ROOTED IN HIM

                                                 ROOTED IN HIM Colossians 2:4-8

When the Son of Man comes, will he find Faith on the earth? Luke 18:8. Who asked that question? None other than Jesus himself, who is the author and the finisher of our Faith. It looked like He had already foreseen the affairs of our world today. Many in the World live as though God doesn't exist. Because of the increased wickedness, many Christians' love for God is growing cold. Many Christians in the Church are losing their Faith in Jesus Christ.

How could we navigate our Christian Faith in a world that is increasingly becoming arrogant toward God and hostile toward God's people? How could we hold on to the truth in a culture of alternative facts, or how do you know your version of the truth is the actual truth? These faith challenges are not new; the first-century Colossian believers also faced them. How did they hold on to their Faith in Christ amid heresies, a hostile and often violent culture?

We are continuing our 'In Him' series based on the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Colossian believers. Today, we will examine the importance of holding fast to our Faith and how we can navigate our culture without compromising our Faith, as many Christians do today. I title this sermon, Rooted In Him, Colossians 2:4-8.

            At the time of writing the letter to the Colossians, Paul was in prison in Ephesus, awaiting trial for his preaching. Still, he was glad to hear Ephaphras' report about the well-being and struggles of the believers in Colossae. The purpose of the letter was not to rebuke any sin or correct a doctrinal error but to encourage the believers in their faith struggles. He was concerned about the influence of the false teachers and urged the believers to remain strong in their Faith.

I. A Disciplined Life Strengthens Our Faith In Christ

Colossians 2:4-5, "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in Spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your Faith in Christ is."

As a pastor, Paul wanted to be personally present in the Church to speak to the believers, but he couldn't be there in person, so he wrote to them instead. He warned them so that no one would deceive them by fine-sounding arguments. Paul noticed in other churches, such as Corinth, some believers were being deceived and turning away from their Faith.

II Cor 11:3-5, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough." Paul did not want what happened to the Corinthian believers to occur to the Colossian believers, or to any of Christ's followers at any time.

So, he appealed to their strength, saying, "I delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." In the scriptures, discipline means training. It is not physical but spiritual training. Writing to Timothy, his spiritual son, he urges him, saying, "Train yourself to be godly." I Timothy 4:7. Paul's assessment of the Colossian believers was that they were well-disciplined, which led them to be strong in their Faith.

I thank God that at Hope Church, I see several of you are well-disciplined and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ. But don't be slack in your spiritual disciplines, such as reading Scripture, Worship, Prayer, and fellowshipping with other believers. Some of you may have to start developing those spiritual habits. However, if we do not maintain those disciplines, we too might be deceived. How can we remain steadfast in our Faith?

Let's follow Paul's advice in Colossians 2:6-7, "So, then, just as you have 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 thanksgiving."

II ROOTED IN HIM.

The apostle Paul affirmed that the Colossian believers received Christ Jesus as their Lord, an act that occurred at some point in their lives. But then he urged them not to be stagnant in their Faith, but to continue living their lives in Him by being rooted and built up in Him.

 Similarly, those of us who have been born again have received Jesus Christ as our Lord. However, that is not enough. As we journey long, we must continue to live our lives in Him by being rooted in Him. What does Rooted in Him mean, and how is it expressed in our lives?

Paul uses a metaphor of a tree sending its roots deep down into the soil. In the scriptures, we see the life of a believer as a tree planted in the ground. For instance, Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers."

In the parable of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus explained the importance of being rooted in Him. John 15:5-7, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Based on these illustrations, what does it mean to be rooted in Him?

It means Christ is the soil in which believers are rooted, and He enables them to produce the fruit of good deeds and words, and to grow in their knowledge of God. That is the prayer of Paul for all believers in Col 1:10. When we continue to live in Jesus, who is the good and fertile soil from whom we receive the sustenance to lead a fulfilling and fruit bearing life.

How can we be rooted in Christ? It does not happen automatically, but instead intentionally being with Jesus and getting to know Him through the reading of the Bible. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will be like Him, and our Faith is also strengthened. I emphasize that without reading and applying God's word, we cannot understand what God is like, His purpose for our lives, and how to navigate life in this highly conflicted.

Paul, writing to the Roman believers who lived in a culture similar to ours, explained the importance of living by the teachings taught in Scripture. Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." What did we learn from the Bible?

Unfortunately, many Christians in the USA do not read their Bible, let alone live by the teachings of the scriptures. Many let the culture influence their understanding of life; instead, let the scriptures inform them how to live their lives that are worthy of God. Because of their lack of Biblical knowledge, resulting in their shallow relationship with Chris, many Christians are easily persuaded by the empty promises of the politicians and deceived by worldly philosophies.

On the contrary, a Christian who is deeply rooted in Him is not easily deceived. Because Christ, who gives us wisdom, becomes our wisdom. The Holy Spirit that He sent us becomes our guiding counselor and ever-present help in times of need. When we are rooted in Him, we will be able to test and discern the deceiving spirits. We will hold on to the truth and avoid error.

A Christian who is deeply rooted in Him would say, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20. A person deeply rooted in Him will be a grateful person. They will be thankful for all things. Let's examine our lives today. Are you living a shallow and weak Christian life? Or is your life deeply Rooted In Him?

 

 

 

In Him Are All The Richest Treasurers

                                      IN HIM ARE ALL THE RICHEST TREASURES

Over forty years ago, against my parents' wishes, who wanted me to become an Engineer, I wanted to become a missionary immediately after graduation. Who wants to be a Missionary these days? That decision shocked my parents and led me to join Youth With A Mission. During one of the worship sessions, I heard these verses of a song, "Lord You Are More Precious Than Silver." That song changed the course of my life. I felt as though I had found the richest treasure.

Here is some background information on that song. Lynn DeShazo, who had just graduated from Auburn University, felt that the Lord wanted her to work on praise and worship music, as well as learn about spiritual disciplines. One of those spiritual disciplines was fasting. Working at McDonalds when you are fasting is a challenge in and of itself, but when you are salting crispy Golden French fries, it is nearly impossible!

As the day went on, the temptation grew stronger and stronger. She began to meditate on those fries until she looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then grabbed two fries and gulped them down. Lynn felt so guilty all the way home. She asked for forgiveness because she had not been strong enough to resist temptation. God put two verses of Scripture on her mind.

Colossians 2:3, "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Proverbs 8:11, "For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Linking those two verses and forgetting all about the Golden French fries, she began to worship the Lord. And, soon, this song was born."[1] What do you treasure in life?

If only you knew Jesus Christ, in whom "Are All The Richest Treasures," you too wouldn't want to settle for anything else. In our 'In Him' series today, we will explore what those richest treasures are and how they impact our daily Christian life. Colossians 1:24-2:1-5

I. The Apostle Paul's Mission To the Church

When we think of the Apostle Paul, we see him as an evangelist, missionary, and great defender of the Gospel. But did you ever see him as a pastor? God changed a persecutor of the Church and a highly learned and Jealous Pharisee, Paul, into a servant of the Church. God commissioned him to the believers, the whole council of God's word. It was a pastoral call.

Paul, a Pharisee who had become a pastor, was concerned about the believers in the churches that he planted during his missionary journeys. The Letter to the Colossians is one of the thirteen pastoral letters that Paul wrote to encourage believers. Paul's Mission to the Church was to proclaim the Gospel, admonish and teach believers with all Wisdom so that everyone would fully mature in Christ. As a caring pastor, Paul explained God's mystery to the Colossian believers, which had been kept hidden for ages. What is that mystery, and how does it impact us?

II. The Mystery Is Christ In You, The Hope Of Glory

The word Mystery in English means "something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain." In our contemporary culture, we often associate mystery with mystery novels and other things that are mysterious. For Paul, the word "mystery" was a revelatory term.

It was about God's redemptive plan, which was once hidden from all people. Writing to Ephesians, Paul explains the mystery of God this way. Through the Gospel, the Gentiles become heirs and form one body, sharing together in the promise in Christ. (Eph 3:6.).

In Col 1:26-27, Paul explains, "This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing.

The mystery, in a nutshell, is this: Christ is in you, so therefore, you can look forward to sharing in God's glory." The Message. That is for our future, but what do we have in Christ now?

III. In Him Are All The Richest Treasures

It is a blessing to know that one day, in Christ, we will share God's glory and live eternally with Him in heaven, but how about here and now? What provisions has God left us with to navigate the challenges while we still live in God's beautiful but broken World?

Let's ask Pastor Paul what he has to say about that. "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not met me personally. 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 2:1-3.

While studying for this message, God freshly reminded me of my primary calling as a pastor. Like Paul, my goal is to encourage you all in Hope Church, as well as those I don't meet personally. I do my best to teach, preach, inspire, and pray for you all so that you might grow in your love for God with a fuller understanding of the knowledge of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge." Let's unpack these two richest treasures in Christ.

1. The Richest Treasure of Knowing Christ.

            The Greek word "gnosis" is translated in English as "knowledge." This knowledge is not intellectual, as it comes from reading and observation, but rather experiential. What Paul is aiming for here is that we may know Christ intellectually by reading or hearing about Him, but do we know Him experientially? Did we have an encounter with Jesus in our lives similar to the one the Apostle Paul had on the Road to Damascus, which changed his entire life?

            A good education may help us secure a well-paying job and live a comfortable life, but knowing Christ is the only way to eternal life. That is the richest treasure we should pursue. Experientially knowing Jesus Christ transforms us and helps us discover our true purpose in life.

The apostle Paul, who has high credentials in learning and religious living, has this to say about knowing Christ. Philippians 3:7-10, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,..I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

The basis of this richest treasure of knowing Christ begins with believing in Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. It will continue to increase as we spend more time getting to know Christ through personal reading of God's Word, Worship, Prayer, and witnessing. This knowledge of Christ will lead us to discover another richest treasure, which is Wisdom.

2. The Richest Treasure of Wisdom In Christ.

            The Greek word Sophia is translated into English as "Wisdom," which refers to the knowledge of how to regulate one's relationship with God. When one is wise unto God, he is prudent with others and knows how to regulate his own life and circumstances. These Richest treasures of Knowledge and Wisdom are hidden in Christ

On this Father's Day, let's listen to a wise father's advice to his son. My son, if you accept my words…turning your ear to Wisdom, and applying your heart to understanding...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives Wisdom." Pro 2:1-12.

In Pro 8:10-11 we read, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom, is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with you." What are you running after? The only richest treasures in this World worth pursuing are Wisdom and knowledge in Christ. God gives them to those who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://thescottspot.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/more-precious-than-silver-written-in-1982/

The Promised Holy Spirit (John 14:15-27)

                                                 THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT 

It has been our privilege for the past eight years to shepherd God's flock at Hope Church in Sharon, a small town in Massachusetts. What makes Sharon unique is that, besides others, it has two distinct communities: A large Jewish community that follows the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. A small Christian community that follows Jesus the Messiah and His teachings as recorded in the New Testament, which is the continuation of the Old Testament.

The Jewish community observes three major festivals, one of which is the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot, a Hebrew name. The Feast of Weeks is the second of the three "solemn feasts" that all Jewish males were required to travel to Jerusalem to attend (Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16:16). This important feast begins seven full weeks, or precisely 50 days, after the Feast of Firstfruits. It is also known as "Pentecost" (Acts 2:1), which means "fifty."[1]

From June 1 to 3, 2025, the Jewish community observed "Shavuot, a two-day festival that commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai."[2] What connection do Christians have with the Jewish festival, Shavuot, or the Festival of Weeks?

Jesus was crucified as the "Passover Lamb" and rose from the grave at the Feast of First Fruits. After the resurrection, He spent forty days teaching His disciples before ascending to heaven (Acts 1). On the day of Pentecost, or fifty days after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, God sends the Promised Holy Spirit (John 14:15-27). Unfortunately, many sincere Christians are unaware of the significance of Pentecost, let alone celebrate it. On this Pentecost Sunday, we will learn about the Promised Holy Spirit. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the World, and how does He impact the lives of individual believers today?

I. The Most Neglected Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

In general, we Evangelical Christians believe in a Triune God, that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We spend a considerable amount of time learning about God the Father and God the Son. But many sincere Christians have little to no interest in learning about God the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Godhead. Why is this disinterest and neglect?

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who wrote a whole book on this crucial doctrine, "God the Holy Spirit," explains the neglect this way: "Generally speaking, the position today is that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is either neglected or it tends to be emphasized and exaggerated in a false manner. Because people are so afraid of the spurious, the false, the excesses and freak manifestations of the Holy Spirit, so they neglect the doctrine of the Holy Spirit altogether."[3]

We are comfortable addressing God as our heavenly Father and Jesus as God's Son, but how do we address the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit have a personality? Is the Holy Spirit Divine? Let's explore these questions from the Bible and the book "God the Holy Spirit." Martyn Lloyd Jones notes, "I have heard most orthodox people referring to the Holy Spirit and His work as 'it' and 'its' influence and so on as if the Holy Spirit were nothing but an influence or a power."

He provides a few reasons behind that thinking: First, his work appears impersonal to us because it involves mystical and secret work. Second, the very name itself. What does Spirit mean? It means breath, wind, or power. That makes one think of Him as just an influence rather than a person. The third reason is the very symbols used in speaking of Him: the dove, oil, water, fire, and so on. The fourth reason is how the KJV wrongly translated the work of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit"(Rom 8:16), "the Spirit itself maketh intercession"(Rom 8:26).[4] The NIV translates as the "Spirit himself." Hence the confusion!

II. The Person and the Divinity of the Holy Spirit

            Let us examine the scriptures to establish the Person and divinity of the Holy Spirit. In our 'In Him' series, the personal pronoun 'Him' referred to Jesus Christ. Jesus uses the masculine personal pronoun "He" several times, referring to the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. If Jesus addressed the Holy Spirit as 'He' and 'Him,' we too can refer to the Holy Spirit as 'He' and 'Him,' not as a force, power, or influence. A few scriptures that support the Person of the Holy Spirit.

            The Holy Spirit is identified with the Father and the Son in such a way as to indicate personality. Look at the Baptismal Formula: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."Matthew 28:19.

He identifies with us as a person. In a letter to the Gentile believers, the Apostles said, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements." Acts 15:28. He has a sovereign will. I Cor 12:11, He distributes the spiritual gifts as He wills. He can be grieved, so we are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). He expresses love as we read about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22).

He can be lied to, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira in the early Church. Peter rebuked Ananias, saying, "How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit." After that, he made a profound statement, saying, "You have not just lied to human beings but to God."Bringing out the divine nature of the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3-4.

Here are some scriptures about the divinity of the Holy Spirit. He is the creator, as stated in Genesis 1:2. Job notes that the Spirit of God made him—Job 33:4. He is eternal, as He was referred to as the eternal Spirit. Heb 9:14. He has the same attributes of God. He is omnipresent, as stated in Psalm 139:7. He is omnipotent, as seen in Luke 1:35. He is omniscient, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. These scriptures reveal the Person and Divinity of the Holy Spirit.

III. The Work of the Holy Spirit In The Life Of A Believer

 There are many promises of God in the Bible, and all of them are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ. II Cor 2:20. In 900 BC, God promised through His prophet Joel that in the last days, He would pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28-29). Eight hundred years later, Jesus promised his disciples that he would ask the Father, and he would give them another Advocate to help and be with them forever—the Spirit of Truth. He would also live with and in them. John 14:15-17.

As promised, God sent the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to a group of 120 disciples first and then to 3,000 Jewish people from all over the World gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. He convicted them of their sins, leading them to repentance and baptizing them in the water. As a result of the Holy Spirit's conviction, a Church was born.

Here are a few ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. First, the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins and leads them unto repentance as He did in Acts 2:37-39. Second, when we believe in God through our faith in Jesus, we will be marked with God's promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the final day of redemption. Eph 1:14

Third, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the bodies of believers, making us His temples. I Cor 6:9. For that reason, we honor God with our bodies, avoiding sexual immorality and all other vices that destroy our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Fourth, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of everything that Christ has said. The best way to learn about Jesus is to sit humbly with an open Bible, a pad to write, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us about Christ. In addition to these, He counsels us, comforts us in our hurts, and helps us in our prayer life. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Throughout my life, I have learned to rely on Jesus through the Help of the Holy Spirit. If you let Him, the Promised Holy Spirit can also guide and lead you to Christ.

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Weeks.html

[2] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609663/jewish/What-Is-Shavuot.htm#:~:text=15-,Shavuot%202025,of%20the%206th%20of%20Sivan.

[3] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “God The Holy Spirit.” Page 5

[4] Ibid., 8,9