This outline shows, from the Scripture, how that salvation, in Christ, is complete. It encourages every Christian about the completeness of their redemption. Just looking back over this outline stirred my soul! Trust it will encourage you.
Title: “The Completeness Of Our Salvation!”
Text: Colossians 2:10-15
(Colossians 2:10-15) “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (KJV)
Introduction:
• In our day we find that so much is not what it seems. Though there is merit in this attitude in some cases, it is not so with salvation!
• There is not some hidden knowledge found in salvation as the Gnostics believe!
• Many seem to think that salvation is only a matter of the intellect. The direct result of this thinking produces loose and sinful living.
• They see Christ as only a medium of truth, relegated to that of a higher order of beings in relation to humans, but lower than Deity.
• Paul writes to the Colossians to refute the error of intellectual salvation and to establish the fact that Christ was God in the flesh!
• He went on to make it clear that salvation in Christ is complete!
• Our text verse will show how complete our salvation really is!
Proposition: There are three things that happen when a soul is saved that show how completely one is saved!
I. When A Soul Is Saved He Has A New Identification!
(Colossians 2:11-12) “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” (KJV)
A. The Old Covenant was with the sign of circumcision. This was enacted by the volition of man, but the New Covenant is enacted by God Himself when He regenerates a man.
B. This circumcision is made by God and not man!
C. Paul relates this new Spiritual Identification of inner circumcision with the outward symbol of baptism.
D. As baptism relates to all outwardly that you have a new Lord and that you are identified Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
E. The inner circumcision by God and the outward act of baptism both serve to illustrate that every soul which is saved has a new identification!
F. This identification is permanent and real so long as one is truly converted!
G. Thus we see that In Christ we are complete in our new identification! We are under a new authority and power, which completely consumes our person and identity!
II. When A Soul Is Saved He Is Made Alive Spiritually!
(Colossians 2:13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (KJV)
A. We were reckoned dead spiritually, and when we were regenerated we were made alive! Ephesians 2:1-10
(Ephesians 2:1-10) “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (KJV)
B. Jesus termed it as the new birth! (John 3)
C. We were once dead, now we are alive!
D. This is very significant because we now have the ability to serve the Lord and live for Him! This is very complete as is described in II Corinthians 5:17
(2 Corinthians 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (KJV)
E. Thus we see that salvation brings about a complete change!
III. When A Soul Is Saved He Is Entirely Forgiven!
(Colossians 2:13-14) “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (KJV)
A. Forgiveness is not on an installment plan as some believe, though they will never admit it, but they display it by their actions!
B. When the soul was saved, he or she was then completely forgiven of all sins: past, present and future!
C. You may ask, “How did Christ do this?” Here in our verses we see that he “rubbed out” all of the sins we committed. This is picturesque of marking out a sheet with writing on it!
D. He suffered the penalty for these sins as he “nailed it” to the cross!
E. He shed His precious blood for my sins! He died for my sins and your sins, etc!
(1 Peter 1:18-21) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (KJV)
F. A man is saved and forgiven completely based upon what Christ did on the cross!
Conclusion:
To The Sinner:
• Repent and believe the Gospel!
• Get your sins under the blood!
To the Christian:
• Your salvation is complete in Christ!
