Finding Assurance

Conflicting news

You might have thought that in an age when information is so easily accessible, that as a society we would be able to tell the difference between a fact and a lie.

Unfortunately, that is proving much more difficult then it might seem.

We’re all of course very familiar with the phrase: ‘fake news’. It’s the label we like to put on anything that disagrees with our own view point.

Now in an effort to counter the tendency to label our opinion as fact, a number of groups throughout the world have started so called Fact Checking units. The idea is that they use available evidence to either verify or otherwise a given claim.

Now, depending on the claim, there might be a clear cut result of fact or lie. But sometimes the result can be obscured by conflicting by technicalities, or certain interpretations of past events.

The problem is, we can be left very confused.

During this current pandemic we’ve certainly seen a barrage of information. Where it started. How it spreads. How to prevent it. How to treat it.

Now the thing is, this information has real implications for how we live. Should you wear a face mask? Should you go out to the restaurant for dinner? Do you shake someones hand?

Now our government is doing its best to provide clear advice, and personally, I would say they are doing a good job. But even still, it is easy to become confused, particularly as recommendations change.

How seriously should I take it all?

Now I don’t for a minute want to think that this is all very simple. There are a lot of complexities which are beyond my understanding.

But that being said, you know what? There are a few simple facts that I think are simple. People are dying. The virus is contagious. And a few simple measures can go a long way to stopping the spread - washing your hands and keeping your distance.

While I don’t pretend to be an expert on this, armed with just some very simple information I can make a difference.

Christian assurance

Now this morning, we’re starting a new series in the book of Colossians.

What we find as we come to this letter is that Paul is addressing a relatively young and in some ways you might say vulnerable church.

And in a similar way that we can get barraged with information about coronavirus, these new Christians were hearing lots of information about what it is to be a Christian.

And you know what? The reality is that there is a lot of things we can learn about Christianity. And it can become overwhelming. We can learn about the history. We can learn about the attributes of God. We can learn about how God created the world and what is going to happen when Jesus returns. We can learn about what a Christian should do.

Unfortunately, while it would be nice if it were all straight forward once you start digging deeper you start finding different interpretations.

This can get confusing. Particularly when certain interpretations get pushed above others.

This is what certainly seems to be happening in this church at Colossae and Paul want to help them figure out what really is important.

Context

But before we continue, given that we are starting a new series, I think we need to pause to get our bearings on this letter.

So let’s start by figuring some of the basic details out.

Paul

Well, a good place to start is looking at the first two verses which give us some of the basic details.

We’re told up front that the letter was written by Paul, and as he does in other letters, he calls himself an apostle of Christ Jesus.

Now something that isn’t made clear in this verse, is that he is writing this letter as a prisoner. He tells us this later in the letter, specifically in chapter 4 verse 12.

Now we know Paul was in prison on a number of occasions, and the truth is, we’re not exactly clear which occasion it is that he writes this letter. Many scholars have spent a long time considering this question, but I won’t bore you with all of their conjecture. I do however think there is a bit going for the idea of it being during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome which is where the book of Acts leaves us. But to be honest, it’s not really an important detail.

Colossae

So verse 1 tells us that it was a letter from Paul, the second verse tells us that the letter was written to God’s holy people in Colossae.

So what do we know about Colossae.

Well, Colossae is located in modern day Turkey. Back then however it was in the region known as Asia Minor.

Now the interesting thing is that this is not one of the cities that Paul visited on his missionary journeys.

So how did the gospel reach Colossae. Well, as we’ll see in verse 7, it was actually from a man named Epaphras.

Now, the specifics of how that happened we’re not actually told. We actually don’t know much about Epaphras at all. He does get a brief mention in a few other letters, but beyond that, we’re just speculating.

Now Colossae itself is located a little under 200km east of Ephesus.

It is located on the Lycus river, which formed a valley, often referred to as the Lycus valley.

Now from other sources, we can know that Colossae had at one time been an important city in the region. But by the time Christianity arrived there it would seem that it’s importance had somewhat dwindled.

The reality is, outside this biblical text, we don’t know a lot about what the city of Colossae was like at this point in time.

The church of Colossae

Now with regards to the church itself at Colossae, again we don’t know a lot. Various scholars paint quite a picture of the religious environment at Colossae, however the vast majority of it is inferred from within this letter itself.

For example, in chapter 2, verse 18, you’ll find a reference to the worship of angels, and so from this reference many assume that angel worship must have been big at Colossae.

Personally, I think we should be cautious of building too big a picture from a few verses.

I’m more convinced by the suggestion that rather than Paul trying to counter specific false teachings he is instead concerned for a young and immature church that could easily be persuaded by other teaching.

You see, unlike many of his other letters where Paul established the church himself, on this occasion he is speaking to a church established by someone else, and he just wants to make sure they have their basics right.

And so, we find ourselves looking at this church. A church that has obviously felt the blessing of God. A church that wants to honour God but there are voices coming from different directions telling them what to do.

And what I love is that what we find is a voice, not from some blessed position, but rather from prison that actually sets them properly straight.

And as we explore this opening passage I don’t want us to forget this fact. As we go on our spiritual journey we love to seek after the voice that makes us feel good. But it is often the voice coming from a time of hardship and struggle where we will actually find the assurance we need. A voice that is based on the deeper realities of this world.

And this is what I want to focus on this morning. You see, in all of the confusion we want something we can cling to that will give us assurance. Assurance of the hope that we have. Assurance that we are not running ahead in vein but there is something there at the end.

Thanksgiving

Well, Paul actually starts to do this for the Colossians with the thanksgiving that he gives starting in verse 3.

And so as we go through these first few verses I want to look specifically at the things that Paul points to which actually give them the assurance that they are on the right track.

Focus on God

Now it’s important that we first see where Paul’s thanksgiving is directed. He may be about to consider some of the positive attributes of this young church, but his thanks is for the one who has directed this church - that is (in Paul’s own words) God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And ultimately, while I am about to myself consider the attributes of this young church and subsequently consider what we need to have to have assurance that we are on the right track, but it all needs to start with God. He is the one that controls all things.

Faith and Love

But then as we come into verses 4 and 5 I want to draw out two specific elements that Paul picks up on.

That is, faith and love.

Faith

Firstly, lets consider faith.

Paul has heard of their faith, and this is the first thing that gives him the assurance that these people are on the right track.

Specifically, it is their faith in Christ Jesus.

So what is this faith?

Well starts start with what it isn’t. Sometimes Christianity gets wrongfully accused of blind faith. That is, believing some nice fairy tale just because someone came up with a fancy idea.

But this is not Christian faith. Christian faith is based in the historical person of Jesus Christ.

It takes that historical evidence. It takes the reason and the logic from the Bible and says - this is what I’m going to trust in.

Take an analogy of a chair. Usually when I see a chair I believe that the chair will be able to hold me. And I’ll put my faith in it as I sit down confidently trusting that it will hold me.

This is what Paul has seen with the church of Colossae. They have a faith that they’re willing to put in Jesus Christ. They trust that Jesus will look after them.

Love

The second aspect that Paul highlights is their love.

You see, faith is the thing that connects us to Jesus, but there should be an outworking of this faith. Something that shows that this faith has taken hold and that Jesus is now transforming their life.

And this outworking can be seen in a persons love for others.

In verse 4 the destination of that love is for all God’s people.

Now it should be noted that this love is not just for the people in our close group of friends. Our love needs to extend to all people, even if they’re completely different to us.

Love is really the currency that God works in. It is what he has shown us and what he expects us to show to others.

Springing from hope

In verse 5, this faith and love are described as springing from the hope stored up for us in heaven.

You see, there is this connection between the faith and love that we have and the hope that we have for something better.

Essentially this is the assurance that I want us to see that we can have.

Paul can see that these Colossians have faith and hope, and with this comes confidence that he will see them in heaven.

This is the good news - literally the gospel that we proclaim. The news that God has provided a way for us.

Growth

As you look at verses 6 to 8 we see that with all of this comes growth.

It started with the message we heard, but grows and begins to bear fruit.

And not only bearing fruit in our own lives, but fruit that goes throughout the whole world.

Simplification

There is something quite simple in this that I really hope you see.

The process that I’m talking about is a natural process that will just start to take shape when we allow Christ the space in our lives.

You see, I spoke at the start of the barrage of information that we can receive, and the difficulty in sorting the good information from the bad.

Well, what I want to suggest is that while it is good to study and explore the more in-depth concepts within Christianity, there is a basic truth that we can rest assured in.

That is, if you take hold of the gospel by faith, and allow the love of Christ to flow through you, you can have assurance that you are on the right path.

In a time with so many confusing messages coming in, I think this is a great relief.

There is a basic truth we can cling to. A truth that tells us, there is a God who loves you and has provided a way to Him, and all you have to do is cling to this truth by faith. How wonderful is that?

Paul’s prayer

Now after Paul describes the thanks that he gives to God for the faith and love these Colossian Christians have, he then goes on to describe the prayer that he has for them.

Now I don’t want this to complicate the simplicity of this message, but rather I hope that you can see the beautiful flow on from the change that occurs within us.

You see, I want to draw out two basic elements for what Paul prayers for. That is, for knowledge and for strength.

Knowledge

He first asks God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

Now I just love the boldness of this prayer. Sometimes we might ask for wisdom, but here he is asking for all the wisdom and all the understanding that the Spirit gives.

This knowledge of course isn’t just a general knowledge sort of knowledge - the type of knowledge that might help at a trivia night say.

But rather the knowledge about God and who he is.

It’s a knowledge that will help us have the assurance that I’ve been talking about. A knowledge that will tell us that it’s not in your own strength that you will be saved, but only by the good news that Jesus died and rose again for you.

But it is also a knowledge that helps us to know how to live. And as you see in verse 10, with this knowledge we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

You see this knowledge is far from trivia. It is the most useful knowledge that we can have.

Strengthened

He also prays for their strengthening. In verse 11 he asks that they may be strengthen with all power according to God’s glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience.

You know, I’ve been talking about finding assurance during a confusing time. Well I know that the confusion and uncertainty in it all can lead to a a weariness.

Thinking about the pandemic, I’m sure many, maybe even all of you, have felt that feeling of just being over it all. We’re just sick and tired of all of the restrictions and uncertainty.

I suspect the Colossian Christians also at times became weary of different groups trying to pull them in different directions.

But the beautiful thing is that the Holy Spirit can give us the strength that we need. Both the strength in the world in general (that is, to face things like the Coronavirus), but also the strength to cling to God in all things.

Again we can find a great assurance that it is not in our own strength that we face these struggles but in the strength that comes from God.

Joyful thanks

As Paul concludes the description of his prayer for these young believers, he describes the joyful thanks that he gives to the Father because of what they have done.

And this should be the result of the assurance that we find in Christ in a confusing time.

We can be joyful even in the midst of all the turmoil and struggles of this world.

I mentioned earlier how Paul was writing this letter while in prison.

There are actually four letters which we usually describe as the Prison epistles, that is to say, four letters which Paul notes that he was in prison when he wrote them.

One of these letters was the letter to the Philippians - and this letter in particular is characterised by joy.

You see, even from prison, Paul is able to maintain a posture of joy.

And that is because he has a greater hope then what is before him. He has a hope that sees that work of Christ which is working towards an end, an end where all things will be made right.

And this is a joy which we too should share.

It’s a joy that recognises that we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into a kingdom of the Christ where we have redemption and forgiveness.

What could be more joyous than that.

Conclusion

You know, Paul does say a lot of things that can be hard to understand (actually, I take comfort in the fact that even the Apostle Peter, in his letter tells us that even he found some of Paul’s letters hard to understand).

But while there are complex things to understand, what I love about passages like this opening to his letter to the Church of Colossae, is that it shows us that in actual fact, what is important is not that hard to understand. We just need to put our faith in Jesus Christ and allow his love to flow through us.

This is not about the work we do, this is about the posture that we are willing to take.

And once we cling to Christ by faith, he will fill us with the knowledge and strength we need to carry through, and the result will be joy in our life.

As we continue through this letter we will see Paul dig deeper into what it means to cling to this faith, but it all starts with that step of faith.

Let me pray...