「キリストはすべての支配や権威の頭」 一月第二主日礼拝 宣教 2026年1月11日
コロサイの信徒への手紙 Colossians 2章6〜10節 牧師 河野信一郎
Good morning. Welcome back to Okubo Church. I am thankful to be able to worship together with you all again this morning. I am especially thankful to the Lord that we can worship together with Missionary S and his family this morning for the first time in seven months. The family returned safely to Japan last Tuesday, and their second term as missionaries has begun. During their first term, they worked diligently to adapt to Japanese culture and life and to learn the language, achieving remarkable adjustment and progress in Japanese. Their second term will see their missionary work become fully operational. This week, on the 17th, is Missionary NS’s birthday. Let us pray that the Lord will bless the health, daily lives, and work of this energetic couple and their children, and that they may be used for His service. Let us also remember in prayer the family in America who sent them out, their home church, and the International Mission Board.
Now, before we begin the message, one more announcement. This January, we are collecting your single kanji character for 2025. What kind of year was 2025 for you? For me, I received so much of God’s mercy throughout the year, so I chose “Mercy” (憐). Please share the kanji that comes to mind as you reflect on last year and the reason behind it. Initials or anonymity are fine. Use the colored cards placed in front of your seats and place them in the offering box at the chapel entrance. We’ll be accepting submissions until the end of January.
Last week, for our New Year’s worship service, I shared a message titled “The Only Way to Live According to God’s Will” from Colossians chapter 1. The message explained that there is only one way to live faithfully according to God’s will: believing in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as our Savior, being united with Him, and living with Him. The reason is simple: only Jesus perfectly knows God’s will. Jesus came to this earth to reveal God’s will to us. I have shared that by believing in the Lord Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts. This Holy Spirit gives each one of us the power to discern God’s will, wisdom, and understanding. If you feel it necessary, please read last week’s message on the church website.
Now, the only way to live according to God’s will is to live following Christ Jesus. Listen to Jesus’ words and learn from His way of life. When told, “Live as Jesus lived,” you might think, “There’s no way I can do that!” But before jumping to that conclusion, first focus on Jesus. Look only at Jesus on the cross, and at Jesus who was resurrected. Reaffirm that Jesus’ cross and resurrection are for my salvation. And as we pray for God’s mercy through the power of the resurrected Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit works richly within us, giving us the power to do good works, the power to bear the fruit of the Spirit that pleases God. We can discover the importance of remaining connected to Jesus.
The moment someone thinks, “Living like Jesus is absolutely impossible for me!” I believe that person is trying to manage life by their own strength rather than relying on God. In other words, they place themselves at the center of things and try to handle everything through their own efforts. However, what matters is faith—believing that while it may be impossible for us, nothing is impossible for God; trusting in God. God made all things possible through Jesus Christ. He did this to forgive our sins and to grant us eternal life as His children, living in fellowship with Him. What we need is faith in God and Jesus, and the endurance to withstand the world’s deceptions.
This morning, I desire to hear from Colossians chapter 2 why Jesus Christ is the only way to live according to God’s will. This morning’s message title directly uses the latter half of verse 10: “Christ is the head over every ruler and authority.” The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians living in Colossae, declaring that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the One who holds authority over everything on this earth and throughout the universe, ruling over all things. He encourages them to continue believing in Jesus.
In the days of the Old Testament, David spoke similarly. In 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, he said: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in heaven and in earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head above all. Wealth and honor are before You; You are sovereign over all. Strength and power are in Your hand, and by Your power You make great and give strength to all.” David declares that the mighty God reigns as the head over all things, governing everything. He rules with authority and truth.
Even when we are distracted and troubled by various things in our daily lives, feeling like “I am powerless, lacking the wisdom to do God’s will or the strength to understand it,” and tormented by feelings of inferiority, “God’s hand has the power to transform anyone into a mighty and powerful person for the Lord’s service. He renews us with blessings.“ Therefore, believing that ”God can do anything!” and living with the Lord grants spiritual growth through the Holy Spirit to those who desire to do His will. What we need is to continue trusting that Jesus Himself is the head of this church and the head of all rule and authority. What does this look like in practice?
This morning, I would like to draw wisdom from Colossians 2:6-7. Let us read it once more: “Since you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness.”
Paul says here, “Since you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.” Two crucial points are made here. First, because Jesus is the ‘Lord’ of each one of us, obeying this “Master’s” word is the condition of the life of faith—nothing more, nothing less. Though many voices enter our hearts—our own inner voice, the voices of those around us, and countless external voices—we choose the path of obeying only the words of the Lord Jesus.
The second point is that it reads “Christ Jesus” rather than the usual “Jesus Christ.” One characteristic of the Letter to the Colossians is its frequent use of the title “Christ” to emphasize Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, the Savior. Believing that Jesus is my Savior, Redeemer, and Lord of the Resurrection gives me strength to live.
In verse 7, four verbs are listed: 1) “be rooted in Christ,” 2) “be built up,” 3) “hold fast to the faith,” and 4) “overflow with thanksgiving.”
First, the verb “to be rooted in Christ” is expressed using the present perfect tense. This grammatical form is used when describing an action that occurred in the past but continues to have an effect in the present. What Paul wants to convey here is this: the moment we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior in our hearts, believed in Him, and confessed Him—that was the moment we took root in Jesus. But this is not merely a past event; it continues to sustain our faith even now. We should give thanks that we continually receive many good effects as grace. By being rooted in Jesus, God’s blessings are continually and abundantly poured out upon us. Rejoicing in this becomes the strength to serve both the Lord and our neighbors.
Secondly, the phrase “being built up” is in the passive voice. Only when we are united with Christ do we begin to be built up by the Lord’s word and the Holy Spirit, experiencing spiritual growth. It is the Lord Jesus Christ and God Himself who daily transforms and builds up each one of us.
Thirdly, “holding fast to faith” is also passive. That is, faith is a gift, a present given to us by God through Jesus Christ. Yet to keep holding onto it, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit remain with us constantly, working within us, guarding our faith, and ceaselessly praying that our faith in Jesus will never be lost. This shows just how deeply God loves us.
Fourth, it is to “overflow with gratitude” for God’s abundant love. Giving thanks for all that Jesus accomplished for our salvation is our sincere response to the grace God has given us. Worshiping God, proclaiming the gospel to others, and building up the church through dedication and giving are responses to this grace. Let us walk together in a year of gratitude.