What God Accomplished

Colossians 2:13-15 –  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 

1. Who You Were

Paul says “you, who were dead”

The word for dead is nekros - it means dead

We see it in the NT 145 times. 

Most of those are referring to physical death. But about 20 times, it’s used to refer to spiritual death.

• What does a dead person do?

Breathe?  Think? Make Decisions?

Dead means dead. No life. No activity. Nothing. 

We can understand spiritually dead because we understand physically dead.

What would it take to become alive? A miracle. 

What about Lazarus?

You know the story, right? Lazarus - friend of Jesus

In John 11:43 – [Jesus] cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

If you were at a Funeral and someone shouted at the coffin, “HEY! Get up!” what would you think?

John 11:44 – The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 

Wow! THAT was a miracle.

So was your own salvation.

You were dead.  Dead means dead. Just as physical death means you can’t respond. Spiritual death means means the same thing. 

Ephesians 2:1, Psalm 14:2-3 – Why? Because they’re dead....

• BUT GOD – one of the greatest phrases in the Bible.

Ephesians 2:4-5 – but God, being rich in mercy... when we were dead... made us alive.

Colossians 2:13 – you, who were dead i... God made alive.

BUT GOD!

Titus 3:4-5 – But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our saviour appeared, ⁵ he saved us

This is the bridge between points 1 and 2

2. What God Did

You were Dead BUT GOD made you alive!

together with him. Again, we see an emphasis on our union with Christ - we are with Him. Together with Him.

What better place is there to be than right there with Christ?

Not only did he make us alive

• He forgave us. 

That should bring great joy to every other aspect of your life.

• Memorize and meditate on the Gospel

Think about it every day - what deeper joy could there be? 

Why would you not want to think about that every day?

Everything else pales in comparison. 

• Forgiveness is the most important truth of Scripture

Psalm 130:3-5   Psalm 32:1-2   Micah 7:18  Matthew 26:28   Acts 10:43   Acts 13:38-39    Ephesians 1:7    Hebrews 8:12   Psalm 86:5 

having forgiven - charizomai - root: charis - grace - gift

Forgiveness and being made alive go together

• There should be nothing that brings you more deep, abounding joy than knowing that you have been forgiven. 

Record of debt - the idea is a handwritten certificate. It’s like a contract you sign. 

This is the evidence brought forth against us - and we wrote it with our own hands. 

• It’s a signed confession.

We owe God a debt because we have broken His law.

You have violated God’s law at pretty much every point. 

The list of charges against you is quite long. 

And it you wrote it yourself and signed the confession.

But when God forgave you - He erased it. 

• That list has been wiped clean.

Like a dry erase board that shows no residue.  It’s totally clean. 

What happened on the cross?

2 Corinthians 5:21 –  God punished Jesus for all of the sins you have and will commit. 

Then He looks at you as if you had never sinned.

• He looks at you as if you had lived the perfect life of Jesus 

How can this not fill you with almost unexplainable joy?

How can you not go through every day with a huge smile on your face no matter how your day is going. 

3. How He Did It

• The evidence is gone. There is no evidence

We can sit down to trial - but it’s okay - there’s no evidence against us.
The judge Himself took care of it by taking off His robe, stepping around, into the box, and taking the punishment for the crimes on the list. Now - he looks at us and says “not guilty” because there are no sins to accuse us of. They’ve been taken care of. Jesus took the punishment. So I stand justified. Not guilty. Free. 

When Christ was on the Cross, He said - It is Finished! (meaning, it is “accomplished”)

That was quite a bold statement.
But what was finished or accomplished?

Our forgiveness!

...by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

4. What Happened?

Keep points 1, 2, & 3 in mind and look at these passages:

Ephesians 2:1-10

Romans 3:10-24; 5:6-9; 6:1-4; 8:1-6 

Titus 3:3-7 

Colossians 1:13-14; 1:21-22; 2:13-15 

Reflection Questions

These are goals I would have for you.

Remember - the pastor’s role is to encourage and catalyze the spiritual growth of the congregation. 

The goal is to present you mature in Christ

So what will you do to grow toward these ends:

• You were dead. More fully understand your need for Him and the miracle that He accomplished in saving you.

You sin because you’re a sinner. Not the other way around.

• How will you know increasing joy as you grow in your understanding that He forgave you

These two actually work together, answering each other.

 The better you understand how dead you were, the more joy you will experience in knowing that He erased the [long] list of your sins

• Know the gospel more and more each day. 

Knowing the gospel better will drive you to deeper depths of understanding and greater heights of joy.

• How will/should you live, knowing that the enemy has already been defeated?

• Will you strive to know the Gospel deeper and proclaim it as often as possible?

The Remedy: Colossians 2:9-12

These are the notes from yesterday's sermon. For the entire message, go to the church website (click on "sermons" in the menu across the top) and download the sermon. 

• What captivates you?

The world would have you captivated by things. 

The Bottom Line: - you’re either relying on philosophy, which is empty deceit, human tradition (things we come up with on our own), which all lines up with the basic principles of this world (which are going to lead us to spiritual immaturity), or you’re relying on Christ. Two sides of the coin: one or the other

• The goal every time we meet is to exalt Christ in corporate worship and, as a result of the power of His Word (as presented in Scripture), to learn to more fully rely on Him (in whom we move and live and have our being)

Why? Because in Him - in Christ - the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily - and you have been filled in Him.

His deity is complete - it is completeness - and we will only be complete when we are trusting fully in Him. 

I don’t want you to end up being dragged off, taken captive....

1. The Remedy is Christ

• The complete deity, the glorious majesty of Christ and His complete sufficiency are the foundation that we build everything on. It’s the starting point and the central focus of Christianity.

Two Keys: In Him and with Him

In Him - verse 9, 10, 11, & 15

With Him - Verses 12 & 13

• In

A position. In proximity to. A place that you come to. More a state. In the lake. In the house. Written In pencil. Bound in leather. 

• with

a participant alongside. I’m with you. We’re here together. I’m in the car with you. We’re going there together. 

• Deity

The whole fullness of deity. fullness - the emphasis is completeness - totality. All of who God is - Jesus is.

• Old Testament - Temple

In the Old Testament, the presence of God dwelled in the Temple. When Christ died - the curtain was torn in two

• New Testament - Christ

In the New Testament the presence of God is Christ in you, the hope of glory. If God manifested Himself in Christ - we should pay attention to that, right? He should hold the central focus of our attention.

• It’s all about Christ’s unshared supremacy.

Only one can hold the top spot.

• “The whole glorious total of what God is, the supreme Nature in its infinite entirety” is in Christ

verse 10 - and you have been filled in him

• Completeness

We are complete in Christ. We are justified - we have been declared “not guilty” The word for “filled” in this verse is the same verb as “fullness” in verse 9.

If you’re not satisfied in Christ alone

1. You desire something better than & more excellent than God

2. You are ungrateful because you’re seeking something you already have

The results of our being filled are eternal. 

The Fall makes us incomplete because: 

• Spiritually - we are out of fellowship with God totally

• Morally - we live outside of Gods will

• Mentally - we don’t know the truth (the divine truth)

At salvation we are made complete because:

• Spiritually - we now have fellowship with God

We have been reconciled - Christ died 1 Peter 3:18 – to bring us to God

• Morally - we recognize the authority of God’s will

1 John 5 - love God... obey His commandments

• Mentally - we know the truth about ultimate reality

1 Corinthians 1:18 - the power of God.

The idea that a believer lacks anything is crazy talk. (2 Peter 1:3)

• If you’re a believer - you have all you need 

You have Christ. You don’t need anything else.

• Is your life truly focused on Christ?

How do you do that practically?

Well - how do you do that with another person? (Texting, notes, learn about them, ID Bracelets, etc.) The point is this - you know how to focus on Christ, you probably just haven’t thought it through.

2. How it Works:

The healings that Jesus did made people completely healthy

So then, the spiritual work He does in us makes us completely saved, not just mostly saved.

The more I study the Bible, the more convinced I become that I had nothing to do with my own salvation. 

• It’s not a wide bridge that goes most of the way across

There are those who think about salvation like a wide bridge. What Jesus did gets you most of the way across. That’s what the false teachers at Colosse were teaching. 

• It’s a narrow bridge that goes all the way across

Jesus didn’t die to come and make it possible for us to get there.

• Jesus accomplished the redemption of His children.

Jesus came and did all of the work for His children. His work on the cross was complete and total. And He did accomplish something on the cross  - He accomplished the redemption and sanctification of His children. (remember, He said “it is finished” (meaning: accomplished)

He died on the cross that He might bring us to God.

• Matthew 7:13-14

So how does it work? What did Jesus do?

• Spiritual, not Physical

Verse 11 – In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

It appears that the false teachers, like the Judiaizers, taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation. But Paul pointed out that that was never the case.
Jew, not outwardly.... It was a matter of the heart, and it’s always been about the heart.

Romans 2:25, Deuteronomy 10:16, Jeremiah 4:4 & 9:26

• Circumcision was never meant to save - it was always about the necessity of the cleansing of the heart.

Circumcise here is a metaphor for the transition from the old life to the new.

• It’s the “putting off” of the “sinful nature” 

Greek for putting off - double compound - stripping off and casting away

The idea is getting rid of a piece of filthy clothing.

The idea here is a radical change. 

You were a slave to sin. But now - you have been made a slave to righteousness.

This is the circumcision of Christ: Romans 6:2-11 – 

Here’s where it becomes “with Him” (verse 12)

• Buried

• Raised

• Baptism is the declaration of the putting away of the old nature.

Our life with Christ demonstrates that our sin nature has been stripped off. 

• If you’re saved, you have literally been brought back from the dead.

That power energizes you and maintains life within you. 

Reflection Questions 

• Are you truly focused on the Remedy?

Do you really understand that there is a contrast to Christ and everything everyone else would offer you? The wide path is easy to be on. It’s right there. Where so many people are. But that bridge doesn’t go all the way across. It won’t get you there. 

• How’s your Spiritual Growth Plan coming?

Do you have a plan in place to better understand all of this? Need help? Ask me - I’ll be happy to walk you through it.

• How are you focusing on Christ in practical ways?

Like you did when you were dating?

• Do you have a passion to see others know Him?

Evangelism is not an option. It’s not part of the “advanced course”

The more you think about Christ, the more you’ll do this.

• Do you really understand that sin is not the default?

If you’re a believer, your body of flesh has been removed. You no longer have to sin. 

You have been given everything you need to live a godly life and grow spiritually in Christ.

• How Does your life point to Christ?

The day in day out details of your life should demonstrate that you are walking with Christ.

Evaluating this past week:

So how has your week been? Spiritually that is? These are the reflection questions from last week's sermon. They're here to help you evaluate your week and how you have grown in the knowledge of His will, spiritual wisdom, and discernment.


• Did you focus on Christ? 
   It’s so easy to get distracted throughout the week.
   Life happens. There are many things to do.
   There’s often an interruption.
   What did you do to ensure that you focused on Christ throughout the week?
   Do you have a plan in place? (scroll down a couple of posts)
   Do you need to make any adjustments to the plan?

• Do you understand that the [practical] source of our knowledge and 
   wisdom is Scripture? 
   Are you pleased with the Scripture Input in your life this past week?

• How are you reaching out with the message of Christ?
   Are you thinking toward Dinner & A Movie and who you might invite?
   Are you prepared to share the gospel clearly, using Scripture?
   Are you praying for the salvation of others?

• Do you come into our corporate gatherings each Lord’s Day with a 
   heart prepared to worship and adore Christ?
   What did you do to spiritually prepare for Sunday morning's Worship Service?

• How are you serving Christ?
   How are you serving the church and others?

Scripture Memorization

The Five components of Scripture Input are:
   • Hearing God's Word
   • Reading God's Word
   • Studying God's Word
   • Memorizing God's Word
   • Meditating on God's Word

I just want to focus on the fourth one right now - Memorizing God's Word.
Watch this video of John Piper giving eight reasons to memorize Scripture:

If you need a plan to memorize Scripture, go to our church website and check out the fighter verse in the lower right corner. Start with that. Check back in a few days and I'll have a list of Scriptures I think every believer should have memorized.

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob
<><

P.S. - Speaking of Scripture Memory and John Piper, I've watched this video several times and it has moved me every time. I can't explain or describe it, so just watch it:

I Love It When a Plan Comes Together!

You NEED a spiritual growth plan!

When you set off on an adventure, you spend at least some time looking at maps and planning things out. When it comes to our spiritual lives, however, we don’t always do as much planning as we could. So get out a piece of paper and a pencil (or open a new file on your computer) and get started: 

When you write it down, a couple of things happen:

1. You have to think through the details and be specific as you write it out.

2. You don’t forget your goals and you can follow your progress.

Remember that your goal is Sanctification (spiritual growth). Christ and the Gospel must always be the central focus of everything. (Matthew 6:33)

So to help you out, here are some suggested areas that you might want to think about as you put together your spiritual growth plan (SGP). 

Christ-Focused Life

--> What specific things can you do to stay focused on Christ throughout the day?

What music should you listen to?

What should you be reading?

Have you thought about putting little cards here and there. 

Maybe set a reminder on your phone.

Have you contemplated your sinfulness recently?

--> Have you thought about the cross today?

Have you thanked God for all He has given you recently? (James 1:17)

Scripture Saturation

Charles Spurgeon said “when you cut me, I want to bleed Bibleen” - meaning that he wanted to be so saturated in Scripture, he would bleed Bible if he was cut. That’s a lot of Bible. That’s a worthy goal. What are you doing to move in that direction?

There are several things that you should be doing in the area of Bible

1. Hear the Bible (Are you in church consistently? Ready to listen? Taking notes?) 

2. Read the Bible (what is your Bible reading plan?)

3. Study the Bible (reading is great, but studying is where it comes alive)

4. Memorizing the Bible (not the whole Bible. Start with this week’s fighter verse)

5. Meditating on the Bible (memorization leads to meditation)

--> If you’re free Wednesday night, June 6, at 6:00 p.m. - we’re learning how to study the Bible and more! We'll also be looking at many things that will help you with your spiritual growth this Summer at FOF!

Prayer

God speaks to us through the pages of Scripture. Prayer is talking to Him. 

Do you have a prayer list? One acronym that is helpful in approaching a prayer time is “ACTS”

A - Adoration - praising God for who He is and what He has done

C - Confession - confessing any sin in your life. 

T - Thanksgiving - thanking Him for His many blessings in your life

S - Supplication - praying for needs. Your own, and others.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused when you pray. If your mind wanders and you get distracted, click here for a helpful article about praying. 

Also, extended times of prayer, while not always possible on a daily basis, are so wonderful when you get a chance. 
Click here for a prayer hour guide. 

A couple more prayer articles:
• Kill Prayer Distractions

• Pray for your Prayer Life

• Pray the Scriptures

Evangelism

You need to understand the gospel better. We all do. I include myself in this category. What are you doing to understand the gospel better? How are you growing in your understanding of what Christ has done for you? In your need for Him? In trusting in what He has done for you on the cross? Are you living what C.J. Mahaney calls “a cross-centered life?”

Can you share the Gospel in one minute? (check out the first blog here for some thoughts about that). Are you growing in your understanding of the gospel?

What will you do this week to move forward in your understanding of the gospel? What will you do this week to equip yourself to be able to share it more effectively?

--> Who are you intentionally building a relationship with? Neighbor, co-worker, classmate...

Here’s a helpful article: http://salternlite.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/tim-kellers-top-10-evangelism-tips/

Worship

Worship is a discipline. Not only in daily life, intentionally living a life of worship, but also corporate worship. What do you do to prepare your heart for your church’s corporate worship services? Do you get enough sleep on Saturday nights so that you are awake, alert, and can fully engage in the services? Do you come prepared (Bible, notebook, etc.)? Do you remove distractions (cell phone, people that might distract you, etc.) so that you can focus on God during the service?

--> What else can you do to be more engaged in corporate worship?

Engaged & Serving

How are you serving the church? 

How are you gifted to serve the church?

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? (We’ll be covering that at FOF on a Wednesday night this Summer)

Are you truly engaged in the body?
What can you do to be more engaged in the body? How can you be better connected to the body? 

--> Who should you invite to your home for dinner in the next few weeks?

A Special Question For Dads

--> How are you leading your family spiritually? What are you doing to foster and encourage their spiritual growth?

About Reading Books:

Al Mohler (president of Southern Seminary) says that reading is the way that God has chosen to make His people grow (watch this video when you have a few minutes). The summary is this: you should be reading. Obviously reading the Bible is always the priority and nothing should ever replace it as the central focus of your reading. There are many books that you could spend time reading. Always choose books that will encourage you to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Many books are not helpful to your spiritual life. 

The list below is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list, but these are books that have been helpful to me and that come highly recommended from other trustworthy pastors. The goal is to grow in your love of God, His word, and sound doctrine.

The books listed below are books that are based on truths found in Scripture and will help you in your search to be rooted in sound doctrine. Remember - what  you read is important. It is also important what you choose not to read. I’ve listed them in a basic “order of importance.” The first few books will serve as a great foundation for a lifetime of reading and spiritual growth. 

A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent 

Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Stop Dating the Church by Josh Harris

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney (click here for kindle)

Some other books that will be helpful in your SGP:

The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur (click here for kindle)

Knowing God by J.I. Packer (click here for Kindle)

The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever (click here for kindle)

(Check out “Resources” in a few weeks on the church website for a more comprehensive list of books)

I pray that you would be more effective and productive for the kingdom of God as a result of your Spiritual Growth Plan. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

<><