Do Not Give Up on the Church

Colossians 2:1–5 (ESV)

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.

Introduction:

Life has a way of challenging us to be our very best in the worst of times. I am convinced by this passage today that Paul was determined to please God regardless of his circumstance. While Paul was imprisoned he wrote letters to strengthen others.

Today’s passage invites us to the struggle of Paul. He writes that the struggle is great and desired the church to know of it. He did not want them to know it so that they would pity him but so that they would realize the seriousness and passion Paul had for their relationship with Christ. Paul mentions he is passionate about Colossae, Laodicea and those who has never met him to know Christ. Laodicea is 12 miles from Colossae and considered to be a sister church to Colossae.

Paul refused to give up! Truth is we too face challenges in life and ministry. What do we do when it gets tough. The text before us today tells us to persevere.

DT: As believers we must set aside our reservations about the church and begin to encourage, unify, edify, protect and rejoice with our church.

Aim: We will endure our circumstances and serve God faithfully in our church.

Transition: Paul demonstrates five practices believers must exhibit as they persevere in the Church.

Encourage Your Church (v.2)

“that their hearts may be encouraged”

Paul says I struggle so that the believers in the church will be encouraged.

I work diligently to encourage others to hold on and believe.

Application: Remind people of the faithfulness of God. Encourage people to keep going and trusting God. Encourage those who are questioning their faith to just wait and watch the hand of God in their life.

Transition: Paul also demonstrates the need to Unify Your Church.

Unify Your Church (v.2)

“being knit together in love”

Paul uses this phrase to display unity. Paul says that he struggles because he wants to see the church united and bound by love. Not just common things and professions but by the love of Christ.

That word knit reminds the reader that the thing which connects them is love. The Church is stitched by the thread of Love. So the ability to unify comes from spreading and exhibiting the love of Christ.

Application: What can you do to unify your church? You can love people outwardly. You can tell people in the church you love them.

Transition: the third practice Paul demonstrates in the text is Edify you Church

Edify Your Church (v.2)

“to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ”

Edify means to instruct and to improve someone. The goal of edification is to enlighten people to the truth and the correct way to live.

This is what Paul means as he explains that he struggles so that people will get understanding. Paul says I want people to know who Jesus is.

Application: Maybe you are not a scholar or Sunday school teacher but you can learn of Christ and share what you know with others.

Transition: The next practice Paul offers in the text is Protect your Church

Protect Your Church (v.4)

“I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.”

Paul explains that his struggle is to ensure that false teaching does not take root in the church. There were those who taught different from Paul and attempted to mislead those in the church.

Application: You and i must protect the church. I’m not just speaking of the local church. I am speaking of the universal church. There are al sort of theories and lies running rampant today. Our job is to tell the truth and protect the church.

Transition: Lastly, Paul offers to Rejoice with Your Church

Rejoice with Your Church (v.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.”

Paul tells them that he may not be present but he is definitely rooting for them. Paul is glad to know they are standing firm in their faith. Paul is cheering and campaigning their continuous faith.

Application: We too must rejoice with our church. It is easy to find bad stuff to talk about but begin rejoice about the Good.

Conclusion

Don’t give up!