How Great a Struggle: Col. 2:1-5

Intro:

Paul toiled and struggled in his Apostolic ministry, through the sleepless nights, the loneliness, the heartache, body pains, etc. for the goal of presenting everyone mature in Christ. How has that been going for you this week? Don’t forget, Paul did this with all the energy that God was powerfully at work within him.

Part of the struggle that Paul had with presenting the Colossians mature in Christ was the distance that was between them and the fact that they never met. But that does not stop him from enouraging them in the ever present, full assurance of understanding and knowledge found in Jesus! Even though they did not have Paul, they had Christ in them!

It is interesting how God will use distance to provide opportunities to become more like Jesus. When I went to my first year of Bible school, the first couple of months were really hard. I realized how much I relied on my parents for everything. My dad was a part of a lot of the decisions I made. Now he wasn’t there, and long distance calling was really expensive (facebook was not invented yet, neither was video calling)

Outline:

Distance: “Not Seen Me” (v. 1)

Encouragment: “Riches of Full Assurance ” (v. 2a)

Hope: “Christ” (v. 2b)

Encouragment: “All the Treasures” (v. 3-4)

Distance: “Absent in Body” (v. 5)

Summary: Even though Paul was distant, Jesus never is. The hope of Jesus reaches every distance. Physical distance and deluded arguments have nothing on the treasure of Jesus

Prayer:

Distance from the Readers: “Not Seen Me” (v. 1)

My face in the flesh (vs. -)

For I want you to know- “eidenai” verb, perf, act, inf, to know

How great a struggle (“agona”- noun)I have, same word as used in 1:29- speaking of Paul’s Apostolic gifting as he tolied and struggled to make the message of Jesus clear and present everyone mature in Christ.

for you- those in Colosse that are connected through Epaphras

and for those in Laodicea-

city that is about 12 miles from Clossae,

they had a significant Jewish population.

warned about spiritual lethargy in Rev. 3:14-22)

Church there was probably founded by Epaphras

Referenced again in 4:13-16

and for all who have not seeen me- “heorakan” verb, perf, act ind, 3rd, pl, to perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight.

face to face

“all how have not seen my face/presence in the flesh”- this would include us today as the reader also.

Application/Implications:

Paul cares about these people. Even though they had not met he still wanted to see them to know the mystery of Christ in them.

Some of you get this more than others, you feel the affects of distance from family or friends more than others. Covid was especially hard on you. You have had to stay home with sick kids or with a declining family member or spouse. You have a desire to see unreached people hear the gospel, you like ministering to the marginalized and those on the fringe.

Think of someone in your own life that you have not seen in a while, What would you like to encourage them with? Maybe today would be a good day for a phone call or a visit...

How does this truth, that it is possible to struggle for those you have never met to become more like Jesus to challenge the way you think about missions? Is it possible for us as a church to struggle for people in a location, even in Brantford, that we have never met? In order that they may become mature in Christ? How great is our struggle for those we have not met in the flesh face to face? is it merely struggling to see them physically succeed?

Transitional phrase: Paul wanted them to know how great a struggle he had for them, but distance wasn’t the main subject. Their hearts were more important to him

Encouragment: “Riches of Full Assurance ” (v. 2a)

Knit together (vs. -)

That their hearts (the source of willing, thinking, and feeling) may be encouraged- “paraklethosin” verb, aor, pass, subj, 3rd, pl urge; implore; exhort- This is the same word used for the HS and His work. Paul’s desire was to encourage those he knew and came into contact with. This was his goal when he saw people face to face.

being knit together in love- “symbibasthentes” verb, aor, pass, part, nom, masc, pl unite hold together; advise, to be or become formed or combined into a whole

to reach all the riches of full assurance (“plerophorias” noun) of

understanding- “syneseos” insight, comprehension

and the knowledge- “epignosin”, knowledge, recognition, personal recognition

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:2–3

Knowledge is the apprehension of truth; wisdom is its application to life. Knowledge is prudent judgment and wisdom is prudent action. Both are found in Christ

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:2–3

There is no full knowledge apart from moral commitment. Complete understanding (syneseōs, “insight”) results from complete yielding

Application/Implications:

How is your heart this morning? Are you down? Are you encouraged? Are you so dog tired you don’t know which one? This is part of the reason why we meet together on Sundays, face to face, in the flesh. Why, to encourage one another. Well Pastor, I can do that on my own, I don’t need other people. I can find encouragement from my favourite speakers on TV, online, through podcasts, etc.

How is your knitting going (KNITTED BLANKET)? We have a group that meets at the church on Wed that likes to knit. Part of being encouraged means that you knitted into God’s design for you. Part of that design involves this local body of believers just like it did in Colossae. There is a process, there is a pattern, there is a purpose. The goal is to reach the end and have something you can use and enjoy.

People that knit during church, or growth group, What a visible example of the invisible work the HS is doing

And encouraged heart looks/sounds like something. There is the knitting together in love and reaching all the riches of full assurance of understanding and knowledge. “Of what”, you might ask. Well that leads us into his main point

Transitional phrase: Paul was not interested in creating another social club or merely feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Paul is very specific. Reaching the riches of full assurance of understanding and knowledge was only found in…God’s Mystery, Jesus! This is what knit them together, this is what encouraged their hearts even though they were absent from one another.

Hope: “Christ” (v. 2b)

Christ (vs. -)

of God’s mystery- “mysterion”

which is Christ- this is the ultimate purpose of Paul’s ministry and the this letter! That the people would know and understand God’s Mystery- Christ!

He is the reason for the struggle- to make them more like Jesus

He is the source of encouragment- that gets to the heart

He is the process, the pattern and the purpose- knitting us together in love

Knowledge and understanding of Him brings full assurance- which is the greatest riches of all

IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS! If you don’t have Him then you have nothing. If you have Him, you have all you need for life and godliness.

The mystery part of this is that Jesus is not just for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. You do not have to be Jewish in order be a part of God’s family

Application/Implications:

Transitional phrase: Since Jesus is the key, what difference does that make...

Encouragment: “All the Treasures” (vs. 3-4)

Hidden Treasure (v. 3)

In whom- Jesus

are hidden all the- “eisin” verb, pres, act, iond, 3rd, pl, to be

Treasures of wisdom- practical knowledge that leads to right living before God. This would go along with the “warning” or counselling part of proclaiming Jesus.

how to respond in a specific circumstance in a way that reflects/glorifies Christ.

and knowledge- more intellectual in its focus. This would go along with the “teaching” part of proclaiming Jesus

Proclaiming Jesus is based off of certain truths found in the Word of God

Hidden- “apokryphoi” secret concealed, this comes at the end of the sentence.

Colossians and Philemon C. The Mystery of Christ in Paul’s Ministry and Christian Experience (1:24–2:5)

They are “hidden” in Christ in the sense that they are “treasures” that have been deposited in him and are now stored up in him. Anyone who comes to know Christ by faith can draw from his store all the wisdom and knowledge that exists.

Peter said that we have been given all we need for “life and godliness” through his great and precious promises.

Good theology is meant to lead to right living.

If we do not have right theology, how do we expect to have right living?

If we do not have right living, are we sure we are committed to right theology?

Plausible arguments (v. 4

I say this in order that

no one may delude you- “paralogizetai” verb, present, mid or pass, subj, 3rd, sg decieve, delude, to cleverly decieve

with plausible arguments- persuasive speech

Colossians and Philemon C. The Mystery of Christ in Paul’s Ministry and Christian Experience (1:24–2:5)

Christ is the one in whom is to be found all that one needs in order to understand spiritual reality and to lead a life pleasing to God.

Here it is, this is the main problem that is going on in Colossea!

Application/Implications:

We need to be just as vigilant as those in Colossea that we are not deluded with plausible arguments or persuasive speech that would take us away from all the riches of full assurance that we have in Jesus.

Start thinking and praying about it now, is there any persuasive speech that is deluded the power of the gospel in my life, any area that the knowledge and widsom of Jesus is hidden from?

Transitional Phrase: Just as Paul gives encouragment on either side of Jesus, he now returns to the challenge he started off with, Distance

Distance: “Absent in Body” (vs. -)

I am rejoicing (v. 5)

For though I am absent in body- get your keys out, where is Paul

yet (“alla”-big contrast) I am with you in spirit

rejoicing - “chairon” verb, pres, act, part, sg, nom, masc to rejoice, to feel happiness or joy

to see your -”blepon” verb, pres, act, part, sg, nom, masc to see, understand

good order- “taxin” good order, a condition of regular or proper (sequential) arrangement, disciplined formation

and the firmness of your faith in Christ- “stereoma” steadfastness, firmness, understood as if being steady or securely and immovably fixed in place, strong force.

Both are miliary terms and used in more general context

Application/Implications:

What will it look/sound like for us to be in good order standing in the firmness of our faith in Christ this week?

How might you encourage someone else in these things. Paul was at a distance, we do not have to be at a distance. Who is one person you can reach out and encourage their heart with the full assurance of understanding and knowledge of Jesus this week? Can we do it face to face this week?

All of us have plausible arguments in our minds seeking to tell us that Jesus is not enought and that I also need the power of … in my life.

Summary

Song:

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. Why is Paul struggling according to verses 1, 5?

3. How does Paul describe what an encouraged heart looks like in verses 2 and 5?

4. What treasure is found in Jesus?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. How does this truth, that it is possible to struggle for those you have never met to become more like Jesus, challenge the way you think about missions? Is it possible for us as a church to struggle for people in a location, even in Brantford, that we have never met? In order that they may become mature in Christ? What does that look like?

2. Start thinking and praying about it now, “is there any persuasive speech that is deluding the power of the gospel in my life, any area that the knowledge and widsom of Jesus is hidden from”? What might be some common examples from your life or our culture?

3. What will it look/sound like for us to be in good order standing in the firmness of our faith in Christ this week?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

Think of someone in your own life that you have not seen in a while, What would you like to encourage them with? Maybe today would be a good day for a phone call or a visit?

Come prepared to share some of the riches that are giving you full assurance and encouragment in your heart that are only found in Christ.

What will it look/sound like for us to be in good order standing in the firmness of our faith in Christ this week?