This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church Sunday October 19, 2025.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7 NIV) In life, we often seek out "quick fixes" . We seek a simple solution to a complex problem. We want a one-time spiritual exercise to guarantee a lifetime of peace. But our Christian life, as we know, is not a quick fix; it is a continuous process of growth, alignment, and reflection. Faith and Gratitude are the two foundational pillars essential to maintaining that continuous spiritual process. Faith and gratitude are the active, daily posture of a heart committed to God.
Scripture
Psalms 34:1-22 NIV [1] I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. [2] I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. [3] Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. [4] I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. [6] This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. [8] Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. [9] Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. [10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. [12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, [13] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. [14] Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. [15] The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; [16] but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. [17] The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Introduction:
The Foundation of Life
In life, we often seek out "quick fixes"—a simple solution to a complex problem, a one-time spiritual exercise to guarantee a lifetime of peace. But our Christian life, as we know, is not a quick fix; it is a continuous process of growth, alignment, and reflection.
Today, we look at the two spiritual practices that form the very DNA of that continuous process: Faith and Gratitude.
Faith and Gratitude are not just nice ideas we dust off for a holiday; they are the active, daily posture of a heart committed to God.
Our sermon title today is simple, yet monumental : Faith and Gratitude are the Doorway to God's Presence.
Our text from Colossians 2:6-7 gives us the blueprint for a life that is deep, stable, and joyful.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Notice the imagery: we are to be rooted, built up, and strengthened in faith, which results in us overflowing with thankfulness.
1. Faith is the Root:
To be "rooted and built up in him," is to ground our lives in an unwavering trust in God's character. Faith is the root. It is the choice to believe in God's goodness, power, and promises, even when the world around us is shaking.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV says And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Why does it say this? Because faith is the only way to genuinely approach Him. It proves we are relying on His faithfulness, not our fleeting circumstances or our own strength.
Faith is the lens that focuses on God's sovereignty. It looks at a crisis and says, "My God is bigger than this problem."
I saw that in the in the room. Thank you. Thank you. I didn't think about that yet. That's easier to do it. Thank you.
Faith is the memory that recalls God's past mercies. It looks at a current need and says, "He provided for me yesterday; He will provide for me today and tomorrow."
Matthew 6:30-34 NIV [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
We received Christ by faith, and we are called to continue to live our lives in Him by that same faith.
Just as our text says; “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Faith is what holds the soil firm around the root, allowing the tree to grow tall.
2. The Evidence of Faith
If faith is the deep root, then gratitude is the inevitable overflow. It is the fruit that grows from that healthy, trusting root. When we are truly convinced of who God is (faith), our natural response must be one of heartfelt thanks (gratitude).
The Psalmist understood this connection perfectly, giving us a beautiful image of how to start our day, our week, or our worship:
Psalms 100:4 NIV Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
Notice that you enter the gate with thanksgiving. You don't get to the inner courts of praise without going through the gate of gratitude first. Gratitude is the conscious, deliberate act of:
Acknowledging God's Gifts: Seeing the blessings in our lives—the breath in our lungs, the community around us, and above all, the gift of salvation in Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
When we are ungrateful, we are looking at our feet, focused on what we lack. Gratitude forces us to lift our eyes to the Giver, redirecting our attention to the fullness we have in Christ.
Colossians 3:17 NIV says And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
3. The Test: Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
The ultimate test of a life rooted in faith and overflowing with gratitude is what it says in
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
This is where faith and gratitude truly come together. This verse does not ask us to be thankful for the pain, the tragedy, or the hardship. This is a command to maintain a posture of gratitude and faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness even amidst suffering, tragedy, or difficulty.
Why? Because giving thanks in the midst of the struggle is the greatest expression of faith! It is telling God: "I don't understand this, it is hard, but I trust Your goodness, I trust Your plan, and I am thankful that You are with me."
This combination of faith and gratitude is what brings the peace, promised in
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Anxiety is an endless loop of worry. Gratitude breaks the loop. When you combine your prayer (faith in His ability) with thanksgiving (gratitude for who He is), you hand the problem over to God. The result is a supernatural peace that acts as a guard for your heart.
Conclusion: The Continuous Call
The message of our text;
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
This is a continuous call to be intentional. Maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning your priorities with God's will is a continuous process—a daily choice.
Let us commit to:
Check the Roots of our Faith: Where is our trust really anchored? In our money, our job, or in the steadfast love of the Lord?
Let’s Cultivate the Overflow of Gratitude: Let us make thanksgiving the first word, the doorway, of our every interaction with God.
When we are rooted in faith, we will inevitably be overflowing with gratitude, and we will live a life that enters daily into the very presence and peace of God.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are humbled and grateful for your Word, which speaks truth into the very core of our being. Thank you for the unshakable foundation of your love and the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, which is the source of all our faith and all our gratitude.
Lord, we confess that our hearts are often quick to complain and slow to thank. We are easily distracted by what we lack and forget the abundance you have already provided. Forgive us for our unbelief and our ingratitude.
We ask now, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that you would deepen the roots of our faith. Help us to fully trust your goodness and sovereignty, even in the hardest of circumstances. May that deep faith cause our hearts to overflow with thankfulness in every conversation, every task, and every moment of silence.
As we leave this place today, may the peace that comes from prayer with thanksgiving stand guard over our hearts and minds. Guide our priorities, align our will with yours, and let our lives be a living testament to your faithfulness.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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