’re familiar of?
Friends, it is no accident this morning that we are doing a series on Following Christ, because I really sense in my heart the mandate for this church is to be committed to spiritual maturity and we can only do this is if every one of us are committed to following Christ.
What is Discipleship?
In our church, there’s a word I’ve rarely heard from the pulpit. And that word is “discipleship”.
Discipleship is one of the 5 pillars of the New Testament Church alongside “worship”, “fellowship”, “ministry” and “evangelism”. A church without its members focusing on all 5 pillars is a church that will not be well functioning body, effective in fulfilling its purpose.
So just what is discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple?
The word “disciple” appears 292 times in the entire NIV Bible. Which in itself is not many. But it is a very important word because of the 292 times it appears in the Bible, 290 times occur in the 4 gospels and the Book of Acts. And that is very significant.
To be a “disciple” literally means to be a “learner” or “follower” of Jesus Christ. Therefore discipleship simply means “to follow Christ”. Which is exactly what this series of sermons is about.
So this morning, we’re going to have a fresh look at discipleship.
How do we follow Christ on this journey of faith that we are taking together as a Church?
In the opening verse we read this morning, this was the same call to discipleship made by Paul made to the Church in Colosse, a church in a very similar position as our church today.
Let us read this verse together:
Col 2:6-7 (TNIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
This morning I want to share 4 things about what it means to be a disciple, follow Christ from this passage we have just read:
1. Following Christ begins by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord.
Col 2:6a
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord”
Our faith journey has a beginning and it has to begin by first coming into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity for me, is not a religion. It is a relationship with God made possible by the work of the cross when we surrender our lives to Jesus as Lord and King of our hearts.
In almost all of the 290 times that the word “disciple” is mentioned in the New Testament, the verse was made in the context of the disciples relating to Jesus.
Here’s a few examples:
Matthew 8:23
{Jesus Calms the Storm] Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
Matthew 8:25
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
Matthew 9:10
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.
Matthew 9:37
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Matthew 10:1
[ Jesus Sends Out the Twelve ] He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Matthew 11:1
[ Jesus and John the Baptist ] After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
You cannot be a disciple or follow Christ if you are not in a relationship with Him. It doesn’t matter how much head knowledge you have – you can know all the 10 Commandments and all the Mosaic laws or have graduated from the best seminary. It is impossible to follow someone that you don’t know personally and relate to personally.
Jesus speaks clearly to the unbelief of the Jews in John 10:25-28:
John 10:25-28
Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
Jesus says that those that follow Him will know His voice and listen to Him. Do you know the voice of Jesus when He speaks to you? Do you listen to His voice and follow Him?
Listen church, your journey of faith can only begin if you make a decision to receive Him, to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.
2. Following Christ requires commitment to the journey.
Col 2:6b
“continue to live in Him”
Sometimes, people get into the wrong understanding that Christianity is all about getting souls saved.
Jesus said in his very last words before He ascended in Matthew 28:19-20:
Mt 28:19-20a (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Jesus did not say, therefore go and make converts of all nations. He said, go and make disciples of all nations! So yes, evangelism is very important to give people an opportunity to respond to Christ, but it cannot just stop there! We are called to go and make disciples of all nations, of all people.
And discipleship goes beyond just starting the journey, it requires commitment to the journey by remaining in Christ; by continuing to live in Him.
I once heard that Christianity is not a sprint, but a marathon. A race that takes our entire lives to run.
I have many friends, some of them even in positions of leadership who used to be in FCC that have dropped out and are no longer attending any church today. Some have focused on their careers, or partners, or the pressures of life have pushed them away from their faith. They are heaven bound, but of no earthly use to the Kingdom of God.
Following Jesus requires a commitment to be faithful to continually live in Him. This doesn’t mean giving up your careers, or partners, or enjoying life. But it means refocusing them such that He is in the centre of our life activity.
3. Following Christ calls us to action to build and strengthen our faith
Col 2:7a
“rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught”
Here we see that following Christ involves action. Our lives need to be rooted to Christ and nothing else.
a. Anchoring the faith
The first image we see here is that of a tree. When we look at a tree, we only see what’s above ground. We don’t see the roots. But it is the root system that provides support and nourishment to the tree. Strong roots allow the tree to grow and flourish and bear fruit. And likewise, our roots have to be connected to the source of life – Christ.
b. Building the faith
The other image we see here is that of a building. Again, when we are standing outside the building, we can only see what’s above ground. Not the foundation. But civil engineers will tell you that the taller the building is, the deeper the foundation has to go. And the materials you use to build the foundation is equally as important.
1 Cor 3:11-13 (NIV)
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
Our foundation has to be in Jesus Christ.
c. Strengthening the faith
Col 2:7 continues by saying that after we anchor and build our faith that we have to “strengthen our faith as we are taught”.
So how does God teach us on our faith journey?
There are so many ways. I wish I had more time to spread this sermon out, but since I am only given this one opportunity to speak on the topic, I want to quickly share 3 ways with you today how God teaches us on our journey of faith:
i. The written Word
The Bible is the Word of God. It is sharper than any two-edged sword. The Bible says that the Word is milk for the new believer, bread for the growing Christian and solid meat for the mature. Like Peter shared last week, it is both a very straightforward message and extremely complex book at the same time.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that the Word of God is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
ii. Life experiences
The second way Jesus teaches us on our faith journey is through our life experiences. Think back on your life and look at the different unique situations that you have gone through, you will see how God has move in that particular situation to teach you so that you may be strengthen in your faith in Him.
Both in the good times of blessings and the difficult times of suffering.
I’ve learnt that I will become very imbalanced if my life is just blessing after blessing. From one mountain top experience after another. Don’t get me wrong, I love the the mountain top experiences. The times when I’m so close to God, when I’m lost in worship, when I stand in awe at His glory, when His blessings overwhelm me.
But it is in the valleys of life, the sufferings, when the going gets rough, that I learn to persevere in the faith, to understand what it means to hold out for the hope of glory, to build my character, to understand grace, to know Him as a comforter, as a restorer, as a redeemer, as a guide out of the wilderness.
Rm 5:3-5 (NIV)
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
iii. Fellowship
So God teaches us through His Word and through life experiences. Let me share one more way God teaches us on our faith journey – through fellowship.
A Christian is not an island. That’s why we need to come together and get into relationships with other Christians to share the journey of faith together, to be accountable to one another.
In FCC, we do this through our cell group system. You know, as the church grows to 100, 1000, 10000, it is difficult to know everyone. One comment I hear why some people don’t like churches to grow too big is because they find that it becomes impersonal. Already, I don’t know half the names of the people in this room. It is true, it is very difficult to remain close to everyone as the church grows, but the cell group system ensures that you can build up close personal relationships with others within your cell group no matter how big the Church grows.
And the cell group is so important to build authentic relationships with one another for the purpose of fellowship. Fellowship isn’t just about having eating. It is about doing life together – to hear their testimonies that encourage one another, to uphold each other in prayer together, to worship together.
Let us review so far what it means to be a disciple, to follow Christ?
1. Following Christ begins by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord.
2. Following Christ requires commitment to the journey.
3. Following Christ calls us to action to build and strengthen our faith
Finally,
4. Following Christ produces results and fulfills His purposes.
Col 2:7b (NIV)
“strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
What are the results of following Christ?
This is what we read earlier in verse 7:
a. we will be strengthened and established in the faith
b. we will be overflowing with thanksgiving
Gratitude comes from dependence. To be thankful for something requires a need that has been met. A situation that has been turned around. And if Christ has the power to resurrect Lazarus from the dead, He has the power to resurrect any dead situation. Your tombstone can become your stepping stone. Your stumbling block can become a new starting block. And you will overflow with thankgiving when you realize that He has indeed intervened in that situation.
But finally, and very importantly: following Christ goes beyond just a personal level.
Following Christ has a huge impact on the corporate level – the Church – FCC, to fulfill its purpose for existence.
1 Cor 12:12-14 (NIV)
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
You know Church, this morning I want you to see that beyond the results on a personal level, the purpose for following Christ as a community of faith is to build the body so that the body will be complete.
Eph 4:11-16 (NIV)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Eph 4 shows us a picture on a corporate level what a mature church will become. As we mature, each of us as a Christian will not only mould our character towards Christ likeness, but also discover the spiritual giftings that have been uniquely given to us for ministry (v12) for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the full revelation of Christ”.
As the body gets more complete, it gets more edifying, more revelation, more growth. So in order for FCC to fulfill its purposes in this generation, this passage teaches us that we need to:
i. always keep Christ as the head of the Church
ii. ensure that every part of the body comes together in unity
iii. grow and build itself up in love
iv. encourage each part to do its work
It requires everyone of our commitment to follow Christ for the body to be effective. Especially in our Church without a large team of paid pastoral staff.
You know if Chee Meng didn’t follow Christ, we wouldn’t have a Bible teacher and a cell group leader.
If Jimmy didn’t follow Christ, we wouldn’t have a drummer to bring us into God’s presence.
If Geoffrey and Dan didn’t follow Christ, we wouldn’t have a ministry to the HIV positive.
If Miak didn’t follow Christ, we wouldn’t have a ministry to help gay men reconcile their faith and sexuality.
And the list goes on and on…
How many ministries haven’t yet been born to meet the need of the community and people groups that God has placed us uniquely to reach?
How many teachers, pastors, leaders, ministries are yet to be born because the people who God has created them for are still out there and have never had to opportunity to come into a relationship with Him?
Today our body has missing hands and legs. It is incomplete. You know in 2 weeks time it is the Easter weekend, so why not take this opportunity to reach out to the people God is placing in your heart and let them hear the gospel so that they have an opportunity to come into a relationship with Christ for themselves.
Come on church, let’s us follow Christ and build up the body and grow FCC together!
Altar Call
Today as we close, I really believe that this is a message that we as a church need to respond to.
You know, following Christ begins with an individual response to individual journey, but the end result is that this body will be built up when we collectively make a decision to follow Christ together.
This morning can I invite everyone to stand.
I want to pray that as a church, that we will respond to this call to build the Church of Jesus Christ together.
That we will commit to the journey to follow Christ. That we will take action to build and strengthen our faith together. That we will always keep Christ as the head of the church. That we will grow and build ourselves up in love. That we will use our gifts, talents and abilities to make a difference in the communities that we are uniquely placed to reach.
If you want to make that commitment today, I just want you to lift your hands all over this place. Keep them raised. Come on church, let’s commit to following Christ together.
Father, look at these hands. Today we want to make a fresh commitment to following You. We will respond to build this Church upon the rock of Jesus Christ. We will commit to the journey to follow You. We will anchor and root our faith in you and we will build and strengthen our faith together. We will commit to grow and build ourselves up in love. We will make a difference by serving with the gifts, talents and abilities that You have given us. Father, today we declare as a Church that You are the head of the church and we will heed the call to build an effective church without walls. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
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