Colossians 2:1-10 Taking Steps of Faith Michael Silva / February 19, 2017 Opening/Intro: 1. Do you have a favorite passage or verse? Write it down now in your notes. a) Look for an opportunity to share it with someone this week. 2. Now I get to share with you one of my favorite passages, it s our passage for today. a) It s Colossians 2:1-10 and it is very special to me because God used it to help me take a huge step of faith in my journey with Him. 3. We are currently studying through the book of Colossians in a series called Jesus First. a) It s called Jesus First because that is the theme of this entire book of Colossians. Transition/Today s Focus: Taking Steps of Faith. 1. We have been called to impact our community for Christ and one of the ways that is accomplished is through taking steps of faith with the Lord. Let's read our passage: Colossians 2:1-10 (NKJV) i and Pray Colossians 2:1 1 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, 1. In these opening verse of Chapter 2, Paul speaks of a conflict or struggle; a) The original Greek word here is agon. The NLT says that Paul agonized for them. b) The word literally means a place of contest such as a stadium. It was a word that was often used metaphorically. i) Imagine the great Roman coliseums that existed in that day and the great contests that were fought there. ii) Paul is using this imagery because he wanted them to know how much he cared for them. 1
2 c) Paul had a pastor s heart. The heart of a shepherd, one who is concerned for the spiritual welfare of his flock and wants nothing more than to see them doing well. 2. Paul mentions those who had not seen [his] face in the flesh. a) Paul knew that there was just something special about personally visiting with other believers. b) Question: Is Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and the likes really a blessing? i) Some say it helps them stay connected with others. ii) And to a degree I know it does. It helps me to see what people are doing and how I can pray for them. iii) But, studies have shown ii that social media has created greater loneliness and further disconnect from meaningful relationships with others. c) I can t emphasize how important it is to gather with other Christians. i) Social media is too superficial. Most do not express true feelings or struggles in these forums. ii) We need to be coming together, just as Paul desired, that we might encourage and exhort one another in the things of the Lord. iii) Listen to what it says in Hebrews 10:19-25 (read). d) What are the greatest commandments? i) Love God and Love others. ii) Sending folks a heart emoji just doesn t cut it. iii) We need meaningful relationships with one another. 3. And that s why this church offers a number of different gatherings & studies to encourage you. Bulletin a) I really want to encourage you to get involved in a study or church meeting that takes place outside of Sunday morning. b) Long before I became a pastor, God put it on our heart to open up our home on Tuesday evenings for a small group bible study. i) One week we ate dinner together and prayed as a group, the next week we gathered for bible study. 2
3 ii) It was such a blessing and we all grew so much out of it as we met together, face to face and built meaningful relationships that glorified Christ. Back to our passage; for those reading this letter, Paul hoped Colossians 2:2 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 of Christ, 1. When Paul speaks of the heart, he means the entire inner man. a) That all that is within the Christian would be encouraged and comforted. i) And so often, that encouragement and support comes through other believers in your life. ii) That s why he speaks of believers being knit together in love. 2. What does it mean to be knit together in love? a) It means real Christian living is accomplished in love. i) The church is not united by gifts or even by religion. b) The bond that unites believers is love. i) It is the cement that holds us together Love is the Crazy glue of the church. 3. But this love isn t based on an emotion or feeling. a) This special type of love is based upon understanding and the knowledge of the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. b) We have full assurance in that He first loved us (1 John 4:19) and as a result we respond by loving Him and loving others. i) We don t got to... we get to. 4. A church is considered a loving church when it is comprised of members who are loving people. a) People who have experienced the loving grace and mercy of God and as a result extend that same love out toward others. Colossians 2:2b-3 and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 1. All that we need is in Christ. If only we could learn and live by that! 3
4 a) He is the reservoir of all knowledge. 2. The story is told that in the days of the Roman Empire there was a certain wealthy senator who became estranged from his son. a) When he died unexpectedly, his will was opened. b) Because my son does not appreciate what I ve done, I leave all of my worldly possessions to my loyal slave, Marcellus, the will read. c) However, because I am a man of grace, I bequeath to my son one of my possessions of his choosing. d) Sorry, said the testator to the son. You can only take one of your dad s possessions. Which will it be? i) Now mind you, this senator was a wealthy man possessing everything one might want in that day. What would you take if you were the son. e) I take Marcellus, said the son. 3. By taking Marcellus, he got everything. a) And there s a wonderful spiritual application! b) When you take Jesus Christ, you get all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. c) When you open your heart to Him, you find everything you need. It s all in Him. Colossians 2:4-5 4 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. 1. Paul is not saying that the Colossians had already been deceived. a) He shares these words preemptively for he knows the temptations and dangers that we all face daily. b) We need to hear these words of caution from time to time as a reminder. c) For we are all in danger of being deceived and falling into sin ourselves. i) So, don t despise warnings like this. Don t be too proud to listen. 2. Then Paul goes on in verse 5 to encourage them in their good order and steadfastness in the faith. 4
5 a) We need to be cultivating good order and steadfastness in our lives and ministry. i) That means we continue day by day to do with is right. Colossians 2:6-7 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 1. Over and over, the Scriptures tell us to walk. a) We re told to walk in light (Ephesians 5:8), b) Walk in love (Ephesians 5:2), c) And to walk carefully ((circumspectly) Ephesians 5:15) d) We are to walk in wisdom (Colossians 4:5). e) And here in this passage we are told to walk in the simplicity of Christ alone. 2. When I was a kid, I spent my summers on Roy Carpenter s Beach in Matunuck, Rhode Island. a) One of things I d do was to pretend that I was a special agent sneaking around the beach, spying on bad guys. i) I didn t want anyone to be able to follow me, but... when you walk in the sand, it leaves footprints. ii) So I would walk in the footprints that were already made in the sand so that you couldn t see my footprints. b) This is what Paul means when he says so walk in Him. i) Christ already walked this earth, navigating successfully past all dangers and sinful temptations. ii) And we are to walk in His steps, the goal being that the people around us would see that we are following in Jesus footprints, walking in Christ. 3. Note in verse 7 that Paul tells us that we should be abounding in this walk in Christ with thanksgiving. a) I know that so many wrestle with this because, well, their walk with the Lord is rather mundane. i) It s not active and exciting. 5
6 b) So how do we as Christians move out of that and into a faithful and fruitful walk with the Lord that is marked with thanksgiving and joy? i) First, you need to receive Christ if you haven t already. (1) I m not talking about embracing the idea of who Jesus Christ is. (2) I m talking about crying out to Him as your Lord and Savior. (3) I m talking about letting go of everything that is near and dear to you in this world around us in order to lay hold of Jesus Christ in the heavenlies. ii) Second, we establish and cultivate our faith in Him. (1) 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2) Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (a) So we go beyond merely saying we have faith, we must live by faith and take steps of faith. (3) The great pioneer missionary William Carey said, Expect Great Things from God, Attempt Great Things for God (a) It takes great faith to live in that way. (4) Oswald Chamber said, Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time c) What steps of faith are you presently taking in the Lord in your walk with Him? 4. Our moving to Iwakuni Japan as missionaries was not the first step of faith we took. a) Our first step of faith was to simply come early to church to help park cars and hold umbrellas over the heads of families with children on rainy days. i) That was followed by steps of faith in volunteering to help teach a children s Sunday School class. ii) Then came the step of faith in opening our home to lead a small group on Tuesdays. b) Step by step, God was preparing us for future works of ministry. 6
7 Colossians 2:8 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. 1. Paul says, don t be conned, deceived, hoodwinked, bamboozled don t be cheated! a) What might we be cheated out of? i) The riches of His glory (Col 1:27) ii) The riches of having full assurance in Christ alone (Col 2:2) iii) And the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are found in Christ (Col 2:3) b) The enemy, Satan wants to steal from us our riches and treasures in Christ. i) NLT: Don t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and highsounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. c) For me personally, I know that the tradition of men and the basic principles of the world would have said stay in the Marine Corps. i) With 10 and 1/2 years in, all I needed was 9 and 1/2 to go for retirement. (1) But my calling according to Christ was to get out. (2) That was my calling and I would have been cheated by any philosophy that led me to do otherwise. d) What is it that Christ is calling you to do? i) It may not be as radical as quitting your job, maybe it s opening your home up to host a small group study. ii) Or maybe it s to start volunteering to serve here Sunday mornings. iii) If Christ has enabled you and He is calling you, you are being cheated if you let anything else stand in the way of your not doing it. And I can think of no greater promise to hope in, in this present life, than to know what Paul writes in verses 9-10 Colossians 2:9-10 9 For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. 7
8 1. Only in Christ can one have fullness. Apart from Him is emptiness. 2. and you are complete in Him a) This is such a powerful statement! b) The word Complete is a nautical term, and it could be translated in this very vivid way: You are ready for the voyage of life in Him. i) You are ready for the voyage of life in Christ, and whatever you need for the voyage of life you will find in Him. c) This is where we say that Christ is the answer. i) What is your question? What is it you need today? ii) Are you carried away by human philosophy? Then turn to Christ. iii) Are you carried away by enticing words? iv) Are you carried away by the systems and traditions of men? Turn to Christ. Testimony: 1. As I said in the beginning, this is one of my favorite passages. a) When I read of Paul s conflict for those in Colosse and Laodicea, I couldn t help but think the same way about those up in Iwakuni. i) This passage became my letter to those in Iwakuni. b) I personally had many insecurities about not being ready to go start a work there in 2005. i) But the Lord reminded me in [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and [I am] complete in Him. (1) I found this passage so freeing and empowering. (2) I knew for sure that God wanted us to get out of the Marines to pursue ministry (a) And now, 12 years later and we are so blessed that we took that step of faith in following the Lord. 2. How is the Lord leading you? a) What steps of faith is He calling for you to make? 8
9 b) Embrace what the Lord is saying to you and be obedient in following His will for your life. You ll be blessed if you do! i All scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ii https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/2015/06/social-media-even-lonely/ 9