Roots and Braches week 3

Roots & Branches

Living a Full Life of Emptiness

So then, just as you 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 thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.  For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.      Colossians 2:6 - 10 

How did I become empty?

Fooled by other philosophies or opinions

Blinded by human traditions

Deceived by spiritual forces

For we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.     Ephesians 6:12

How do you become full?

Hope, Faith and Love

The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel.     Colossians 1:5

So then, just as you 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 thankfulness.      Colossians 2:6 - 7

In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.   Ephesians 2:12

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.    Ephesians 3:17

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.      2 Corinthians 4:15 - 16

Hope, Faith and Love