Walking in Christ

We just finished chapter 1 with the Presentation of Members.

We are presented for Ministry.

The Source of Ministry is God.

The Spirit of Ministry is Joy.

The Suffering of Ministry is for Christ and the Churches Sake.

The Scope of Ministry is Fulfilling our Purpose by Doing.

The Subject of the Ministry is the Mystery, Christ in You.

The Style of Ministry is Preaching.

The Sum of Ministry is Maturity.

The Strength of Ministry is Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:29 (KJV 1900)

29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Colossians 2:1 (KJV 1900)

1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

ye knew = Paul wants them to be aware of a fact or a specific piece of information.

What is this information?

Paul has a conflict!

There is a struggle going on with Paul. He is in a personal battle, a personal fight over the people in Colossae, Laodicea, and others that have not even seen him physically.

What is this fight over?

Remember the reason for writing to them. Their pastor, Epaphras, has told Paul of 2 heresies working their way into the church at Colossae and the surrounding churches.

Successful ministry is dependent upon a love of Christ and a love for the Church. That is why we suffer doing ministry.

Colossians 1:24 (KJV 1900)

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Ephesians 5:23–25 (KJV 1900)

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ministry comes down to your maturity.

Why do you do ministry? If it for your own accolades and praises or the presentation of yourself to Christ and to others no matter what it costs you.

Luke 9:23 (KJV 1900)

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Ministry is not about you, but rather about Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived the example.

John 10:11 (KJV 1900)

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The number one issue today with ministry or the lack thereof, is the love of Jesus and the love of Jesus’ people, the church.

1 John 5:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

So, Paul is in agony, a fight and battle, because Paul loves Jesus and Jesus’ people, even those he has not seen who are under the attack of false teachings that deteriorate their love for Jesus and Jesus’ people, the church.

So, Paul starts this chapter and in verse 6 gives us the imperative or the command.

Colossians 2:6 (KJV 1900)

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

So, in order to understand what Paul is commanding us to do, we need understand Paul’s

The Great Desire

Colossians 2:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

If you really love someone, then you will have a certain anticipation or desire that they will amount to something.

This is a glimpse into the Pastor’s heart. We desire for you to be practically everything that God has made you positionally.

In this love for the people of Jesus Christ, Paul desires 2 things, 2 verbs,

Comforted in Heart

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

The verb is

Comforted = parakaleo = encouraged, exhorted, and strengthened.

Same root word for the Holy Spirit, the comforter.

The comfort happens in the heart. Now, when the Bible speaks of the heart, it is not referring to the blood pumping organ in your chest, but rather it is referring to your intellect and will, in other words, the mind.

Remember, we are created in 3 parts, the Spirit, the Body, and the Soul, or mind or will.

Paul starts here because that is the first place Satan will attack.

2 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV 1900)

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Galatians 6:9 (KJV 1900)

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Our mind is vitally important to the Christian life.

Romans 12:2 (KJV 1900)

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We also learned that the Will of God is the proclamation of mystery of Christ dwelling in you, which allows us to

Romans 12:1 (KJV 1900)

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Strengthener.

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit so we don’t lose heart and faint, give up or quit.

Now, verb 2.

Not only does Paul desire a comforted heart but also

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Consolidated in Love

Consolidated = knit together, united, held together, or combined.

Where?

In love - Agape.

Comforted in our Heart which brings us Consolidated in love.

What is the heartbeat of Christianity? Love.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV 1900)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Useless by their self.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV 1900)

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV 1900)

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Paul wants our mind and will to be knit together, united, consolidated.

Paul uses this same verb in

Colossians 2:19 (KJV 1900)

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

The idea is Paul under the inspiration of God want all of us as parts of the whole to be put together and knit together in a way that leaves them almost without any personal identity.

Example of a quilt: Some pieces of material are not real pretty or attractive on their own, but knitted together with other pieces they lose their identity and conform to the overall quilt.

Love is the thing that ties or binds believers together.

We are

Positionally United

We have all come to Christ in the same way, we are all saved by the saved method, by the same God. We have all been placed into one body by the same spirit in the same way in the same fulness as every other Christian.

I don’t have anything unique of Jesus Christ than you.

We have a common eternal life.

Galatians 3:26 (KJV 1900)

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28 (KJV 1900)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Romans 10:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Remember, that is the Mystery the Paul discussed in chapter 1. We have been reconciled and Christ, Deity, lives in us.

Because we have been positionally united in Christ, we should be

Practically United

Remember our Ephesians study.

Ephesians 4:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We don’t create unity, we guard or keep unity. The Spirit created Unity by positionally placing all of us in 1 Savior, Jesus Christ.

We guard it through peace with each other.

We are to be peacemakers.

How do we do that?

Lets look ahead to

Colossians 3:12–13 (KJV 1900)

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:14 (KJV 1900)

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Now, remember our study in Philippians.

Philippians 2:1–8 (KJV 1900)

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Love comes from peace, peace comes from humility.

Jesus personified love and humility.

When was the last time you sacrificed anything to meet somebody’s need.

When we are comforted in heart, consolidated in love, it will lead to the third thing as a result of, and that is you will be

Settled in Understanding

Notice the sequence of Paul.

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

When you know the truth in your head, in other words your mind is right, you will act it out in your life in deeds of love, unto = a preposition of direction.

You will be rich.

Amen. and Amen.

Wait, you will be rich of understanding.

which will be experienced in 2 areas.

Area #1

Confidence

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Full Assurance = Confidence

When you understand Christianity intellectually, comforted in heart, and are actively living it out, consolidated in love, you will have assurance, build confidence.

Confidence conquers doubts about salvation.

Paul as well as I, want you to be confident, assured, secure in your mind.

We don’t need to be like those in Ephes 4:14

Ephesians 4:14 (KJV 1900)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

You know why kids fall into deception, because they are not built up in love, not only the knowledge of truth, but the operation of truth.

Confidence comes from living out your faith.

You cannot claim what you are unsure about.

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

A settled Understanding results in Confidence which gives

Confirmation

Ephesians 5:17 (KJV 1900)

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Do you understand just how rich you are?

Confirmation could really be even better understood as Conviction, a solid confidence.

I want you to have absolute, unwavering assurance and acknowledge that the mystery of God, that is, the hidden God, is revealed as Christ.

What is that saying? That Christ is deity. And that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. That is sufficiency. And why does he say this? Because those are the two things that the false teachers in Colossi were attacking, the deity of Christ and His sufficiency to save.

Colossians 2:2 (KJV 1900)

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Denying the Deity of Christ - God in the flesh

Denying the Sufficiency of Christ - The Savior of the World.

Do you have confidence and conviction about the deity and sufficiency of Christ?

You will if you heart is strengthened because you are knitted in love.

If you are wavering on these 2 matters, then you are in trouble.

What is the mystery of our ministry?

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV 1900)

16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

When someone comes to you trying to get you to question the deity or sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Don’t debate, don’t argue, don’t discuss, don’t entertain. just Proclaim.

Colossians 2:3 (KJV 1900)

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Everything you need to know about Christ and what Christ provides and blesses you with and wants you to do is hid to everyone but you, the Christian. Because all wisdom and knowledge is found in Jesus Christ, who dwells in you.

This leads to our

The Great Defense

Paul says, I am telling you this just in case any man should beguile you.

Colossians 2:4–5 (KJV 1900)

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

Anything that reduces Christ to less than deity or anything that adds anything to His saving sufficiency belongs in the beguiling activity of Satan.

Even though I can not come to you, I am with you in Spirit.

I am filled with joy and beholding, perceiving and understanding, and he uses to military terms.

order and steadfastness.

Compliant

Order = Rank, single file line of soldiers.

Holding Rank. When an army starts losing the battle, the ranks begin to become depleted.

What keeps soldiers holding their position? Obedience.

Therefore, I am using the word

Compliance = the act of conforming or yielding, cooperation or obedience.

.

Controlled

Steadfast = a solid front of soldiers, ready to stand the shock of attack.

Speaks more to the solidarity as opposed to unbroken rank.

You are standing firm after the shock of battle.

You are obedient and you are Disciplined.

The Great Demand

Colossians 2:6–7 (KJV 1900)

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Walking in Christ

Now that you are settled in Christ, you are confident about Christ, you are firm in Christ. If that is true, then walk in Christ.

Do not waver.

Do not change.

4 Participles

Rooted [perfect passive]

= Having been rooted. You have already been rooted so grow.

Christ is your source of life and nourishment, growth and fruit.

Built up [present passive]

As you walk in Christ you are being built up.

Growth or building up only happens in obedience to Christ. “as you walk in HIm.”

Established [ present passive]

= become established. God will establish you.

This is the result of being rooted and built up.

Start out by feeding on the Word, let it produce activity. That activity will give you settled conviction, the conviction will be that Christ is who He claimed, and then you can claim all of His promises and begin to walk step by step like He walked, and that’s where your life will come from and as you walk in Him you’ll be built up, and you’ll even be more established in the faith, and then there’s a final thing, a last thing.

Colossians 2:7 (KJV 1900)

7 Rooted and built up in him [Christ Jesus our Lord], and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Rooted in Christ Jesus our Lord

Built up in Christ Jesus our Lord

Established in the faith, that we have heard and live and grow.

The voice now changes from passive to active.

Abounding [present active]

Abounding = to be abundant or plentiful, existing in large quantities, have more than enough of what.

What should be the life attitude of a Christian?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Thank you for the riches you have bestowed upon me.

Thank you for putting me in the ministry.

Thank you for the opportunities you give me to share the mystery of God.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

What does Paul mean by the 'conflict' he has for the churches?

How does the concept of Christ living in us relate to our understanding of ministry?

In what ways can we demonstrate the love for Jesus and the Church in our daily lives?

How can we guard the unity of the Spirit in our interactions with others?

What is the significance of understanding the mystery of God in terms of our faith?

What are the two verbs that Paul uses to express his desire for the believers in Colossae?

How can we be 'knit together in love' as a church community?

In what daily situations can you apply the principle of denying yourself and taking up your cross?

What does it mean to be 'rooted and built up' in Christ?

Why is understanding the deity and sufficiency of Christ crucial for our faith?