Episode 152 – Disciple Up

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.

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)

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.

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.

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!

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)

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)

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.

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)

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!