Colossians 2:1-8 Building on our foundation

Introduction

Pastor Al statement

John Wesley - Life of Perseverance

Background

Why what was going on in Collossae, Laodicea, and Heirapolis (vs 1) (Lycus Valley)

All are located 100 miles inland from Ephesus

The church is about 5 years old

Because of the trade route among the Lycus Valley, it became a prime location for all types of religious speculations and heresies

The Incomparable Christ ( Ch 1: 13-22)

Christ is our very foundation, it is upon Him that Paul addresses the church in Colossae to be a faithful Church (This is my hope and prayer for all of us this week, this message as every message from our Senior Pastor has been saturated in prayer because it is not my words or skills that you are sanctified it is by the work of the Holy Spirit, our faithful God)

1. Christ builds us up through love and knowledge VS 1-4

VS 1- Paul's great struggle

2 fold struggle, He longed to be with this young church, to ward off false teachings. - Gnosticism and Jewish remnant were prominent (the Church was primarily Gentiles)

The answer to such a struggle is prayer. Let me take some time to relate Paul to you and me. What is your spiritual dilemma? It may be a friend, a child, or a parent. I know you long to be there as Paul longed to be with the church. Yet he prayed, may we do the same. We believe in the power of prayer. We believe in the mighty work of God and how he is faithful. Do not lose hope today.

2nd fold He was in prison. He was most likely to face death if he did not deny Christ. Paul’s denial would have been devastating to the early church.

His struggle was not his own

William Barclay writes “His struggle was not for himself alone; it was also for those whose eyes were fixed upon him as their leader and father in the faith”

This is the glorious life of a believer your struggle is not your own, others are watching your faith. Not in judgment but in great expectation

Do not neglect your gathering.

Though Paul cannot be with them He desires to encourage them to be a faithful church.

Vs 2-

Encourage (παρακαλέω) parakaleō urge; implore; exhort

You see Paul was calling the church to be courageous! Courageous in the face of opposition. Filled with courage

But how, is their courage because of themselves, rather what Paul declares is that they can face anything because of Christ.

Knit-συμβιβάζω (symbibazō; sum-be-bazo) unite; hold together; advise, proof

How: The church in Collosae had been planted by two individuals Epapharas and Philemon (Philemon 19): who had been saved by hearing the Gospel from Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, they had been brought together and are a stronghold, this is what the love of God does for us.

Wait Paul didn’t have to go and start a rally based upon his name and his likeness. No, it was the Gospel. You want something down where you are, may we be the church to encourage you but let Christ be your all!

Love

Knit together is to prove that this is not of man but of God (you may be here this morning and you skeptic of this church, or maybe even Christianity as a whole) the proof is found in authentic love. I have heard it said when love dies, the church dies

Authentic love of God, God’s love had truly changed the church at Colossae. Has it changed you?

Spurgeon always preached Jesus Crucified

Agape- Love affection

First, the Love of God that has been shown to us through the death of Christ upon the cross.

John 8:28 (NASB95): So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.

Romans 3:25–26 (NASB95): 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26 For the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

You see we are born rejecting God, yet God displayed his love for you on the cross. His son took your sin, the most vile thing you have done, and His son paid your punishment and was displayed for all to see.

Proof of this authentic love of God for you.

Wondrous Love pg 93-Spurgeon

Secondly, the authentic love we have for one another

This is a binding agent.

Love through laughter, we should be having the greatest time together.

The greatest times I had was with other believers

Sitting next to my mom and my sister despite the great struggles we had in life, we were prepared to receive what God wanted to give us

Beach roman candle story

With my wife laughing together on the couch after a funny movie, or thinking about all the funny things I do.

With my friends cheering on our Colorado Avalanche!

On Paper, this group of people we see here should have nothing in common but look what the love of God can do.

If you are arrogant- repent if you are unforgiving repent if you think another church is better because the appeases your sin, repent! Let our love for God bind us!

Why are we so concerned with the things that divide us, let us be concerned with what can bind us. Yes, you have may been offended or yes maybe you have been misunderstood it is time we forgive one another. Let us be bound to one another by our willingness to love each other. A faithful church will work through its problems at the feet of Jesus.

Because we have been given all the wealth (2)

Wealth (πλοῦτος) ploutos wealth; riches, treasure abundance

here in is Salvation This is why!

Ephesians 1:7–8 (NASB95): 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

Salvation through Christ is the greatest riches one may ever receive.

“True Knowledge of God’s mystery that is Christ Himself”

Paul is directing the church that because of one salvation in Christ, they will be discerners of all situations and make the appropriate response

V3.

Paul’s declaration against Gnotocism

Gnostics had declared you needed elaborate knowledge necessary for Salvation

It is not so with Christ. God’s great mystery of Jesus has been on full display

Jesus has made himself known to all

(2 Timothy 1:8–10 (NASB95): 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

vs 4. The past three verses have a purpose, understanding them will lead to the prevention of delusion with a persuasive argument

The thought here is like a lawyer using seductive words to convince the jurcy of the inoccence of a guilty man.

As you and I build upon our foundation which is Christ, we are able to have a grip on truth not to be inticed by seductive teaching.

The love of God changes us and proves the authenticity of our love for one another in order that we know what we believe and are able to not be swayed by seductive teaching.

2. Christ builds us up through discipline VS 5

vs 5. with you in spirit- are we conneted to one another?

This is just another reminder that just a Paul’s dilema, our decisions as well are an encouragement in the faith.

good discipline

Discipline- (τάξις) taxis order; fixed succession, duty

1st of two Military terms Paul uses in adressing the church

Finding you proper position within the church, awaiting the order that is given

You have been placed in this church in the encouaragement to love God and others

this may have just flipped the script on your thoughts about church.

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB95): 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

- We are to be men and women who have found a personal relationship with Jesus and daily spending time with Him through prayer and reading His word.

Stability-στερέωμα stereōma firm position, being firm in, firmness, steadfastness

The idea here is an immovable object.

As we face the bombardment of the realty of the heaviness of the attacks of the enemy becuase of the Love of Knowledge that is found in Christ our firm foundation we are immovable

This seems like foolishness

Greek Phalanx

3. Christ builds us up through a daily walk of faith VS 6-8

Vs. 6 recieved Christ, how have they done so?

By faith

Galatians 2:20 (NASB95): 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

what does it mean to walk in Him

By faith (it is a pilgrimmage) The Hobbit

Acts 16:5 (NASB95): So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

vs. 7 Is Pauls reminder of how we are able to walk in Faith, there are five terms here

Firmly rooted - deep roots, deep roots that recieve their nourishement

You and I need daily nourishement from Christ, I am always baffled at myself when I doubt that I need such a thing, yet I can tell when I am lacking.

It is impossible without Christ to remain rooted He alone is our sustainer(warning for us all who are trying to be our own sustainer)

Built up- We are built upon the stregth that is found in Christ

Just like we are unable to be our own sustainer we are incapable of having anyform of solid foundation is we are not humble

Established- holding fast to our faith

Instructed -Never forgetting the teachings of Christ

not frozen orthodoxy- not dead but alive faith

Gratitude- True mark of a mature believer

Overflowing

vs 8 captive- to be carried off

please remember this warning

two avenues of captivity philiosphy and empty deception

these two come from the men and the principles of the world

they are so far from our solid foundation Christ!

4. Conclusion -The beliver builds upon the solid foundation of Christ

Through Love and knowledge

Through Faith and Discipline

Through a daily walk of Faith

Salvation

Communion - It is today that we remeber our Solid Foundation Christ and what he has done for us. Today we remmber what was put on Display Christ the body that was broken and the blood that was shed for you and me.