Pastor Josh spoke about the importance of being firmly rooted in Christ and warned against deceptive philosophies and traditions of men that seek to cheat believers from the fullness they have in Jesus. Drawing from Colossians 2:1-10, he emphasized Paul’s struggle for the church, desiring that believers would be encouraged, united in love, and assured in their faith.
Paul’s Conflict and Desire for the Church
- Paul agonized for believers, longing for them to be strengthened in heart, united in love, and deeply rooted in the truth of Christ.
- True encouragement comes not from hearing what we want but from knowing the truth, even when it convicts and challenges us.
- Love and unity in the church should be based on biblical truth, not human opinions or personal offenses.
Warnings Against Deception
- Paul warned the Colossians about persuasive speech, deceptive philosophy, human traditions, and worldly principles that lead people away from Christ.
- Pastor Josh explained how modern churches and Christians can be swayed by cultural trends, progressive theology, and human ideologies instead of standing on the unchanging Word of God.
- He emphasized that biblical justice, not the world’s version of “social justice,” should guide Christians.
The Danger of Finding Identity Outside of Christ
- Many believers seek self-discovery through secular methods rather than being transformed into the image of Christ.
- He specifically called out the Enneagram as an example of a system rooted in mysticism, warning against looking to human philosophies to define identity rather than finding completeness in Christ.
- Instead of seeking external validation or worldly frameworks, Christians should embrace the fruit of the Spirit and allow Scripture to shape their identity.
Final Exhortation
- The Christian’s choice is between being completed in Christ or being cheated by false ideologies.
- Pastor Josh urged believers to deepen their understanding of Scripture and remain unwavering in their faith, rather than being tossed around by cultural trends.
- He concluded by encouraging the congregation to trust in Jesus alone, knowing that everything they need is found in Him.
The key takeaway from Pastor Josh’s message is that Jesus is enough. Believers do not need external philosophies or worldly frameworks to define themselves—they are complete in Christ.
