CONTENTS
- Come to Jesus Daily devotional
- Monday – Continue in Christ Jesus the Lord
- Tuesday – Rooted in Jesus
- Wednesday – Built up in Jesus
- Thursday – Strengthened in Jesus
- Friday – Filling leads to overflowing
- Community Group/Family Study
- Outline of the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ devotional method
You can listen to all the messages at: Click this link to audio content
For more information visit www.communitychurchputney.com
1. COME TO JESUS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
These daily devotionals follow the ‘Come to Jesus daily’ devotional method (See the last page of this for a fuller outline)
This week’s devotional is based on Paul’s words from Colossians 2:6-7
MONDAY – CONTINUE IN CHRIST JESUS THE LORD
Paul continues to encourage this church to keep faithful to Jesus. It should be needless to urge people to remain loyal and loving to someone who is so perfect and had done so much for them. Nevertheless, we all need to hear Paul’s words,
‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ (Colossians 2:6-7)
Sometimes the burning sun is hidden in cloud or night, so too, the glory of Christ can be hidden from our thoughts and affections; the things of life eclipse the beauty of Jesus from our hearts. He remains the same, but we, like the seasons and weather, are subject to change and distraction from Him, ‘in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Col. 2:3).
God says to us, ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…’
If you are a Christian, you have received Him who is ‘Christ, Jesus, the Lord’: He is Christ – the promised Saviour King; He is Jesus – a true man, the son of Mary; He is Lord – God in every way. This is who you have received!
You may have come to this King as a child who mistakes a lion for a plaything. Today Jesus stands before us and calls us to live our lives in Him with fresh devotion, awe, and worship.
Filling leads to overflowing
This week’s study is entitled ‘filling leads to overflowing’. Being filled with a true vision of Jesus will lead to ‘overflow with thankfulness’ and worship. May the words of this song be reinstated in our lives,
Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 2:6
Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.
1. GC (GOSPEL-CENTRED) – What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him?
“Jesus, you are the ‘Christ’ the promised Saviour. You are Lord, the eternal God, You came into the world in the man Jesus. It was written of you,
‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ (Isaiah 9:6)
Only you as God and man could have purchased our peace. And having given me peace and restoration, there is no power that can take it away!”
2. UP – What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?
This text gives us a condensed but astounding image of Jesus. He is presented as ‘Christ, Jesus, the Lord’: He is Christ – the promised Saviour King; He is Jesus – a true man, the son of Mary; He is Lord – God in every way. If we are going to live, pray and worship as we ought, we need to be growing in knowledge and estimation of our great God.
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
This is who we have ‘received’. We may, at this time, be weak in understanding of who Jesus is, but, nevertheless, this is our Saviour and God. We are encouraged to ‘continue to live your lives in him’. This means that you and I need to learn about Him and allow our lives to keep in step with His character and will.
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers and God’s mission?
At one time you and I ‘received Christ Jesus as Lord’. Every Christian had a moment of stepping out of unbelief and into faith and salvation in Christ. Let’s remember that God can change any heart toward Him. Also, bear in mind that He often uses people (such as Epaphras in this case) like you and me to bring people to faith; finally, let’s endeavour, in wisdom, to share about ‘Christ Jesus the Lord’ - He is the centre of the gospel.
TUESDAY – ROOTED IN JESUS
The Shepherd’s Tree that grow in South Africa has the deepest roots system of any tree reaching down as far as 68 metres. Deep roots are not a luxury! They are required because of the arid environment. Likewise, we need healthy roots because of the discouraging environment that we live in. Paul says that to be a Christian is like being a tree with roots ‘in Christ’. He says,
‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ (Colossians 2:6-7)
A Christian is someone who is alive in Christ - their ‘roots’ are in Him. From Him, they have new, eternal, spiritual life.
Some plants will grow almost anywhere. Sometimes one can think of religion like a plant that can grow in any soil, this is revealed when one says things like, “All gods and saviours are equal. You can believe in whom you want, as long as you’re being true to yourself…” However, for Christians, there is only one ‘soil’, one Saviour, in whom we get life.
A plant will put out roots toward a water source. Likewise, you and I will put our spiritual roots - our faith - out toward things we believe will give us real life. God urges us, not be deceived! ‘Continue to live your lives in him, rooted … in him’.
Filling leads to overflowing
How can we remain faithful, and even overflow with praise and worship toward Jesus? We need to be filled by Him. What I mean is that our roots of faith need to be in Him for salvation, in Him for how we see who God is, and In Him for the empowering that only He can give
MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
Colossians 2:6-7 ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’
1. GC (GOSPEL-CENTRED) – What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him?
“Lord Jesus, you were planted into death so that I could be rooted in you and your life. You said, “very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). Your death has given life to many.”
2. UP – What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?
To be ‘rooted’ in Christ is to believe in Him. It is to receive the gospel. One cannot have the life of God through, as Paul calls them, ‘human tradition’ (2:8). To be joined to God, one must receive the message from God – the gospel. This gospel is well summarised in Colossians 1:19-20
‘For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
Jesus is the only person from which you and I can gain salvation and power for living. We all need encouragement to remain rooted in Jesus and ‘continue to live our lives in Him’. What does God want to say to you about where your roots are directed?
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers and God’s mission?
Evangelism and the spiritual life is often presented in agricultural terms. Evangelism is likened to sowing seed and, as in our text today, the Christian is alive because he or she is rooted in Christ. Paul says of the process of evangelism and growth,
1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
Likewise, we are all called to sow and water the seed of truth. But let’s remember that only God can bring about any form of spiritual rooting and growth.
WEDNESDAY – BUILT UP IN JESUS
A building without, or with inadequate foundations is in danger of collapse. Europe’s tallest building, The Shard, stands on concrete piles that are 60 metres deep, without which it would not be possible for this 1000 foot structure to remain standing.
Having spoken about our being ‘rooted in Christ’, Paul switches metaphors as he compares our faith to erecting a building. He says,
‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ (Colossians 2:6-7)
Some of us treat our Christian lives like a game of Jenga. In that game, wooden blocks are removed from a tower until it topples. Likewise, we pay little attention to our foundations, and fail to notice the slow removal of our strength of faith and love for Christ.
It’s not enough to have been planted, or to have been built, we are to be ‘built up’ (the word is present and active) on Him.
Building leads to overflowing
Paul, elsewhere says of us, ‘built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’ (Ephesians 2:20-22)
As we are built up in Jesus we will overflow with worship. We become a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Here are three questions to ask in response to this text:
- Are Jesus and the gospel your foundation (cornerstone)?
- Are you being built together with other Christians in community?
- Do you see that those ‘built up in Him’ are a temple of the Holy Spirit? As such do you expect to meet God when you meet with the church?
MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
Colossians 2:6-7 ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’
1. GC (GOSPEL-CENTRED) – What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him?
We can be ‘built up’ only as we come to ‘Him’! When we become a Christian, we become ‘living stones’ suitable for God’s use. Because Jesus was rejected, we are accepted. as we read,
1 Peter 2:4-5 As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
2. UP – What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?
God is no ‘cowboy’ builder! He doesn’t talk well but leaves His work half done. Anyone who comes to Christ will be ‘built up in Him’. Do you feel weak? Do you feel like a wall that is near collapse? Come to Jesus. He is the master builder of our lives.
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
Is the church growing? Is she flourishing? Are her members loving their bibles? Are they prayer warriors in private and public? If not, it’s because they have ‘downed tools’ and left the building site. God wants to build us into His house, according to His plan. God wants to shape each of us into living stones for His residence. Let’s get building! Let’s come to God asking Him to build us up according to His great plan.
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers and God’s mission?
Jesus says of us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Jesus wants to build us up so as to be a great city for His name. Does this city see Jesus in His people and His church? If not we need to be ‘built up in Him’. If we desire to love, serve, pray, witness, be must be ‘built up in Him’ – love for Him is the foundation for that city set on a hill.
THURSDAY – STRENGTHENED IN JESUS
How can it be that the man of 20 who climbed mountains can no longer get up the stairs! Sarcopenia is age-related loss of muscle mass. At around 30 we start to lose muscle, and this can only be treated through exercise.
To apply this spiritually, are you and I growing in strength or are we allowing ourselves to become spiritually enfeebled through the course of our lives? Paul says,
‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ (Colossians 2:6-7)
Many people are passionate about the look, health and strength of their body. But how is one ‘strengthened in the faith’, and where are the men and women who are devoted to this?
It’s easy to see how one might become ‘strengthened in the body’, but how does one become ‘strengthened in the faith’? I was recently speaking to someone who had decided to run a half-marathon (13.1miles). To prepare for this he was gradually increasing his running each week. Likewise, we need to train carefully if we are to be strong in the faith.
Strengthening leads to overflowing
If one desires to overflow with thankfulness and worship, it’s vital that one’s knowledge of ‘the faith’ is strengthened by studying God’s word. Only those who are being filled with knowledge will overflow with thankfulness.
MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
Colossians 2:6-7 ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’
1. GC (GOSPEL-CENTRED) – What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him?
Every day we are assaulted with a sense of our failure and sin. We are tempted to ask, “how can God accept me…” It’s imperative, if we are not to give way to condemnation, that we are strengthened in the faith - the gospel.
“Father, May I be strengthened in the faith. May the gospel captivate my thinking. May I honour the cross! as the hymn may I always sing,
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name
Christ alone cornerstone
Weak made strong in the Saviour's love
Through the storm He is Lord
Lord of all”
2. UP – What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?
The Father wants us strong and joyful. Paul expresses God’s heart when he says,
‘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.’ (Colossians 2:2-3)
Growth in understanding and knowledge are inseparable from enjoying the riches of Christ. It’s God’s will that you and I are ‘strengthened in the faith as we were taught’.
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
How can we be strengthened in the faith?
- Firstly, believe that you can, and that it’s of first importance that you continue, to strengthen your faith.
- ‘The faith’ can be known. We must read, listen and study ‘the faith’. God has gone out of His way to give us His book, surely it’s not too much for us to read it!
- Paul says, ‘as you were taught’; to grow one must be in a church community that teaches the faith, and we must be willing to learn.
- Combine hard work and prayer in your pursuit of growth (1:9, 2:1).
- Endeavour to apply what you learn. Through application, we grow the muscles of faith. For example, it’s easy to state that God provides for us so that we can be generous; it’s another thing to apply faith, do it, and grow through the process.
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers and God’s mission?
In order to share ‘the faith’ one must be ‘strengthened in the faith as we were taught’. One must know the true gospel if one is to share it and feel confident in sharing it.
The strengthening of our faith leads to an overflow of good things in so many ways. How are you going to seek to grow?
FRIDAY – OVERFLOWING WITH THANKFULNESS
Many of us are ‘overflowing’ with worry, complaining, fear, hatred… Many of us are not overflowing at all; we are a damned river that does no harm, and no good, to anyone. How do we become people who are ‘overflowing with thankfulness’? It sounds like an attractive way to live! Paul says,
‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’ (Colossians 2:6-7)
Overflowing with thankfulness is the result of our receiving ‘Christ Jesus as Lord’ and then continuing to ‘live our lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith…’ Thankfulness is not something that can be pinned on, it grows out of a true knowledge of Jesus. A true mark of maturity is praise and thanks. A test of our faith is who are you thanking and for what? When one understands who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we are astounded and become worshippers.
Overflowing with thankfulness
We see a similar pattern – knowing Jesus leading to overflowing praise, in 1 Timothy 1:15,
‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.’
‘Overflowing’ means just that! Are we learning to worship with abandon? Are we declaring our thanks to the ‘King eternal…’?
MEDITATION ON COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
Colossians 2:6-7 ‘So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.’
1. GC (GOSPEL-CENTRED) – What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him?
“Lord Jesus, when we see you, we are filled and overflow with thanks and praise. May I be like David who celebrated your presence, as symbolised by the Ark, being restored to Jerusalem,
‘Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.’ (2 Samuel 6:14-15)
Too often I have failed to ‘overflow’ with thanks. I have been more like Michal who despised David’s exuberance,
‘As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. (2 Sam. 6:16)
May I see that through the cross, the presence of God has been restored to my life. May I overflow with celebration”
2. UP – What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…?
It’s the Father’s will that we overflow with thankfulness. When The Spirit is working in us, worship and thankfulness will be the result,
‘Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Ephesians 5:19-20)
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
Our lives and our church should be overflowing with thankfulness. Thankfulness was a great emphasis in Paul’s praying. For example,
‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ (Colossians 4:4)
‘I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way.’ (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)
It starts in private - how good are we at noticing and thanking God for things, but in particular, at thanking Him for the gospel and our salvation? But let’s also set an example in public of thanking God in our church or Community Groups.
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers and God’s mission?
Evangelism is the overflow of our joy in God. As we devote ourselves to thankfulness, we will overflow in sharing the love we are enjoying.
2. COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY
‘Filling leads to overflowing’
Read Colossians 2:6-7
Opener – What in life makes you most thankful and why?
Introduction
This week’s study is entitled ‘filling leads to overflowing’. Being filled with a true vision of Jesus will lead to ‘overflowing with thankfulness’ and worship. For a cup to overflow, it must be filled up; likewise for us to overflow with worship and thanks to God, we must allow Him to fill us. Let’s look at how this can happen.
Discuss together
Paul points out aspects that will result in us overflowing with thankfulness to God. Let’s discuss each in turn.
- ‘Receive Christ Jesus as Lord’ – Firstly we must become a Christian as we receive Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. How does this transform our lives into those that are thankful?
- Be ‘Rooted in Him’ – This is to stay faithful, and to ask Him for strength every day. How do you remain ‘rooted’ in Him?
- Be ‘Built up in him’ – This speaks of God joining us with other Christians to become a temple of the Holy Spirit together. Why is community so important for our spiritual health?
- Be ‘Strengthened in the faith as you were taught’ – We need to be growing in our faith. What have you found helpful in order to be ‘strengthened in the faith’?
- These will lead to ‘Overflowing with thankfulness.’ – These aspects will lead to a life of worship and thankfulness.
- What, as a result of the gospel, can we give thanks for?
- Go round the room and share three things from the last week that you would like to thank God for?
3. THE ‘COME TO JESUS DAILY’ DEVOTIONAL METHOD
This structure can be used to aid you in your devotions.
Begin by thanking God for salvation/the gospel (GC); Worship Him (UP); Pray for Christian friends and yourself (IN); Pray for your non-believing friends (OUT). As you go along, God will remind you of Bible texts; turn to these, and pray/worship out of them.
This structure can also be used for Bible meditation. As you read, pray that God would speak. As He highlights something in the text, use the following questions to help you meditate, worship and pray out of the Bible:
1. GC (Gospel–Centred) What does the text say about Jesus?
- What does the text say about Jesus and salvation through Him, and how will you now worship and pray in response?
2. UP – What does it say about God?
- What does it say about God – His worth, character, attributes, will, promises…how will you worship and pray in response?
3. IN – What does it teach about you and God’s people?
- What does is it say to or about you?
- What does it teach about God’s people – how He thinks of them, how we are to treat them?
- Is there anyone that you particularly want to pray for?
- Pray for members of your Community Group, church, etc.
4. OUT – What does the text say about non-believers?
- What does it say about non-believers and God’s mission?
- What does this inspire you to pray or do in response for non-believers or problems in the world more generally?
- In this section make a commitment to pray through a list of non-believing friends that God has put into your life.
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