Pastor Gary Moritz
pastor@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

Jesus rose from the dead, so we can Rise Up and live. The book of Colossians shows us Jesus Christ’s divine characteristics and how we can Rise Up in Him. The Creator, the One from whom all things exist, the all-powerful One, the master of time and space is the head of the church. This infinite eternal and all-powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal. He is shown to be the One who becomes our life!

“..when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” —Colossians 2:12

Our new life in Christ should change our focus, thinking, and actions. Crisis and uncertainty may shake everything on the outside, but Christ can stabilize everything on the inside. We can Rise Up and draw near to God – and if you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

In this series, we will learn how to stand strong in times of uncertainty andRise Up in the newness of Christ.

APRIL 12    RISE UP AND LIVE (EASTER)
APRIL 19    RISE UP AND HOPE (COLOSSIANS 1)
APRIL 26    RISE UP AND MATURE (COLOSSIANS 2)
MAY 3       RISE UP AND SEEK (COLOSSIANS 3)
MAY 10      RISE UP AND PURSUE (COLOSSIANS 4)

Additional Resources for the book of Colossians

Text: Colossians 2 (CSB, New Testament)

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

AS YOU GROW IN CHRIST, YOU CAN DEFEND YOUR FAITH

RISE UP WEEK #3:

RISE UP AND MATURE

I. CHRISTIANS SHOULD STRIVE TO BE

Reveal Answer

(v. 1–7)

A. Encourage and love one another (v. 1–2a)

B. Understand God’s revealed plan (v. 2b–3)

C. Stand in unity (v. 4–5)

D. Be grounded, walking and growing in Christ (v. 6–7a)

E. Rejoice and be thankful (v. 7b)

II. CHRISTIANS SHOULD

Reveal Answer

IN THEIR FAITH (See Colossians 1:9-10)

A. Know God’s will (v. 1:9)

B. Bear fruit in every good work (v. 1:10)

C. Grow in the knowledge of God (v. 1:10)

“Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, 3if you have tasted that the Lord is good.” —1 Peter 2:2-3

III. CHRISTIANS SHOULD

Reveal Answer

THEIR FAITH (v. 8–23)

-Paul warns us that the traditions of men have no equal authority to the Word of God (v. 8). In religion today, you can find the same dangerous and destructive philosophies as in the days of Paul.

A.

(v. 8–10) – Jesus was not the perfect Son of God.

1. Gnostics diminish Christ to an angel of mystery and mediums. (v. 8)

2. Paul confirmed that Christ was God incarnate in bodily form. (v. 9)
   
   -This is why Paul addressed Jesus as Creator in Colossians 1:15-20.
   
   

B.

(v. 11–17) – The law is above the Gospel.

1. Paul describes the love of Christ. (v. 11–15)

2. Paul describes freedom in Christ. (v. 16–17)
   
   -A life centered on Jesus and what He did on the cross has no place for legalism.
   
   

C.

(v. 18–19) – Individual spirituality that emphasizes a new revelation through visions and dreams.

1. Mysticism teaches that God can be known through two methods:

   a. Through the worship of angels (v. 18a)

   b. Through secret visions (v. 18b)

2. Paul confirms that we can only know God through Christ, who is the head of the body, the church. This is the great mystery, “In Christ” and “Christ in me”. (v. 19)

D.

(v. 20–23) - The practice of self-denial in an attempt to draw closer to God.

1. Asceticism teaches that one can purify the spirit by punishing the body. (v. 21–22)

2. Paul confirms that the spirit cannot be purified by punishing the body, and that the believer’s body and spirit have been crucified with Christ. (v. 20, 23)

-These philosophies are dangerous because they are self-imposing religion. This is man reaching up to God trying to justify himself by keeping a set of rules and rituals.

-Christianity is God reaching down to man in love through Jesus Christ. It is not about what we can do; it is about what Jesus has done.

Conclusion:

Are you mature enough in your faith to answer questions when confronted with man-made philosophy? It’s time to Rise Up and Mature!

This is how we are going to get started!

Let’s take this time while we’re at home to re-start our spiritual growth together. A great place to start is a RightNow Media study by Pastor Andy Stanley titled, “Starting Point”. I would love for everyone at City United to take some time over the next few weeks to listen to this important study that focuses on strengthening our framework of faith. In this study, Pastor Andy Stanley dives into topics like the law, sin, forgiveness, guilt, grace, religion, the resurrection, and the church.

THE RESURRECTION CHANGED EVERYTHING!

“19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:19-20

It is important for us to have a solid foundation for who we are in Christ.
We can’t defend a faith we don’t understand.

Login to your RightNow Media account and click on the City United “C” icon. Under the “Next Steps” section you will find this incredible study. If you do not have a RightNow Media account login, visit www.cityunited.church/rightnow and click the “Get Access” button to create your free RightNow Media account.

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