Ten Goals for Christians

Introduction

Last week, we concluded with Paul telling the church at Colossae that he was there to proclaim, admonish and teach everyone with all wisdom in order to present people fully mature.

This morning we are going to see that Paul has ten goals for the follower of Jesus Christ. Ten goals that lead to spiritual maturity.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Colossians 2 and we’ll begin reading with verse 1.

Contending for Those You Don’t Know

Colossians 2:1 NIV

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

Paul continues by saying that he wants the churches at Colossae, Laodicea, and all the others who have never met him to know how hard he is contending for them. The Greek word translated “contending” is “agon” and is part of the root Greek word from which we get “agonize.” Paul is fighting or agonizing for people whom he has never met!

Paul’s Goal

Colossians 2:2 NIV

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

Paul is going to state a goal that has several parts, and covers the next several verses.

The firsts goal is that they may be encouraged in heart (v. 2a). Paul wants his fellow Christians to experience deep encouragement (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”).

His second goal is that they might have unity in love (v. 2b). This seems to have echoes of Christ’s command that we love one another (cf. John 13:34–35 “‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”).

His third goal is that his readers might have complete understanding (v. 2c). In the context, Paul wants believers to experience a complete understanding about God and His ways (cf. Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”) .

Out of this complete understanding of God comes the fourth characteristic that God wants us to experience and that is knowing the “mystery” of God which Paul defines as Jesus “Christ!” (cf. Ephesians 5:32 “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”) (v. 2d).

Colossians 2:3 NIV

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In Christ God’s wisdom is uncovered (v. 3a).

And in Christ God’s knowledge is revealed (v. 3b).

Colossians 2:4 NIV

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Paul’s fifth goal is that no believer would be deceived (Gk. paralogizomai; Eng. deceived; cheated; defrauded; deluded) by fine-sounding arguments (Gk. pithanologia; Eng. probable arguments; persuasive speech; plausible arguments; we might say slick speech) (cf. 1 John 3:7 “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.”) (v. 4).

Colossians 2:5 NIV

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Even though Paul is not present physically, he says that he is very much present through the Spirit of God (v. 5a).

A sixth goal would be that his readers would be disciplined which will produce a firm faith in Christ—this can be described as an immovable faith in Christ! (cf. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”) (v. 5b).

Paul says that he is delighted to hear that the church at Colossae exhibits this kind of immovable faith (v. 5c).

Colossians 2:6 NIV

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

Here in verse 6, Paul gives a quick encouragement. Just like they received Jesus as Lord, they ought to continue to live their lives in Him—abiding in Christ (v. 6).

Colossians 2:7 NIV

rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Then Paul gives us the seventh goal. That believers might be rooted (Gk. rhizoo. Eng. has the idea of firmly planted, deeply rooted) in Christ (cf. Ephesians 3:16–17 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”) (v. 7a).

The eight goal is that we might be built up, which has the idea of continually being built upon—it is like an on-going building project (Jude 20 “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,”)(v. 7b).

Paul’s ninth goal is that believers would be strengthened in their faith—through the teaching of sound doctrine (i.e. as you were taught) (cf. 1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”)(v. 7c).

And the tenth goal is that followers of Jesus would be overflowing (Gk. perisseuo; Eng. overflowing; over and above, will go beyond, to cause to abound) with thankfulness (Gk. eucharistia; Eng. thankfulness; gratitude; thanksgiving) (cf. Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”) (v. 7d).

So What?

In John 10:10 Jesus told His disciples, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This is exactly what He was talking about.

Paul gives us ten things characteristics through which we can experience the abundant life that Jesus promised.

Ten characteristics that include:

Encouragement of the heart

Unity in love

Complete understanding

Knowing the mystery of Christ Jesus

Never being deceived

Being disciplined

Rooted in Christ

Built up—strong

Strengthened in the faith

Overflowing with thankfulness

This morning I want to ask you how many of these characteristics you possess. I talk to so many people who are missing out on some or all of the godly attributes.

I see hearts that are not filled with encouragement. Despair, anxiety and fear fill their hearts.

I see people who have lost their love. As a consequence hatred, conflict, quarrels, dissention, and confusion become the order of the day.

Still others, lack understanding. Though they search to know and understand God all they come up with is emptiness.

The lack of understanding can lead to their failure to understand the mystery of Jesus Christ!

When it comes to deception, I see many in the church that are deceived by the subtle lies of the enemy. And I’ve see those who call evil good and good evil!

Furthermore, I see followers of Jesus who are not disciplined. There are those who do not study the Word of God or pray as they should. Discipline in the Christian life is often thought to be old fashioned, outdated, and useless. Yet, the believer is called to be a disciplined follower of Jesus Christ.

This discipline comes when we are rooted in Christ! We are called to be rooted in Christ so that we are immovable.

Finally, we must be built up in our faith.

Being built up, makes us strong in our faith! So that we may stand firm in our faith.

Unfortunately, there seem to be so many whose faith is easily discarded. Many of these have lost their roots and that has caused them to become weak in their faith.

Above all, we must continue with an attitude of thanksgiving. For without an attitude of gratitude we can lose all sense of dependence upon God and begin to believe that we are sufficient and strong enough to go it on our own.

Truly, it is critical that we begin to develop these ten character qualities in our lives.