A Scriptural-Spiritual Lens for Resolve in 2022 - Part Nineteen
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
PRAY
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
We resolve to live out God’s wisdom
We resolve to live out God’s wisdom
Walk in wisdom - Walking is a common way the Apostle Paul describes one’s conduct in daily life. This phrase could be translated in the following ways.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders - NASB
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders - NIV
Act wisely toward outsiders - HCSB
Let’s think a few moments about wisdom. What is wisdom? It is important to understand that not everything called wisdom represents what Paul is describing. This is a wisdom that goes against all the Scriptures refer to as good.
There is a worldly wisdom which exists. In First Corinthians, Paul writes about man’s wisdom, a wisdom of the age, or a wisdom of the rulers of the age. However, this wisdom is not actually wisdom in comparison to God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is bound up in the person of Christ and receive this wisdom when we are born from above. In the new birth God gives us the mind of Christ.
6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Paul has already written the following
1 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, 2 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. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 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.
As we receive Jesus Christ we gain inexhaustible access to the wisdom of God. Christ himself was the embodiment of wisdom. He was the wisdom of God manifest tangibly in human flesh. Not only was the person and the plan of redemption birthed in the wisdom of God, Jesus revealed how to apply the wisdom of God to human life and existence thus fulfilling all the Scriptures speaks about wisdom.
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Wisdom defined is the skill of understanding and the ability to apply that understood to real life situations. Was there ever one that always acted in the wisdom of God like Jesus?
It is in his wisdom and manner that we are to walk and conducts ourselves in this life.
4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Why does Paul exhort the believers in Colosse to walk in wisdom?
We resolve to watch our conduct among the lost
We resolve to watch our conduct among the lost
Toward outsiders - Paul has in his mind the knowledge, witness and purity of the Christian community as they related to those on the outside. He commands them to walk wisely among those who are not followers of Christ. I think it is important to highlight what is obvious in this portion of the text. Paul did not shrink from the truth that not everyone is in the kingdom of God. It is a helpful reminder that in reality there are those that are in Christ, a part of the church and there are those who are in Adam, sons of the devil, separated from the people of God.
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
10 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, 12 so that “ ‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’ ”
Since there are those on the onside, there is a need for wisdom from those who are on the inside. John Calvin wrote of three primary ways believers need wisdom in their interactions with unbelievers.
They needed wisdom to avoid being a stumbling block. In this case, the believer should know how unbelievers could be tripped up by various activities and seek to avoid them.
They needed wisdom to live as a whole according to the Gospel. here, the people of God must possess the growing skill of living a while life that reflects the goodness of the Gospel. This is not only avoiding certain things, but requires the positive actions of living a pure and separated life.
They needed wisdom to be on guard against evil influences. In this regard, the church should know about the ways the fallen world is seeking to drag them down into the mire of wicked, godless living. The main danger is the allurement of a life not lived in communion with God.
We resolve to seize the time for Christ
We resolve to seize the time for Christ
Making the best use of the time - Redeeming the time, making the most of every opportunity, making the most of the time
Here are a few helpful comment on this phrase.
“Amidst so great a corruption as prevails in the world we must seize opportunities of doing good, and we must struggle against impediments.” The more, therefore, that our path is blocked up with occasions of offence, so much the more carefully must we take heed lest our feet should stumble, or we should stop short through indolence.
Colossians and Philemon D. Exhortation to Prayer and Christian Witness (4:2–6)
As God in Christ has bought humans out from their slavery to sin, so Christians need to “buy” time “out of” its captivity to sin and Satan
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Paul is calling the church in Colosse to to do in effect what he has just asked them to prayer regarding his actions in his apostolic ministry.
Practical Application
Practical Application
How do you view Jesus Christ? Is he your source of wisdom? Is he the way your learn to function in life? He is your pattern for living? If not, will you trust him to become your wisdom today?
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
Where is the repository of wisdom kept?
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Make it your aim to exhaust yourself in the pursuit of this wisdom.
Do you understand the nature of wisdom? Don’t be tricked. Wisdom is not merely in abstract. Just as Jesus embodied this wisdom, so are we.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Moule summarizes this verse in the following:
Colossian and Philemon Studies: Lessons in Faith and Holiness Chapter XII: Last Words on Prayer, Conduct, Speech Personal Messages: Farewell (Colossians 4:2–18)
In wisdom, in the holy practical good-sense of sympathy, humility, fidelity, walk, carry on the intercourse of life, with regard to (πρός) those who stand outside the circle of faith; your pagan neighbours, who will so surely watch the life and temper of those who claim to have found man’s true creed. Take pains over this; buying out from alien ownership the opportunity. Be ready to pay for occasions for witness for your Lord; pay watchfulness and recollection, and now particularly pay the price of careful thought how wisely as well as boldly to seize the hour for Him. Pay down the gold of a diligent study of the characters, the tastes, the interests, even the prejudices, of “those who stand outside,” that you may the better win them by a witness which shall be perfectly courageous but manifestly considerate also.
