Episode 152

 

Disciple Up #152
|Paul’s Ministry (Pt. 2), Col. 2: 1-7
By Louie Marsh, 3-25-2020

Introduction:  Today we’ll look at more of Paul’s Ministry, and at a crucial turning point in the book.  The next two episodes are the heart and soul of Colossians, you won’t want to miss it.  In vs. 1 Paul gets personal as a way of getting our attention and letting us know something important is about to be said.

  1. I) PAUL’S PURPOSE

1  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV)

  1. A) To Encourage Their Hearts

1, encourage = “to call someone to yourself, to ask (sometimes in prayer) to exhort, to strengthen.”

2, Paul continues to struggle so that both the Col. and the Laodiceans might be strong in heart.

3, Hearts = center of being, deepest part of us, soul = mind, will, emotions.

  1. B) United (knit together) in Love

1, This presupposes that there already was a measure of division among them due to false teachers.

2, How does unity come?

a, Eph. 4:2-3 – it takes work!  b, Eph. 4:15 – honesty!

2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV)

15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)

15  Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly —and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church. Ephesians 4:15 (TLB)

c, Unity comes from an honest, open, loving dialogue, supported by loving actions.

  1. C) Complete Understanding of Christ

1, “full riches” used in LXX not only of material riches but spiritual too. – Isa. 33:6

6  and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. Isaiah 33:6 (ESV)

2, “completely” = epignesgo

a, Gk = a full knowledge, more than just intellectual, but experience too.

3, Paul’s purpose is to bring us to a full knowledge of Christ – to make us complete disciples

4, “Christ has become to Christians all that the Wisdom of God was according to the Wisdom Lit. and more.” – Moule

a, He is the one and only source for fullness in this life!

  1. II) STAND FIRM!! (vs. 4-5)

4  I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5  For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:4-5 (ESV)

  1. A) Don’t Be Deceived!

1, By fine sounding arguments!  How not too – I Pet. 3: 15

15  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

  1. B) With Them in Spirit

1, Paul was struggling, right there along with them, in spirit

2, Christ does this for us, and we should do it for others.

  1. C) Delighted!

1, Paul doesn’t deny their problems in this book.

2, BUT he also doesn’t neglect to encourage them either!

3, We must always seek to be balanced between these two sides.

III) PIVOT POINT (vs. 6-7)

[These two verses are in a pivotal position in Col.  1) They set the ground work for the positive instruction that serves as the basis to refute the heresy.  2) They summarize what’s gone before]

6  Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7  rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

  1. A) How Did We Receive Christ?

1, By Faith – AS LORD

a, You begin Christian life by submitting to Christ as LORD!

2, You are saved by faith – Rom. 1:17 –  Through grace

17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 (ESV)

8  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

3, You will only continue to follow Christ the same way

a, For Paul there is no hiatus between believing and behaving!

  1. B) Rooted!

1, All 3 Participles – rooted, built, & strengthened are passives.

a, These are things done to us – not things we do to ourselves

b, rooted is in perfect tense meaning Christians are in a settled state before God – fully accepted through faith.

2, Christ’s death & resurrection, and our faith in Him, allows God to root us in Him.

3, Now we must continue to allow the Lord to build us up and strengthen us in Him.

a, This continual life long process is done through teaching, prayer, etc.

  1. C) Thankfulness

1, Thanksgiving is referred to no fewer than SIX times in Col. four short chapters!  This should tell us something!

2, Without praise as a continual part of our lives are incomplete!

3, What should we praise Him for?

a, For starters how about salvation?

CT Article:

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/march/pentecostal-la-pastor-defies-covid19-coronavirus-order.html

Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 151

Disciple Up #151
C.S. Lewis VS the Corona Virus?
By Louie Marsh, 3-18-2020

Link to the book from which the article I’m reading and commenting upon, “On Living In An Atomic Age,” is taken from:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EFM8O7E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

URL Of Last Weeks show: http://discipleup.org/episode-150/

A FEW VERSES ON FEAR:

21  And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So will the LORD do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. 22  You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.’ Deuteronomy 3:21-22 (ESV)

1  “When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2  And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3  and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4  for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ Deuteronomy 20:1-4 (ESV)

37  And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do. You shall not fear other gods, 38  and you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you. You shall not fear other gods, 39  but you shall fear the LORD your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” 40  However, they would not listen, but they did according to their former manner. 2 Kings 17:37-40 (ESV)

10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

35  While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36  But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:35-36 (ESV)

15  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NIV)

6  So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)

18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 150

Disciple Up #150
A Christian Response to the Coronavirus
By Louie Marsh, 3-11-2020

Links To Articles:

https://dashhouse.com/whether-one-may-flee-from-a-deadly-ministry/

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/january-web-only/martin-luther-coronavirus-wuhan-chinese-new-year-christians.html

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/march/craig-groeschel-lifechurch-quarantined-coronavirus.html

https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2020/a-christian-response-to-the-corona-virus/

Things that Should (But Don’t) Go Without Saying:

  • We should be praying for those impacted by this disease
  • We should be doing what we can, either directly by helping, or indirectly by giving, to help those impacted by this disease.
  • We should use our brains and do what is reasonable to take care of ourselves and avoid getting this disease.
  • We should help others stay healthy, if any need that help, and help spread the truth about this disease.

The Real Issue – FEAR!

26  “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27  What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29  Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:26-29 (ESV)

14  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17  and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17 (ESV)

7  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

5  For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6  as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 1 Peter 3:5-6 (ESV)

14  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 1 Peter 3:14 (ESV)

18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV)

Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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Episode 149

Disciple Up # 149
The Most Terrible Psalm
By Louie Marsh, 3-4-2020

I’m reading from chapter 5 of my first book, Getting Real. This is the chapter on Psalm 22, a psalm that prophetically foretells the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. It’s powerful and it’s terrible in how it shows us the agony that Jesus went through on the cross.

 

I’ll be departing from the book’s text to make comments as I go through. Any comments I think are worth noting will be written below.

 

Here’s the URL for the book: shorturl.at/koDMT

 

Most people approach this a problem from a selfish point of view.

 

How we react to suffering is a choice.

 

In the end, God will using suffering to make us more like Christ IF we let Him.

Please Get In Touch!

Email – louie@discipleup.org

 


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