Knowledge that pleases
Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.
Colossian church was not started by Paul, who had never been there; rather Epaphras (E/Pa/Frass), who apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus, who theologians believe started the church in Colosse when he returned home.
Several years after the Colossian church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it—one not identified with any particular historical system. It contained elements of what later became known as Gnosticism. Gnosis: is the Greek word for knowledge.
Gnostic’s believed that God is good, but matter is evil, that Jesus Christ was merely one of a series of ema{nations descending from God and being less than God (a belief that led them to deny His true humanity), and that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
Fill you - The word “fill” carries the idea of being fully equipped. It was used to describe a ship that was ready for a voyage. The believer has in Christ all that he or she needs for the voyage of life.
In the language of the New Testament, to be filled means to be “controlled by.” When we are filled with anger, we are controlled by anger. To be “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18) means to be “controlled by the Spirit.”
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
Fill you with the Knowledge of His will.
There is knowledge then there is God knowledge. Book Smart / Street Smart
I heard a description of an intellectual that said he has so many degrees that he does not have a temperature.
Some Christians make finding God’s will really weird.
Either (A) the make it mystical or (B) they make it circumstantial
Mystical: It is a feeling or an impression
Gnosticism: that a secret, higher knowledge above Scripture was necessary for enlightenment and salvation.
Circumstantial: If a parking spot opens up in front of a store it is God’s will for me to shop there.
Ill: Pray for a open spot in front and drive around 10 times till a space opens up.
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
worthy of the Lord and please him in every way
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Pleasing Him by: Bearing fruit in every good work.
Scripture catalogs three kinds of spiritual fruit:
(1) Spiritual attitudes that characterize a Spirit-led believer (Gal. 5:22, 23);
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(2)Righteous actions (6:22; Phil. 4:16, 17; Heb. 13:15)
(3) New converts / Leading people to Christ
10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Pleasing Him by: Growing in the knowledge of God. - knowledge is used twice.
How do you grow in the knowledge of God? By learning His word.
In the Christian life, knowledge and obedience go together. There is no separation between learning and living. The wisdom about which Paul prayed was not simply a head knowledge of deep spiritual truths. True spiritual wisdom must affect the daily life. Wisdom and practical intelligence must go together.
Book Smart / Street Smart
I heard a description of an intellectual that stated: he has so many degrees that he does not have a temperature.
Knowledge vs. Wisdom
Knowledge: Is the accumulation of facts, information, and skills.
Wisdom: Is the ability to apply knowledge to make sound judgments and decisions.
Knowledge: Can be acquired through education and learning.
Wisdom: Requires experience, reflection, and understanding.
Knowledge: Is focused on the acquisition of information.
Wisdom: Is focused on the application of information.
Knowing God’s word helps us know God’s will.
Doing God’s will and bearing fruit helps us ever increase in the knowledge of God.
11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,
Being strengthened with all power / so that you may have great endurance and patience
Pleasing Him by: having great endurance and patience
Our lives please God when they are characterized by endurance and patience. Life is often difficult and challenging. At times, circumstances are less than friendly. At those times we need endurance—the ability to pass through any experience and trust God to see us through. At times, people are less than friendly. At those times we need patience—the capacity to be long-suffering with people and not retaliate when we are wronged or irritated.
12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Pleasing Him by: Giving joyful thanks to the Father
12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Qualified you, Rescued us, brought us into the kingdom
Just as Paul was clear to spell out specific means to please God, he is equally clear about the blessings of salvation for which we are to give thanks.
This time we are given a list of three: God qualified us, rescued us (v. 13), and brought us into a new kingdom (v. 13)
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
God’s work of salvation, for which believers are joyfully to give thanks, is pictured further with redemption and forgiveness. To redeem someone means “to buy them back and set them free.” Jesus’ death was the price paid to buy us back and set us free from sin. Because of Christ’s death on our behalf, we are set free from both the penalty and the power of sin.
Forgiveness parallels redemption. Forgive literally means “to send away, to cancel.” Through the death of Jesus, God has canceled the debt of our sin. It was a debt we could never repay; but since Jesus paid the debt for us, God has forgiven the debt.
Paul wants us to know the truth about pleasing God so that we won’t be victims of the well-disguised lies of those who might lead us astray.
Things You Need To Know About God’s Will
(1) God’s will is more like a GAME PLAN
than a BLUE PRINT.
A Blueprint: Spells everything out in great detail and are set. Many Christ followers believe if they some how don’t follow every small detail of the blueprint they are not fulfilling God’s will for their lives.
A Game Plan: Sets general guidelines with an occasional specific play.
5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
(2) HOW we live is far more important than
WHERE we live.
Learn & follow the “House Rules.” - What God’s word teaches.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
God’s will, will never contradict His word.
(3) God’s will is often like an old-school POLAROID picture.
If we follow Today’s Instructions, we’ll get Tomorrow’s Instructions.
God’s will has both a What and a When. Acts 7:20-36 Proverbs 19:3
A Valley doesn’t mean a Wrong Turn
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
To know God’s will. If you know God’s will everything will fall into place.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Make a decision and take a nap.
Pray: God is this your will for my life? Does this bring fruit in my life.
Does anything about this contradict what your word teaches?
Book Smart Vs. Street Smart
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.