Secure in Christ

Colossians 2:1-10

Colossians 2:1-10 - "I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose 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. 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 orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

***When you know and experience a love relationship with Jesus Christ, everything in your life is interpreted by that one reality

***How did Paul gain such a love for the Church? He met Jesus Christ and Christ loves the Church. Once he met Christ, it changed his thinking

***If you are not walking in a love relationship with God, there is a great question as to whether you are a Christian

1 John 3:14 -"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death."

1 John 4:16-21 - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

***The only real evidence that you are a child of God is that you love the people of God

***Those who are in Christ love the church and would give their lives for it

***We are interdependent in the body of Christ - we need one another

***Every child of God has a strategic place within the church

***God doesn't forgive because you ask, He forgives because you repent

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

***Do you love the church like Christ loved the church?

***The love of Christ compels us - it is the motivating factor of all we do

***Are you building up the body? Are you loving people in spite of themselves or are you one who is quick to become angry?

***If the love of Christ is in you, you will love the people of God