A New Focus Series

Chico Alliance Church

“What Is Garbage?”

Two themes in Colossians

Jesus reigns supreme over all creation.

Jesus remains sufficient for all creation.

After reviewing the wonderful work of God on their behalf, Paul reinforces the truth of our identification with Christ. This truth of identification is such a fantastic truth. We could spend a lifetime exploring its implications. When you identify with someone or something you enjoy all the benefits of the person with whom you identify or suffer the same difficulties. Moses chose to identify with the Hebrews even though he was raised in Pharaoh’s courts. When we trust Christ, God identifies us with His own son. When Jesus died we died. When Jesus rose we rose. What is true of Him is counted true of us. Paul applies the truth of our death with Christ in the area of the law of sin and death. Having died with Christ we are no longer subject to the law of sin and death. We now live on the basis of the law of the spirit of life. We have been raised with Christ. Because God raised us in newness of life after the likeness of Christ’s resurrection we are to live our lives as new creatures.

Keep seeking the “up things”

Keep thinking about the “up things”

Why? Past – Present - Future

• You died

• Your life is now hidden with Christ in God

• You will be revealed with Christ in glory.

As we launch into another year it is always good to take a look at the map. What are your goals? Where are you going? Where we going as a church? Where will you fit into the vision? How does this fit you?

Paul arranged his whole life around one all consuming objective. He continually evaluated his life according to the goal. When Paul neared the end of his life, he confidently affirmed…

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim. 4:6-8

Boredom is a continuing complaint among people today. Boredom comes from the absence of a powerful enough purpose to engage our whole life. Paul calls these believers to a high calling to an all-consuming passion to steadily seek and constantly contemplate God’s eternal purpose. Paul prayed this prayer for them constantly. He prayed that they would be “filled” with the knowledge of God’s will. The word filled means to be directed controlled, permeated, saturated. Why? So they would be able to walk worthy of the calling with which they had been called.

Philippians chapter 3.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs (those with out moral direction or foundation), beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: Then Paul provides us some basic idea of what he means by the flesh. circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless

Here he talks of ceremony, heritage, privilege, theological keenness, admirable purpose, and earthly recognition. By today’s evangelical standard this person would take confidence that: Dedicated to the Lord as a baby. Born in America. Born to a good family.

Conservative, evangelical Zealous for the cause of Christianity by rooting out all sorts of evil.

Boycott Disney

Protest rallies

Write our senators

As far as the world is concerned leads a blameless life by following all the rules of the society and the church.

But

because of Christ I have considered (perfect) loss (disadvantage, damage, suffer loss) what was to me gains

Paul turned from law keeping to Christ holding. Because of Christ’s work and his relationship with Christ, Paul discovered that any attempt to gain confidence from anyone or anything else was a great disadvantage. He considered what might be gain as disadvantage.

But also

I consider (present middle) to be loss ALL

through the surpassing value of the knowledge of Christ