Passionate For the Lord

Don’t Know

Colossians 2:1–8 ESV

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 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. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 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.

Paul is making a comparison for the church in Laodicea. So, to understand the depth of passion Paul is trying to express, it is helpful to look at this church. This is one of the seven churches listed in Revelation.

Revelation 3:15–16 ESV

“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Laodicea is a city located halfway between Philadelphia and Colosse. This city was a major commercial and banking center and was noted for its great wealth, the manufacture of wool carpets and clothing of rich black color and fine texture, and the production of medicines for eye ailments at its famous school of medicine. This city experienced an extensive devastating earthquake in 60-61 AD. The Roman government offered aid to get them back up and running. They refused the aid because they of their wealth and self-sufficient.

The church in this wealthy city had wonderful programs, but no substance. They had turned into nothing but a glorified community center. Community centers are not bad and may have great programs. Great programs cannot save souls.

See this plant. This is just a plastic plant. It is dirty. I can add a beautiful scarf and some gold or silver, but it is still DEAD and DIRTY.

Laodicea was wealthy, but they were in poverty spiritually. Their city produced medicines for eye ailments, but they were spiritually blind. Their city manufactured fine wool clothing, but they were spiritually naked, not being clothed with the righteousness of God that makes a person acceptable to Him.

Laodicea, the Lukewarm Church Revelation 3:14–22 – Israel My Glory

Paul know the deadness going on in Laodicea, and even thou he had never been at the church of Colosse, he had a burning passion for them. He wanted them to be able to stand up to what they are hearing around them and stand strong in the faith.

One idea that has plagued children and adults alike is evolution. It is a idea taught as a fact more whimsical than a fairy tale.

I have been told that I am archaic and have my head in the sand. How as a Christian believing more in what I do not see, than what I do see answer this? The Apostle Peter gives us the answer.

1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

The best way to give biblical answers to worldly theories is to bring out nature. In order for Evolution to be true, it has to violate physic laws already established by God:

Law of Conversation of Energy and Mass

The law of conversation of mass says that something may be altered physically, but nothing is created or destroyed. Water can exist as liquid, gas, or solid but never chemically changes.

The law of conversation of energy says energy can pass from one mass to another mass and the two mass’ never create or combine.

Law of Causality

Every material effect must have an equal or greater cause. Evolution wants you to believe everything came from nothing.

Law of Biogenesis

Every cell arises from a pre-existing cell. Evolution teaching life came from non-living matter.

Nehemiah 9:6 ESV

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

There is no knowledge outside of God. There is no true philosophy outside of Jesus Christ. We see a generation walking away from the Lord because too many adults have made compromises. We as a whole have lost our first love.

This is why we are here. This is why this church is here. We are a hospital trying to broadcast the living plus sign which is the reason for our existence. To make sure everyone gets a clear presentation of the gospel. To get to know Jesus Christ. Not a story, myth, or legend. More than a suffering servant. The lover of your soul. The God who came in the form of His creation to travel the road to the cross to redeem us. Who has great plans for us.

Who will not return to suffer, but to conquer. Who will not return as a baby, but a powerful king.

Conclusion:

beauty for ashes

joy for mourning

garment of praise for heaviness

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.