Go! And Proclaim Him: Christ In You, The Hope Of Glory - Colossians 1:27-28 Series

Go! And Proclaim Him: Christ in You, the Hope of Glory - Colossians 1:27-28 (NLT)

Colossians 1:27-28 (NLT): "For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ."

Introduction: The Glorious Mystery Revealed

There is a cry from heaven that echoes in every heart that belongs to Christ: Go! And Proclaim Him! In Colossians 1:27–28, Paul reveals a glorious mystery—a secret now unveiled: Christ lives in you. Not around you. Not near you. In you. And that changes everything.

This sermon will unpack what it means to have Christ in us, and how that compels us to live, preach, and share the Gospel without shame or hesitation.

1. The Mystery Made Known (Colossians 1:27)

Paul writes to the believers in Colossae, a diverse church made up of Jews and Gentiles. He addresses false teachings that diminish the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Paul defends the truth that salvation and glory are not earned through ritual or law, but are found in Christ alone.

The word translated "secret" is "mysterion" — not something unknowable, but something once hidden and now revealed by God. The mystery is Christ in you, and this was a radical truth, especially for the Gentiles who were previously considered outsiders.

If you have trusted in Christ, you are not just a follower—you are a dwelling place of the Living God. This is your hope of glory, your assurance that you will share in Christ’s eternal victory.

Galatians 2:20 (NLT): "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."

This verse is a glorious declaration of identity, intimacy, and intentional living. Paul is not merely offering theology—he’s testifying to transformation. His old self—bound by law, pride, and sin—was crucified with Christ. That’s not poetry; it’s spiritual reality. The Greek word for “crucified” here, systauroo, means “co-crucified”—Paul sees his old life nailed to the cross alongside Jesus.

Now, his new life is not defined by striving, but by surrender. Christ lives in him. This isn’t religion; this is resurrection life! And it’s personal: “who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The Gospel isn’t just true—it’s deeply personal. Christ didn’t just die for the world—He died for you.

So, dear friends, live each moment by trusting Him. Let Christ live through you. Let your words, your worship, your witness be shaped by the One who lives in you. Go—and let the world see Jesus in you.

John 14:23 (NLT): "Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.’"

This verse is a breathtaking promise—not just of obedience, but of intimacy with God. When Jesus says, "We will come and make our home with each of them," the Greek word for “home” is µ??? (mone), meaning a dwelling place, a permanent abode. This is not a fleeting visit—it’s the indwelling presence of God Himself!

To love Jesus is to obey Him, and obedience opens the door to divine fellowship. This verse echoes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and reveals the heart of the Gospel: God does not remain distant—He moves in! Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Charles Stanley once said, “Obedience always brings blessing.” And what greater blessing is there than the Father, Son, and Spirit abiding in you? This is not religion. This is relationship. This is transformation. This is the miracle of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Are you making room in your heart for Him today?

John Piper once said, "Christ is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

That satisfaction flows from the indwelling presence of Christ. He is not a visitor. He is the resident King of your heart.

2. The Message We Proclaim (Colossians 1:28a)

"So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us."

The verb "katangellomen" ("we proclaim") carries the force of a herald declaring good news from the King. This is not casual speech; it is authoritative proclamation.

We don’t preach self-help or self-improvement. We preach Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT): "For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified."

The Apostle Paul could have impressed the Corinthians with eloquent speech or intellectual argument. He was a man of deep knowledge and extraordinary gifting, but he made a deliberate decision—to centre his entire message on one glorious truth: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.