(To hear this sermon, please go to my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/2027619
Christ In You
Intro:
• Good news/Bad news jokes
• A seed of truth in them. Life has two parallel tracks: What we perceive as good and bad run side by side.
• But we’re conditioned to seek after and expect only good. When we get those “good news/bad news” moments, we’re thrown for a loop. We can be overwhelmed.
Here’s the “Bad News”
• Being a Christian has an element of suffering built into it.
Colossians 1:24–25 I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. 25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.
• Being Jesus only people means that there are moments in life where our values and decisions will “go against the flow.”
• By our words and actions, we communicate what we believe about Jesus and His gospel.
• At the minimum that can be uncomfortable. It has been deadly.
• [IMAGE] Arabic “N” for Nazarene. Graffiti outside the homes of Christians in the Mosul, Iraq, by ISIS to intimidate and mark them.
Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
• Gut check - What if you woke up tomorrow and found this mark outside your door? What would you do?
But There’s “Good News”
› Ref “good news/bad news” dichotomy. Running parallel.
• The hard times lead us to Christ, who lives in us.
Colossians 1:26–27 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 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.
• Looks back to 1:15-20
• What does it look like to have Christ live in you?
Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
• Gut check – Do I praise and glorify God with my life?
The Goal - Maturity
Colossians 1:28–29 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. 29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
• Perfect - mature. A thing that is fulfilling its purpose.
James 1:2–4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
• Note v. 4: “Needing nothing.”
• gut check - Moving toward “Jesus only?”
Conclusion:
• Taking the good with the bad is not only possible but preferable as we move closer to Christ (Jesus only) and mature in Him.
