Insecurity hinders the Gospel mission by causing fear, timidity, pride, and self-righteousness, obstructing the message to the lost. Paul reminds us of our security in Christ and that through prayer and wisdom towards outsiders, we are equipped to share God’s hope, joy, and grace through Christ with those who do not know Him as Lord and Savior.
In Colossians Chapter 2, Paul emphasizes the personal nature of Christ’s supremacy. Jesus is not only supreme over eternity, creation, and the church, but also over our lives. Paul urges us to walk in Jesus as needy beggars, receiving grace and the security of having our lives governed by His supremacy.
Paul presents a clear, well-reasoned case for the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Knowing about His supremacy doesn’t make Him supreme in our lives; our insecurities stem from trying to make ourselves supreme, knowing we can’t save ourselves. What truly draws us to Jesus is understanding that He uses His supremacy for us out of love.
We all seek the strength to face life. In darkness, strength is tied to position, power, wealth, and influence. Believing we need ‘enough’ of these is a never-ending struggle. Jesus came to free us from this lie and give us grace. His undeserved favor is the strength we need to face life’s struggles.
Until we recognize our need for Jesus, we can’t understand His mercy. Bartimaeus, though blind, saw his spiritual need and trusted Jesus, receiving both sight and God’s grace. Seeing our own sin reveals the depth of His mercy.
A young man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus uncovered his sinful heart of false abundance, highlighting that we all share this flaw. Despite this, Jesus loved him and called him to a new life through God’s grace.
In Joshua’s final words to Israel, he reminds them of God’s gracious work and calls them to serve the Lord. God’s grace is the foundation for humble and faithful service, not an excuse for inaction. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are recipients of greater grace and are called to serve humbly and faithfully in our communities.
In Joshua 23, Joshua gives his final words to God’s people, reminding them of God’s grace, His promises, and the consequences of not upholding their covenant with Him. He points to a better covenant through Jesus Christ, filled with joy, grace, and eternal hope through Jesus’ faithful obedience.
God is faithful and fulfills His promises. In Joshua 21, He gave His people land, rest, and victory, foreshadowing greater promises through Jesus Christ: the Kingdom of Heaven, eternal rest, and victory over sin and death. God’s faithfulness brings joy, grace, and enduring hope.
In Joshua 18, God’s people were hesitant to claim the inheritance God had given them, becoming content with their current lives. Similarly, we often fail to embrace the fullness of our inheritance in Christ, settling for less when Jesus calls us to a new life of freedom. All we need to do is claim what God has graciously provided.
