Every man perfect in Christ

28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

In the preaching, to warn, to teach, so as to present every man perfect. That is what He labors for strives for, works for and it is Him who is working in him to accomplish his goal, his aim, his desire.

Paul had a purpose, and we need to have a purpose, we need to have an aim, what we purpose to accomplish. From the aim we are able to set some goals and make a plan on how to accomplish it.

Paul’s desire was for the church at Colossi to mature in Christ Jesus, for in maturity you cannot be easy deluded by persuasive arguments (COl2:4) and you may be stable in your faith (Col2:5)

Do you just set out to do things or do you make a plan? If we want to mature in Christ we need to have an aim, a goal, a plan. Paul uses this section to encourage them, to assure them, to rejoice with them and to challenge them.

So it would not be surprising that Paul

Struggle's for Them

Hopes for them

Warn’s them

Assures them and

Challenges them

Paul has great concern for them (vv.1-3)

Paul has reason for his concern (vv.4-5)

Paul exhorts in light of his concern (vv.6-8)

In all of these they go hand in hand with his aim

Colossians 1:28 NASB95

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.

His aim is spiritual maturity. We can find a couple of great things about spiritual maturity in these few verses.

Indications of spiritual maturity (vv.1-5)

Steps to spiritual maturity (vv.6-8)

I. Indications of Spiritual Maturity

Colossians 2:1–2 NASB95

1 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, having been knit together in love, and 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,

Colossians 2:3–4 NASB95

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

Colossians 2:5 NASB95

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.

Paul’s deep concern, his struggle for his brethren, friends in Colossi (v.1)

Though Paul thought of himself as the least of the Apostles (1Cor15:9); he still was a mature man in Christ and emulated that so we can replicate that (1Cor11:1-2)

1 Corinthians 11:1–2 NASB95

1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

As Paul was taught by the Lord himself (Gal1:11-12) and it gave him the heart for the people, a heart for the churches (2Cor11:28-29)

Galatians 1:11–12 NASB95

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

He had concern not just for the church at Colossi, but all the churches as seen in (2Cor11:28-29 even the ones who have not seen his face like Colossi.

2 Corinthians 11:28–29 NASB95

28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

Another great example is Epaphras who demonstrated maturity (Col4:12-13)

Colossians 4:12–13 NASB95

12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Question: Do we have a concern for the brethren like is exampled by Paul?

Paul’s hope from his concern was that they maybe knit together in love (v.2)

Knit together with full assurance (other scriptures used, referenced: Jn14:1, 27; 2The2:16-17; 2Cor1:3-4)

knit together, comforted (kjv); encouraged (NASB); filled with courage (GNT) with full assurance. For it is the will of God that we serve Him with hearts that are full of comfort and encouragement.

Remember we started in (v.1) with Paul’s concern, Paul’s agonizing, Paul’s struggle, Jesus also had concern

John 14:1 NASB95

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

John 14:27 NASB95

27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Paul also prayed this for the churches

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 NASB95

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Comfort, who does not want comfort? may we remember that as we go through things that it is so that we may comfort others (2Cor1:3-4)

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For a troubled, an anxious heart is not a mark of maturity in a Christian.

Paul exampled a heart that is encouraged even when facing death (2Tim4:6-8; 17-18)

2 Timothy 4:6–7 NASB95

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

2 Timothy 4:8 NASB95

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

And then just a few verses later

2 Timothy 4:17–18 NASB95

17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

He has fought the good fight, he has kept the faith

He know what is laid up for him, a crown of righteousness

He knows why, for the Lord stood with hi and strengthened him

So that, he might proclaim the gospel and fully accomplish the mission.

With the end result being the heavenly kingdom, to be with Him in glory forever!

One of the examples Paul may have had, remembered is that of the deep love and concern between other hearts that were knit together like Jonathan and David

1 Samuel 18:1 NASB95

1 Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

This is what the church at Colossi was already doing and he is encouraging them more

Colossians 1:4 NASB95

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;

Question/challenge: Are we a body of believers that are knit together in love? What steps are we taking to deepen that being knit together?

Knit together in full assurance of understanding (v.2) (also see 1Jn5:13; Rom15:4)

As our hearts are knit together in love, we are to have our lives knit together in full assurance and understanding of our salvation.

This comes as we continue to seek the Lord and continue to mature in Christ. (1Jn5:13; Rom15:4)

1 John 5:13 NASB95

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

We should not be question mark Christians, with full assurance of our salvation in Christ

Romans 15:4 NASB95

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

We have the written proof for our instruction so we might have hope. (expand on this, assurance cannot be coupled with arrogance)

One of the riches we have in Christ (since we are knit together) is that assurance of what we have in Him and through Him and by Him! It is our salvation that Paul tells us to work out (Php2:12)

Philippians 2:12 NASB95

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

It is knowledge of the mystery of God (Eph3:3-6; Rom16:25-26)

See all wisdom and knowledge is “in” Christ not “from” Christ , all treasures are found “in” Him

(insert the William Randolph Hurst illustration)

Now let me expand on knowledge of the mystery

Ephesians 3:3–4 NASB95

3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Ephesians 3:5–6 NASB95

5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Romans 16:25–26 NASB95

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;

Therefore, it is important, even vital to have a good understanding and knowledge of the gospel to help in your maturity.

So, may we always be increasing in our knowledge and understanding and we will always be increasing in our maturity too!

This brings us to (v.5)

Colossians 2:5 NKJV

5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Good order and steadfastness of faith (v.5)

Paul was confident and even rejoicing in knowing they had good order and steadfastness of faith

This is walking by faith (2Cor5:7)

This is walking worthy (Eph4:1)

Walking in a disciplined manner in line with the lifestyle that is expected of a Christian!

Is our life of faith, being knit together in love, with knowledge, with assurance in good order with steadfastness? Are we progressing (maturing)? Or do we waver at times?

If you waver, it’s OK there are steps we can take towards spiritual maturity.

II. Steps to Spiritual Maturity

You can’t step in spiritual maturity unless you are already Christ’s so that is first and foremost. (expand on how to become Christian here)

So if you a Christian and want to grow in spiritual maturity this is for you.

Colossians 2:6 NASB95

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

The Church at Colossi had received Christ as Lord, and they were challenged to walk in Him!

Many claim to have accepted Christ, but have they made Him both Lord and Savior? (Act2:36; See Gal2:20 too)

Acts 2:36 NASB95

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”

He is Lord, He is Savior but have we accepted that and does our walk prove it? Many claim it, but don’t do it. Paul was about walking the talk (Gal2:20)

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.

Talking leads to walking, walking leads to being firmly rooted, built up, established and then overflowing with gratitude. (Col2:6-7)

Colossians 2:6–7 NASB95

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Being rooted is where our foundation grows stronger, we need to remember that Jesus is to be our foundation of our faith (Lk6:48)

Luke 6:48 NASB95

48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Being rooted is where we get our nutrition (Psm1:3; also See 1Pt2:5)

Psalm 1:3 NASB95

3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Being rooted on a firm foundation of faith and receiving the nutrients that we need from the Living Water we can be built up in Him, allowing ourselves to be who He created us to be.

1 Peter 2:5 NASB95

5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

A spiritual house, a holy priesthood, who offers acceptable spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.

When we are challenged, when we accept the challenge to walk by faith, we are rooted, built up, and our faith is established even more

Colossians 1:23 NASB95

23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

and we are then abounding in our maturing faith with thanks giving over flowing with gratitude!

This walk we are challenged to do looks like:

Walking in the Light (Eph5:8)

Walking in love (Eph5:2)

Walking in wisdom (Col4:5)

Paul’s challenge comes with a warning too (v.8)

Colossians 2:8 NASB95

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

We need to be rooted and the like so that we are not easily taken captive (1Pt5:8)

1 Peter 5:8 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

that evil one is a like a roaring lion looking who he can take out of the faith and back into the world

Hey the only way to spiritual maturity is to work at it! And maturing comes with some warnings. so let me ask a couple of questions and a few more scriptures before we close.

Should we be concerned with growing in spiritual maturity in Christ? (see Col2:3; Jn15:1-2)

(let that sink in for a moment before going to the scriptures)

Colossians 2:3 NASB95

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

In Christ all the treasures are hidden, so you need to be in Christ and come to know the treasures

John 15:1–2 NASB95

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

In Christ we are connected to the Him (He is the vine) and to the Father (He is the vinedresser); in Christ we will bear fruit. So is maturity, seeking maturity important? YES

Earlier mentioned about becoming a Christian so here is the second question

How does you initially receive Christ as both Lord and Savior? (See

Since I have already discussed this may we consider it is the one who does the will of the Father

Luke 6:46 NASB95

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Matthew 7:21 NASB95

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

We need to follow what He commands us to do:

Acts 2:36–37 NASB95

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”

Acts 2:38 NASB95

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

and then

Galatians 3:26–27 NASB95

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.