Message Guide – Through the Lens, Week 3 | Top-Secret Information
In this digital age we have access to more information than ever, but it can still feel like we are missing something. We may even feel that there is something more we need to know or do when it comes to our faith.
That can leave us susceptible to the many promises we see online of special information or the secret to a better life.
Key Takeaways
We’re not missing anything that Christ hasn’t already provided.
Through his letter to the Colossians, Paul warns us against “empty philosophies” that sound important but are actually just empty nonsense.
Instead, all we need to know is that all the fullness of God lives in Jesus. He lived among us, died on a cross and rose again.
We were spiritually dead, but Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves- he made us alive in him. If we know Jesus, we are complete.
We don’t need to chase the latest secret, the next spiritual trick or “life hack.” We don’t need anything else except who Christ is and who we are in him. It’s not what we know that matters, it’s who we know.
If we know Christ, that’s enough. When we fill our hearts and minds with this truth about Jesus every day, we will not be in danger of allowing false teachings to capture our focus and confidence. We will see our lives through the lens of who Jesus is and who we are in him and know we’re not missing anything.
Pray
Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer and Colossians 2 inspire your conversations with God this week.
Father, thank you so much for your goodness and unfailing love for me. Thank you for the precious blood of Jesus that washed me, purified me, and purchased everything I’ll ever need for this life.
Lord, I repent for any and every time I’ve doubted your faithfulness and your provision. You are true to your word, and you said in Colossians 2:10 that I am complete through being united with Jesus Christ.
Father, I come against every distraction, deception, and lie of the enemy that tries to add to or subtract from the finished work that’s already been completed in Jesus. I come against every thought that tries to deceive me into believing that what you said isn’t true and that I don’t already have all that I need in you.
Lord, please help me to feast on your word, to learn what you’ve said and your promises towards me, and to take you at your word. Thank you for helping me to have faith in you and trust that you are my Shepherd, The Good Shepherd, and there is absolutely nothing I need that you haven’t already provided for me.
Thank you for your love and your promises, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Worship
Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and remember remember you are complete in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. – Ephesians 1:23 NLT
- Faithfulness – Lakewood Worship
- Praise You Anywhere – Brandon Lake
- Deliverer – North Point Worship
Learn
This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.
Read
Watch
- Book of Colossians Overview from Bible Project
Listen
- Colossians 2 from Through the Word
Reflect
Reflect on these questions during your slot and spot/discussions with others.
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were missing something important like an inside joke, life hack or secret knowledge?
- Have you ever felt that way about faith or religion? Considering this weekend’s message, what truths can you apply to those experiences?
Can you think of a time your attention was captured by something you thought was the answer, but you found out later it was just an empty philosophy?
- Where did you find that information? What need did it promise to fulfill?
- How did that experience impact your confidence?
- Has your faith ever revealed the truth about a misleading philosophy?
In Colossians 2 Paul warns that rules may seem wise, but they do not help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
- Are there any practices, philosophies, or rules that you rely on to feel more righteous or accepted by God?
- In what way do you feel they facilitate the growth of your faith?
- In what ways do you think they distract from it?
Living in completeness means we see our lives through the lens of who Jesus is and who we are in him.
- Do you believe that Jesus, with his death and resurrection, is all you need to be complete, or do you find yourself seeking other things to make you “enough?”
- What steps can you take each day to remind yourself that you are made complete through Jesus?
Next Steps
- This week, instead of scrolling, spend time with Jesus. Not sure where to start? Check out the YouVersion Bible App or the Dwell app to read the Bible, find devotionals, and receive daily guided scripture and prayer.
- We were made to grow in community. Find your people by joining a J-Group.
