Compromise: Creeps In, Confuses, and Kills

· Colossians 3:5- Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

· Paul is in Prison when this letter is written

· Epaphras came to Rome and told him of the dangerous Heresy making headway in the church

· Written about the Deity (Ch:1), The All sufficiency of Christ (CH: 2), and The Character of a Christian (Ch: 3& 4)

· Gnosticism =Professed to have a superior knowledge of Spiritual things

1. Gnosis= To Know

§ Their system was supposed to give the believer a “Full knowledge” not possessed by others

2. The Heresy was a mixture of the Greek Philosophy, Jewish Legalism and Oriental/Eastern Mysticism with some Christian truth

3. All Matter was evil, including the body

§ God could not come in contact with matter

§ therefor Since Jesus had a body he was not truly God

· The core of every false teaching, is a teaching that says Jesus isn’t the way.

· You can say “God” but not Jesus

4. Created a system of Emanations between man and God that Called for the worship of angels and intermediaries but not God himself

§ Emanation: an abstract but perceptible thing that originates from a source.

§ Took away the preeminence (Superior to all else) of Jesus

· He is burdened because of compromise in the church

Colossians 2:1-3

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and[a] of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4

1. Christ like Character is built up In Christ

a. V:1

i. You: To the Saints and Faithful Brethren in the Church in Colossae – Colossians 1:2 (Read) he addresses the letter to them

ii. Conflict (Greek): Agon- Root word for Agony (Extreme physical or mental suffering);

1. His heart is broken at the thought of people in the church being deceived

a. Have you had a friend or a loved one that you just so hoped would understand the truth of what you are trying to share?

i. My Story- Thanksgiving/Christmas Burdened by the lostness of my family

ii. They have been tricked and deceived by the schemes of the enemy

iii. Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church (Revelation 3:14-22)

· Revelation 3:15-18 (NLT)

· 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ (South OC?) And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

1. They have compromised, but don’t even know it

2. Sin has slipped in and taken over who they are

a. Satan does not come in and ask us to be ax murderers

b. Ephesians 6:10- 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

i. Road Runner and Wiley Coyote

1. He was always out to trick and deceive Road Runner to bring him to his demise

a. Moving the road signs, having him run towards boulders, Etc.

b. V:2

i. Paul is writing with care and concern so that:

1. Hearts encouraged

a. He wants to encourage those that have remained faithful to the truth of the word

2. That they are knit together in love

a. John 13:35

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

b. The true trait of a disciple is love

i. Love For Christ

ii. Love For Others

c. Knit:

i. Matt Who Knits

ii. Bound together, inseparable, made by interlocking loops

iii. The Enemy will try to pick you off one by one,

1. If you are knit together in love you will see the attacks on your brother/sister and be there to direct them to Christ.

2. You are bound together/Vested in them

a. You are only as good as your weakest link

3. That they receive the glorious gift of fully understanding the Gospel

a. Mystery (Colossians 1)

i. Philosphers were saying, with their help they could help you decode the “Mystery”

1. Don’t need men with crafty words to understand, just need a relationship with the true and living God

a. Col 1:26-27- The Mystery is revealed to those who seek him.

b. He wants to make it known to you.

ii. The Mystery Revealed

1. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

c. V:3

i. All knowledge comes from God the Father and Jesus

1. He is saying this because in their attempt to gain wisdom they have sought “truth and wisdom” in false beliefs

a. James 1- If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask and it will be given abundantly to him who asks

V:4-5

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 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.

2. Christ Like Character is Steadfast in our Savior

a. V:4

i. He’s reminding them of this truth they know already so you aren’t deceived/tricked by quick talking/flashy people

1. Deceive: Beguile- To deceive by false reasoning, Delude

a. If you are deceived you have been Cheated from the truth

ii. He is extending his care and concern for those he knows and those he doesn’t, he has the heart of a shepherd; compassionate

1. There is a huge transformation that has taken place in his life

2. Went from Passionately Pesusing the persecution of the church to Compassionately Caring for the Church

a. This is only done through the work of Jesus in someone’s life

V:6

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk In Him,

3. Christ Like Character Walks in Him

a. V:6 Walk with him

i. If you are walking you are going to make progress, move forward, don’t look back or be distracted

b. You have received the greatest gift ever, Freedom, Power in Christ, Wisdom and direction from the all mighty, all knowing God, now walk faithfully and steadfastly in that

c. Search no longer for other paths to truth

i. Seek Jesus - HE is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE

V:7

7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

4. Christ Like Character is Rooted in Him

a. V:7

b. Be Rooted, built up and Established in him

i. We will be firmly immovable no matter how conniving and deceptive the tricks of the enemy are if He is the Rock of your salvation, your stronghold.

1. Psalm 1- Likens a man committed to the Lord, to a tree that is established and planted by rivers of waters, with roots that run down deep.

a. Psalm 1:3

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

b. Blessed is this man

i. Not necessarily monetarily, but because he has an intimacy with Jesus and knows the heart of God.

c. As we are rooted in Him, Continue faithfully in what you have been taught

i. 2 Timothy 2:1- Teach these things which you have seen in me with faithful men

1. This is discipleship

a. Who has God Knit you in relationship with that you are learning from?

b. Who has he knit you with that you can invest in?

ii. God is more committed to your calling than you are

1. He has a plan for your life and wants you:

a. Built up in Christ

b. Steadfast in our Savior

c. Walking in Christ

d. Rooted In Christ

i. He wants you pointing people to Him, Not allowing compromise to creep in, confuse and kill the calling that He has for you…

1. Unlike lukewarm water, he wants people to taste and see that He is good as they see your life on display.

Pray

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ

· Have you allowed compromise to creep in?

o Come receive prayer and “Restart” with Jesus

· Maybe you haven’t started your walk with Him yet….

o Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and Believe in your heart and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

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