A Helpful Reminder

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:1-7 ESV

Continue Standing Strong

• Battle in Prayer (v.1) - "struggle", a determined effort, not giving up when faced with exhaustion
• Spur to Unity (v.2) - deeply united with one another
• Center on Christ (v.2-3) - "boredom is finding your satisfaction in something other than Christ" - Ray Stedman (paraphrase)
• Discipline in Truth (v.4-5) - so that you will not be deluded or mislead by things that sound good but are not true
• Rehearse the Facts (v.6) - remind yourself of the gospel and respond accordingly; it is personal truth, not just general
• Grow in Christ (v.7) - deeply rooted, so that you are not uprooted when it storms
• Overflow with Gratitude (v.7) - if you are a chronic complainer, then you have missed some part of the gospel

Adapted from Ross Sawyers, 121 Community Church
Sermon, Feb 20, 2011, "Standing Strong"