Not 'Ought' but 'Are'
We are complete in Christ and have all we need for life and godliness, not because of anything we do, but because of who He is.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that believers are already complete in Christ, as stated in Colossians 2:10, and that this completeness is not something to strive for but a reality from the moment of salvation. He warns against teachings that suggest Christians need additional experiences or ordinances to attain fullness in their faith, asserting that all spiritual blessings are already given in Christ. Epp encourages believers to grow in their knowledge of Him while recognizing that they lack nothing essential for life and godliness. The sermon highlights the importance of appropriating what is already possessed in Christ and living by faith.
Text
Colossians 2:10-15
Realizing that all of the fullness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form in the Lord Jesus Christ, it is then awesome to consider that we "are complete in him" (Col. 2:10). We are filled with His fullness. Notice it does not say we ought to be complete in Him; it says we are complete in Him. Of course, believers are to constantly grow in the knowledge of Him as they progress from babes in Christ to those who are spiritually mature. But the completeness exists from the moment of salvation. This is why it can be said in 2 Peter 1:3 that Christ "hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness."
Even in our day, it is common for people to tell believers, "It is wonderful that you know Christ as Saviour and that you are endeavoring to live the Christian life the best you can, but you need something special in order to really have all that God wants you to have." They may not say it in quite these words, but this sort of teaching is causing mass confusion among Christians today. But what we need to understand is that, having trusted Jesus Christ as Saviour, we are complete in Him and need nothing else. There is no special ordinance or any special experience that needs to be tacked on to the Person and work of Christ. What can be added that the believer does not already possess in Jesus Christ? Our need is simply to appropriate what we have in Christ and thus, by faith, live accordingly.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).
Sermon Outline
- We are complete in Christ
- We don't need something special to have all God wants us to have
- We are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
- Ephesians 1:3 says God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings
- We just need to live accordingly by faith
Key Quotes
“We are filled with His fullness.” — Theodore Epp
“It says we are complete in Him.” — Theodore Epp
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Recognize that you are complete in Christ and have all you need for life and godliness.
- Don't add anything to your faith, just appropriate what you already have in Christ.
- Live accordingly by faith, trusting in God's promises and obeying His Word.