Untitled Sermon

​ ESV4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

​ ESV9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

INTRODUCTIONA brilliant young concert pianist was performing for the first time in public. The audience sat enthralled as beautiful music flowed from his disciplined fingers. The people could hardly take their eyes off this young virtuoso. As the final not faded, the audience burst into applause. Everyone was standing – except one old man up front. The pianist walked off the stage crestfallen. The state manager praised the performance, but the young man said, “I was no good, it was a failure.” The manager replied, “Look out there, everyone is on his feet except one old man!” “Yes,” said the youth dejectedly, “but that one old man is my teacher.”Do we have the same desire for God’s approval as that pianist had for his teacher’s praise? Our Lord’s approving smile is what really matters. Kamusta ang iyong buhay kapatid? To whom do you give your service? What is the goal of your life? Do we consider the LORD in all our ways? AIM OF OUR STUDYThe aim of our study this morning is that everyone of us after this study may seek the LORD with all our hearts, and that we may know HIM fully through the knowledge of his will and spiritual understanding that he entrusted to us,and for us to please Him in all our conduct and manner so we can walk worthy of the LORD. BRIEF BACKGROUND OF COLOSSIANSColossians is a genuine letter of PaulIt is to be dated during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, where he spent at least two years under house arrest During Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus, Epaphras had been converted and had carried the gospel to ColossaeThe young church then became the target of heretical attack, which led to Epaphras’s visit to Paul in Rome and ultimately to the penning of the Colossian letter.Paul’s purpose is to refute the Colossian heresy that discredit the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ.

THE COLOSSIAN HERESY

NOTE: DO NOT READ EACH VERSE. DO NOT FOCUS ON THIS POINT. THIS IS JUST A MINOR TO SUPPORT THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION

Ceremonialism. It held to strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals (2:16–17) and circumcision (2:11; 3:11).

​ ESV16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Asceticism. “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” (2:21; cf. 2:23).

meaning: “severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.”

​ ESV21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Angel worship. See 2:18.

​ ESV18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

Depreciation of Christ. This is implied in Paul’s emphasis on the supremacy of Christ (1:15–20; 2:2–3:9).

Secret knowledge. The Gnostics boasted of this (see 2:18 and Paul’s emphasis in 2:2–3 on Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom”).

Welcome to the crazed world of gnosticism; where God produces gods that don't know God; where the earth—in fact, all the material universe—is a big mistake; where new versions of religion are invented daily… and where history is whatever you want it to be.

​ ESV18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

​ ESV2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Reliance on human wisdom and tradition. See 2:4,8.

​ ESV4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

​ ESV8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

---TRANSITION---The characteristics of the Colossian BelieverFaithful (v. 2)Loving the people of God (“and of the love that you have for all the saints”) (v.3) Loving God (“love in the Spirit”) (v. 8)Bearing fruit and increasing (v. 6)Heard and understood the grace of God in truth (v. 6)

​ ESV2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

​ ESV3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

​ ESV8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

​ ESV6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

Knowing their characteristics, so what’s the point of Paul’s letter?The point is here, in the midst of any circumstances of our life, may it be in our lowest or highest point, our walk and spiritual dependency to God should be always on guard. We may be faithful in the ‘sight of men’, but how is our heart? Does it say the same to God? May be we are here every Sunday, may be the people around us may see us as a good a good servant, or may be they see us as a religious person who is close to God, but does your heart say the same before God? Does God see the same as the people see it?What is that really matters? Pleasing God or pleasing men? There are three (3) basic principle from the content of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian so that they can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. Allow me to read verse 9-10

​ ESV9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Pursue Spiritual Growth

The first principle for us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord is from verse 10:“bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”It is simple to read and very clear, but what is it? What is that bearing fruit and increasing knowledge? How can we achieve this two things? Through Spiritual Growth. We have to Pursue Spiritual Growth. What does it mean? In , Peter reminds the believers to be diligent in confirming their calling and election? Why?

​ ESV3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

​ ESV10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Because its our responsibility before God to be intentional in our pursuit of God. God’s responsibility is to save and redeem us from our sins, that’s not our part. We don’t have power for us to be saved. No works or any merit from us. Its all by His grace. But for our part, we have to do something for us to confirm that our faith is valid. When it is valid, there should be a manifestation or some kind of fruits.

Grow in Spiritual Fruit

Remember this, spiritual life without spiritual fruit is dead.This is why Paul’s prayer for the colossian believer is that they may bear fruit in every good work.

​ NKJV10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

What’s the bible says in ?

​ ESV26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

In our pursuit for Spiritual Growth, let’s remember its manifestation, we must be growing in our Fruits. There are many spiritual fruits in the bible, but I want you to see what does Paul specifically mentioned in here:

​ ESV12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Spiritual Fruits

Compassionate hearts

Kindness

Humility

Meekness

Patience

Bearing with one another

Forgiving each other

Loving

Thankfulness

Grow in the Knowledge of God

Not only growing in spiritual fruit, but in our pursuit for spiritual growth, we must also growing in our knowledge of God.In verse 10 it says:

​ ESV10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

The bible says our knowledge should be increasing. As we grow in our fruit, our knowledge of God should be increasing as well. And that’s the manifestation of our Spiritual Growth. Growing in Fruit and Growing in the knowledge of God.Why? If we are not to grow in our knowledge of God, there will be a very big problem. Here’s the challenging question of John MacArthur about knowing the knowledge of God.

How do I know what to do in my marriage if I don't know what the standards are, right?

How do I know what to do in my job if I don't know what the Bible teaches about it?

How do I know what to do in worshiping God if I don't understand what God expects in worship?

How do I know how to be born-again if I don't follow the absolutes of the Scripture? 

How do I know about anything if I don't understand God's patterns, God's standards, God's law?

So, for us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, we must PURSUE SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

Place our Total Dependence on Him

Not only pursuing spiritual growth, secondly, we must PLACE OUR TOTAL DEPENDENCE ON HIM.Let’s read it on verse 11.

​ ESV11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

Why is it important that we place our total dependence on God? The verse says, “for all endurance and patience with ‘joy’” What do you mean by that? Is it possible to have joy in the midst of trials? Is it possible to have joy in the midst of sorrow? Is it possible to have joy in the midst of temptation?How about in the midst of pressure? or in the midst of uncomforting situation?Can you still experience that ‘joy’? Yes.When you place your ‘total’ dependence on Him, He will take care of you.I remember in this area of total dependence.

​ ESV1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

​ ESV4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Two (2) things that we must do when we place our total dependence on Him.

Rely on His Power

Yes, rely on His power. In verse 11: “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might”

​ ESV11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

In our pursuit for our Spiritual growth, the power and strength that we need is provided. We just need to use it. We need to Rely on it.

​ ESV3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

There is no other way in our christian life that we can please God except that when we place our full dependence on Him. When we rely on His power. And when we allow God to control us according to His will and direction.

Reflect His Character

Secondly, is Reflect His Character.In verse 11:

​ ESV11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

What are the character being mentioned here?“Endurance”“Patience”“Joy”What do we mean here?These characters are fruit of the Spirit.

​ ESV22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

So what do we mean here?When we place our total dependence on Him, our relationship with Him will produce spiritual fruits that will reflect to our characters and manners. This new character is not part of our own nature. It’s a God’s nature character. So when we put our dependence on Him, we reflect His nature and His Character.So then, when we rely on Him, we allow Him to control us and to lead us into His glory, the glory of His Son Jesus Christ. Meron pa bang bagay sa buhay natin na hindi pa natin pinagkakatiwala sa Dios? Nais ng Dios ay ibigay natin ang ating buong buhay, hindi ang kapiraso lang nito.

​ ESV11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

Put our Manner under the premise of His Grace

Not only Pursuing Spiritual Growth and Placing our total dependence on Him.Last but not the least, for us to walk in a manner worthy of the LordLet us PUT OUR MANNER UNDER THE PREMISE OF HIS GRACEIn verse 12:

​ ESV12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

What is the manner in this verse?A thanksgiving heart.Why we have to be thankful? Because God “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light”Yes, Christians, we have nothing to brag about. We have nothing in our own, its all by His grace. So let’s put our manner under the premise of His grace.The verse says that we have been qualified.In what way that we have been qualified? Nothing.In verse 2 it says, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

​ NKJV2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Its never mentioned here about our qualification. Its very clear that its all by the grace of God.So now that we know that there are nothing we can brag about this life, and that everything in our life must be under the submission and power of God, bring these two (2) reminders:

Let Christ dwell in you

In verse 9, it says “that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will”

​ ESV9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

The meaning of being filled here is like a bottle that is full of milk. It means there is nothing that you can put there because its filled with milk. There is no space left because its filled with milk. That’s the idea of “that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will”. Its a preoccupation of Christ in our mind and our hearts. Just imagine a person that is preoccupied with the mind of Christ? What’s the effect of this state of mind?This person will become sensitive in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.My challenge for you is “What are the things that preoccupied your mind?”

Let Christ rule in you

Not only allowing Christ to dwell in you, but allowing Christ to rule in you.These two are inseparable. We cannot say Christ dwell but not rule. Same as Christ rule but not dwell.So what does it mean to us?When we let Christ dwell in us, we must at the same time allow Him to RULE in us. In what aspect are we talking about here? Our manner.Let Christ set the rule.In our words and in our actions.Here are some of the practical rules set by God that we must followWives, submit to your husbands (ch 3.18)Husbands, love your wives (ch 3.19)Children, obey your parents in everything (ch. 3.20)Fathers, do not provoke your children (ch 3.21)Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters (ch 3.22)Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men (ch 3.23)You are serving the Lord Christ (ch. 24)Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly (ch. 4.1) Put our manner under the premise of His grace.

Conclusion

Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. Let us guard our walk in every circumstances.

Pursue Spiritual Growth

Place our Total Dependence on Him

Put our Manner under the premise of His Grace

I will end in this verse:

​ ESV16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

​ ESV24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.