The knowledge of His will

Colossians 1:1–20 KJV 1900

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Back story to the church in Colosse

This letter was written by Paul and Timothy in approximately AD 62 at the same time that the letters to the Ephesians, and Philemon were written. The church in Colosse was evidently started by a man named Epaphras as we evidence of this in verses 4 and 7 and also later on in the last chapter of the book. He was also used in starting the church and Laodicea.

We know that the church of Collosse was formed as a result of Pauls third missionary journey.

Many Bible Scholars believe this letter, written as a response to the visit of Epaphras, was dually penned by Timothy and Paul. Which explains why some of the language that is used does not fit the typical writings of Paul. What a great example of Paul training his protege to do as he does.

As with the rest of Pauls letters that we have, they were written for a purpose. Paul was not simply writing these churches because they were pen pals and he did not have anything better to do. On the contrary Paul has risked his life and lively hood in order for the truths of these pages to be proclaimed through all the region. Note that Paul was martyred just a few years later. Because of the life he lived that bled out on the pages of the letters he wrote to the churches.

Coming from a man like this it would be a wise thing to dig into the cause of his prayers.

Beginning in verse 9 we see the beginning of Pauls prayer for the church in Colosse.

Look at and read verse 9 what is at the end of it? how about verse 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. What we see here is one continuous sentence. Meaning all of these verses are meant to be read as one thought. So tonight lets break down what the apostle is writing to the church.

Knowing Gods will

Colossians 1:9 KJV 1900

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

First off we find in verse 9 a prayer and a desire to be filled with the knowledge of his will in two ways.

In all Wisdom

Spiritual understanding

Why were Paul and Timothy concerned about the people knowing the will of God in wisdom and spiritual understanding. The reason is because just like now in our day and age there was a move of spirituality that was truly anti Christian. Some scholars believe the false teaching in Colosse was from within the church and others are convinced that it was from with out. Which ever one it was may we all be aware that we as individuals must seek to know God’s will both in wisdom and spiritual understanding.

It is important for us to not just seek wisdom, as we can delve into a treasure trove of worldly wisdom if we are not careful. Get educated, get a good paying job, get a nice house, establish a good portfolio. Though this is good wisdom in being a successful individual is this what God is calling you to do. Based upon your spiritual understanding.

What if your son or daughter at the age of 14 said they wanted to go on an extended missions trip instead of going to their first year of college and they want to start saving for it right now. Would you encourage this?

I’m talking about leaving home for several month, to go oversees to a place that needs the gospel and partner with a church in need.

A book I’m reading reference's a video of a girl on social media , who was soon to graduate high school. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a group commonly known as Mormons. Traditionally, nearly every Mormon student who graduates high school spends the following year somewhere away from home sharing the teachings of Joseph Smith. To be clear, theirs is not the biblical gospel that saves but a counterfeit gospel that condemns.

In the video, she was at home reading a letter she’d received informing her where her upcoming mission assignment would take her. As she read it, she shook with nervous excitement. When she came to the part detailing her assignment, her face lit up with a shining smile. Immediately the camera panned out and revealed her family and a host of friends who had gathered to cheer in celebration.

Why is this? Why is a teenage member of a cult—a cult with a counterfeit and condemning gospel—more excited about and committed to going to the nations than Christians are, even though we have the true gospel of Jesus Christ?

Could it be that we are holding onto Wisdom as in the wisdom of the world.

And knowing how to give a spiritual answer but not really seeking God to specifically guide us and our families to His will for the world.

This is what the apostle is saying here. Follow God! But follow him God’s way.

What is God’s will for the whole world?

God is not willing that any should perish.

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The entire reason we are still on this earth is to tell people about Jesus.

Knowing God’s will so we can walk worthy

Colossians 1:10 KJV 1900

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

A mom and dad had to run to town for an errand. They told their son that while they were gone to move everything from the living room into the kitchen and to leave it there. They were in a hurry so they didn’t have time to explain themselves. The boy wanting to please his parents did just that, he moved everything into the kitchen.

He than started thinking to himself, why would they have me do such a thing. As he was thinking this he noticed several stains on the living room carpet. He thought to him self they must have someone coming to clean the carpet.

Wanting to please his parents he decides to clean the carpet himself. Meticulously scrubbing and shampooing and vacuuming. Once it was clean, he moved all of the furniture back into the living room. Just in time for his parents to get home.

Expecting them to be ecstatic he sat on the couch all smiles. Much to his surprise they walked in with a crew of people. The parents had gone to town to pick out the new hardwood floor and they brought back the installation crew so that it could be done that day.

The young man had great intentions but he was trying to get ahead of his parents. Though he had good intentions he ran ahead of their wishes and it wound up being a lot of energy spent for something that didn’t need to happen.

in verse 10 the apostle tells us to walk in a manor worthy of the Lord. We must not decide to run when God tells us to walk. Though there may be many good things to do. We must do the things that God has told us to do.

Once were walking lets address the worth part of this verse.

There are times in life that we step into a situation that we are not worth to be a part of.

A sports competition that we are vastly under talented

A dialog that we are vastly under educated

A parking lot that our car is vastly under valued

If we want to become worthy of the circumstances around us we must change things in our life to line up with the worth of our surroundings.

How does this happen. By following and obeying those that we are aspiring to be worthy of.

God is not going to tell all of us to do the same thing. Being able to know God’s will for your life so you can walk worthy comes from increasing in the knowledge of God as we see at the end of verse 10.

How do we increase in the knowledge of God? Scripture and communication.

if the young men would have communicated with his parents, he would have known to simply do exactly what they had asked him.

Being strengthened in God’s will

Colossians 1:11 KJV 1900

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Have you ever been a part of something that was an immense amount of work? And in the middle of it, even though you are tired, you see all the work getting done. All of the progress that is being made and you get your “second wind”.

Often this does not happen when we are trying to accomplish everything on our own. But when we have a team around us and everyone is doing exactly what they had planned to do that day.

God strengthens us to do His will when we do it his way. It is when we get out of His will that we get burnt out. And we may get burnt out doing good things. But we must do the things that God is having us do.

When we submit totally to his will and He strengthens us it does so much more than a second wind could ever do. He does it according to his glorious power.

How did Moses do what He did? God’s glorious power.

How did Noah build an ark perfectly? God’s glorious power.

How did Peter walk on water? God’s glorious power.

How did Elijah call down fire from heaven? God’s glorious power.

How do we fulfill what God calls us to do? God’s glorious power.

How do we raise a family in 2023? God’s glorious power.

Colossians 1:11 KJV 1900

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Patience and longsuffering sounds redundant. What is this saying here? Patience is interpreted from the Greek word hupomone meaning patient or endurance. A runner who has patience also has endurance to finish the race. The greek for longsuffering is makrothumia referring to literally waiting or forbearance.

Putting these two together we have see someone who is prepared to run a race that has put the time in to build up their endurance so they can last the whole race. And also has the patience to stay consistent so they have the ability to finish the race.

And not just finish the race but to finish it with Joyfulness.

Working for the Lord is not like the 9-5 where you can’t wait to get home and just turn off the day. The Lord wants us to be strengthened with JOYFULNESS.

He wants us heading home from a day of serving. Not upset over the lack of help or adverse circumstances that surrounded. But rather full of Joy that we had the opportunity to help someone in their spiritual walk.

You may say I don’t have anywhere to serve with Joy. Talk to me after the service and ill help you out with that.

Being made qualified of our inheritance

Colossians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

As we finish races may we never chalk up the completion to our own Glory. We must always give thanks to our father in heaven.

Notice this next part though it says he has made us meet to be partakers.

Did you catch that? That word “meet” means to qualify or make able. He has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance! Wow how amazing is that! Human beings, sinful, depraved, self righteous, and helpless. He has MADE US QUALIFIED.

We deserve Hell and He gives us an inheritance of the saints. And he didn’t just give us an inheritance. He delivered us from darkness!

We are delivered

Colossians 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

We no longer have to go through life holding onto our addictions, problems, weights, or sins he has delivered us from these things and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear son.

We must not waste this opportunity he has given us.

How is all of this possible?

We have redemption through His blood

Colossians 1:14 KJV 1900

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

We have nothing without the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 9:22–28 KJV 1900

22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

We must trust on the shed blood of Christ or we have nothing to trust in. If Christ’s blood is not covering your sin, every good work you ever do will be for naught. Every little old lady you help across the street, every time you obeyed your mom and dad, every hour your volunteered at church and at a community center, will still leave your damned to hell if you do not know Christ as your personal savior.

This thought should scare you or spur you.

Who is this Jesus to you?

Colossians 1:15–20 KJV 1900

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

With Jesus we have everything. With out Jesus we have nothing.

God really has a will for our life.

There is the message

Knowing God’s will

Walking worthy of God’s will

Being strengthened in God’s will

Being made qualified for our inheritance

We are delivered

We have redemption through his blood

Who is Jesus to you?

The application is found in the verses. Ask your self.

Do I know God’s will

Am I walking worthy of Gods will

Am I being strengthened in God’s will

Have I been made qualified for our inheritance

Am I staying delivered from what i already have deliverance?

Have you found redemption through his Blood

Who is Jesus to you?

Where ever we are at. God has a will for our life.

A will for your marriage present or future

A will for your ministry

A will for your job

A will for your soul

A will for your role in this church