The Christian's Apparel- Colossians 3:12-17
INTRODUCTION
1. In the first part of the third chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians, we have noticed several admonitions for living the full life in Jesus Christ...
a. “Seek The Heavenly” (3:1-4)
b. “Slay The Earthly” (3:5-9)
c. “Strengthen The Christly” (3:10-11)
2. Beginning in vs. 8-10, Paul uses the metaphor of “putting off” and “putting on” to describe what is necessary to grow as Christians
3. He continues this metaphor in verse 12, as he expands upon the things Christians are to “put on”
4. As we examine vs. 12-17, we shall do so from the perspective of what constitutes “The Christian’s Apparel”, that is, those things we must “put on” to be properly adorned as disciples of Jesus Christ
[Observe from vs. 12-14, then, how we must adorn ourselves with...]
I. THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST (12-14)
A. EIGHT VIRTUES ARE LISTED THAT WE ARE TO “PUT ON”...
1. Two describe how we are to treat others.
a. Tender mercies (bowels of mercies, KJV)
1) Grk., splagchnon {splangkh’-non} oiktirmos {oyk-tir-mos’}
2) The first word literally means “bowels...for the bowels were regarded by the
Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence,
compassion”
3) The second word describes “compassion, pity, mercy”
4) Thus we are to have “bowels in which compassion resides”, or as we might say
today, a heart of compassion
b. Kindness
1) Grk., chrestotes {khray-stot’-ace}
2) Benignity, kindness
2. Two depict the state of mind we are to possess.
a. Humility (humbleness of mind, KJV)
1) Grk., tapeinophrosune {tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay}
2) The having a humble opinion of one’s self; a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness; modesty, humility, lowliness of mind
b. Meekness
1) Grk., praotes {prah-ot’-ace}
2) Gentleness, mildness, meekness
3. Three virtues relate to how we should act when mistreated
a. Longsuffering
1) Grk., makrothumia {mak-roth-oo-mee’-ah}
2) Patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs
b. Bearing with one another
1) The word “bearing” (forbearing, KJV) is anechomai {an-ekh’-om-ahee}
2) To sustain, to bear, to endure
c. Forgiving one another
1) The word “forgiving” is charizomai {khar-id’-zom-ahee}
2) Meaning “to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favor to, gratify; to grant forgiveness, to pardon”
3) Forgiving others is demanded, because we have been forgiven by Christ!
4. The final virtue mentioned is love...
a. The Grk. word is agape {ag-ah’-pay}, meaning good will, benevolence
b. It is described by Paul as “the bond of perfection”
1) I.e., “the perfect tie that binds” the other virtues together (like a belt binds pieces of clothing)
2) Without love, none of the other virtues can last; with it, the others can be easily maintained
B. TOGETHER, THESE VIRTUES DISPLAY “THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST”...
1. Are they not the qualities of Jesus that endear us to Him?
2. If we adorn these virtues, then, we will be adorning ourselves with the “character of Christ”!
3. Is this not the very idea of Co 3:10?
[Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we could be more successful in “putting on” the character of Christ? Think of the churches that could have been spared divisions and contentions! Think of the families that could have been saved, if more Christians had so adorned themselves! Remember, it begins with “seeking the heavenly” (3:1-4) and “slaying the earthly” (3:5-9). At this point, I am stretching Paul’s metaphor of “putting on” further than he did, but to “the character of Christ” we must also adorn ourselves with...]
II. THE PEACE OF GOD (15)
A. THIS “PEACE OF GOD” MUST RULE IN OUR HEARTS...
1. Why? Because we were called to be at peace in one body (the church)!
a. Jesus died on the cross to make peace! - Ep 2:14-18
b. If we disrupt the peace of the body (church), we disrupt the work of Christ on the
cross!
c. Thus, we must be diligent to “keep the unity of The Spirit in the bond of peace” - Ep 4:3
2. Generally, where there is contention and strife, it is among members of the body who are not letting the peace of God rule in their hearts
3. Peace in the body (the church) begins with peace ruling in our hearts!
B. LETTING THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN OUR HEARTS...
1. It must start with our setting our minds on things above
a. Remember, this passage assumes that we are to carry out the admonition in Co 3:1-2
b. Only a mind that is “spiritual” can enjoy peace from God - cf. Ro 8:5-6
2. It is experienced as we engage in thankful prayer
a. Paul tells us to be thankful in Co 3:15
b. But he makes the connection between thankful prayer and the peace of God more
clearly in Ph 4:6-7
3. And it comes as we follow the teachings and example of the apostles, like Paul - cf. Ph 4:9
[Again, how wonderful it would be for churches and families if all professing Christians would adorn themselves with such qualities as “the character of Christ” and “the peace of God”! But there is more we need to add to our “wardrobe”...]
III. THE WORD OF CHRIST (16)
A. WE ARE TO LET THE WORD OF CHRIST “DWELL” IN US...
1. That is, the Word is to live, to abide, to have free course in our lives
2. This is possible only through a serious effort to learn it (via self-study, Bible classes, sermons, etc.)
3. But learning is only the first step!
a. For the Word to truly “dwell” in us, we must obey it!
b. Sadly, many who study never make the application, and remain “hearers only” - cf. Ja 1:22-25
B. NOTICE ALSO THAT THE WORD IS TO DWELL IN US “RICHLY”...
1. This happens when we add to our “study” of the Word of God the element of “song”
a. This truth we glean as we notice how Paul says we are to let the Word dwell in us
richly...
b. I.e., by “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns...”
2. Does this not make sense? For if the Word is to dwell in us “richly”...
a. It must not only involve the mind through study
b. It must also involve the heart (emotions) through song!
C. THIS EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF “PROPER SINGING”...
1. It is the means through which the Word of Christ dwells in us “richly”
2. For this to happen, of course, we must sing properly
a. We must understand what we are singing (otherwise, we are not taught and
admonished)
b. Our heart (emotions) must be involved, otherwise we are not singing “with grace in our hearts”
c. Fortunately, this does not require formal training, for the emphasis is not on how it sounds to the ear, but how it touches the heart!
d. Thus, all can and should sing (in the heart at least, if unable to do so with the mouth)
3. For those who have not learned the “joy of singing”, they are depriving themselves of the means God intended for the Word to dwell in us “richly”!
[Through singing, then, we can add to “The Christian’s Apparel” the “Word of Christ”. Finally, the “The Christian’s Apparel” must also include...}
IV. THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST (17)
A. THIS REALLY COMPLETES “THE CHRISTIAN’S APPAREL”...
1. For if we say or do all “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (that is, by His authority)
2. Then it is evident that we have really “put on” the LORD Jesus Christ in our lives!
B. SADLY, MANY FAIL TO ADORN THEMSELVES WITH A RESPECT FOR CHRIST’S AUTHORITY...!
1. What they do, they do by their own authority, “in the name of personal preference”
a. They worship in whatever way pleases them, rather than seek out in the Word of God
what pleases the Lord
b. They make the church “in their own image”, adding the traditions of men to the
commands of God!
2. But in view of what the Lord taught, we should remember...
a. There is a such a thing as “vain worship”! - Mt 15:7-9
b. Many religious people will still be lost, because they did not submit to the “will of the Father” - Mt 7:21-23
1) Instead, they practiced “lawlessness”
2) Grk., anomia {an-om-ee’-ah}, the condition of without law, because ignorant of it,
or because of violating it
3. Therefore, “...whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Co 3:17
CONCLUSION
1. We have suggested that four things make up “The Christian’s Apparel”...
a. The Character of Christ c. The Word of Christ
b. The Peace of God d. The Authority of Christ
2. Certainly the world (and many churches) would be a much better place if all who profess Jesus to be Lord so adorned themselves
3. But what other motives might there be to do so? Four are given in this passage...
a. We are “God’s elect” (His chosen ones) - Co 3:12
b. We are “holy” (set apart for a sacred purpose) - Co 3:12
c. We are “beloved by God” - Co 3:12
d. We have been “forgiven by Christ” - Co 3:13
Are these not reasons sufficient to putting on “The Christian’s Apparel”?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Epistle To The Colossians- Chapter Three study guide
The Epistle To The Colossians- Chapter Three study guide
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see what Paul offers as the Christian solution in dealing with the problem of sin
2) To understand what our responsibilities are as "the elect of God, holy and beloved"
SUMMARY
Having warned the brethren of "the Colossian Heresy", and the need to be established in the faith of Jesus Christ, Paul now offers a detailed description of "the Christian Solution" to the problem of sin in their lives. Rather than being deceived or swayed by false alternatives, they need to seek those things above, where Christ is, to set their minds on things above and not on the earth. This is because they
have been raised with Christ (cf. Co 2:12) and their life is now hidden in Christ, awaiting the day of His coming in which they will appear with Him in glory (1-4).
With minds set on Christ, they need to "put to death" those sins in which their earthly members engaged and upon which the wrath of God is coming. This is done by "putting off" the old man with his deeds, and "putting on" the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ. The deeds of the old man and the characteristics of the new man are defined by Paul, followed with exhortations to
allow the "peace of God" to rule in their hearts and to let the "word of Christ" dwell in them richly. He also charges them to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father (5-17).
As so much of their daily lives revolve around the home, Paul also addresses the responsibilities of various family members as they serve the Lord (18-4:1).
OUTLINE
I. THE CHRISTIAN SOLUTION (1-17)
A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (1-4)
1. Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things above (1-2)
a. Where Christ is, seated at God's right hand (1)
b. Not on the things on the earth (2)
2. For you have died, one day to appear with Christ in glory (3-4)
a. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (3)
b. When Christ appears, you will also appear with Him in glory (4)
B. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (5-9)
1. Put to death the members of your body (5)
a. Fornication
b. Uncleanness
c. Passion
d. Evil desire
e. Covetousness, which is idolatry
-- For the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, and you also once
walked in such things (6-7)
2. Put off the old man with his deeds (8-9)
a. Anger
b. Wrath
c. Malice
d. Blasphemy
e. Filthy language
f. Lying to one another
C. PUT ON THE NEW MAN (10-17)
1. In which you are renewed in the image of our Creator, where there is neither:
a. Greek nor Jew
b. Circumcised nor uncircumcised
c. Barbarian, Scythian
d. Slave nor free
-- But Christ, who is all and in all (10-11)
2. As God's elect, put on Christ-like qualities (12-14)
a. Tender mercies
b. Kindness
c. Humbleness of mind
d. Meekness
e. Longsuffering
f. Bearing with one another
g. Forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you
h. Above all these things, put on love, the perfect tie that binds
3. In addition...
a. Let God's peace rule in your heart, and be thankful (15)
b. Let Christ's word dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with song, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (16)
c. Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanksgiving to God (17)
II. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (18-4:1)
A. WIVES TOWARD THEIR HUSBANDS (18)
1. Submit to your own husbands
2. As is fitting in the Lord
B. HUSBANDS TOWARDS THEIR WIVES (19)
1. Love your wives
2. Do not be bitter toward them
C. CHILDREN TOWARD THEIR PARENTS (20)
1. Obey your parents in all things
2. This is well pleasing to the Lord
D. FATHERS TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN (21)
1. Do not provoke your children
2. Or they may become discouraged
E. SERVANTS TOWARD THEIR MASTERS (22-25)
1. Obey your earthly masters in all things (22)
a. Not with eye-service, seeking only to please men
b. But with sincerity of heart, fearing God
2. Do your work heartily (23-24)
a. As to the Lord and not to men (23)
b. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance (24)
3. He who does wrong... (25)
a. Will be repaid for the wrong he does
b. There will be no partiality
F. MASTERS TOWARD THEIR SERVANTS (4:1)
1. Give your servants what is just and fair
2. Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- The Christian solution (1-17)
- Familial responsibilities (18-4:1)
2) What twofold charge is given to those who have been raised with Christ? (1-2)
- Seek those things which are above, where Christ is
- Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth
3) Where is our "life" at the present? When shall it appear? (3-4)
- Hidden with Christ in God
- When Christ appears (i.e., His Second Coming)
4) What sins are we to "put to death"? (5)
- Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry)
5) Why must we put them to death? (6)
- Because the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience
6) What other sins must we "put off"? (8,9)
- Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying to one another
7) What have we "put off", and what have we "put on"? (9-10)
- We have "put off the old man with his deeds"
- We have "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (i.e., Christ)
8) As God's elect (chosen), holy and beloved, what are we to "put on"? (12-14)
- Tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another as Christ forgave us, and love
9) What must we allow the "peace of God" do? (15)
- Rule in our hearts
10) What must we allow the "word of Christ" do? (16)
- Dwell in our hearts richly
11) How are we to teach and admonish one another? (16)
- In psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord
12) How are we to do all things, whether in word or deed? (17)
- In the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him
13) What is the duty of wives? (18)
- To submit to their own husbands
14) What is the duty of husbands? (19)
- To love their wives and not be bitter toward them
15) What is the duty of children? (20)
- To obey their parents in all things
16) What is the duty of fathers? (21)
- Not to provoke their children
17) What is the duty of servants? (22-23)
- To obey their masters in all things
- Not with eye-service, as pleasing men, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God
- To do all things heartily, as to the Lord
18) What positive motivation is there for a servant to so act? What negative motivation? (24-25)
- Serving the Lord Christ, they will receive the reward of the inheritance
- Those who do wrong will be repaid, with no partiality being shown
19) What is the duty of masters? What motivation is offered to do this? (4:1)
- To give their servants what is just and fair
- They too have a Master, one who is heaven
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see what Paul offers as the Christian solution in dealing with the problem of sin
2) To understand what our responsibilities are as "the elect of God, holy and beloved"
SUMMARY
Having warned the brethren of "the Colossian Heresy", and the need to be established in the faith of Jesus Christ, Paul now offers a detailed description of "the Christian Solution" to the problem of sin in their lives. Rather than being deceived or swayed by false alternatives, they need to seek those things above, where Christ is, to set their minds on things above and not on the earth. This is because they
have been raised with Christ (cf. Co 2:12) and their life is now hidden in Christ, awaiting the day of His coming in which they will appear with Him in glory (1-4).
With minds set on Christ, they need to "put to death" those sins in which their earthly members engaged and upon which the wrath of God is coming. This is done by "putting off" the old man with his deeds, and "putting on" the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ. The deeds of the old man and the characteristics of the new man are defined by Paul, followed with exhortations to
allow the "peace of God" to rule in their hearts and to let the "word of Christ" dwell in them richly. He also charges them to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father (5-17).
As so much of their daily lives revolve around the home, Paul also addresses the responsibilities of various family members as they serve the Lord (18-4:1).
OUTLINE
I. THE CHRISTIAN SOLUTION (1-17)
A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (1-4)
1. Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things above (1-2)
a. Where Christ is, seated at God's right hand (1)
b. Not on the things on the earth (2)
2. For you have died, one day to appear with Christ in glory (3-4)
a. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (3)
b. When Christ appears, you will also appear with Him in glory (4)
B. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (5-9)
1. Put to death the members of your body (5)
a. Fornication
b. Uncleanness
c. Passion
d. Evil desire
e. Covetousness, which is idolatry
-- For the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, and you also once
walked in such things (6-7)
2. Put off the old man with his deeds (8-9)
a. Anger
b. Wrath
c. Malice
d. Blasphemy
e. Filthy language
f. Lying to one another
C. PUT ON THE NEW MAN (10-17)
1. In which you are renewed in the image of our Creator, where there is neither:
a. Greek nor Jew
b. Circumcised nor uncircumcised
c. Barbarian, Scythian
d. Slave nor free
-- But Christ, who is all and in all (10-11)
2. As God's elect, put on Christ-like qualities (12-14)
a. Tender mercies
b. Kindness
c. Humbleness of mind
d. Meekness
e. Longsuffering
f. Bearing with one another
g. Forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you
h. Above all these things, put on love, the perfect tie that binds
3. In addition...
a. Let God's peace rule in your heart, and be thankful (15)
b. Let Christ's word dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with song, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (16)
c. Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, with thanksgiving to God (17)
II. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (18-4:1)
A. WIVES TOWARD THEIR HUSBANDS (18)
1. Submit to your own husbands
2. As is fitting in the Lord
B. HUSBANDS TOWARDS THEIR WIVES (19)
1. Love your wives
2. Do not be bitter toward them
C. CHILDREN TOWARD THEIR PARENTS (20)
1. Obey your parents in all things
2. This is well pleasing to the Lord
D. FATHERS TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN (21)
1. Do not provoke your children
2. Or they may become discouraged
E. SERVANTS TOWARD THEIR MASTERS (22-25)
1. Obey your earthly masters in all things (22)
a. Not with eye-service, seeking only to please men
b. But with sincerity of heart, fearing God
2. Do your work heartily (23-24)
a. As to the Lord and not to men (23)
b. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance (24)
3. He who does wrong... (25)
a. Will be repaid for the wrong he does
b. There will be no partiality
F. MASTERS TOWARD THEIR SERVANTS (4:1)
1. Give your servants what is just and fair
2. Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- The Christian solution (1-17)
- Familial responsibilities (18-4:1)
2) What twofold charge is given to those who have been raised with Christ? (1-2)
- Seek those things which are above, where Christ is
- Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth
3) Where is our "life" at the present? When shall it appear? (3-4)
- Hidden with Christ in God
- When Christ appears (i.e., His Second Coming)
4) What sins are we to "put to death"? (5)
- Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry)
5) Why must we put them to death? (6)
- Because the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience
6) What other sins must we "put off"? (8,9)
- Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying to one another
7) What have we "put off", and what have we "put on"? (9-10)
- We have "put off the old man with his deeds"
- We have "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him" (i.e., Christ)
8) As God's elect (chosen), holy and beloved, what are we to "put on"? (12-14)
- Tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another as Christ forgave us, and love
9) What must we allow the "peace of God" do? (15)
- Rule in our hearts
10) What must we allow the "word of Christ" do? (16)
- Dwell in our hearts richly
11) How are we to teach and admonish one another? (16)
- In psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord
12) How are we to do all things, whether in word or deed? (17)
- In the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him
13) What is the duty of wives? (18)
- To submit to their own husbands
14) What is the duty of husbands? (19)
- To love their wives and not be bitter toward them
15) What is the duty of children? (20)
- To obey their parents in all things
16) What is the duty of fathers? (21)
- Not to provoke their children
17) What is the duty of servants? (22-23)
- To obey their masters in all things
- Not with eye-service, as pleasing men, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God
- To do all things heartily, as to the Lord
18) What positive motivation is there for a servant to so act? What negative motivation? (24-25)
- Serving the Lord Christ, they will receive the reward of the inheritance
- Those who do wrong will be repaid, with no partiality being shown
19) What is the duty of masters? What motivation is offered to do this? (4:1)
- To give their servants what is just and fair
- They too have a Master, one who is heaven
Basics For Living In Christ- Colossians 3:1-11
Basics For Living In Christ- Colossians 3:1-11
INTRODUCTION
1. In chapters 1-2, Paul has maintained that Christ is “all-sufficient” in matters of salvation and overcoming sin - cf. Co 2:10
2. Beginning now in chapter 3, Paul gives some basic and practical admonitions that pertain to living a life in Christ
3. When carried out, these “Basics For Living In Christ” will assure that we find in Christ everything we need for this life and the one to come
[The first admonition is found in vs. 1-4...]
I. SEEK THE HEAVENLY (1-4)
A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE... (1-2)
1. Why is this so important?
a. It is essential if we desire to be “transformed” - cf. Ro 12:2
b. It is necessary if we want to be able to “live according to the Spirit” - cf. Ro 8:5-6
2. How do we “seek those things which are above”?
a. By directing our minds’ attention to such things mentioned in Ph 4:8
b. More specifically, by setting our attention on the Word of God, where we find:
1) Christ foreshadowed and foretold in the Old Testament
2) Christ’s life and teachings in the Gospels
3) Christ’s church in the Book of Acts
4) Christ’s fuller teachings in the Epistles
5) Christ’s encouragement and ultimate victory in the Book of Revelation
B. FURTHER REASONS TO SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE... (3-4)
1. We “died” (3)
a. This occurs when one is baptized into Christ, which is a burial into His death in which we are “crucified with Him” - cf. Ro 6:3-6
b. We “died” to sin , that we might be free from sin and now live with Christ - cf. Ro 6:7-13
2. Thus, we were also “raised with Christ” (1)
a. Which occurs when one comes forth from baptism - Co 2:12 (“...in baptism, in which
you were also raised with Him...”)
b. We were raised so that we might “walk in newness of life” - Ro 6:4
3. Our life is “hidden with Christ in God” (3)
a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Ga 2:20
b. We have denied self, crucified self, so it is now Christ Who is to live in us!
4. When Christ appears in glory, so will we! (4)
a. The first three reasons for us to “seek the heavenly” were based upon what has
happened in the “past”
b. This motivation is predicated upon what is promised for the “future”!
[And what a wonderful promise that is! But to obtain that promise requires not only that we set our “minds” on things proper, but that we properly deal with our “bodies” as well. To put it another way, from vs. 5-9 we learn that we must also...]
II. SLAY THE EARTHLY (5-9)
A. WE MUST “PUT TO DEATH” THE SENSUAL SINS... (5-7)
1. Those that appeal to the “lust of the flesh”
a. Fornication
1) Grk., porneia {por-ni’-ah}
2) A general term for any illicit sexual intercourse; includes adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality
b. Uncleanness
1) Grk., akatharsia {ak-ath-ar-see’-ah}
2) Uncleanness in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
c. Passion (inordinate affection, KJV)
1) Grk., pathos {path’-os}
2) Used by the Greeks in either a good or bad sense; in the NT in a bad sense, it
means depraved passion, vile passions
d. Evil desire (evil concupiscence, KJV)
1) Grk., epithumia {ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah}
2) Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
2. Also that which appeals to the “lust of the eyes”
a. Covetousness
1) Grk., pleonexia {pleh-on-ex-ee’-ah}
2) Greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice
b. Described by Paul to be equivalent to idolatry!
1) For covetousness puts things in the place of God
2) We are to set our minds on things above (where God is), but when we covet things
we have our minds on things below, making such things our idols!
3. Motivation for putting these things to death
a. To avoid the coming wrath of God! - Co 2:6-7
b. It’s one thing to do these things when we “lived in them”, but in Christ we have “died to them”!
B. WE MUST ALSO “PUT OFF” THE SOCIAL SINS... (8-9)
1. Sins of the “emotions”
a. Anger
1) Grk., orge {or-gay’}
2) Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp.
anger
b. Wrath
1) Grk., thumos {thoo-mos’}
2) Passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again
c. Malice
1) Grk., kakia {kak-ee’-ah}
2) Malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure
2. Sins of the “tongue”
a. Blasphemy
1) Grk., blasphemia {blas-fay-me’-ah}
2) Slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name; impious and
reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
b. Filthy language (filthy communication, KJV)
1) Grk., aischrologia {ahee-skhrol-og-ee’-ah}
2) Foul speaking, low and obscene speech
c. Lying
1) Grk., pseudomai {psyoo’-dom-ahee}
2) To lie, to speak deliberate falsehoods; to deceive one by a lie, to lie to
3. The reason for putting off all these things: we must complete in practice what we started in principle - Co 3:9b
a. When we were baptized, we “put off” the old man with his deeds (in principle) - Co 2:11-12; 3:9
b. In practice, it does not occur overnight, thus the need for such admonitions as: “But now you must also put off all these...” - Co 3:8
[Finally, and briefly, we notice in vs. 10-11 an admonition by Paul which will be expanded upon in the next section (12-17). He encourages us to...]
III. STRENGTHEN THE CHRISTLY (10-11)
A. FOR WE HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN... (10)
1. In baptism into Christ, we “put on Christ” - Ga 3:27
2. Thus, in principle we also put on “the new man” who is renewed “according to the image of Him who created him”
3. What we have done in principle (Co 3:10), we will need to do in practice (cf. Co 3:12)
B. FOR THE GOAL IS “CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL”... (11)
1. To be renewed according to the image of Christ! - cf. Ro 8:29
2. To become like Christ, and in so doing, destroy the barriers that have long divided man!
CONCLUSION
1. This is what might be called “the whole duty of man” in New Testament terms: to be renewed according to the image of Christ!
2. To accomplish this goal, we must heed the admonitions of Paul and...
a. Seek The Heavenly
b. Slay The Earthly
c. Strengthen The Christly
3. We will examine more what is involved in “strengthening the Christly” in the next study - Co 3:12-17
4. For now, did you notice that everything in this chapter assumes that one has been “raised with Christ” (cf. Co 3:1, “If then you were raised with Christ...”)?
a. How are we raised with Christ?
b. Paul has already described how, in Co 2:11-13, where we learn that it is in baptism that God will raise one who has faith in the working of God!
Have you been baptized into Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Ac 2:38), and to be able to walk in newness of life (Ro 6:3-5)...?
INTRODUCTION
1. In chapters 1-2, Paul has maintained that Christ is “all-sufficient” in matters of salvation and overcoming sin - cf. Co 2:10
2. Beginning now in chapter 3, Paul gives some basic and practical admonitions that pertain to living a life in Christ
3. When carried out, these “Basics For Living In Christ” will assure that we find in Christ everything we need for this life and the one to come
[The first admonition is found in vs. 1-4...]
I. SEEK THE HEAVENLY (1-4)
A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE... (1-2)
1. Why is this so important?
a. It is essential if we desire to be “transformed” - cf. Ro 12:2
b. It is necessary if we want to be able to “live according to the Spirit” - cf. Ro 8:5-6
2. How do we “seek those things which are above”?
a. By directing our minds’ attention to such things mentioned in Ph 4:8
b. More specifically, by setting our attention on the Word of God, where we find:
1) Christ foreshadowed and foretold in the Old Testament
2) Christ’s life and teachings in the Gospels
3) Christ’s church in the Book of Acts
4) Christ’s fuller teachings in the Epistles
5) Christ’s encouragement and ultimate victory in the Book of Revelation
B. FURTHER REASONS TO SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE... (3-4)
1. We “died” (3)
a. This occurs when one is baptized into Christ, which is a burial into His death in which we are “crucified with Him” - cf. Ro 6:3-6
b. We “died” to sin , that we might be free from sin and now live with Christ - cf. Ro 6:7-13
2. Thus, we were also “raised with Christ” (1)
a. Which occurs when one comes forth from baptism - Co 2:12 (“...in baptism, in which
you were also raised with Him...”)
b. We were raised so that we might “walk in newness of life” - Ro 6:4
3. Our life is “hidden with Christ in God” (3)
a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” - Ga 2:20
b. We have denied self, crucified self, so it is now Christ Who is to live in us!
4. When Christ appears in glory, so will we! (4)
a. The first three reasons for us to “seek the heavenly” were based upon what has
happened in the “past”
b. This motivation is predicated upon what is promised for the “future”!
[And what a wonderful promise that is! But to obtain that promise requires not only that we set our “minds” on things proper, but that we properly deal with our “bodies” as well. To put it another way, from vs. 5-9 we learn that we must also...]
II. SLAY THE EARTHLY (5-9)
A. WE MUST “PUT TO DEATH” THE SENSUAL SINS... (5-7)
1. Those that appeal to the “lust of the flesh”
a. Fornication
1) Grk., porneia {por-ni’-ah}
2) A general term for any illicit sexual intercourse; includes adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality
b. Uncleanness
1) Grk., akatharsia {ak-ath-ar-see’-ah}
2) Uncleanness in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
c. Passion (inordinate affection, KJV)
1) Grk., pathos {path’-os}
2) Used by the Greeks in either a good or bad sense; in the NT in a bad sense, it
means depraved passion, vile passions
d. Evil desire (evil concupiscence, KJV)
1) Grk., epithumia {ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah}
2) Desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust
2. Also that which appeals to the “lust of the eyes”
a. Covetousness
1) Grk., pleonexia {pleh-on-ex-ee’-ah}
2) Greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice
b. Described by Paul to be equivalent to idolatry!
1) For covetousness puts things in the place of God
2) We are to set our minds on things above (where God is), but when we covet things
we have our minds on things below, making such things our idols!
3. Motivation for putting these things to death
a. To avoid the coming wrath of God! - Co 2:6-7
b. It’s one thing to do these things when we “lived in them”, but in Christ we have “died to them”!
B. WE MUST ALSO “PUT OFF” THE SOCIAL SINS... (8-9)
1. Sins of the “emotions”
a. Anger
1) Grk., orge {or-gay’}
2) Movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp.
anger
b. Wrath
1) Grk., thumos {thoo-mos’}
2) Passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again
c. Malice
1) Grk., kakia {kak-ee’-ah}
2) Malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure
2. Sins of the “tongue”
a. Blasphemy
1) Grk., blasphemia {blas-fay-me’-ah}
2) Slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name; impious and
reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
b. Filthy language (filthy communication, KJV)
1) Grk., aischrologia {ahee-skhrol-og-ee’-ah}
2) Foul speaking, low and obscene speech
c. Lying
1) Grk., pseudomai {psyoo’-dom-ahee}
2) To lie, to speak deliberate falsehoods; to deceive one by a lie, to lie to
3. The reason for putting off all these things: we must complete in practice what we started in principle - Co 3:9b
a. When we were baptized, we “put off” the old man with his deeds (in principle) - Co 2:11-12; 3:9
b. In practice, it does not occur overnight, thus the need for such admonitions as: “But now you must also put off all these...” - Co 3:8
[Finally, and briefly, we notice in vs. 10-11 an admonition by Paul which will be expanded upon in the next section (12-17). He encourages us to...]
III. STRENGTHEN THE CHRISTLY (10-11)
A. FOR WE HAVE PUT ON THE NEW MAN... (10)
1. In baptism into Christ, we “put on Christ” - Ga 3:27
2. Thus, in principle we also put on “the new man” who is renewed “according to the image of Him who created him”
3. What we have done in principle (Co 3:10), we will need to do in practice (cf. Co 3:12)
B. FOR THE GOAL IS “CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL”... (11)
1. To be renewed according to the image of Christ! - cf. Ro 8:29
2. To become like Christ, and in so doing, destroy the barriers that have long divided man!
CONCLUSION
1. This is what might be called “the whole duty of man” in New Testament terms: to be renewed according to the image of Christ!
2. To accomplish this goal, we must heed the admonitions of Paul and...
a. Seek The Heavenly
b. Slay The Earthly
c. Strengthen The Christly
3. We will examine more what is involved in “strengthening the Christly” in the next study - Co 3:12-17
4. For now, did you notice that everything in this chapter assumes that one has been “raised with Christ” (cf. Co 3:1, “If then you were raised with Christ...”)?
a. How are we raised with Christ?
b. Paul has already described how, in Co 2:11-13, where we learn that it is in baptism that God will raise one who has faith in the working of God!
Have you been baptized into Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Ac 2:38), and to be able to walk in newness of life (Ro 6:3-5)...?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Believer, Beware!- Colossians 2:8-23
Believer, Beware!- Colossians 2:8-23
INTRODUCTION
1. It was Paul’s desire that his brethren be “perfect (complete) in Christ” - Co 1:28; 2:1-3
2. But there were influences at Colosse which endangered their salvation, against which Paul warns in Co 2:8-23
3. As we consider what those threats were, we see similar threats today as well!
4. In other words, subtle (and some not so subtle) influences which may promise us much, but can easily lead us away from Christ!
[For example, we notice from vs. 8-10 that at Colosse there was the danger of...]
I. PHILOSOPHIES AND TRADITIONS OF MEN (8-10)
A. THE DANGER OF MAN-MADE PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITION...
1. They “cheat” you
a. They don’t deliver what they may promise
b. They can even cheat you of your salvation!
1) By rendering our worship and service to God as “vain”
2) As Jesus warned in Mt 15:9
2. This they do through “empty deceit”
a. It is not evident (otherwise, none would accept it)
b. But like many of the workings of Satan, it is through “deception”
B. WE ARE FACED WITH SIMILAR INFLUENCES TODAY...
1. The “philosophies” of:
a. Atheism
b. Evolution
c. Humanism
2. The “traditions of men,” found rampant in:
a. Protestant denominations
b. Catholicism (both “Roman” and “Orthodox”)
c. Various cults
3. Though these “philosophies” and “traditions of men” may possess a lot of truth, it is the error in them that can lead one away from the pure and simple doctrine of Jesus Christ!
C. WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND...
1. In “Jesus Christ” are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Co 2:3
2. In “Jesus Christ” is to be found the fulness of the Godhead bodily - Co 2:9
3. In “Jesus Christ” we are complete - Co 2:10
4. As Peter wrote in his second epistle: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness , through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” - 2 Pe 1:2-3
[So “Believer, Beware!” when anyone suggests that we need the philosophies or traditions of men in addition or instead of Christ! In vs. 11-17, Paul deals with what was a real problem in the first century church...]
II. JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
A. THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH...
1. Many Jewish Christians felt it necessary for Gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in addition to following Christ - cf. Ac 15:1-5
2. The early church had to constantly deal with this problem
a. Which they did at Jerusalem (where the problem originated ) - Ac 15:6-27
b. Which Paul did in writing Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians
3. Here in Co 2:11-17, Paul deals with the problem by pointing out:
a. Through baptism into Christ, we experience the “true circumcision”, which is a cutting away of the sins of the flesh - Co 2:11-13
b. By His death on the cross, Jesus has taken the Old Law out of the way - Co 2:14-15; cf. Ep 2:14-16
c. Therefore, we are to let no one try to judge (condemn) us in matters of the Old Law - Co 2:16-17
B. TODAY, THERE ARE MANY WHO STILL TRY TO BIND THE OLD LAW UPON CHRISTIANS...
1. Various denominations with their Sabbaths and food regulations
2. Other religions with their separate priesthood and many other practices, based upon the Old Testament, and not the New!
C. AS THOSE IN CHRIST...
1. We have died to the Law and Jewish ceremonialism (this especially pertains to Jewish Christians) - Ro 7:1-6
2. We have been set free, and need to beware of becoming “entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” - Ga 5:1
3. If we seek justification by our observance of things found in the Old Law, we are fallen from grace! - Ga 5:2-4
[So “Believer, Beware!” when people try to impose things upon you which are based upon the Law of Moses. Remember, “you are complete in Him.” In vs. 18-19, we see there was still another danger at Colosse...]
III. THE WORSHIP OF ANGELS (18-19)
A. WHY WOULD PEOPLE WORSHIP ANGELS...?
1. Perhaps because they felt angels were needed as “intercessors”
2. Perhaps with “a sense of humility”, they felt they could not go to God (or even Jesus) directly
B. THE PROBLEM WITH ANGEL WORSHIP...
1. It is actually the result of a “false humility” and based upon one’s “vain imagination” - Co 2:18 (cf. He 4:14-16, where we learn we can “come boldly to the throne of grace”)
2. It actually diverts one away from Christ, the rightful “Head of the body” - Co 2:19
a. For this reason, angels refused any semblance of worship - Re 22:8-9
b. And so did the apostle Peter - Ac 10:25-26
C. TODAY, SOME RELIGIONS HAVE DEVELOPED A COUNTERPART TO THE WORSHIP OF ANGELS...
1. E.g., Catholicism with its veneration of Mary and the “saints”
2. The reasoning is similar: “humility” (“We need them to intercede for us”)
3. Though an attempt is made to distinguish between “veneration” and “worship”, in practice the distinction is lost among the average person
4. And the result is still the same: “not holding fast to the Head,” venerating other beings rather than Christ!
[Finally, from vs. 20-23 we can glean that there was the problem of...]
IV. ASCETICISM (20-23)
A. ASCETICISM HAS OFTEN BEEN OFFERED AS A KEY TO “SELF-CONTROL”...
1. Such as fasting and other forms of abstinence
2. Or self-flagellation (beating one’s self with whips)
B. BUT ASCETICISM IS OF NO REAL VALUE AGAINST THE “INDULGENCE OF THE FLESH”...
1. As Paul points out in Co 2:23
2. Indeed, transformation comes through “renewing the mind”, not afflicting the body
a. As Paul wrote in Ro 12:1-2
b. Yes, those who “set their minds on the things of the Spirit” are the ones “who live according to the Spirit” - Ro 8:5
1) They are the ones who by the Spirit will be able to “put to death the deeds of the
body” - Ro 8:13
2) For the “fruit of the Spirit” includes self-control - Ga 5:22-23
C. TODAY, WE MUST BEWARE OF THE FALSE CLAIMS OF ASCETICISM...!
1. Fasting has a place in the lives of Christians - cf. Ac 13:2-3; 14:23; 1 Co 7:5; 2 Co 11:27
a. But not for the purpose of developing self-control!
b. Rather as a means of humbling oneself before God as we pray, that God might hear our prayer - cf. Ezr 8:21; Mt 6:17-18
2. Those religions that would teach various forms of “asceticism” as a means of developing spiritual maturity would have us believe that “the secret” is in such “neglect of the body”
3. But Christ is “the secret”, and by holding fast to Him we find the ability to “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires.” - Ga 5:24
CONCLUSION
1. As we live the Christian life, attempting to mature spiritually, beware of any doctrine or teaching of man that suggests we need more than Jesus Christ!
2. Remember, He is “the” way (not “a” way) - Jn 14:6
3. And we are complete in Him!
Are you in Him? - cf. Ga 3:26-27...
INTRODUCTION
1. It was Paul’s desire that his brethren be “perfect (complete) in Christ” - Co 1:28; 2:1-3
2. But there were influences at Colosse which endangered their salvation, against which Paul warns in Co 2:8-23
3. As we consider what those threats were, we see similar threats today as well!
4. In other words, subtle (and some not so subtle) influences which may promise us much, but can easily lead us away from Christ!
[For example, we notice from vs. 8-10 that at Colosse there was the danger of...]
I. PHILOSOPHIES AND TRADITIONS OF MEN (8-10)
A. THE DANGER OF MAN-MADE PHILOSOPHY AND TRADITION...
1. They “cheat” you
a. They don’t deliver what they may promise
b. They can even cheat you of your salvation!
1) By rendering our worship and service to God as “vain”
2) As Jesus warned in Mt 15:9
2. This they do through “empty deceit”
a. It is not evident (otherwise, none would accept it)
b. But like many of the workings of Satan, it is through “deception”
B. WE ARE FACED WITH SIMILAR INFLUENCES TODAY...
1. The “philosophies” of:
a. Atheism
b. Evolution
c. Humanism
2. The “traditions of men,” found rampant in:
a. Protestant denominations
b. Catholicism (both “Roman” and “Orthodox”)
c. Various cults
3. Though these “philosophies” and “traditions of men” may possess a lot of truth, it is the error in them that can lead one away from the pure and simple doctrine of Jesus Christ!
C. WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND...
1. In “Jesus Christ” are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Co 2:3
2. In “Jesus Christ” is to be found the fulness of the Godhead bodily - Co 2:9
3. In “Jesus Christ” we are complete - Co 2:10
4. As Peter wrote in his second epistle: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness , through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,” - 2 Pe 1:2-3
[So “Believer, Beware!” when anyone suggests that we need the philosophies or traditions of men in addition or instead of Christ! In vs. 11-17, Paul deals with what was a real problem in the first century church...]
II. JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
A. THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH...
1. Many Jewish Christians felt it necessary for Gentile Christians to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in addition to following Christ - cf. Ac 15:1-5
2. The early church had to constantly deal with this problem
a. Which they did at Jerusalem (where the problem originated ) - Ac 15:6-27
b. Which Paul did in writing Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians
3. Here in Co 2:11-17, Paul deals with the problem by pointing out:
a. Through baptism into Christ, we experience the “true circumcision”, which is a cutting away of the sins of the flesh - Co 2:11-13
b. By His death on the cross, Jesus has taken the Old Law out of the way - Co 2:14-15; cf. Ep 2:14-16
c. Therefore, we are to let no one try to judge (condemn) us in matters of the Old Law - Co 2:16-17
B. TODAY, THERE ARE MANY WHO STILL TRY TO BIND THE OLD LAW UPON CHRISTIANS...
1. Various denominations with their Sabbaths and food regulations
2. Other religions with their separate priesthood and many other practices, based upon the Old Testament, and not the New!
C. AS THOSE IN CHRIST...
1. We have died to the Law and Jewish ceremonialism (this especially pertains to Jewish Christians) - Ro 7:1-6
2. We have been set free, and need to beware of becoming “entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” - Ga 5:1
3. If we seek justification by our observance of things found in the Old Law, we are fallen from grace! - Ga 5:2-4
[So “Believer, Beware!” when people try to impose things upon you which are based upon the Law of Moses. Remember, “you are complete in Him.” In vs. 18-19, we see there was still another danger at Colosse...]
III. THE WORSHIP OF ANGELS (18-19)
A. WHY WOULD PEOPLE WORSHIP ANGELS...?
1. Perhaps because they felt angels were needed as “intercessors”
2. Perhaps with “a sense of humility”, they felt they could not go to God (or even Jesus) directly
B. THE PROBLEM WITH ANGEL WORSHIP...
1. It is actually the result of a “false humility” and based upon one’s “vain imagination” - Co 2:18 (cf. He 4:14-16, where we learn we can “come boldly to the throne of grace”)
2. It actually diverts one away from Christ, the rightful “Head of the body” - Co 2:19
a. For this reason, angels refused any semblance of worship - Re 22:8-9
b. And so did the apostle Peter - Ac 10:25-26
C. TODAY, SOME RELIGIONS HAVE DEVELOPED A COUNTERPART TO THE WORSHIP OF ANGELS...
1. E.g., Catholicism with its veneration of Mary and the “saints”
2. The reasoning is similar: “humility” (“We need them to intercede for us”)
3. Though an attempt is made to distinguish between “veneration” and “worship”, in practice the distinction is lost among the average person
4. And the result is still the same: “not holding fast to the Head,” venerating other beings rather than Christ!
[Finally, from vs. 20-23 we can glean that there was the problem of...]
IV. ASCETICISM (20-23)
A. ASCETICISM HAS OFTEN BEEN OFFERED AS A KEY TO “SELF-CONTROL”...
1. Such as fasting and other forms of abstinence
2. Or self-flagellation (beating one’s self with whips)
B. BUT ASCETICISM IS OF NO REAL VALUE AGAINST THE “INDULGENCE OF THE FLESH”...
1. As Paul points out in Co 2:23
2. Indeed, transformation comes through “renewing the mind”, not afflicting the body
a. As Paul wrote in Ro 12:1-2
b. Yes, those who “set their minds on the things of the Spirit” are the ones “who live according to the Spirit” - Ro 8:5
1) They are the ones who by the Spirit will be able to “put to death the deeds of the
body” - Ro 8:13
2) For the “fruit of the Spirit” includes self-control - Ga 5:22-23
C. TODAY, WE MUST BEWARE OF THE FALSE CLAIMS OF ASCETICISM...!
1. Fasting has a place in the lives of Christians - cf. Ac 13:2-3; 14:23; 1 Co 7:5; 2 Co 11:27
a. But not for the purpose of developing self-control!
b. Rather as a means of humbling oneself before God as we pray, that God might hear our prayer - cf. Ezr 8:21; Mt 6:17-18
2. Those religions that would teach various forms of “asceticism” as a means of developing spiritual maturity would have us believe that “the secret” is in such “neglect of the body”
3. But Christ is “the secret”, and by holding fast to Him we find the ability to “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires.” - Ga 5:24
CONCLUSION
1. As we live the Christian life, attempting to mature spiritually, beware of any doctrine or teaching of man that suggests we need more than Jesus Christ!
2. Remember, He is “the” way (not “a” way) - Jn 14:6
3. And we are complete in Him!
Are you in Him? - cf. Ga 3:26-27...
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Epistle To The Colossians- Chapter Two
The Epistle To The Colossians- Chapter Two
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see the relation between understanding the "mystery of God" and having a strong assurance of our salvation
2) To appreciate how baptism serves as our spiritual circumcision, and that it is a work of God which is performed, not a work of man
3) To understand how Christ brought an end to the Old Law by His death on the cross
SUMMARY
Paul reveals his great concern for those at Colosse and others he has not seen, expressing his desire that their hearts be knit together in love, and that they may have the assurance that comes from an understanding of the mystery of God as revealed through Christ. He rejoices in their good order and steadfastness, and encourages them to be firmly established in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving (1-7).
The word "Beware" in verse eight summarizes the rest of the chapter, in which Paul warns them of the dangers of "The Colossian Heresy". These dangers include being cheated through philosophy and vain deceit, and defrauded of their reward by those who appeal to false humility, the worship of angels, false visions, and strict regulations according to the commandments and doctrines of men which really have
no value against the indulgence of the flesh. In Christ they are made complete, having undergone a circumcision not made with hands, in which God made them alive together with Christ. Since Christ has also nailed to the cross the "handwriting of requirements" that was against them and taken it out of the way, none can judge them regarding religious observances that were only a shadow pointing to the true substance of Christ (8-23).
OUTLINE
I. PAUL'S SOLICITUDE (1-7)
A. HIS GREAT CONCERN FOR THEM (1-3)
1. He has a great conflict for those...
a. In Colosse and Laodicea (1a)
b. Who have not seen his face in the flesh (1b)
2. His desire is that...
a. Their hearts be encouraged, knit together in love (2a)
b. They attain to all the riches of:
1) The full assurance of understanding (2b)
2) The knowledge of the mystery of God (2c)
a) Both of the Father and of Christ (2d)
b) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (3)
B. REASONS FOR THIS CONCERN (4-5)
1. Lest anyone deceive them with persuasive words (4)
2. Though absent in the flesh, he is present with them in spirit (5a)
3. He rejoices to see...
a. Their good order (5b)
b. The steadfastness of their faith (5c)
C. EXHORTATIONS TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST (6-7)
1. As they have received Christ, so they should walk in Him (6)
a. Rooted and built up in Him (7a)
b. Established in the faith (7b)
-- As they were taught (7c)
2. Abounding with thanksgiving (7d)
II. WARNINGS AGAINST "THE COLOSSIAN HERESY" (8-23)
A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (8-10)
1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (8a)
a. According to the traditions of men (8b)
b. According to the basic principles of the world (8c)
-- And not according to Christ (8d)
2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in Him (9-10)
a. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (9)
b. You are complete in Him, who is head over all principality and power (10)
B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (11-12)
a. A putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh (11)
b. Having been buried with Christ in baptism (12)
1) In which you were also raised with Him (12a)
2) Through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead (12b)
2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of requirements that was against us has been taken away at the cross (13-15)
a. Dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God has made you alive (13a)
b. He has forgiven you all trespasses (13b)
c. He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us (14)
1) That which was contrary to us (14a)
2) He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (14b)
d. He has disarmed principalities and powers (15)
1) Having made a public spectacle of them (15a)
2) Triumphing over them in it (15b)
3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, festivals, or Sabbath days (16)
a. They are only a shadow of things to come (17a)
b. The substance is of Christ (17b)
C. WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP (18-19)
1. Don't let anyone defraud you of your reward (18a)
a. By taking delight in false humility and worship of angels (18b)
b. By intruding into things not seen, vainly puffed by fleshly minds (18c)
2. Such people do not hold fast to Christ as the Head (19a)
a. From whom all the body grows (19b)
b. Nourished and knit together by various elements, with increase from God (19c)
D. WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM (2:20-23)
1. There is no need to submit to human ordinances (2:20-22)
a. For you have died with Christ from basic principles of the world (20a)
b. Therefore do not subject yourselves to ascetic regulations (20b)
1) Such as "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" (21)
2) They only concern things which perish with the using (22a)
3) Which are according to commandments and doctrines of men (23)
2. Such practices are of no value (23)
a. They may have an appearance of wisdom in their...
1) Self-imposed religion (23a)
2) False humility (23b)
3) Neglect of the body (23c)
b. But they are no value against the indulgence of the flesh (23d)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Paul's solicitude (1-7)
- Warnings against "the Colossian Heresy" (8-23)
2) What was Paul's strong desire for those he had not seen? (1-2)
- That their hearts may be encouraged, knit together in love
- That they may be richly blessed by the assurance that comes from an understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God
3) What is "hidden" in Christ? (3)
- All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
4) What had Paul seen in the Colossians that caused him to rejoice? (5)
- Their good order and steadfastness of faith in Christ
5) How were the Colossians to walk in Christ? (6-7)
- Rooted and built up in Him
- Established in the faith
- Abounding with thanksgiving
6) What three things might be used to "cheat" us? (8)
- Philosophy and empty deceit
- Tradition of men
- Basic principles of the world
7) What is said about Jesus in relation to the Godhead? (9)
- In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily
8) What is our condition in Christ? (10)
- We are complete in Him
9) What sort of "circumcision" have we had in Christ? (11)
- One made without hands
- A putting off the body of the sins of the flesh
10) What takes place in baptism? Who is the one at work in baptism? (12-13)
- We are buried with Christ, raised with Christ, made alive together with Christ
- God, who raised Jesus from the dead
11) What did Christ take out of the way, having nailed it to the cross? (14)
- The "handwriting of requirements"
12) In what things should we not let others judge us? (16-17)
- In food or drink
- Regarding religious festivals, a new moon or Sabbaths
13) In what ways might people seek to defraud us? (18)
- Through false humility, worship of angels, appeals to things not really seen
14) What sort of "basic principles of the world" might others try to regulate upon us? (21)
- "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle"
15) What is the truth about such traditions of men? (22-23)
- They have an appearance of wisdom, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see the relation between understanding the "mystery of God" and having a strong assurance of our salvation
2) To appreciate how baptism serves as our spiritual circumcision, and that it is a work of God which is performed, not a work of man
3) To understand how Christ brought an end to the Old Law by His death on the cross
SUMMARY
Paul reveals his great concern for those at Colosse and others he has not seen, expressing his desire that their hearts be knit together in love, and that they may have the assurance that comes from an understanding of the mystery of God as revealed through Christ. He rejoices in their good order and steadfastness, and encourages them to be firmly established in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving (1-7).
The word "Beware" in verse eight summarizes the rest of the chapter, in which Paul warns them of the dangers of "The Colossian Heresy". These dangers include being cheated through philosophy and vain deceit, and defrauded of their reward by those who appeal to false humility, the worship of angels, false visions, and strict regulations according to the commandments and doctrines of men which really have
no value against the indulgence of the flesh. In Christ they are made complete, having undergone a circumcision not made with hands, in which God made them alive together with Christ. Since Christ has also nailed to the cross the "handwriting of requirements" that was against them and taken it out of the way, none can judge them regarding religious observances that were only a shadow pointing to the true substance of Christ (8-23).
OUTLINE
I. PAUL'S SOLICITUDE (1-7)
A. HIS GREAT CONCERN FOR THEM (1-3)
1. He has a great conflict for those...
a. In Colosse and Laodicea (1a)
b. Who have not seen his face in the flesh (1b)
2. His desire is that...
a. Their hearts be encouraged, knit together in love (2a)
b. They attain to all the riches of:
1) The full assurance of understanding (2b)
2) The knowledge of the mystery of God (2c)
a) Both of the Father and of Christ (2d)
b) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (3)
B. REASONS FOR THIS CONCERN (4-5)
1. Lest anyone deceive them with persuasive words (4)
2. Though absent in the flesh, he is present with them in spirit (5a)
3. He rejoices to see...
a. Their good order (5b)
b. The steadfastness of their faith (5c)
C. EXHORTATIONS TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST (6-7)
1. As they have received Christ, so they should walk in Him (6)
a. Rooted and built up in Him (7a)
b. Established in the faith (7b)
-- As they were taught (7c)
2. Abounding with thanksgiving (7d)
II. WARNINGS AGAINST "THE COLOSSIAN HERESY" (8-23)
A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (8-10)
1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (8a)
a. According to the traditions of men (8b)
b. According to the basic principles of the world (8c)
-- And not according to Christ (8d)
2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in Him (9-10)
a. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (9)
b. You are complete in Him, who is head over all principality and power (10)
B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (11-12)
a. A putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh (11)
b. Having been buried with Christ in baptism (12)
1) In which you were also raised with Him (12a)
2) Through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus from the dead (12b)
2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of requirements that was against us has been taken away at the cross (13-15)
a. Dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God has made you alive (13a)
b. He has forgiven you all trespasses (13b)
c. He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us (14)
1) That which was contrary to us (14a)
2) He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (14b)
d. He has disarmed principalities and powers (15)
1) Having made a public spectacle of them (15a)
2) Triumphing over them in it (15b)
3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, festivals, or Sabbath days (16)
a. They are only a shadow of things to come (17a)
b. The substance is of Christ (17b)
C. WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP (18-19)
1. Don't let anyone defraud you of your reward (18a)
a. By taking delight in false humility and worship of angels (18b)
b. By intruding into things not seen, vainly puffed by fleshly minds (18c)
2. Such people do not hold fast to Christ as the Head (19a)
a. From whom all the body grows (19b)
b. Nourished and knit together by various elements, with increase from God (19c)
D. WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM (2:20-23)
1. There is no need to submit to human ordinances (2:20-22)
a. For you have died with Christ from basic principles of the world (20a)
b. Therefore do not subject yourselves to ascetic regulations (20b)
1) Such as "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" (21)
2) They only concern things which perish with the using (22a)
3) Which are according to commandments and doctrines of men (23)
2. Such practices are of no value (23)
a. They may have an appearance of wisdom in their...
1) Self-imposed religion (23a)
2) False humility (23b)
3) Neglect of the body (23c)
b. But they are no value against the indulgence of the flesh (23d)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Paul's solicitude (1-7)
- Warnings against "the Colossian Heresy" (8-23)
2) What was Paul's strong desire for those he had not seen? (1-2)
- That their hearts may be encouraged, knit together in love
- That they may be richly blessed by the assurance that comes from an understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God
3) What is "hidden" in Christ? (3)
- All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
4) What had Paul seen in the Colossians that caused him to rejoice? (5)
- Their good order and steadfastness of faith in Christ
5) How were the Colossians to walk in Christ? (6-7)
- Rooted and built up in Him
- Established in the faith
- Abounding with thanksgiving
6) What three things might be used to "cheat" us? (8)
- Philosophy and empty deceit
- Tradition of men
- Basic principles of the world
7) What is said about Jesus in relation to the Godhead? (9)
- In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily
8) What is our condition in Christ? (10)
- We are complete in Him
9) What sort of "circumcision" have we had in Christ? (11)
- One made without hands
- A putting off the body of the sins of the flesh
10) What takes place in baptism? Who is the one at work in baptism? (12-13)
- We are buried with Christ, raised with Christ, made alive together with Christ
- God, who raised Jesus from the dead
11) What did Christ take out of the way, having nailed it to the cross? (14)
- The "handwriting of requirements"
12) In what things should we not let others judge us? (16-17)
- In food or drink
- Regarding religious festivals, a new moon or Sabbaths
13) In what ways might people seek to defraud us? (18)
- Through false humility, worship of angels, appeals to things not really seen
14) What sort of "basic principles of the world" might others try to regulate upon us? (21)
- "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle"
15) What is the truth about such traditions of men? (22-23)
- They have an appearance of wisdom, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh
Spiritual Maturity In Christ- Colossians 2:1-8
Spiritual Maturity In Christ- Colossians 2:1-8
INTRODUCTION
1. In Co 1:28-29, we saw that Paul’s primary goal in his labors was to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” That is, that they be “spiritually mature in Christ.”
2. This being the case, we are not surprised to find Paul now writing to the Colossians of:
a. His great concern for them - Co 2:1-3
b. The reason for this concern - Co 2:4-5
c. Some exhortations in light of his concern - Co 2:6-8
[From these eight verses, there are a couple of things we can glean concerning the subject of “Spiritual Maturity In Christ”. [First, from vs. 1-5 we can take note of several...]
I. INDICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1-5)
A. A DEEP CONCERN FOR OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST... (1)
1. Remember that Paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus worthy of our emulation- 1 Co 11:1
2. We see that he had a concern for his brethren (notice 2 Co 11:28-29 also), even for those he personally had not seen!
3. Epaphras likewise demonstrated this “mark” of maturity - Co 4:12-13
4. Do we have such concern for our brethren?
B. A HEART THAT IS ENCOURAGED... (2)
1. The KJV uses the word “comforted”
2. It is the Will of God that we serve Him with hearts full of comfort and encouragement
a. Such was the concern of Jesus - Lk 21:34; Jn 14:1,27
b. Such was the frequent prayer of Paul - 2 Th 2:16-17
3. A “troubled, anxious heart” is not the mark of a mature Christian!
4. Consider the example of Paul in facing impending death - 2 Ti 4:6-8,17-18
C. A HEART KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS... (2)
1. I.e., a love similar to that experienced by David and Jonathan - 1 Sam 18:1
2. The brethren at Colosse were well on their way in this regard - Co 1:4
3. How about us? Are we developing hearts “knit together in love”?
D. A FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING... (2)
1. Similar to having hearts that are encouraged, we need to have a strong assurance
concerning ourselves and our salvation!
2. Of course, this assurance comes as we increase our “understanding” concerning the basis of our salvation
3. Indeed, the Word of God was so written to increase that understanding, and provide the assurance of our salvation - 1 Jn 5:13; 3:19; note also Ro 15:4
4. As one matures in Christ, this “assurance” will increase, and it is indeed a “rich” blessing we have in Christ!
E. A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD... (2)
1. I.e., an understanding of the gospel, which once was hidden, but has now been revealed- cf. Ep 3:3-6; Ro 16:25-26
2. Thus, a good knowledge of the gospel of Christ is essential to maturity in Christ
3. Are we increasing in this knowledge?
F. GOOD ORDER AND STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH... (5)
1. The word “order”...
a. From taxis {tax’-is}, a military term, suggestive of men marching in proper order and precision, as in a drilling exercise
b. This suggests that a mature Christian is one whose walk as a disciple is in proper line with what is expected
2. The word “steadfastness” is a word which goes right along with this idea of marching in a straight line
3. What is our “life of faith” like?
a. Are we progressing in order, steadfast in our progress?
b. Or are we wavering constantly?
[These are but a few indications of spiritual maturity. If they are found in our lives, it is a good sign that progress is being made! From vs. 6-8, we can also learn of some...]
II. STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6-8)
A. RECEIVE CHRIST AS “LORD”... (6)
1. This the Colossians had done
2. Today, many seem to want Jesus just as a “Savior,” but not as “Lord”
3. That is, they profess to want Him as “their personal Savior,” but then do not obey Him in what He commands them
4. Yet God has made Him both! - cf. Ac 2:36
5. Until we enthrone Christ as Lord in our lives, we cannot hope to become “perfect”
(complete, mature) in Christ
6. Again, Paul provides a good example - e.g., Ga 2:20
B. WALK IN CHRIST... (6-7)
1. Having received Christ as Lord, we must now “walk” (or live) in Him
2. Verse 7 explains what it means to “walk in Christ”
a. “rooted” - Christ must be the foundation and source of nutrition in our lives (like a tree depends upon its roots)
b. “built up in Him” - allowing ourselves to become the kind of building He would have us to be
c. “established in the faith” - well taught and grounded in the teachings of Christ, and living by them
d. “abounding in it with thanksgiving” - ever overflowing with an attitude of gratitude
C. BEWARE... (8)
1. To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would hinder our spiritual growth
2. Otherwise, in our zeal to grow we can easily be misled by false doctrines which promise an easy route to spiritual maturity, but do not deliver on that promise!
3. Thus the need for “negative preaching” as the occasion may call for it
CONCLUSION
1. Our next lesson will look at some of those false doctrines which promise much, but give nothing of true value
2. For the moment, let’s close by asking two questions:
a. Why should we even be concerned with growing in spiritual maturity in Christ?
1) Because in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” - Co 2:3
2) Because He has warned of what will occur if we do not mature and “bear fruit” - Jn 15:1-2
b. How does one initially receive Christ as Lord?
1) By doing what He says, i.e., the Father’s will - Lk 6:46; Mt 7:21
2) This includes the command to repent and be baptized, for thereby one receives remission of sins as they also “put on Christ” (i.e., “receive Christ”) - Ac 2:36-38; Ga 3:26-27
INTRODUCTION
1. In Co 1:28-29, we saw that Paul’s primary goal in his labors was to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” That is, that they be “spiritually mature in Christ.”
2. This being the case, we are not surprised to find Paul now writing to the Colossians of:
a. His great concern for them - Co 2:1-3
b. The reason for this concern - Co 2:4-5
c. Some exhortations in light of his concern - Co 2:6-8
[From these eight verses, there are a couple of things we can glean concerning the subject of “Spiritual Maturity In Christ”. [First, from vs. 1-5 we can take note of several...]
I. INDICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY (1-5)
A. A DEEP CONCERN FOR OUR BRETHREN IN CHRIST... (1)
1. Remember that Paul is an example of spiritual maturity and thus worthy of our emulation- 1 Co 11:1
2. We see that he had a concern for his brethren (notice 2 Co 11:28-29 also), even for those he personally had not seen!
3. Epaphras likewise demonstrated this “mark” of maturity - Co 4:12-13
4. Do we have such concern for our brethren?
B. A HEART THAT IS ENCOURAGED... (2)
1. The KJV uses the word “comforted”
2. It is the Will of God that we serve Him with hearts full of comfort and encouragement
a. Such was the concern of Jesus - Lk 21:34; Jn 14:1,27
b. Such was the frequent prayer of Paul - 2 Th 2:16-17
3. A “troubled, anxious heart” is not the mark of a mature Christian!
4. Consider the example of Paul in facing impending death - 2 Ti 4:6-8,17-18
C. A HEART KNIT TOGETHER IN LOVE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS... (2)
1. I.e., a love similar to that experienced by David and Jonathan - 1 Sam 18:1
2. The brethren at Colosse were well on their way in this regard - Co 1:4
3. How about us? Are we developing hearts “knit together in love”?
D. A FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING... (2)
1. Similar to having hearts that are encouraged, we need to have a strong assurance
concerning ourselves and our salvation!
2. Of course, this assurance comes as we increase our “understanding” concerning the basis of our salvation
3. Indeed, the Word of God was so written to increase that understanding, and provide the assurance of our salvation - 1 Jn 5:13; 3:19; note also Ro 15:4
4. As one matures in Christ, this “assurance” will increase, and it is indeed a “rich” blessing we have in Christ!
E. A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD... (2)
1. I.e., an understanding of the gospel, which once was hidden, but has now been revealed- cf. Ep 3:3-6; Ro 16:25-26
2. Thus, a good knowledge of the gospel of Christ is essential to maturity in Christ
3. Are we increasing in this knowledge?
F. GOOD ORDER AND STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH... (5)
1. The word “order”...
a. From taxis {tax’-is}, a military term, suggestive of men marching in proper order and precision, as in a drilling exercise
b. This suggests that a mature Christian is one whose walk as a disciple is in proper line with what is expected
2. The word “steadfastness” is a word which goes right along with this idea of marching in a straight line
3. What is our “life of faith” like?
a. Are we progressing in order, steadfast in our progress?
b. Or are we wavering constantly?
[These are but a few indications of spiritual maturity. If they are found in our lives, it is a good sign that progress is being made! From vs. 6-8, we can also learn of some...]
II. STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY (6-8)
A. RECEIVE CHRIST AS “LORD”... (6)
1. This the Colossians had done
2. Today, many seem to want Jesus just as a “Savior,” but not as “Lord”
3. That is, they profess to want Him as “their personal Savior,” but then do not obey Him in what He commands them
4. Yet God has made Him both! - cf. Ac 2:36
5. Until we enthrone Christ as Lord in our lives, we cannot hope to become “perfect”
(complete, mature) in Christ
6. Again, Paul provides a good example - e.g., Ga 2:20
B. WALK IN CHRIST... (6-7)
1. Having received Christ as Lord, we must now “walk” (or live) in Him
2. Verse 7 explains what it means to “walk in Christ”
a. “rooted” - Christ must be the foundation and source of nutrition in our lives (like a tree depends upon its roots)
b. “built up in Him” - allowing ourselves to become the kind of building He would have us to be
c. “established in the faith” - well taught and grounded in the teachings of Christ, and living by them
d. “abounding in it with thanksgiving” - ever overflowing with an attitude of gratitude
C. BEWARE... (8)
1. To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would hinder our spiritual growth
2. Otherwise, in our zeal to grow we can easily be misled by false doctrines which promise an easy route to spiritual maturity, but do not deliver on that promise!
3. Thus the need for “negative preaching” as the occasion may call for it
CONCLUSION
1. Our next lesson will look at some of those false doctrines which promise much, but give nothing of true value
2. For the moment, let’s close by asking two questions:
a. Why should we even be concerned with growing in spiritual maturity in Christ?
1) Because in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” - Co 2:3
2) Because He has warned of what will occur if we do not mature and “bear fruit” - Jn 15:1-2
b. How does one initially receive Christ as Lord?
1) By doing what He says, i.e., the Father’s will - Lk 6:46; Mt 7:21
2) This includes the command to repent and be baptized, for thereby one receives remission of sins as they also “put on Christ” (i.e., “receive Christ”) - Ac 2:36-38; Ga 3:26-27
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Paul As A Minister- Colossians 1:24-29
Paul As A Minister
Paul As A Minister- Colossians 1:24-29
INTRODUCTION
1. At this point in his epistle, Paul provides some insight into how he viewed his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ - Co 1:24-29
2. This passage can be of value to both:
a. Preachers of the gospel, in giving them insight as to how they view themselves and the work they are to perform
b. All Christians...
1) First, to give them a better understanding of the work of a minister and what to expect from them
2) And second, since all Christians are to imitate the example of Paul (1 Co 11:1), to learn those attitudes we should have toward our brethren whether we serve as “full-time” (i.e.,fully-supported) ministers or not
[With that in mind, we notice first of all that...]
I. PAUL TOOK GREAT JOY IN SUFFERING FOR HIS BRETHREN (24)
A. PAUL HAD SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY...
1. As he outlined in his second epistle to the Corinthians - 2 Co 11:23-29
2. In this, he was not much different the rest of the apostles - 1 Co 4:9-13
B. YET, IF THIS SUFFERING WAS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST AND HIS
BRETHREN, PAUL WAS GLAD...!
1. As he said, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you” - Co 1:24
2. He expressed the same thoughts to the Philippians - Ph 2:17-18
3. Remember, at the very time he wrote both of these epistles he was suffering as a prisoner at Rome in service to Christ and to them!
C. WHY WAS PAUL SO JOYFULLY WILLING TO SUFFER...?
1. One reason is given in this passage: “to fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.”
a. This is not to suggest that there was anything lacking in the atoning value of Christ’s sacrifice! - cf. Co 2:14; He 10:12,14
b. The following quotation I have found helpful: “We should bear in mind that although Christ by means of the afflictions which he endured rendered complete satisfaction to God, so that Paul is able to glory in nothing but the cross (Ga 6:14), the enemies of Christ were not satisfied! They hated Jesus with insatiable hatred, and wanted to add to his afflictions. But since he is no longer physically present on earth, their arrows, which are meant especially for him, strike his followers. It is in that sense that all true believers are in his stead supplying what, as the enemies see it, is lacking in the afflictions which Jesus endured. Christ’s afflictions overflow toward us.” (Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary, Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, p. 87)
c. Passages offered in support of this interpretation are Mt 10:25; Mk 13:13; Jn 15:
18-21; Ac 9:4,5; 2 Co 1:5,10; Ga 6:17; Ph 3:10; Re 12:13
2. Paul gives another reason elsewhere he suffered joyfully for his brethren: for the same reason parents joyfully suffer for their children! - 2 Co 12:14-15
a. Children are the parents’ “pride and joy”, and the parents will gladly sacrifice for their children!
b. So Paul viewed his brethren - 1 Th 2:19-20; Ph 4:1
D. DO WE IMITATE PAUL IN THIS REGARD...?
1. Not only are we willing to share in the afflictions of Christ, but are we willing to suffer gladly for our brethren?
2. Do we consider our brethren as a source of great joy and pride?
3. Are we willing to joyfully expend time, energy, even “blood, sweat and tears” in serving them? - cf. 1 Jn 3:16
4. Can we truthfully say “yes” if we...
a. Won’t make the effort to assemble with them every opportunity that is available?
b. Won’t try to encourage them when they are weak in the faith, or admonish them when
they stray from the faith?
c. Aren’t willing to love them, to patiently endure them, to quickly forgive them, even when they offend and sin against us?
[Let the example of Paul be our model, for in reality he was simply following the example of Christ (cf. 2 Co 8:9). Next, we notice that...]
II. PAUL CONSIDERED HIMSELF A SERVANT AND A STEWARD (25-27)
A. HIS VIEW OF HIMSELF WAS REALLY QUITE A HUMBLE ONE...
1. The word “minister” is diakonos {dee-ak’-on-os}, and means “one who executes the
commands of another, esp. of a master; a servant, attendant, minister”
2. This is exactly how Paul viewed himself and other preachers - 1 Co 3:5-7
3. How different from views held today by some preachers and their brethren, who exalt preachers above their brethren!
4. In particular, Paul considered himself a servant...
a. Of the church - Co 1:24-25
b. Of Jesus Christ - Ph 1:1
c. Of the gospel - Ep 3:6-7
B. AS A SERVANT, HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A “STEWARD”...
1. He had received a “stewardship” (KJV, dispensation) from God
a. The word used is oikonomia {oy-kon-om-ee’-ah}
b. It means “the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the
management, oversight, administration, of other’s property”
2. He had been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
a. Which is called in this passage a “mystery”, for it had been hidden for ages
b. But has now been revealed to His saints (Co 1:26), indeed to all nations (Ro 16:25-26)
c. What is this “mystery”? To paraphrase Paul: “It is Christ in you (the Gentiles), the hope of glory” - Co 1:27
3. Paul considered it his duty as a “steward” to faithfully share that gospel to the nations - cf. Ep 3:8-9; 1 Co 4:2
C. HOW ABOUT US...?
1. Do we consider ourselves “servants”? We should! - cf. Mk 10:42-45
2. Do we serve one another? We should! - Ga 5:13
3. Do we consider ourselves “stewards” of the gospel?
a. That we have been entrusted with the riches of the gospel?
b. That to be faithful we must share them with others?
[Whether or not we view ourselves this way, it is how God views us, and we will be judged by how we have served as stewards (cf. Mt 25:14-30). The third and final point we can glean from our text is that...]
III. PAUL HAD PRIMARILY ONE GOAL IN LIFE (28-29)
A. TO PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST...!
1. He was not out just to preach, just to make converts
2. He wanted to make mature disciples, who had become complete in Christ
B. TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOAL, HE USED EVERY APPROPRIATE MEANS...
1. He preached Jesus Christ!
a. He proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ
b. His life, His teachings, His death, His resurrection
-- Only by so presenting Christ to the man, can a preacher hope to present the man to
Christ as complete and mature - cf. 2 Co 3:18
2. He warned when necessary!
a. His preaching was both positive and negative!
b. Yes, there is a place for “negative preaching”
1) Cf. The Ten Commandments; also, the “reproof” and “correction” mentioned in
2 Ti 3:16
2) Negative preaching serves as “restraining rails” on the strait and narrow path to life!
c. Of course, it must be properly balanced with positive preaching
1) Otherwise, we will simply bounce around and get hung up on the “restraining rails”, never making progress in our journey
2) Positive preaching will assure that we keep progressing on the right track!
3. He “taught” as well as “preached”!
a. He did not limit himself to the public forum
b. He taught with private instruction as well - Ac 20:20
c. To present every man “perfect in Christ Jesus”, there is often a need for personal
instruction that one does not find in the public assemblies of the church
d. Of course, wisdom helps to determine when - Co 1:28
4. He expended effort and emotion!
a. He “labored” toward this one goal of his
b. He “agonized” in doing so (the Greek word is agonizomai {ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee}, to
endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive)
5. He depended upon God in his labors!
a. He realized that without God he was nothing, and could do nothing worth lasting - 1 Co 15:10
b. So he always looked to God for help in accomplishing his goal - 2 Th 3:1; Co 4:3-4
CONCLUSION
1. In concluding this lesson, again I seek to make application by asking...
a. Are we imitators of Paul?
b. Are we concerned about whether or not our brethren and others are being presented “perfect in Christ”?
c. Are we willing to expend the effort and the emotion necessary to reach this end?
2. If we will...
a. View our ourselves as Paul viewed himself, as servants and stewards
b. Consider our suffering for our brethren a great privilege and source of joy
-- Then I am convinced that we gladly devote ourselves to the same goal Paul had!
3. Let’s think on these things, and consider what we can be doing to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”!
For those who have not been obedient to the gospel of Christ, perfection in Christ begins with that first step of faith...
Paul As A Minister- Colossians 1:24-29
INTRODUCTION
1. At this point in his epistle, Paul provides some insight into how he viewed his work as a minister of the gospel of Christ - Co 1:24-29
2. This passage can be of value to both:
a. Preachers of the gospel, in giving them insight as to how they view themselves and the work they are to perform
b. All Christians...
1) First, to give them a better understanding of the work of a minister and what to expect from them
2) And second, since all Christians are to imitate the example of Paul (1 Co 11:1), to learn those attitudes we should have toward our brethren whether we serve as “full-time” (i.e.,fully-supported) ministers or not
[With that in mind, we notice first of all that...]
I. PAUL TOOK GREAT JOY IN SUFFERING FOR HIS BRETHREN (24)
A. PAUL HAD SUFFERED GREATLY THROUGHOUT HIS MINISTRY...
1. As he outlined in his second epistle to the Corinthians - 2 Co 11:23-29
2. In this, he was not much different the rest of the apostles - 1 Co 4:9-13
B. YET, IF THIS SUFFERING WAS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST AND HIS
BRETHREN, PAUL WAS GLAD...!
1. As he said, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you” - Co 1:24
2. He expressed the same thoughts to the Philippians - Ph 2:17-18
3. Remember, at the very time he wrote both of these epistles he was suffering as a prisoner at Rome in service to Christ and to them!
C. WHY WAS PAUL SO JOYFULLY WILLING TO SUFFER...?
1. One reason is given in this passage: “to fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.”
a. This is not to suggest that there was anything lacking in the atoning value of Christ’s sacrifice! - cf. Co 2:14; He 10:12,14
b. The following quotation I have found helpful: “We should bear in mind that although Christ by means of the afflictions which he endured rendered complete satisfaction to God, so that Paul is able to glory in nothing but the cross (Ga 6:14), the enemies of Christ were not satisfied! They hated Jesus with insatiable hatred, and wanted to add to his afflictions. But since he is no longer physically present on earth, their arrows, which are meant especially for him, strike his followers. It is in that sense that all true believers are in his stead supplying what, as the enemies see it, is lacking in the afflictions which Jesus endured. Christ’s afflictions overflow toward us.” (Hendrickson, New Testament Commentary, Exposition of Colossians and Philemon, p. 87)
c. Passages offered in support of this interpretation are Mt 10:25; Mk 13:13; Jn 15:
18-21; Ac 9:4,5; 2 Co 1:5,10; Ga 6:17; Ph 3:10; Re 12:13
2. Paul gives another reason elsewhere he suffered joyfully for his brethren: for the same reason parents joyfully suffer for their children! - 2 Co 12:14-15
a. Children are the parents’ “pride and joy”, and the parents will gladly sacrifice for their children!
b. So Paul viewed his brethren - 1 Th 2:19-20; Ph 4:1
D. DO WE IMITATE PAUL IN THIS REGARD...?
1. Not only are we willing to share in the afflictions of Christ, but are we willing to suffer gladly for our brethren?
2. Do we consider our brethren as a source of great joy and pride?
3. Are we willing to joyfully expend time, energy, even “blood, sweat and tears” in serving them? - cf. 1 Jn 3:16
4. Can we truthfully say “yes” if we...
a. Won’t make the effort to assemble with them every opportunity that is available?
b. Won’t try to encourage them when they are weak in the faith, or admonish them when
they stray from the faith?
c. Aren’t willing to love them, to patiently endure them, to quickly forgive them, even when they offend and sin against us?
[Let the example of Paul be our model, for in reality he was simply following the example of Christ (cf. 2 Co 8:9). Next, we notice that...]
II. PAUL CONSIDERED HIMSELF A SERVANT AND A STEWARD (25-27)
A. HIS VIEW OF HIMSELF WAS REALLY QUITE A HUMBLE ONE...
1. The word “minister” is diakonos {dee-ak’-on-os}, and means “one who executes the
commands of another, esp. of a master; a servant, attendant, minister”
2. This is exactly how Paul viewed himself and other preachers - 1 Co 3:5-7
3. How different from views held today by some preachers and their brethren, who exalt preachers above their brethren!
4. In particular, Paul considered himself a servant...
a. Of the church - Co 1:24-25
b. Of Jesus Christ - Ph 1:1
c. Of the gospel - Ep 3:6-7
B. AS A SERVANT, HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A “STEWARD”...
1. He had received a “stewardship” (KJV, dispensation) from God
a. The word used is oikonomia {oy-kon-om-ee’-ah}
b. It means “the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the
management, oversight, administration, of other’s property”
2. He had been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
a. Which is called in this passage a “mystery”, for it had been hidden for ages
b. But has now been revealed to His saints (Co 1:26), indeed to all nations (Ro 16:25-26)
c. What is this “mystery”? To paraphrase Paul: “It is Christ in you (the Gentiles), the hope of glory” - Co 1:27
3. Paul considered it his duty as a “steward” to faithfully share that gospel to the nations - cf. Ep 3:8-9; 1 Co 4:2
C. HOW ABOUT US...?
1. Do we consider ourselves “servants”? We should! - cf. Mk 10:42-45
2. Do we serve one another? We should! - Ga 5:13
3. Do we consider ourselves “stewards” of the gospel?
a. That we have been entrusted with the riches of the gospel?
b. That to be faithful we must share them with others?
[Whether or not we view ourselves this way, it is how God views us, and we will be judged by how we have served as stewards (cf. Mt 25:14-30). The third and final point we can glean from our text is that...]
III. PAUL HAD PRIMARILY ONE GOAL IN LIFE (28-29)
A. TO PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST...!
1. He was not out just to preach, just to make converts
2. He wanted to make mature disciples, who had become complete in Christ
B. TO ACCOMPLISH HIS GOAL, HE USED EVERY APPROPRIATE MEANS...
1. He preached Jesus Christ!
a. He proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ
b. His life, His teachings, His death, His resurrection
-- Only by so presenting Christ to the man, can a preacher hope to present the man to
Christ as complete and mature - cf. 2 Co 3:18
2. He warned when necessary!
a. His preaching was both positive and negative!
b. Yes, there is a place for “negative preaching”
1) Cf. The Ten Commandments; also, the “reproof” and “correction” mentioned in
2 Ti 3:16
2) Negative preaching serves as “restraining rails” on the strait and narrow path to life!
c. Of course, it must be properly balanced with positive preaching
1) Otherwise, we will simply bounce around and get hung up on the “restraining rails”, never making progress in our journey
2) Positive preaching will assure that we keep progressing on the right track!
3. He “taught” as well as “preached”!
a. He did not limit himself to the public forum
b. He taught with private instruction as well - Ac 20:20
c. To present every man “perfect in Christ Jesus”, there is often a need for personal
instruction that one does not find in the public assemblies of the church
d. Of course, wisdom helps to determine when - Co 1:28
4. He expended effort and emotion!
a. He “labored” toward this one goal of his
b. He “agonized” in doing so (the Greek word is agonizomai {ag-o-nid’-zom-ahee}, to
endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive)
5. He depended upon God in his labors!
a. He realized that without God he was nothing, and could do nothing worth lasting - 1 Co 15:10
b. So he always looked to God for help in accomplishing his goal - 2 Th 3:1; Co 4:3-4
CONCLUSION
1. In concluding this lesson, again I seek to make application by asking...
a. Are we imitators of Paul?
b. Are we concerned about whether or not our brethren and others are being presented “perfect in Christ”?
c. Are we willing to expend the effort and the emotion necessary to reach this end?
2. If we will...
a. View our ourselves as Paul viewed himself, as servants and stewards
b. Consider our suffering for our brethren a great privilege and source of joy
-- Then I am convinced that we gladly devote ourselves to the same goal Paul had!
3. Let’s think on these things, and consider what we can be doing to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”!
For those who have not been obedient to the gospel of Christ, perfection in Christ begins with that first step of faith...
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