Colossians 2:1-9 (2)

Logos September 25, 2016 New Light Baptist Church

Turn To Colossians 2

Stand And Read Colossians 2: 1-9

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. 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. 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. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

One Point: Be Strong In Christ Jesus

Do you care for the church so must that it’s well being has you in agony.

What does Paul say he wants for the Church: That they might be encouraged in heart and united in love.

Paul knows that when our conviction of truth is strong and we are united.

That’s when we can have a full understanding of the truth.

We have no need for man’s wisdom when we already have the truth.

Paul is concerned about spiritual welfare and understanding.

Not memorizing but a life of practiced truth. Really knowing the truth.

Unless someone was able to lead you away with enticing words.

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

New Living Translation says: 4 I am telling you this so that no one will be able to deceive you with persuasive arguments.

Full knowledge protects us from good sounding arguments.

These arguments make human sense but are still false.

Now Paul says: 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

Paul is overjoyed that they are a close well ordered, knit together group.

This order is centered around the truth of God’s word. Not man’s!

The order is how the church looks on the outside.

The outside order comes from the “steadfastness on the inside.“

Which means the thing in the concrete…holding it together.

Our faith is “The thing in the concrete.”

English Standard: 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Good News Translation: 5For even though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, and I am glad as I see the resolute firmness with which you stand together in your faith in Christ

ONE MORE: New Living Translation

5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

Verses 6 and 7 say: 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.

Since you have accepted Jesus…LIVE like it.

Stay rooted, built up, and established in your faith.

If you do you won’t be swayed back and forth by every new thing you hear.

Ephesians 4:14 says: that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive,

As we continue to be stronger and stronger we should be more grateful and thankfulness should overflow out of us towards Him!

The New Living Translation says it this way:

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Plants that grow deep into rich soil grow to be very strong plants full of fruit. Root yourself to Jesus and grow from Him.

You won’t be able to hold back the joy!

Now Paul says: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Beware or “Look Well” so no one takes you prisoner to false teachings.

Paul was concerned that man’s traditions would replace God’s truth.

Paul’s deeper message is not that we should be aware that one person or another may bring false doctrine.

He is warning against the one who’s character itself is to deceive. (Satan)

…There is only fullness…In Christ!

We have been given His fullness, we share in Him through the body of Christ. Listen at verse 8...

Authorized: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ

Good News Bible: 8 See to it, then, that no one enslaves you by means of the worthless deceit of human wisdom, which comes from the teachings handed down by human beings and from the ruling spirits of the universe, and not from Christ

New Living Translation 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers* of this world, rather than from Christ. Let’s Pray