Intro: Life unlimited has Christ as its center. The false teachers in Colosse are trying to move the church from its center. Paul is teaching them how to deal with the false teachers.
Colossians 2.20 “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why as if you were living in the world do you submit yourself to decrees…”
Jesus Christ has set us free from our old way of thinking. The Colossians had not as yet changed their way of thinking. They continued with a non-Christian or secular world view. If we have died with Christ then we are dead to the elementary principles of the world. We don’t think like we used to.
We should have the mind of Christ. Our thoughts are controlled by Him. This requires a remodeling of the way we think. It requires a radical change in our minds.
Do you want to know why our culture is changing? (I’m Glad you do)
It is because of a secular worldview. It is a way of thinking and making decisions that does not take into account The Lord Jesus Christ. (Unchanged lives)
This mindset is daily hammered like a railroad spike into our minds and the precious minds of our children.
They are winning the mind war. They will continue to soundly gain ground until we as Christians stop allowing worldly thinking to control our daily life and the life of the church.
Jesus came to set the captives free. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. We who have died with Christ are no longer bound by worldly thinking!!!
I want to ask you the same question Paul asked the Colossians.
If you have died with Christ way are you allowing a non-Christian worldview to keep you from Life Unlimited!!!?
The dominate thought in this book is that Jesus is all, and in Christ we are made full, complete. The cross of Jesus stands as the ultimate plus sign before you today. Jesus’ death on the cross can only add to your life. It will only enlarge your life. The only thing accepting Jesus takes away is your sin, and your desire for the world.
Ephesians 2.8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
1.2 “Grace to you” (More than just a greeting it was an invitation)
I offer and invitation to you today church. It is an invitation to reject the ways of the world and receive Unlimited Life available only through Christ.
I. The Unlimited Life is a Gift from God -- Grace
Unlimited life begins with God’s limitless love.
“Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God,”
A) God’s will leads to Unlimited Living
2 Peter 3.9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
God waits for lost souls to turn to Him (that is repentance). He waits for wayward Christians to turn back to Him.
1) Are you where God wants you?
It is better to ask the Lord to direct your paths than to correct your mistakes. (Prov 3.5,6)
2) Are you what God wants you?
The secret of an unsuccessful life lies in an unsurrendered will.
(is disobedience limiting your life?)
Do you want it all? Then surrender all.
Colossians 2.3 “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Colossians 2.9 “In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”
Frances J Roberts
So much God would give . . . so little is received. Why live so beggarly when the
riches of heaven are yours for the asking?
B) God’s ways lead to Unlimited Living
The guide of grace leads us to the path of righteousness
1) The path of righteousness
Psalm 23.3
We follow the path of righteousness because of a radical change of heart.
Romans 10.10 “for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness.”
Our response to God’s goodness is to follow His path!!!
a) Its a straight path
Matthew 7.14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
God guides us in ways of moral purity
A life not limited by the laws of the world
Homosexuality is okay with the world not so with God
Lying is okay with the world not so with God
Killing babies, elderly, other okay with world
Dishonesty okay with world no so with God
Unfaithfulness okay with world not so with God
Things that once were a disgrace now bring a movie, book, or TV contract.
Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even though no one else does it. (That is the path called straight)
b) Its a safe path
Proverbs 12.28 “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is not death.
--God guides us in ways of safety, security, and prosperity
c) Its a specific path
Psalm 103.7 “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.”
Many people get mad at preachers because we make people feel bad. Or we say something that people are offended by.
Let me share you my conviction.
It is not my way I preach, it is the Way, His way.
It’s my job to tell you what God says, It’s His way or the Highway!!!
When you are truly following His way there is no room for my way!!!
Cure for the common lack of commitment.
Cure for the common offended Christian
The path of righteousness leads to a worry free Unlimited life.
2) The path of most resistance
The word narrow in Matthew 7.14 comes from a word that means to press hard on like when the people would stomp grapes for the juice.
a) Resistance of self
b) Resistance of Satan
Why do you think Satan is called a thief in John 10.10?
He is best know for fighting God and fooling man.
c) Resistance of Society
Transition: God’s will is for us to follow His path to Unlimited Life in His presence.
II. The Unlimited Life comes from the Presence of God – Peace
Ms Congeniality “And World Peace”
The greatest war that was ever fought was not with nuclear warheads, tanks, fighter jets, and battalions of fighting men.
The greatest war is the war for the souls of Men, Women, and Children.
The war still raging today began in the garden of Eden spear headed by a rebellious angel. That war still rages today, although we don’t see it we do see its effects. The wars battleground is not Iraq, Iran, or any other muslim country. In fact it is not taking place on foreign soil at all. The battlefield is the mind of man.
Because of this war we need the practical work of God’s peace.
A) Practical work of peace
Entering God’s presence with prayer opens our hearts for his wonderful peace.
Philippians 4.6,7 “Be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard (keep) your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
1) So many people loose their minds today because of the pressures of life. God’s presence will help you keep yours!!!
2) Oilcloth and linoleum may both look bright and shiny, but under the stress of daily wear the cheap oilcloth soon wears out, while the inlaid linoleum gives good service for many years. The stresses of life soon show up the shoddy material of which human peace is made, but stress only brings out more brilliantly the divine peace that Christ brings to the heart.
B) Powerful work of the Holy Spirit
Romans 15.13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 8.6 “For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8.7 “because the mind set on the flesh (old nature) is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”
1) From Enemy to Ally
The greatest miracle ever performed was not healing the sick, making the lame to walk, or blind to see.
It was God turning his enemy, mankind, into His ally!!!
2) Eternal peace only comes from the indwelling spirit
Where do you look for peace? Many look for peace in pills. Some think that position brings rest. Others are bent on power. Still others think prestige will bring complete peace. But the peace of the world will not last.
John 14.27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.”
God doesn’t offer us a travel visa that allows us access for only a short time. Through His Holy Spirit he offers heavenly citizenship and permanent peace!!!
Permanent, Perfect, Powerful, Practical Peace!!!
The presence of the Holy Spirit comes from our Position With God!!
III. The Unlimited Life comes from your position with God -- Place
The grace and peace of God only come from your position with God.
Sinners cannot stand before God – No grace or peace
Psalm 5.5-6
“The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.
1) Sinners don’t have a leg to stand on.
Living in sin can pay handsomely in the freedom imagined, the money to spend, the unlimited opportunities—but it is never profitable in the end. Whatever profit Satan offers is an illusion, for he pays in counterfeit bills. (Unlimited life is not limited by sin)
Colossians 1.2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ”
Saints are placed or positioned before God by Jesus’ blood
2) Saints have new legs to stand with
A poor, uneducated old woman was once met by a skeptic. “Well, Betty, you are one of the saints, are you? Pray what sort of folks are they? What do you know about religion?” “Well, well,” replied the old woman, “you know, sir, I’m no scholar, so can’t say much for the meaning of it; I only know I am ‘saved by grace’ and that’s enough to make me happy here, and I expect to go to heaven by and by.” “Oh, that’s all, is it? But surely you can tell us something more than that. What does being saved feel like?” “Why, it feels to me,” said that Spirit-taught one, “just as if the Lord stood in my shoes, and I stood in His.”
Everything we are and have comes from our position with God. If we are “in Christ,” we are safe, secure and set up for Life Unlimited.
In the chess game of life it is our position that determines our limitations.
God the Father is in control of the board positions. The potential of an unlimited life is there. The question is where have you been placed?
Conclusion: Unlimited life is available to the faithful, brethren. It is part of standing in God’s will and staying in His presence.
