Untitled Sermon (2)

Colossians 2:1-7We Are Worshipers Living Together in a Loving Community (Find Family) Paul prison Rome-Epaphras probably started-concern that some-

⌦ Knowing: Community is Hard but Worth It:

Col. 2:1-3 “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, (Struggle) Satan does not want us to experience it-knowing it will encourage our hearts.

➤having been (United) knit together in love, (key)

➤and (United in) attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

➤United in Christ Produces good discipline and stability of faith

4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Why we preach verse by verse through Scripture, exposition-

Not just knowledge-intellect-filling head with information-It is learning-believing-understanding-

Central section of this epistle. Summary of letter.

⌦Growing: Col. 2:6 “Therefore as you have received (paralambano) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,”(referencing who/what you have come to know) Taken your stand for Christ in baptismal profession-Jesus is Lord. As you have taken your stand for Christ…so continue to walk.

➤Col. 2:7a “having been firmly rooted (like a tree-Psalm 1) Aorist-once-for-all planting. (Family: Root Groups) Grow down so that you can grow-up. Depth leads to Breadth/Roots produce Fruit

Tumbleweed, single narrow root-grows brittle with age, short life-easily blown around.

➤Col. 2:7b “and now being built up (Like a house-present indicating continual growth) in Him

➤Col. 2:7c “and established (like a legal document) in your faith,

just as you were instructed,

⌦Flowing Col. 2:7d “and overflowing (Like a jug of wine) with gratitude. Central theme-thankfulness filling the church so full it constantly spills over-center of christian living.

1 These. 5:18 (16 rejoice always) 'In everything give thanks, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus."

Col. 2:10 “and in Him you have been made complete”

Chuck Colson-Watergate scandal-prison-born again-difficult times-wife did not understand, son arrested on drug charges, he was despondent. Group of Christians in Washington Sen. Hatfield, Hughes, Quie were praying for him. Sen. Quie discovered an old law that allowed an innocent man to serve a prison term for another, and Quie volunteered to serve the remainder of Colson’s term. Colson turned him down, but had experienced love and was greatly refreshed in Christ.

Pillow

I once spent 5 minutes searching for cell phone-complaining whole time being missing to my wife who I was talking to on my cell phone-she timidly asked are you using your cell phone now-I hung up

50-70 million difficult to sleep-physiological, environment-cold-hot-anxiety-can’t shut mind down

What keeps an apostle up at night-something bothering him-2:1 great conflict/struggle Paul aware spiritual battle going on-those trying to delude/deceive them/cheat you empty deceit-

Believe/Behave/Beware

Know/Grow/Flow

Know in your hearts: 2-attaining to understanding, knowledge, hearts-western-feel things-emotion-heart/head unhealthy-Biblical near eastern-heart was mind-synonymous-KJV Prov. 23:7 “as a man thinketh in his heart-so is he.” Seat of your will-understanding-

Phil. For whose sake I have lost all things and consider them rubbish that I may know Christ