In Me
Scripture:
Colossians 1:24-27 “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: £which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Introduction:
What a powerful word the Apostle Paul has for the Church. He is willing to suffer any affliction, face ridicule and scorn, lose reputation and personal prestige if necessary to see the church receive revelation concerning the power and authority Christ has placed in her. He knew God had given him a revelatory truth that the church must begin to understand and practice. Too many live far beneath their privileges and responsibilities. The only reason we do this is because we rely and trust in our own resources, abilities, talents and connections. The only way to live in the authority of Christ is to recognize that it has nothing to do with us except our obedience and trust. It’s all about Christ in us, our hope of glory.

I. Spiritual Life is ours because of an inward experience, not an outward expression.
John15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
A. Abiding in Christ is allowing the life of Christ which is within us to be manifest through us.
B. We can produce nothing of spirit except it come from the Christ within us.
C. True faith is believing that the Christ in us will help us lead a life pleasing to God.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

II. Today God is moving upon us to release the power of Christ that is within us.
A. The power of God that caused the lame to walk and the blind to see is within you.
Matthew 10:7-8 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
1. What have we freely received but the Holy Spirit which resides within us?
2. Within us is the power to be victorious in every area of life and ministry.
B. The power within us will bring transformation to every aspect of our lives.
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
1. Healing for our bodies, encouragement for our spirit, strength for our mission and joy in the journey is all ours because of the Christ within us.
2. The power within us will help us to minister the gifts of the Spirit.
3. The power within us will help us to grow the fruit of the Spirit.
C. The power within us will bring all the good that God intends for us into our lives.
Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold  from those who walk uprightly.”
D. The same power that is within us raised Lazarus from the dead, delivered the demoniac of Gadara, fed multitudes with fish and bread, turned the water into wine and walked on the water.
E. The same power that is within us went into hell, took the keys of death, hell and the grave from Satan and freed the captives.
F. The same power that is within us rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to reside within us.

III. God wants to reveal the life of Christ that is within you.
Galatians 1:13-16a “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles,”
A. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, there comes a time when God wants to bring revelation to you.
B. Are you willing to receive it?
C. God knew Saul of Tarsus and God knows you and me.
D. God’s hand was upon you even from your mother’s womb; even before Satan tried to totally mess up the will of God for your life and keep you keep you blinded to your purpose.
E. If you allow Him, God will reveal the power within you so that you may fulfill all His will and be all He’s called you to be.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”