August 2, 2020

A LIFE WORTH LIVING
August 02, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Have you recently been in a situation where you had no idea what to do, how to answer, or what action to take? Can you share?

Open: Last week we finished a series based on the book of James. Today we will take what we have learned and see how to apply it to our everyday living. Everything we learned the past five weeks fits perfectly with the days we are living now. Today’s culture tries to drag us away from God. The words to music, the movies, television  shows, clothing, education, businesses—most of these would pull us away from the Savior who gave His life for us. When we don’t know what to do next, we go to God’s word, which has “everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Pet. 1:3). Let’s look at the IMPACT we are making as we live each day.

Key Verse: Colossians 2:10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Focal Passage: Colossians 2:6-10.

WALK IN HIM

  • Read Col. 2:6. Have you ever had your parents remind you, “You’re a ___ (family, employee, etc.), now ACT like it!”? What did they mean? How do we remind ourselves that we are Christians and should “walk in Him”?
  • What are some actions that show you are a Christian?
  • How is your GPS like your Bible? If you are lost, how can your GPS help? How can you navigate your life to walk in truth if you are not in the Word?
  • What have you done in the past few days to make an impact on someone? Can someone tell you are a Christian by the way you live? What are some examples of the ways you can impact others?

ESTABLISHED THROUGH HIM

  • Read Col. 2:7. Growing plants, just like growing humans, need a root system. What happens if the roots are not fed in some form? How does that apply to Christians?
  • How can you be established in the faith? Liken this to a family who has become established in a community; what is common between the two?
  • What does a grateful heart have to do with being established in the faith?
  • Read verse 8. How can we be led astray? Do you have a friend who is of a denomination that requires another book along with the Bible? Have you tried to explain why this is not saving Christianity? Explain your answer.
  • Why does Christ “plus” (anything) cause destruction?

GUIDED BY HIM

  • Read Col. 2:9. What do we mean to be guided by Christ? Where do we get His directions for a right path? Read Psa. 119:105. How does this compare to your answer?
  • Many Christians don’t feel the need to teach their belief in Jesus to their children. How does Prov. 22:6 refute the idea of letting a child grow up with no religious training?

COMPLETE IN HIM

  • Read Col. 2:10. What does it mean to be complete in Jesus Christ? If we don’t know which way to go or what to do, how will He help us?
  • If you don’t know what you are to do, who is at fault—you or Christ? Is it possible He may be giving you the option of either decision being alright?
  • Read Eph. 3:16-19, and liken any part of it to this lesson from Colossians.

Close:

Plants can be totally different, can’t they? Hydrangeas, for instance, need to be watered (in the heat of summer) at least every other day, and sometimes every day. Others, like Hibiscus, can go slightly longer. But the amount of flowers produced on a hydrangea bush is much greater than the flowers that beautify a hibiscus. How is that like the Water of Life being poured on a Christian? The more often one is exposed to Truth, serving, giving, and fellowshipping with other Christians, the more fruit is produced, and a lovely life is evident.

The Christian life is able to make an impact on everyone we meet, whether it is simply a smile, a quiet action, or initiating a friendship. The closer we live to Jesus Christ and are grounded in Him, the more impact we have. At the end of any given day, do you ask yourself, “What have I done this day that has furthered the kingdom of God here on earth? It’s a good habit to cultivate, if only to make you become aware of the need to daily pick up your cross and follow Him.

Most of all, decide who is going to be the ruler of your life, you or Christ. Are you going to let the world woo you away from what you have learned about Jesus Christ, so you can follow the pleasures of sin for a season, or are you going to pray fervently that Christ put a hedge of protection around you, so that He might present you to His Father, saying, “I died for him/her, and they have lived for Me”?

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