It is true that the gospel of Jesus promises eternal life — life forever in God’s presence. It is equally true that the gospel of Jesus promises a life of purpose here and now. That purpose includes standing up against tyranny and oppression in society. This does not mean that we live as negative, contrarian, shaming, finger-wagging complainers. We are to live in joy, in a depressing world, live in compassion in a hateful world, live in hospitality in a segregated world. This way of living IS counter-cultural and even subversive to our day-and-age. All because Jesus died for us, so we can live for him.
sermon: Discipleship…Against the Tide (Colossians 2:9-15) with Rev. David Donaldson
What It Really Means to Follow Jesus
Sometimes the Bible can feel big and complicated. But the heart of today’s passage is actually simple: following Jesus changes us from the inside out.
Let’s start with the Scripture Paul wrote to the church in Colossae:
Colossians 2:6–15
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live 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 basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature… having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins… He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
And here’s Paul’s earlier reminder:
Colossians 1:20–22
“…and through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God… but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death, to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
1. Jesus Shows Us What God Is Like
Paul says that all of God lives fully in Jesus.
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.
How He lived, treated others, loved people and gave Himself away shows us God’s heart.
And here’s the astonishing part:
When we choose to follow Jesus, His life begins to grow inside us.
2. Following Jesus Is More Than Knowing About Him
Many of us learned phrases like “invite Jesus into your heart” or “be born again.”
Those aren’t wrong—but Jesus Himself said something clearer:
“Follow me.”
To follow Jesus means:
- We learn from Him
- We arrange our lives around His way
- We let His teachings shape our choices
- We change our habits, priorities, and attitudes
In other words:
The gospel isn’t just believing the right ideas.
It’s letting Jesus reshape our entire lives.
3. Two Pictures: Circumcision and Baptism
Paul uses two symbols to explain what happens when we follow Jesus:
Circumcision (heart change)
Not the physical kind—you don’t need surgery to be a Christian!
Paul says Jesus “cuts away” our old, selfish ways inside our hearts.
It’s an inner change, not an outer rule.
Baptism (new life)
Going under the water is like being buried.
Coming out is like starting fresh.
When we follow Jesus, it’s like:
- Our old life dies
- A brand‑new life begins
- God makes us spiritually alive
This change is real, not symbolic.
The symbol just helps us see it.
4. Jesus Breaks the Power of Wrong Ideas
Paul warns us about “hollow and deceptive philosophies.”
These are ideas that sound smart but pull us away from Jesus.
But Christ gives us:
- Wisdom
- Strength
- Discernment
- Courage
Because He defeated every harmful power at the cross.
The cross looked like weakness—but it was actually victory.
Love beat violence.
Sacrifice beat domination.
Good overcame evil.
5. Living Differently in a World That Needs Hope
Following Jesus often puts us at odds with the “empires” around us—systems built on greed, power, fear, and injustice.
Being a disciple means:
- Standing with the vulnerable
- Serving those in need
- Offering hope where there is despair
- Choosing love when culture chooses anger
- Living a life that reflects Jesus, not the world around us
Every act of kindness and courage is a quiet rebellion against darkness.
We don’t fight with force.
We resist with love, generosity, justice, and mercy.
This is how we “triumph” with Jesus.
Final Thought
To be “in Christ” is to let Him shape your whole life.
To follow Him is to walk His path—one choice, one day, one act of love at a time.
This is the good news:
Jesus has made us alive, forgiven, free, and part of His restoring work in the world.