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Study: The Colossians EpistleText For Next Sunday Morning (July 3rd): Colossians
2:8-10 Last week, we started Colossians chapter two by noting the supreme characteristic of a faithful servant of Jesus Christ: an all-consuming love, care and concern for the Church of Jesus Christ; fueled by a love for Jesus Christ Himself (i.e., a shepherd's heart). It is an unconditional, undying, willingness to personally suffer, at any cost, to serve, promote, protect and comfort Christ's Church. Specifically, we studied: 1. Paul's Agony in MinistryA. The Intensity of Paul's Concern 2. Paul's Goals in MinistryA. Encouraged Hearts 3. Paul's Sufficiency in MinistryThis week, we will pick up here. 4. Paul's Protection in Ministry (v. 4)Colossians 2:4-7 Paul asserts that the Colossian Heretics were attempting to deceive/delude the Colossians with persuasive words / fine-sounding arguments. So Paul says "these things" (i.e., verses 1-3) so that no one would be led astray by the false teachers. In other words, the false teachers' clever arguments could lead astray those who were not knit together in brotherly love, and thus, fully enjoying the treasures of Christ's wisdom and knowledge. So Paul is saying, "to avoid being deceived, there must be a deep, growing, knowledge of Christ and a love among each other." We noted that the basic component of all false teaching, both in Paul's day and in our day, is a denial of the deity of Jesus Christ and/or His sufficiency in salvation. That said, false teaching was then, and is today, an ever-present danger to Christ's Church. Therefore, we must have strong mindsets, united/loving hearts, assured hearts and hearts grounded in the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ. As MacArthur puts it, believers must have a "settled conviction" regarding Christ's deity and sufficiency in order to be able to withstand the ambush of false teaching. Paul truly loved, had deep concern for, and cared for, his dear
brethren in Colosse. As such, Paul truly desired to protect (i.e.,
shepherd) his brethren in Christ against false teaching. 5. Paul's Presence and Joy in Ministry (v. 5)A. Paul's Presence- As with all faithful servants of Christ, Paul, despite his physical separation, was not separated in heart. His love, care and concern was not lacking due to mere physical separation. B. Paul's Joy- Why did Paul rejoice? Because the Colossians, despite the looming danger of the Colossian Heresy, had remained in good order and steadfast in their faith in Christ. As a whole, the Colossians had remained faithful to true doctrine and was standing firm in Christ; not yielding to the doubts and attacks of the false teachers. 6. Paul's Charge in Ministry (v. 6)The incipient Gnostics were trying to lure the Colossians with a "deeper knowledge" and "spiritual elitism." But Paul counters, "just as you initially joined yourself to (received) the doctrines regarding the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, continue to believe (walk in) those truths which you initially embraced." This as opposed to one allowing his/her Christology to waver. 7. Paul's Desires in Ministry (v. 7)A. Firmly Rooted Believers- Used in the past tense, this speaks
of believers with their roots buried deep and wide in the rich soil of
Jesus Christ. We draw upon His very life. B. Built-Up Believers- Used in the present tense, speaks of believers being founded upon, and built-up in, the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. In which case, such believers will not succumb to the spiritual seduction of false teachers. C. Established Believers- Growth does not discard the early
truths of Jesus Christ for newer, supposed, truths propagated by false
teachers. Jesus Christ is not a beginning to be later abandoned and left
behind for fancied superiority promised by the supposed spiritually elite.
Instead, cling to the basic truths of Christ which you initially embraced.
This does not, however, negate a constant striving for growth in Christ. Hughes- As we love Him, we learn more. As we learn more, we love Him more. We are not arguing for some sort of clich-ridden Christianity, but for a profound head-and-heart study of God's Word, with an eye on the magnificent essentials. MacArthur- Spiritual maturity develops upward from the foundation of Biblical truth as taught and recorded by the apostles. This rooting, building and establishing is in sound doctrine. D. Thankful Believers- This is the result/response to the previous three participles. Believers who are firmly rooted in Christ, being built-up in Christ and established in their faith in Christ, will overflow with genuine thankfulness. A genuinely grateful heart for all God has given us in Christ will further strengthen our grip on absolute divine truth in which case, false teachers will have little, if any, success in deceiving and leading astray the Colossians (and us as well). Closing-2 Corinthians 11:13-15. - How will we protect ourselves from the
deception of false teachers? How will we protect each other? Teacher: Darin Lawson |