November 4th, 2026
by Pastor Rodney Duckett
by Pastor Rodney Duckett
The journey of following Christ begins with seeing Him clearly.
There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and truly seeing Him for who He is.
We can grow up hearing Bible stories, attend church regularly, know familiar hymns, and recognize the language of faith. We can know the right answers and still need to be reminded of what it really means to follow Jesus.
That's one of the reasons our Christ Alone series through Colossians has been such an important journey. Over these first three weeks, we've been challenged to consider three simple but essential truths: See Him. Trust Him. Follow Him.
These aren't three separate ideas. They are connected steps in the life of a disciple.
There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and truly seeing Him for who He is.
We can grow up hearing Bible stories, attend church regularly, know familiar hymns, and recognize the language of faith. We can know the right answers and still need to be reminded of what it really means to follow Jesus.
That's one of the reasons our Christ Alone series through Colossians has been such an important journey. Over these first three weeks, we've been challenged to consider three simple but essential truths: See Him. Trust Him. Follow Him.
These aren't three separate ideas. They are connected steps in the life of a disciple.
See Him — Recognize Who Jesus Really Is
Our journey began with the reminder that Christ Alone is Enough.
In Colossians 1, Paul reminds us of what God has done through Jesus Christ. Through Him, we have redemption and forgiveness. He is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom all things were created and the One in whom all things hold together.
We cannot build a meaningful Christian life around a small view of Jesus.
If we see Him only as a good teacher, an inspiring example, or someone who helps us through difficult days, we haven't yet grasped the full picture.
Jesus is not simply someone who makes life a little better. He is the Savior who gives us new life.
Before we can understand what it means to follow Him, we must first see Him clearly.
Trust Him — Give Christ First Place
Once we begin to see Jesus for who He is, the next question becomes personal: Do we trust Him enough to give Him first place?
In Colossians 1:15–29, Paul makes it clear that Christ is supreme over all creation and the church. He is not one priority among many. He is the One who deserves first place in everything.
That sounds simple until we begin looking at our own lives.
It's easy to say Jesus is first. It's another thing to consider our decisions, our priorities, our schedules, our relationships, and the things that occupy most of our attention.
Trusting Christ means more than agreeing with facts about Him. It means placing our confidence in who He is and allowing that confidence to shape the way we live.
We don't have to understand everything about tomorrow when we know the One who holds tomorrow.
In Colossians 1:15–29, Paul makes it clear that Christ is supreme over all creation and the church. He is not one priority among many. He is the One who deserves first place in everything.
That sounds simple until we begin looking at our own lives.
It's easy to say Jesus is first. It's another thing to consider our decisions, our priorities, our schedules, our relationships, and the things that occupy most of our attention.
Trusting Christ means more than agreeing with facts about Him. It means placing our confidence in who He is and allowing that confidence to shape the way we live.
We don't have to understand everything about tomorrow when we know the One who holds tomorrow.
Follow Him — Hold Fast to Christ
In Colossians 2, Paul takes that truth another step.
The Colossian believers were facing teachings and religious practices that threatened to pull them away from the truth they had received. Some of these ideas sounded wise. Some appeared deeply spiritual. They promised something more.
Paul's concern wasn't simply that they might stop believing in Jesus. It was that they might begin adding things to Jesus, looking for spiritual completeness somewhere other than Him.
That warning still matters.
Our world is full of voices telling us we need something more. Sometimes those voices come through popular culture. Sometimes they come through religious ideas and practices that sound convincing but don't lead us closer to Christ.
Paul reminds us that we have been made complete in Christ. We don't need a substitute, an upgrade, or an addition to what He has already accomplished.
Following Jesus means holding fast to Him.
It means allowing His Word to shape our thinking, His truth to guide our decisions, and His presence to remain at the center of our lives.
The Journey Continues
See Him. Trust Him. Follow Him. The order matters.
When we see Jesus clearly, we begin to understand why He deserves our trust. When we trust Him, we have a reason to follow Him—even when the path isn't easy and other voices are calling us in different directions.
And this journey doesn't stop here.
As we continue through Colossians, we'll discover that following Christ changes the way we live. He changes our attitudes, our relationships, our homes, and the way we interact with the world around us.
That's the evidence of a life centered on Christ. Not simply that we know more about Him, but that we are becoming more like Him.
So take a moment and ask yourself:
- See Him: Am I seeing Jesus for who He truly is, or have I made Him smaller than He really is?
- Trust Him: Does Christ have first place in the decisions and priorities of my life?
- Follow Him: Am I holding fast to Jesus, or am I allowing other things to pull me away from Him?
Following Jesus isn't about adding more religious activity to an already busy life. It's about making sure the center of our lives is the right One.
See Him. Trust Him. Follow Him.
Because when Christ is at the center, everything else finds its proper place.
Continue the journey with us at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church as we study Colossians together in our series, Christ Alone. Watch the latest message through theMount Online.
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