Colosians-Terry Gilpin

COLOSSIANS

  At last, here is a book for all religions!  It doesn’t matter what flavour of religion you enjoy, this book has something for you.  If you are

a) One of 1 billion Hindus, believing in endless cycles of creation, preservation, and dissolution.

b) One of 1½  billion Moslems, who believe in Mohammed, as the prophet of Allah.

c) One of the worlds 18 million Jews, who insist on keeping the Law of Moses.

d) An ancestor worship, believing the ancestral spirits will to bring you luck.

   f) One of 2 billion Christians who feel that if they behave well enough, a loving grandfather of a God will somehow let them into His home in heaven. 

  g) It  also speaks to the New Age movement, which says we can solve our own problems

   g) It also speaks to those who consult their horoscopes. 

Paul deals with all these religious and philosophical ideas as we would deal with a counterfeit note.. He compares it with the real thing.  That’s is why Colossians stands with John 1 and Hebrews 1 in presenting an full-orbed exposition of Christ’s person and work. 

The City and Church of the Colossians

Colossae was a city of Asia minor (modern Turkey).  Paul never visited Colossae, but he spent three years in nearby Ephesus when a movement of conversion spread out to other areas.  The result was a church planted at Colossae, which met in the home of Philemon

 The prime evangelist was Epaphras (1:7), who was likely saved while visiting Ephesus and brought the Gospel to his home town of Colosse.

Six years later, Epaphras visited Paul in prison, and who reported that certain false doctrines were disturbing them.  Paul then wrote to the churches at Ephesus and Colossae to refute these heresies and establish the truth of the Gospel. 

Colossians and Ephesians

The two letters are similar.  Both speak of Christ and the church.   Ephesians emphasises that the believer is in Christ.  Colossians emphasises that Christ is in the believer. 

The Error of the Colossians

The false doctrine was a mixture of truth, serious error, eastern philosophy and Jewish legalism.  Some of the elements included:

            a)  Gnosticism

The Gnostics believed a holy God and sinful man were separated by a wide gap.  In between was a whole series of levels of angels and spirits forming a sort of ladder.  Jesus was merely one of these levels between God and man. 

            b) Judaism

Judaism had degenerated into a system of ritual observances by which a man hoped to attain righteousness before God.  It has its counterpart today in systems which teach a person can gain merit with God by his own works

            c) Astrology

The stars were thought to affect the destiny of people, being associated with deities or powerful spirits that could affect lives.  Do they really influence our lives?  Why do millions consult horoscopes every day.  About 1,750 daily papers in the US, and 1,220 of them carry horoscopes.  Here is a typical print out:

“The two days after a Full Moon represents a 48-hour time-period to distribute the wave of stellar enlightenment that has just arrived on Planet Earth in the latest solar-lunar polarity in the zodiac.” 

 No, it’s not rubbish, for Satan doesn’t deal in rubbish.  It is all part of a clever and evil lie designed by Satan to turn us away from God’s truth

            d) Christianity.  

 Some taught that under grace a person can live as he likes. 

            e) Worship of Spirits

What about the spirits of ancestors?  Where are they?  Are they still active?  Is it necessary to sacrifice to them in order to chase away misfortune and bring good luck?

            f) Still With Us

Many still teach Jesus Christ as only part of a total religious system.  They insist we strive for spiritual perfection by means of rituals, disciplines, or formulas.   They said, “God is far away, matter is evil. Demonic forces are constantly threatening us.”  But actually the Bible teaches us that God is near, that He made all things good, and that we have been delivered from the power of darkness. 

PAUL’S REMEDY

Paul answers these errors by stressing Christ’s pre-eminence (1:17-18).  He is the very “fullness of the godhead bodily” (2:9).   Amongst other things He is:

• The visible form of the invisible God (1:15)
• The Creator of all things (1:16)
• He is before all things (1:17)
• He sustains all things (1:17)
• The head of the body, the church (1:18)

            This was the real Christ.  Where were His equals?  He alone can unite:

• Time and eternity
• God and man
• Heaven and earth
• Past and present

FILLED, FRUITFUL, AND FORTIFIED

Colossians 1:1- Paul was concerned.  A number of fuzzy philosophies had crept into the church, and were shaking the faith of the believers.  The new ideas were all so far removed from the simple Gospel he had preached.  How could he help them?

His answer was to present Christ in the pre-eminence of His person, and the total sufficiency of His work for us.  What he taught was much more than mere theory.  It offered a fruit-filled life that would bring blessing to others and pleasure to God. 

1. PAUL’S GREETING (1:1-2)

            Paul introduced his letter with a true Christian greeting

            a) The Writer (1:1)

                        “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.”  

 (i)   “Paul an apostle.”  Paul states his apostleship, because he must deal authoritatively with serious matters.  He was called into this service “by the will of God.” How good it is to find the will of God for our lives.  Marriage, jobs, and daily decisions all need to have the tag, “Thy will be done” attached to them. 

 What about “apostles”?  Are there apostles today?  Yes, according to the advertisements.  But No, according to the qualifications required in Acts 1:21-26.  An “apostle,” as in “the twelve apostles,” was one who fulfilled these qualifications.  Such apostles where chosen by the Lord to accompany Him during His ministry, and were witnesses of His resurrection. 

 The term is also used in a more general term to include others, such as Barnabas (Acts 14:4), Silas and Timothy (1 Thes 2:6).  Such were messengers of the churches, whereas the 13 apostles were apostles of Jesus Christ (Gal 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1)

. 

 (ii)  “Timothy our brother.”  In 1 Tim 1:2, Paul refers to Timothy as his “son in the faith.”  Now he says, “Timothy our brother.”  The term “brother” had rich meaning for Paul.  That is how Ananias, whom Paul had intended to persecute, addressed him in Acts 9:17 “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus . . . has sent me, that you might receive your sight.”

            b) The Readers (1:2)

                        “To the saints and faithful brethren brothers in Christ which are at Colosse” .  Paul referred to:

 (i)   The People.  “Saints and faithful brethren.”  In their relation to God they are “saints” or “set apart ones,” belonging to Him who had called them.  In their relation to each other they are “brethren.”  Paul calls them “faithful brethren,” expressing confidence that they have remained true to Christ.

(ii)  The Place.  “in Christ at Colosse.”  They were “at Colosse,” but also “in Christ.”  That is what mattered.

 c) The Greeting (1:2)

                        “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  This is more than a formal greeting. 

                        (i)   “Grace.” This explains God’s nature and attitude towards us.  “Grace” is causeless, unmerited love.  It melts our hearts, and draws us to Himself. 

 (ii)  “Peace. “  Peace is the result of God’s grace at work in our lives.  The word “peace” here means “binding together of what was broken.”   That is what happened at the cross.  When grace meets with the response of faith, then peace results.  The sinner is no longer at war with God, and he finds peace in his heart.

2. PAUL’S THANKSGIVING (1:3-8)

            “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (1:3).

            Paul traces their spiritual experience in believing the Gospel.

 a) They Heard (1:5b-7)

                        “You heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (1:5b).  Epaphras’ message centred on three major issues:

(i)   God’s Son – Jesus Christ.  The false teachers down-graded Him to the level of an angel or spirit to fit in with their philosophies.  But the Gospel does not centre in a philosophy, or even a religion, but in a person, Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

(ii)  God’s Truth (1:5).  This Gospel can be trusted because “Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17).  Many messages can be called true, but only one is “the Truth.” 

 (iii) God’s Grace (6:b).  They “knew the grace of God in truth.”  The Gospel is good news because of grace.  God in His grace gives me what I do not deserve.

John Selden, a leading London lawyer in 17^th century England was known for his learning and huge library.  When dying he said, “In all these books, there is nothing whereon I can rest my soul, save this from the Bible, ‘The grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men’” (Tit 2:

This Gospel message is for the whole world.  “Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit” (1:6).  One size fits all.  The Word of God is the only Seed that can be planted anywhere in the world and bear fruit.

 b) They Believed (1:4)

“Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus.”  Faith in what?  We are not saved by faith in a set of doctrines.  George Whitfield once asked a listener, “What do you believe?” “The same as my church.”  “What does your church believe?”  “The same as me.”  “What do you both believe?”  “The same thing.”

                        Saving faith involves the mind, emotions, and will.

a) With the mind we understand the truth of the Gospel

b) With the heart we feel conviction and the need to be saved. 

c) With the will we turn from the old way of life (repentance), and commit ourselves fully to knowing, serving, and following Jesus Christ.  Only then is the process complete.  Faith is commitment to Jesus Christ.  John Paton translating the Bible in the Outer Hebrides.  He wanted a word for believe.  Used the word for “lean your whole weight upon.” 

Everybody has faith in something.  But faith is only as good as the object which is being trusted.  The heathen in a jungle worships a God of stone;  the educated man worships his home, or his money.  In both cases faith is empty.  The true Christian believer has faith in Christ, and that faith is based on the Word of truth. 

 c) They Followed (1:7)

“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.”

 Epaphras knew the Colossians were vulnerable to false teachings, so as a “faithful minister” he taught them the Word to ground them in their faith.  The great commission tells us to teach “them all things,” which is why we need to join a local fellowship. 

 d) They Bore Fruit (1:6,8)

“The Gospel…which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (1:6).

The Word of the truth of the Gospel is seed.  This means that when it is planted in the heart, it can produce fruit.   Faith, hope, and love are some of the fruits produced, and are evidence of genuine new birth. 

(i)   Faith.  “Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus” (1:4).  Faith comes through hearing God’s Word (Rom 10:17). Our Christian lives commence by saving faith, but we the learn to walk and work by faith.  Faith is a shield that protects us from Satan’s fiery darts.   

(ii)  Hope.  “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel” (1:5).  Unsaved people are without God, and thus without hope.   Bible hope does not mean “I hope so.”  Because Christ is in us we have the “hope of glory.” (1:27). 

(iii) Love.  “Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit” (1:8).  Christian love is not a shallow manufactured feeling, but a work of God in our hearts. 

 Faith, hope, love.  When a couple get engaged and married, they find the more they love each other, the more they trust each other.  Where there is love and faith, hope and the future grow brighter. 

3. PAUL’S PRAYER (1:9-12)

“For this cause” (1:9) refers to “knew the grace of God in truth” (1:6).  Paul knew they were born again.  They didn’t need a new spiritual experience; they needed to grow in the experience they already had.   He prayed that they might:

a) Find His Will (1:9)

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (1:9). 

There are three crucial words in this sentence.  – knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. 

(i)   Knowledge.  “Filled with the knowledge of His will.”  The word “filled”  can mean “fully equipped,” as a ship ready for a voyage.  So the Christian has all he needs in Christ for the voyage of life.   It can also mean to be “controlled by,” e.g. filled with anger, the spirit, wine.   Paul wanted them to be controlled by the full knowledge of God’s will. 

(ii)  Wisdom. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12), who provides the capacity to know God’s will for every situation.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James1:5,6).   Wisdom enables a person to carry out God’s will in a way that will bring blessing. 

 (iii) Spiritual Understanding.  This enables the believer to understand why God is working as He does. 

 Illustration: “The knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”   Take a Christian young man seeking God’s will.  He obtains the “knowledge of God’s will” (What it is) in relation to a non-Christian partner.  The answer is No.  He then gets “understanding” – Why it is not God’s will (as found in the Word).  He then gets “wisdom” to deal with the would-be partner (the How to deal with the situation).

The will of God is always linked to the Word of God.  The general will of God for all His children is given clearly in the Bible.  The specific will of God for a given situation must always agree with what He has already revealed in His Word.  The more we know of the Word, the easier it will be to determine His specific guidance daily

 b) Walk His Walk (1:10)

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  There are three elements in this verse:

(i)   Walking Worthy.  Two words summarize the Christian life – walk and work!  I cannot work for God unless I am walking with Him.  But I cannot walk with Him if I am ignorant of His will.  God first prepares the worker before He prescribes the work.  He spent thirteen years preparing Joseph, and eighty years preparing Moses for their lives’ work.  A new Christian must learn to walk and learn God’s wisdom before he is given a responsible ministry. 

(ii)  Bearing Fruit.  “being fruitful in every good work.”  This takes us back to the lessons of John 15, and Galatians 5. 

(iii) Knowing God.  The way to extend our knowledge of God is to seek to please Him by working out in practice what is revealed to us as His will. 

  c) Be Strengthened With His Power (1:11-12)

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (1:11-12).

Knowledge of doctrine and activity in service must be undergirded with strong Christian character.  We know God’s will so that we might obey it, and in obeying it, we serve Him and grow Christian character.

(i)   Power.  “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power.”  God’s energy empowers us.  Any Christian fruit in our lives is as a result of God’s power at work in us.  We think of God’s power being revealed in miracles, like the Red Sea, but the emphasis here is on Christian character: patience, perseverance, joyfulness, and thanksgiving.  We were never meant to have adequate resources of our own.  We cannot in our own strength love, forgive, care, or make a difference to others.  It must come from Christ. 

(ii)  Patience.  This is “endurance when circumstances are difficult.”  It is an important ingredient of the maturing Christian’s life.  Rom 5:3-4 says that adverse circumstances work patience, which then brings proven character and hope.  Many Christians tend to quit when the going gets tough.  “By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” 

(iii) Longsuffering. This word means “self-restraint,” the opposite of revenge.  It has to do with our reactions to people.  It is a fruit of the Spirit, and comes from realising how much we have been forgiven.  Longsuffering and patience go together if we are to grow spiritually. 

(iv)  Joyfulness.  Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit. See the difference between happiness and joyfulness.  Happiness depends on happenings;  Paul’s joyful epistle was written from prison – hardly joyful circumstances.  appiness depends on happeings.but joy is independent of circumstances.  Paul’s joyful epistle was written fro

(v)   Thankfulness.  We lose our joy when we are critical and complaining.  This epistle is full of thankfulness.  The selfish person says, “I deserve this!  It is the duty of others to make me happy!”

(vi)  Inheritance.  We have been made “meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (1:12).  In the OT, God’s people had an earthly inheritance, Canaan.  Today we have a spiritual inheritance in Christ.  Canaan is not a picture of heaven, for there will be no battles there.  It is a picture of Christ.  Day by day we are to claim our blessings, and this makes us eve more thankful to the LORD

So we se how penetrating this prayer is.  We need spiritual intelligence of we are going to live lives that will please God.  We need practical obedience in or walk and work.  But the result of all of this must be spiritual power in the inner man, power that leads to joyful patience and longsuffering with thanksgiving. 

PERFECT AND PRE-EMINENT

Colossians 1:12-19

Crescendos are exciting!  A crescendo is a steady increase in intensity and sound rising towards a climax.  We see it in the Hallelujah chorus, or Beethoven’s Emperor piano concerto.  A crescendo is notated by arrow sign with apex on left, thus <

 Paul also appreciated a good crescendo.  What about Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”  Or Hebrews 13:20,21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

These verses in Colossians 1 form a crescendo of Paul’s presentation of Christ, as he wanted the Colossians to understand exactly who Christ is, and what He had done.  He thus focuses on Christ’s pre-eminence, and shows the Christians that all he has prayed for in the previous verses is available in Him.  It also effectively confronted the false teachers and their refusal to accept the incarnation and supremacy of Christ. 

Paul’s soaring crescendo makes a number of major statements that underscore Christ’s pre-eminence.  He is the Saviour (1:13-14) who delivered, redeemed, and forgave us.  He is the Creator (1:15-17) who existed before creation, and created all things.  He is also the Leader, the Head of the Church (1:18).

1. ENLARGED AND EMPOWERED  (1:12-14)

Paul began by thanking God for the great things He had done in their lives. 

  a) He Qualified Us (1:12)

                        “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

 (i)   We Are Inheritors.  God “made us meet to be partakes of the inheritance.”  The word “meet” means “qualified.”  We were disqualified in Adam from handling our inheritance; we are now qualified to do so in Christ.  The prodigal prayed two prayers.  On going away he said, “Father, give me”, and on return he said, “Father make me.” 

  (ii)  We Have An Inheritance.  “The inheritance of the saints in (lit. “the”) light.  What is that?  Our blessings in Christ enable us to live for Him in the darkness of the world.  It also takes us forward to the future, to the place where God is light, and His city has no need of sun or moon.  Paul knew.  He had been there (2 Cor 12), and had seen that light on the Damascus road. 

  b) He Delivered Us (1:13)

                        “…who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,

We were in danger of spending eternity under Satan’s authority and power of darkness.  This deliverance brought us into the light of knowing God.  In Gethsemane the Lord submitted to Satan’s hour,and the power of darkness.  Then at the Cross the sun went out, and it all ended in the darkness of the tomb.  Darkness had triumphed!  For three days the world went on as though nothing had happened.  Then Jesus rose, and the power of darkness was overwhelmed by the light of an eternal day. 

 c) He Translated Us (1:13b)

“…who hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”  This translation describes an eastern conqueror who uprooted and transplanted his defeated foes to another land.  That is what God has done.  He has rescued and transplanted us from Satan’s sphere of darkness, putting us in His own kingdom. 

The phrase “His dear Son,” can be translated “the Son of His love.”  At Christ’s baptism and transfiguration, the Father declared Him as His “beloved Son.”  This reminds us of the price the Father paid when He gave His Son for us. 

 d) He Redeemed Us (1:14)

“In whom we have redemption through his blood.”  All the blood from the OT sacrifices could never redeem a sinner.  They were a shadow of what Christ was to do, but  shadows can never save a soul.  How different is the blood of Christ!  It effects redemption and brings forgiveness. 

 e) He Forgave Us (1:14b)

“…even the forgiveness of sins.”  Redemption and forgiveness go together (Eph 1:7).  The word for “forgiveness” means “to cancel a debt.” That deals with guilt of the past.  The psychologist advises dealing with guilt by transferring it to someone else.  The Christian does the same – to the Saviour!

2. PRE-EMINENT AND PERFECT (1:15-19)

            Paul, after his opening remarks, reaffirms Christ’s absolute deity. 

 a) Christ – The Image Of God (1:15)

                        Christ is the “image of the invisible God” (1:15).  The word for “image”

is eikon, an exact reproduction of the prototype, e.g. a sovereign’s image on a coin, or a painted portrait.  The Lord Jesus is a thoroughly reliable portrait of God, enabling us to know His character and nature.  “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9).

The Greeks had their gods centred on Mt Olympus, all blown up images of themselves, with their weaknesses.  There was Aphrodite, goddess of love; Apollo, god of light; Pluto, the god of the underworld; Mars, the god of war; Poseidon, the god of the seas.

Then Jesus came as “God manifest in the flesh.”  His humanity and divinity were His seamless garment – no seam where one ends, and the other begins.  In His humanity He was born, and was tired, hungry, thirsty, and sad.  In His divinity  He did miracles, and walked the water.  See Him in Peter’s boat, one moment tired and asleep, next moment calming the storm.

 b) Christ – The Firstborn (1:15)

He is “. . . the firstborn of every creature.” “Firstborn” here does not does not refer to time, but to status.  It means “first in rank over all creation.”  The Jews would know exactly what Paul was saying, for they knew about Reuben (born first, but not the “firstborn”), and also Esau, Ishmael, and Manasseh.   Psalm 89:27 uses the word for the Messiah, “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”  

 c) Christ – The Creator (1:15-17)

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.”  Paul explains the fourfold relationship of Jesus Christ to creation.

 (i)   He Existed Before All Things.  “He is before all things.” Jesus Christ was not the first being created, since He Himself is the Creator of all things.  He is the eternal God.   He is before all things in rank and in time.  This goes back to Moses, Abraham, Noah, Adam.  Back to the Big Bang, back to when not even time existed.  He was there – “before all things.” 

 (ii)  He Created All Things (1:16).  “For by him all things were created.”   The word for in this verse could be better translated “because.”  That is why the winds and waves obeyed Him, and why death and disease fled before Him.  It includes all things “that are in heaven and that re in earth, visible and invisible.”

This is the Bible doctrine of origins and creation.  There are about 100 billion stars in our galaxy, and about 100 billion galaxies beside our own.  Sir James Jeans, a British astronomer, says there are more stars in space than there are grains of sand on all of the seashores of the world. 

                                    “Visible and invisible.”  Other beings apart from man exist in the universe – some even higher than man.  Jesus created them also.  Paul mentions four classes of created spirit beings – “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.”  Ephesians 6 says some of these are our enemies, fallen angels who follow Satan. 

 (iii) He Is The Purpose of All Things (1:16).  “All things were created by him and for him.”   Everything exists in Him, through  Him, and for Him.  He is the sphere in which they exist, the agent through which they came into being, and the one for whom they were made. 

(iv)  He Hold All Things Together (1:17).  “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”  A guide taking a group through an atomic laboratory explained how all matter was composed of rapidly moving electric particles.  This means that matter is made up primarily of space.  What holds it all together?  No answer!  For the Christian, Christ holds it all together.  We may not know how or what, but we do know who. 

What about our universe?  Who keeps the temperature controlled on our planet ?  Who sets the thermostat.  Only Jesus can do that!  We had glimpses of that kind of power when He was on earth.  He stilled the storm, transformed water to wine, multiplied loaves and fishes, and filled the fisherman’s net with fish. 

d) Christ All Pre-eminent (1:18-19)

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” 

 (i)  “He is the head of the body, the church” (1:18).  It is one thing to be in control of the universe, but how does the church fit into that?  It is central to God’s future plans to establish His authority both on earth and in the heavens. 

(ii)  “…who is … the firstborn from the dead” (1:18).  But what about Elijah, Elisha, Lazarus, and others?  At least six before Jesus rose from the dead.  How could number seven be number one?  Jesus was not the first person to be raised from the dead, but the difference is enormous.  Others who were raised before Him all died again.  They were sown a natural body, and raised a natural body.  Not so the Lord Jesus.  It is this that makes His resurrection uniquely different.   

(iii) “That in all things he might have the pre-eminence” (1:18).  This is the theme of this entire section.  The word occurs only here in the NT.  The Gnostics ranked Him somewhere among the lower level angels.  But He is pre-eminent.  It is possible to accept Him as Saviour, but keep Him parked in such a way He does not interfere with our life-style.  He wants to be pre-eminent, and to demonstrate that pre-eminence in our lives.  

(iv)  “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” (1:19). This means Christ was full of God.  The fact that it pleased the Father to have His fullness in Christ is proof that Jesus Christ is God. 

The word “dwell” means “to be permanently at home.”  It is this which enables the Lord Jesus to let us see God.  It is like wearing glasses.  Without them we see a blur, with them we see things as they really are.  The Lord Jesus brought God into focus for us, so we an see Him as He really is.  To know about God, we look at the Lord Jesus. 

RECONCILIATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Colossians 1:20-29

 Mankind is a funny species!  One person is the same as the next, each with a nose, two eyes and hears, and a mouth.  But they are also very different.  We have lots in common, but we are thankful for the differences.  George Bernard Shaw was once proposed to by a lady of some beauty, who said, “Think of our children, what with my looks and your brains.”  Shaw replied, “Yes, but what if they had my looks and your brains?” 

 We may be different, but we all the same in some things.  We all need to be loved, to feel forgiven, to have security, and to have a hope for the future.    

 The Bible teaches only fellowship with God can fulfil these needs.  We were created to have an close relationship with Him, but sin took us away from Him, and destroyed that relationship.  Then the Cross opened a way by which we can be reconciled to God and have that intimacy restored. 

 In these verses, Paul shows how what was done on Calvary not only reconciles us to God, but also makes us responsible live for Him.  It is only at the cross that we find the love, forgiveness, security, and hope we need. 

1. RECONCILIATION (1:20-22)

 Paul has been considering Christ in His deity and pre-eminence.  Now considers Him in His death.  In just a few words, we move from where Christ is pre-eminent, to the place where He was crucified, and made possible our reconciliation to God. 

a) The Means of our Reconciliation (1:20)

 “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross. By him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

 When we think of what man did to the Lord Jesus, we might expect to see God’s wrath.  But instead of wrath, we are amazed to see God’s great desire that we be reconciled to Him.  The Bible does not say God is reconciled to man.  Like the prodigal son, we are the ones who turned away, and we need reconciled to Him. 

 “And having made peace through the blood of His cross” (1:20).  When sin entered God’s creation it spread across the whole world.  Suddenly there were cemeteries, leper colonies, prisons, battlefields.  That is the picture of Genesis 3-5. 

What was God to do?  His holiness said, “Punish them!”  His love said “Pardon them!”  He did both, for His Son the Lord Jesus was punished instead of us,  thus meeting the demands of God’s holiness and His love. 

 b) The Extent of our Reconciliation (1:20-21)

 “… to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (1:20).  This reconciliation involves:

(i)   Two Realms. “… things in earth, or things in heaven” (1:20).  Sin did not begin on earth, but in heaven.  Both realms are defiled, which is why God will one day create a new heaven and a new earth.  All sin will be removed, and both spheres will be reconciled to God.  The only marks of sin seen in the new creation will be the marks of Calvary in the hands and feet of Jesus. 

            c) The Meaning Of Our Reconciliation (1:22)

                        “… to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight.” Paul now uses three words to express the huge change that has come into our lives.  

                        (i)   “Holy.”  The word holy carries the idea of being set apart for God.  He does not make peace so we can continue to be rebels! 

                        (ii)  “Unblameable” – without blemish.  Only God’s work in our hearts can take our sins, “scarlet red, like crimson” and make them “white as snow.”

                        (iii) “Unreprovable” means “free from accusation.”  Once we have been reconciled to God, no charges can be brought against us.  As the Accuser, Satan approaches God and points to our sin and failure.  But God says, “I see no faults, all I see is the blood of my Son.”  We are unreprovable.  Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. 

2. RESPONSIBIITY (1:23-29)

            “…  be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (1:23).

            Paul has presented the deity of Christ, and also His death.  Now he deals with the demands and responsibilities generated by these great truths. 

            a)  We Are To Be Loyal To Him (1:23)

                        (i)   A Definite Loyalty (1:23).  “If ye continue in the faith.”  Paul did not doubt their salvation.  He was simply saying a person who is genuinely saved will continue in the faith. 

                        (ii)  A Deep Loyalty (1:23).  “… grounded and settled.”  This has the idea of laying a foundation. 

                        (iii) A Determined Loyalty (1:23).  “… be not moved away…”  This means not to be shaken in our faith,  To be sure about what we believe. 

                        (iv)  A Doctrinal Loyalty (1:23).  “The Gospel … whereof I Paul am made a minister.”  Too often people’s experiences are all that is important, but when things are difficult, it is what we believe that matters, not what we feel.  Imagine if Job had no theology, and relied only on his experience!  It was his doctrine that kept him strong. 

b) We Are To Live For Him (1:24-29)

                        “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (1:24).               

                        “…  fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.”  What a strange phrase!  What can we add to the merit and sufferings of Christ?  Nothing!  Paul links his sufferings with Christ’s sufferings.  Through the ages members of Christ’s body have suffered, and Christ suffered with them.  Thus Christ’s sufferings are of two kinds.  He has suffered for our sins on the cross.  Now He suffers with His saints. 

                        There is here a real unity and identity between Christ and the church. 

                         (i) Its Ministry. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to thedispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (1:25).  As well as being a minister of the gospel, Paul says he is a minister or servant of the church.  He was like his Lord who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.  His special ministry was “to fulfil the Word of God.”  That task was a God-given stewardship” or “dispensation.”  He had to be faithful to his calling. 

                        (ii)  Its Mystery.  “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (1:26).  A Bible mystery is a truth that cannot be discovered by human reasoning, but only by divine revelation.  For example, OT believers had no concept of the church.  Truth about it was concealed in the OT, but revealed in the NT.  It was a mystery until it was revealed. 

                        (iii) Its Message. “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27).  The NT presents many mystery truths.  We have the mystery of the Kingdom of heaven, the Gospel, the Cross, the Rapture, this age of grace, and the mystery of iniquity, and of Babylon.

                                    The greatest mystery of all is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” 

                        (iv) Its Mission.  “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (1:28).  Three times Paul says “Every man!”  We are to evangelize  every man, to educate every man with all wisdom making known the whole counsel of God, and edify every man, so that they might be presented faultless and mature to Christ.

                                    “Perfect in Christ.”  The word is telios.  That is the great purpose of our ministry.  Three great church gifts are involved in this process – the evangelist, the teacher, and the pastor. 

                                    “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (1:29). Only the indwelling Christ can do the work – “Without me, ye can do nothing.”  If we are to reach others for Christ, it has to be done by His working in me mightily. 

COMPLETE IN HIM

Colossians 2:1-13

            Paul’s main messages was that Christ was God and God was in Christ.  That made Christ absolutely sufficient for the believer’s every need.  That much was certain.  What was less certain was our personal relationship with Him, and that is the subject of this chapter.  That’s why it is all about believing in Christ, walking in Him, and finding our fulfilment, our security, and freedom in Him

Meet Alice

            First of all, meet my friend Alice! 

• Age – 37
• Happily married
• Two teenage children
• Where does she live?  Only in my mind, but there are many like her close by to here.
• History:  3 months ago had headaches and a weakness in her leg – MRI – brain tumour. 
• Sadly nothing can be done.  The surgeon told her and family she has only 4 weeks to live.  She is at home, fully conscious, and as comfortable as she can be. 
• Oh, I nearly forgot!  20 years ago, as a teenager, Alice accepted Christ, and her life since demonstrated that the life of Christ has been in her. 
• NOW – she has asked you to call.  What will you say?  What are the core issues in Alice’s life?  How will you help her? 

            What Paul said to these Colossians has much to say to Alice, so let us keep her in mind as we go down the chapter together. 

1. FAITH IN CHRIST (2:1-5)

            Paul had never met these believers, but he constantly connected with them “in the spirit” (2:5), and passionately prayed for their maturity.  Paul was in Rome, they were 1000 km away in Colosse.  This was prayer in the power of the Spirit, according to the will of God.   These are the issues that are full of meaning for Alice.  Specifically he prayed for:

            a) Encouragement

                        “That their hearts might be comforted” (2:2).  How do we encourage people?   By turning their eyes to the Lord, and focussing on the promises of His Word.

            b) Endearment  

                        “…being knit together in love” (2:2).  Mature Christians help God’s people stay together, and bring them closer to one another through bringing them closer to Christ.  

            c) Enlightenment

                        “…full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ” (2:2). 

                        This “mystery of God”is Christ.  God is a mystery.  We can’t see God, but we can see Christ, and discover all we need to know about God.  So the “mystery of God” is solved in Him.  God’s love, mercy, holiness, righteousness, grace, and power are all seen in Him.  The more we get to know Christ, the more we get to understand this mystery.

            d) Enrichment

            “… in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3).  It is nice to be rich!  But when life’s sun is setting, riches in the bank mean nothing.  The real riches are being able to:

            (i)   Look Back and realise life has been lived for the Lord

            (ii)  Look Forward, knowing where we are going at the end of life. 

            “Wisdom and knowledge” about what?  About life’s most basic questions: where we are going, how to get there. 

2. WALKING IN CHRIST (2:6-9)

 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (2:6).  That is a definition of the Christian life.  It commences by receiving Christ as Lord, and continues by walking in Him.  That walk results in spiritual progress and maturity. 

“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (2:7).  Paul painted a number of pictures to illustrate spiritual progress, and show how a growing Christian can develop (2:7).  He is:

            a) A Tree – “Rooted” 

                        Christians are not loosely attached, but rooted deeply in Christ.  The world’s tallest tree is a redwood in Redwood National Park, California.  It is 115m high, taller than Big Ben in London, or the Statue of Liberty in New York.  In 2006 Steve Skillet climbed to its top and dropped a tape to the ground.

                        It is not what is visible up top, but the strength and depth of the hidden  roots which are important.  Down is the word.

            b) A Building – “Built up” 

                        He is the solid Rock on which we are built up.  When we trust Christ to save us, we are put on the foundation.  From then on we grow up in grace.

                        The world’s tallest building is the 830m tall Burj halifa in  Dubai, UAE, opened in January 4, 2010.  The second tallest is the Shanghai Tower at 632m.  The tallest building in the US is the recently opened One World Trade Centre in New York at 541 m.  The Empire State Building is a mere 381m tall.  Africa’s tallest building is the Carlton Centre, Johannesburg, at 229m, opened in 1973.  All these buildings are “built-up.”  Up is the word.   

            c) A School – “Established in the faith, as ye have been taught” 

                        The Christian life is like a school where we are taught and strengthened by the Word.  Studying God’s Word establishes us in the faith, and helps us avoid being deceived. 

            d) A River – “abounding therein with thanksgiving” 

                        “Abounding” suggests a river overflowing its banks.  The Lord first gives us a drink of the water of life by faith.  That then becomes a rising tide of living water that flows deeper and wider. 

3. SECURE IN CHRIST (2:8-10)

            Paul now exposes five major types of false teachers: intellectuals (2:8-10), ritualists (2:11-13), legalists (2:14-17), mystics (2:18-19), and ascetics (2:20-23).  Each will attack their standing in Christ, and he urgently warned the believers against them.  (None will be of much help to Alice!)

            a) They Are Dangerous

                        “Beware lest any man spoil you.” (2:8).  The word for “spoil” is “rob.”  False teaching robs us of peace and assurance, and replaces them with doubt, just as happened in the Garden. 

            b) They are Deceitful 

                        “Through philosophy and vain deceit” (2:8).  The key word here is “deceit.”  Being intellectual is fine, but that will not help us find out the origin or the universe, or man.  Such truths comes to us from divine revelation, not human reasoning.  Man’s attractive philosophies with their apparent logic constantly oppose God’s truth. 

            c) They Are Defiant

                        “In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (2:9).  The Gnostics defiantly refused to believe God could dwell in a human body.  Paul insisted on two truths:

                        (i)   The Fact of His Body.  “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me” (Heb 10:5).  Jesus’ body was made by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb.  He lived in it, He died in it, He rose again in it, and ascended in it into heaven.  In it He now sits at God’s right hand, and in it He will come again to rule over the empires of earth. 

                        (ii)  The Fullness of His Godhead.  “…all the fullness…”  His physical body contained the sum total of all that God is, His nature, personality, attributes, and essence.

4. COMPLETE IN CHRIST (2:10-15)

             “You are complete in Him, the head of all principality and power” (2:10). 

            The words “in Him” point to Christ as the Head of all rule and authority – including Satan’s representatives which rule over the nations.  They are powerful, they hate us, and seek our destruction, but they are no match for the Holy Spirit, and are aware that Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil.”

            Paul referred to two rituals.  Israel’s religion was full of rituals involving the temple, the priesthood and sacrifices.  Of course, each ritual had a deep meaning, and each pointed to Christ.  Two Biblical rituals are mentioned here, and we need to know what the Bible teaches about each of them. 

            a) Circumcision

                        “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” (2:11).

                        (i)   In the Old Testament circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with His people.  But it was also more than that. 

                                    In Genesis 12, God promised Abraham a seed, and repeated the promise in Genesis 15.  In Genesis 16, Abraham took Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael.  God responded by thirteen years of silence.  Then in Genesis 17 God again promised Abraham a son, and also instituted the covenant seal of circumcision. 

                                    That rite stamped with death man’s organ of regeneration,.  It was God’s statement that man’s flesh and natural ability had no part to play in God’s purposes. 

                        (ii)  In the New Testament, believers undergo a “circumcision made without hands”?  What is this?  It is “a spiritual circumcision” involving the “putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” (2:11).  What the knife did in the physical circumcision of the OT, the Cross now does for us as we allow it to remove from us the “body of the sins of the flesh,” i.e. the body as controlled by the flesh, so that God can work in and through us.  

            b) Baptism (2:12-13)

                        “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (2:12-13).

                        Is baptism a NT equivalent for circumcision?  Does it bring a child into a covenant relationship with God?   There are superficial similarities, but think about it.  Circumcision is for eight-day old Jewish babies; baptism is for Christians able to testify publicly to new life in Christ.   Circumcision is associated with blood; baptism is associated with water.  Baptism says at least three things:

                        (i)   We Are Identified With Christ.  When a person is saved, he is baptised by the Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13), and identified with the Head, Jesus Christ.  Whatever happened to Christ, happened to us.  When He died, we died; when He rose, we rose with Him – and we also left the graveclothes of the old life behind.  The Greek verb is very expressive – co-buried, co-raised, and co-made alive.  Now, since we are identified with Him, and He is the fullness of God, what more do we need?

                        (ii)  We Are Empowered By Christ “through the faith of the operation of God” (2:12).  It was God’s power that changes us – not the power of a water ritual. 

                        (iii) We Are Forgiven By Christ – “having forgiven you all trespasses” (2:13).   Paul goes on to show how and why we are so forgiven. 

VICTORY AND FREEDOM IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:14-23

This section continues Paul’s reminder to the Colossians of the many privileges and responsibilities they have in Christ.  In 1:1-13 we have the themes of faith in Christ, walking in Christ, secure in Christ, and being complete in Christ.  What privileges and what responsibilities!  But there is more.  Paul takes it further, and reminds the believers of the victory and freedom that are theirs in Christ.

1. VICTORY IN CHRIST (2:14-19)

            “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (2:14).

            This “handwriting of ordinances” signifies a hand written “promise to pay” note.  A man would promise to pay, and then when he failed to honour his debt, he would be imprisoned, and his statement of debt posted on the cell door.  When the Law was first given, the nation promised to pay, “all that the Lord has spoken, we will do.”  It was their handwritten unconditional “promise to pay.”  However, none was able to keep those ordinances.  Remember Tennessee Ernie Ford’s song:- “You load sixteen tons, what do you get?  Another day older and deeper in debt.”

            Then Christ came.  He fulfilled all the Law’s requirements in His perfect life and atoning death, thus taking away “the handwriting of ordinances which was against us, nailing it to His cross.”  That notice nailed to Christ’s cross said, “Paid in full.”  

            a) Christ’s Victory

                        “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (2:15)..  Christ’s victory was:

                        (i)   The Defeat of His Enemy.  He “disarmed principalities and powers.”  Jesus not only dealt with sin on the cross, He also dealt with Satan.  When Christ died, the keys of hell and death were taken from Satan’s hands. 

                        (ii)  The Demonstration of His Power.  “…made a show of them openly.”  Satan’s deceit and vileness were exposed.  He had sought to put the Lord to an open shame.  But now the preaching of the cross is their death sentence, and spells their doom.

                        (iii) The Declaration of  His Triumph.  “…triumphing over them in it.”  Paul sees here a Roman Triumph with a conquering general entering Rome followed by his troops who share in the celebration of victory.  Next come the prisoners, chained to his chariots.  In a moment of total triumph, God raised His Son from the dead.  The Triumph announced His resurrection, His ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, eternity, the lake of fire. 

            b) Christ’s Warning

                        We are used to warnings – flashing lights at rail crossings, or skull and crossbones on medicine bottles.  Paul knew religious people love rules and rituals and things to do.  He thus gave three warnings to heed if we are to enjoy our fullness in Christ:

                        “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days; Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (2:16-17).  We are to be careful because of:

                        (i)   The Basis Of  Liberty.  “Let no man therefore judge you” (2:16a).  The word therefore relates back to the previous verse.  The basis for our freedom is the person and work of Jesus Christ.  When we try to keep the law and depend on it for salvation we are is saying Christ did not finish the work of salvation on the cross, we must add to it. 

                        (ii)  The Bondage of Legalism (2:16).  Paul warns vigorously against reverting back to OT practices which now have no value.  He refers to

                                    –   Special Foods.  “Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink.”    

                                    –   Special Days.  “in respect of an holy day.”  The false teachers were trying to impose the old Jewish religious calendar on the church.  

                                    –   Special Feasts.  “the new moon.”  Some of these feasts were likely monthly celebrations in line with the “new moons.”           

                                    –   Special Sabbaths.  “the Sabbath days.” The Jews had lots of Sabbaths, but the early church soon distinguished between those Sabbaths and the first day of the week, when Christ rose, and honoured that day as a day of remembrance and worship. 

                        All these were meaningful as part of the Law, Israel’s schoolmaster to help the nation prepare for the coming Messiah.  But now that He had come, the schoolmaster was no longer needed.  But Paul knew human nature loves to observe rituals and “do” something.  Doing something makes us feel we have deserved it. 

            c) Christ’s Reality

                        “Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body (the reality) is of Christ” (2:17).  There is a great difference between a man and his shadow.  Don’t try to hug a shadow when the reality is at hand.  Judaism was a religion of shadows. 

                        Paul identifies the features of these cults.

                        (i)   They Are Insincere.  “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility” (2:18).  The false teachers pretended to be very humble with a false humility.  The cults at Colosse were basically the same as today’s modern cults.  They claimed to have superior wisdom, and special revelations.  Paul here deals with mysticism, the idea that we have extra-biblical revelations from God.  This is present in Catholicism Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, and even the charismatic movement. 

                        (ii)  They Are Deceptive.  “Let no man beguile” (2:18).  The word “beguile” is an athletic term used when an umpire would disqualify contestant who had disobeyed the rules.  He continues to be a citizen, but loses the honour of winning a prize. 

                        (iii) They Are Dangerous.  Paul says some were seeking contact with the spirit world, and looking for ecstatic experiences.  Such seeking by-passes the Word of God and open them to demonic activity, as Satan knows how to give counterfeit experiences to people.  Paul was thinking of Eastern Mysticism, the belief that a person can have an immediate experience with the spiritual world, quite apart from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. 

                        (iv)  They Are Proud – “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” (2:18).  All this mystical ceremony was wrapped up in a false humility that was actually an expression of pride.  A person who worships through angels or saints does not submit to the Word of God, but is substituting man-made tradition for the Word of God.  True spiritual experience with God leads to submission, humility, and service.  So with, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Abraham, etc. 

d)  Christ’s Authority

                        “And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God” (2:19). 

                        (i)   The Right Control – Obeying.   Paul emphasised the danger of “not holding the Head.”  Everything goes wrong when we deny Christ His place as the Head of the church.  Just as the body is held together by joints and ligaments, so we are united to each other.  Some have lax ligaments, a painful condition of hyper-mobility of the joints.    

                        (ii)  The Right Nourishment – Feeding.  “…having nourishment ministered.” The Lord Jesus ministers to each member in His body.  That happens through worship, prayer, and the Word of God.  Failure here results in weakness.  Growth and development are not automatic, they only happen as we give the Head His place and obey His Word. 

                        (iii) The Right Development – Growing.  “Knit together, increasing with the increase of God.” All the power of the godhead is behind the church’s growth.  It may seem slow, with few getting saved.  Some profess, but don’t go on.  But it is God’s work, and He sees the bigger picture.  Nothing can stop it

2. FREE IN CHRIST (2:20-23)

            “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,  (Touch not; taste not; handle not) (2:20).

            a) Rules and Regulations (2:20-21)

                        Having condemned mysticism and legalism, Paul next attacked asceticism.  Such people slept on hard beds, whipping themselves, not speaking for days or years, going without food or sleep, in order to be more spiritual.  As Christians we know our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, but the ascetic hopes to sanctify his soul by discipline of the body.  Paul gave several arguments to warn the Christian against carnal religious asceticism.

            “Rudiments of the world” (2:20).  The word “rudiments” means “the fundamentals, the ABC of something” (2:8).  Trying to live according to a set of rules is childish stuff.   Christianity is not a religion of rules.  It is a matter of being indwelt by the living Christ who, having given His life for us, now gives His life to us. 

                        “Why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances. (Touch not; taste not; handle not)” (2:20).”  The world has hundreds of religions – all varieties of Cain’s religion.  They are Satan’s offspring, they are attractive, filled with fruits and flowers, the work of man’s hands.  But they ignore the Cross,  and are rejected by God as was Cain’s..  Instead of making Cain more repentant, it made him more determined to further his own ideas.  His religion is branded, “The way of Cain,” and still flourishes in all the world’s religions.

                        Once we start to add rules and regulations, we become like a doodler, who creates a simple outline of a face with eyes, nose and mouth, then teeth, hair, glasses, and soon the original outline is lost under a mass of detail.  The false teachers said they were to beware of ceremonial defilement – “Touch not!” “Taste not!” “Handle not!”

                        The NT deals in principles – not in rules.  How do we deal with smoking, dancing, and drinking?  See the principles (not to make another brother stumble, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, etc.).  The Christian has been set free, but he is not free to sin, but from sin.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit to make this happen in our lives.

            b) Danger and Defeat (2:22-23)

                        Paul identifies a number of dangers associated with religious rules and regulations.

                        (i)   They Are Perishable.  “Which all are to perish with the using” (2:22).  Paul says these man-made rules (touch, taste, handle not, etc.) are all destined to “perish with the using.”  They don’t work. 

                        (ii)  They Are Man-Made.  “…after the commandments and doctrines of men?” (2:22).  These rules replaced the Word of God.  The “doctrines” were what the false teachers believe, the “commandments” were the regulations they gave in applying their doctrines to daily life.

                        (iii) They Are Insincere.  “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility” (2:23).  “Will worship” is something not prescribed by God, but only by (the will of) man.  It suggests devoteeism invented by man and elaborated by human personal choice.

                        (iv)  They Are Ineffective.   “Not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh” (2:23). Such measures do not control the flesh.  The power of Christ in the believer’s life puts new desires within him.  He has God’s nature, and thus desires the things of God.  He does not need law on the outside to control his appetite, because he has life on the inside!

“CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL”

Colossians 3:1-11

            Having described what Christianity is not, he now shows what it is.  These verses take us to the bank of heaven.   Paul opens the vault, shows us all God’s treasures, and says “Help yourself!  It all belongs to you!”

            In chapter 2 Paul has been dealing with the cults and their false teaching of intellectualism , ritualism , legalism, mysticism , and asceticism.   Now he sets before us the treasures mysteries of a life hidden with Christ in God.  Here we see that our heads and hearts are in the heavenlies, but our feet are on the ground.  Satan’s temptations attack us from without; our sinful nature attacks us from within.  The answer to it all is Christ. 

            This is the practical application of his teaching.  In those days, a heathen worshipper could bow before his idol, and then go back to living as he liked.  Belief and behaviour never got to know each other. 

            Christianity was different.  Belief and behaviour walk together.  Christ’s Spirit is in us, and He will not allow us to live in sin.  Paul gave readers three instructions: a) Seek the Heavenly (3:1-4); b) Slay the Earthly (3:5-9); c) Strengthen the Christly (3:10-11).

1. SEEKING WHAT IS ABOVE (3:1-4)  

            “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (3:1). 

            “Things which are above.”  This is how the Lord Jesus lived in His manhood.  His feet were on the ground, but His heart was with His Father in heaven. 

            a) New Perspective

                        “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above” (3:1). 

                        The word “if” should be “since” (NIV).  Through Christ’s death we have died with Him. Through His burial we have been buried with Him, and through His resurrection and ascension we have been raised to live a new life quite separate from the old life of this world. 

                        But be warned!  We can ignore our risen life in Christ and continue to live in the cemetery of this world. 

                        In Manila North Cemetery, Philippines, more than 10,000 families live in this 100 acre cemetery, all hearty and alive!  This “living cemetery” has TV dishes, fast- food stalls, and mini-markets tucked amongst the crypts and tombs.  One man said, ” I used to be afraid, especially at night. But now I’m more afraid of the living than the dead because some new comers are drug addicts and criminals who break into tombs to steal gold or jewellery from the dead.”

                        Jesus gave His life to lift us out of the grave, and set us where He is seated at the right hand of God. 

            b) A New Quest

                        “Seek those things which are above.” 

                        How do we do this?  “Seek” here means “to strive,” set your mind on and live for things above, not for earthly things.  When Israel arrived at the border of the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb wanted to go forward  Why?  Because their hearts and minds were already in the land. 

                        The more we focus our minds on Christ, the more He becomes our security, priority, and satisfaction.  Position, popularity and people fade in importance. 

                        We see a graphic difference between an earthly minded person and a heavenly minded person when we look at two Middle Eastern tombs. The first is the burial place of King Tut in Egypt.  The mummy of the king is enclosed in a golden sarcophagus.  Although King Tut thought of the after-life in terms of this world’s possessions, which he wanted to take with him.

                        The other tomb, in Palestine, is a simple rock-hewn cave believed by many to be Jesus’ burial site. Inside, there is no gold, no earthly trea­sure, and no body. Jesus had no reason to store up this world’s trea­sures.

            c) A New Affection

                        “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (3:2).  How easy it is to get our priorities upside-down.   The “things on earth” daily demand our attention.  Although  believers, the Colossians were in danger of focussing on the anxious cares of “earthly things.” 

            d)  A New Life

                        “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (3:3).  Our lives are hid with Christ in God, where no sin, self, or Satan can touch us.  As Romans 6-8 teaches,  Christ not only died for us (substitution), but he died in us (identification).  He not only died for sin, He died unto sin, breaking its power.  Because we are “in Christ” through the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13), we died with Christ.  We are “in Christ,” and Christ is in God. That is why nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. 

                        Two sisters use to be party girls, then got saved.  When invited to a party they replied, “We regret we cannot attend because we recently died.” 

            e)  A New Hope

                        “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (3:4).  Eternal life is not some heavenly substance God gives when we are saved.  It is Christ Himself: “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 1:12).   “Life is what you are alive to.”  A child comes alive when you mention an ice cream, a teenager comes alive when you mention car.  Paul came alive when you mention Christ – “For me to live is Christ” (Phil 1:21).  

                        The word “appear” means to unveil.  Today God’s people are often scorned and laughed at.  We forget we are in Christ, and have access to His limitless resources.  Too often we slip in our thinking, and live like we have the same goals as the world.  We become like the Israelites, willing to settle for the wilderness, when they could have crossed into Canaan. 

2. SLAYING THE OLD NATURE (3:5-11)

            Paul illustrates his points by describing two very different men – the Old and the New.  The Old Man is what we are naturally, the man we used to be.  The New Man is what we are in Christ.  We have His own sinless nature, brought into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit.  However, the old nature remains, and we triumph over it only in so far as we “reckon” it to be dead, and refuse to feed it. 

            a) The Old Man (3:5-9)

                        “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

                        (i)  The Reality of Old Man (3:5).  The Bible is balanced.  Like surgery, some things have to be cut out.  The weeds need pulled.  The appendix needs removed. 

                                    Doom advertises, “Deadly killing action!  Kills insects dead!”  In 3:3 we were told we have died.  Here we are told we must “Mortify your members which are on the earth.”  This is the difference between our standing and our state.  Our standing is that we are in Christ.  Our state is that we are in ourselves.  Our standing is the free gift off God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our state represents our response to God’s grace.  Our standing is that we have died.  Our state should be that of reckoning ourselves dead to sin by putting to making decisions that say No to the flesh. 

                                    These sins are not “No-name-brand.” Paul presents an ID parade of old men:

                                    Fornication.  Sexual immorality.  Sex is pure and God-given, but many strong men have lost their testimonies and effectiveness for God through misuse. 

                                    Uncleanness.  This is lustful, thoughts or actions.

                                    Inordinate affection.  A mind full of sexual impurity.                                                         Evil concupiscence.  Evil desires.  Appetites lead to action.  To stop doing we must stop thinking.  Children fed KFC and Big Macs develop appetites for them and become obese and unhealthy.  To change it, their appetites must first be changed.   

                                    Covetousness, which is idolatry.  Always wanting more –things, pleasures, etc.   “Thou shalt not covet” is the last commandment, but it makes us break all others.   We will dishonour God, take His name in vain, lie, steal, etc, in order to get what we covet. 

                        (ii) The Reasons for this ruin (3:6).  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”   Who are these “children of disobedience”?   Men, seeing the heavens silent, becomes bold, and ignores the warning of sin’s penalty.  But God is not mocked.  Sin may bring consequences here, but always judgement in the life to come. 

                                      “The wrath of God.”  We tolerate sin, but God burns with anger.  He often judges it in an individual’s circumstances.  He may act against whole nations, or against a whole race, as in Noah’s day.  Or  with cities like Sodom and Gomorrah.  That will be seen in the coming Tribulation, and also His judgement in eternity.

                        (iii) The Results of this Ruin (3:7-8).  “In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”  Paul reminds the Colossians they once indulged in these sins.  But God’s grace came and delivered them.  Their new life now empowered them to live for God.  “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:25).  The true believer may fall, but he cannot feel at home in sinful disobedience to God.  It is our deliberate response to God that makes the Christian life possible.

                        (iv)  The References to this Ruin  (3:8a-c).   “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication.”

                                    “Put off…put on” (3:9-10).  The picture is one of changing clothes.   When Christ rose He left behind the grave clothes, and entered into a glorious resurrection life that had no need for grave clothes.  Grave clothes for us represent the old life with its sinful deeds. 

                                    Paul invites us to look at the “old man’s” wardrobe.  What terrible clothes!  We are to put them off.   The Holy Spirit empowers us to say No to these evil old-nature desires:

                                    a) Anger.   The habitual anger that makes some people difficult to live with.  This word anger describes habitual attitudes.

                                    b) Wrath.  This is anger that blazes out uncontrollably,  It is like Moses when he struck the rock.  It refers to the sudden outbursts of anger or rage. 

                                    c) Malice.  The desire that wants something bad to happen to others. 

                                    d) Blasphemy is slander, malicious gossip.  Is it true?  Kind?  Necessary?  It is what Satan does best.  The Pharisees blasphemed the Lord, defaming Him.

                                    e) Filthy communication.  Smutty, coarse speech.   We say, “Take this with a grain of salt,” but salt should be a symbol of purity.  Grace, and purity go together. 

                                    f) Lying  (3:8b-9a).  “Lie not one to another.”  A lie misrepresents the truth.  Satan is a liar, while the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17).  A lying Christian cooperates with Satan.  When he speaks the truth (Eph 4:15), he cooperating with the Holy Spirit. 

            These social sins are all in good standing!  Respectable!  We are so used to them that we consider them normal.  A member who does something immoral will be a scandal; but being angry is surely a “lesser” crime! 

            b) The New Man (3:10-14)

                        The heart of Christianity is not about negatives.  The Christian life is a positive challenge to allow “the new man” to live in and through us. 

                         (i)   We are Remade (3:10).              “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” 

                                    Every believer has this “New Man.”  God does not educate or reform people.  He does not patch things up, but makes them new.  The old man cannot be reformed.   This New Man is a new creation.  But the new life is our entire re-creation in the image of God.  It takes us back to what God wanted Adam to be in the beginning. 

                                    As the Lord Jesus was the image of the invisible God, so we are to be the image of the Lord Jesus.  The process has already begun in the heart of the believer, and will be perfected at the Rapture when we receive our resurrection bodies.  Meanwhile the Holy Spirit enables us to daily manifest the life of Christ. 

                                    The verb “renewed” is a present participle – “who is constantly being renewed.”  The crisis  of salvation leads to the process of sanctification, being more like Him 

                        (ii) We Are Renewed (3:10).  “…which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

                                    It happens through “knowledge.”  The more a person knows about Christ, the more he becomes like Him (Phil 3:10).

                                     It results in transformation.  “After the image of him that created him.”  Man was formed in God’s image, but deformed through sin.  Through Christ we can be transformed into God’s image.   God transforms us by the renewing of our minds, and this involves the study of His Word.  As we grow in this, the Holy Spirit conforms us to the image of God’s Son.  When we stand before Him at the Judgement Seat of Christ, we will be judges as to how our lives measured up to His life. 

                                     It crosses all barriers (3:11).  “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free.”  In Christ there are no differences of country (neither Greek nor Jew), creed (circumcision nor uncircumcision), culture (Barbarians and Scythians – those who had no culture.  Scythians were the lowest barbarians of all!), or class (bond nor free).  All one in Christ. 

                                    It gives Christ His place.  “Christ is all, and in all.”  This is the emphasis of the letter, and the essence of Christianity.  “That in all things he might have the pre-eminence” (1:18). Christ only, alone.  Not Christ and ritual, or Christ and religion, or Christ and the sacraments. 

            A farmer once captured an eagle when it was quite young, and put a restraint on it so it couldn’t fly.  He then he turned it loose to roam in the barnyard. Soon the eagle began to act like the chickens, happy to scratch and peck at the ground.

            One day a shepherd from the hills visited the farmer.  Seeing the eagle, he asked, “Why keep that bird hobbled here in your barnyard! Why don’t you let it go?”  The farmer agreed, and cut off the restraint.  But the eagle continued to scratch and peck as before. The shepherd picked it up and set it on a high stone wall. For the first time the eagle saw the expanse of sky and sun. Then it spread its wings and with a leap soared off into a tremendous spiral flight, up and up and up. At last it was acting like an eagle again.

            Perhaps you have let yourself be comfortable in the barnyard of the world, happy to scratch and peck in the soil of earth.  You may have forgotten your lofty position as God’s child.  He wants you to live in a higher realm. Confess your sins, and “seek those things which are above.” You will soon be longing to rise above the mundane things of this world. Like the eagle, it’s not too late to soar to greater heights again.

THE CHRISTIAN’S DRESS CODE

Colossians 3:12-17

            What does the well-dressed Christian wear?  Paul uses the picture of “an Old Man” and “a New Man” to illustrate the challenges of the Christian life.  The Old Man is the old nature which we all have, and which Paul likens to a set of old clothes (3:5-9).

            Every believer now has the New Man which is the new nature which he received when he trusted the Lord Jesus.  Paul exhorted the Colossians to demonstrate this New Life in their lives, and likens it to putting on a suit of clothes.  These clothes cover their thoughts, words, deeds, ambitions, and behaviour, and reflect the nature of Christ Himself. 

1. THE NATURE OF CHRIST (3:12)

            The new nature received at conversion is actually the life of the Lord Jesus.  “He who hath the Son has life” (1 John 5:12).  It is the features of Christ’s nature that we are to “put on” like a garment. 

            Before describing the new clothes of the Christian life, Paul reminds them of what they already are in Christ. 

            a) What Christ Has Done For Them (3:12-13)

                        “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (3:12)

                        (i)   They Are Elect.  “Put on therefore, as the elect of God” (3:12).   The word elect means “chosen of God.”  God in His mercy called us, but the purpose of that call was to be worked out in a life filled with mercy, kindness, and longsuffering. 

                        (ii)  They Are Holy (3:12), or “set apart.”  Just as marriage sets apart a man and a woman for each other, so salvation sets the believer apart exclusively for Christ. 

                        (iii) They Are Loved – “Beloved” (3:12).  Christ loved us just as we are.  So we are to let His love flow out to others through us. 

                        (iv)  They Are Forgiven – “Even as Christ forgave you.”  God’s forgiveness is compete and final, and comes to us only because of His sacrifice, “for Christ’s sake,” 

            b) What They Are To Do For Christ (3:12-14)

                        Paul returns to the picture of a suit of clothes, which characterises our new life in Christ.  We say, “Clothes make the man.”  So the New Man is to have a new suit of clothes.  Paul says it has at least eight parts to it. 

                        (i)   “Put on … tender mercies / compassion” (3:12).  The Greek says, “bowels of compassion,” because the Greeks located the deeper emotions in the intestinal area, while we locate them in the heart. 

                        (ii)  “Put on … kindness” (3:12).  Kindness is grace in action.  Remember how David showed “the kindness of God” to Mephibosheth.  He could have condemned him, but instead he sought him, and looked after him.

                        (iii) “Put on … humility of mind” (3:12).  People dream of power, and regard humility as a weakness.  Yet the supreme example of greatness is found in Philippians 2. 

                        (iv)  “Put on … meekness / gentleness“ (3:12).  This is “power under control.”    It is the strength to control one’s mind and act as Christ would act.

                        (v)   “Put on … longsuffering” (3:12), lit. “long temper.”  God never rushes in to condemn or punish.  Like Christ, we are to put up with provocation without retaliating.

                        (vi)  “Put on … forbearance” (3:13).  “Forbearing one another.”   The word means “to hold back,” like God holds back judgement to enable repentance. 

                        (vii) Put on … forgiveness” (3:13).  “… forgiving one another. . . even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”  How good to be able to forgive – at home, at work, in the church.  If God can forgive “for Christ’s sake,” surely we can also.

                        (viii) “Put on … love“ (3:14).  “Above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”  Love is the belt which unites all these virtues that dress the new nature and keep the life balanced and Christ-like.  This word “perfectness” denotes the end result that God has in view – to make us like Jesus. 

2.  THE PEACE OF CHRIST (3:15)

            “And let the peace of God (better “Christ”) rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” 

            Paul’s teaching now becomes very personal and practical.  The Peace of Christ in our hearts helps us discern God’s will. 

            a) “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”

                        This word “rule” is the word for umpire.  He blows his whistle to start, stop, disqualify a player, and call to order.  When teams disagree, he decides.  So God’s peace umpire in our hearts.  His peace comes in when we obey His will, and goes when we disobey. 

                        Of course, it is subjective. Jonah had enough peace to sleep in the boat.  “I had peace about it” does not always indicate God’s will.  We must also consult the Word of God, advice from friends, circumstances, etc.   We can ask, “If I do this, will it rob me of peace?” 

                        See the example of Christ, whose life was characterized by peace – as a boy, in His ministry, even when crucified.  He had peace to ask forgiveness for those who crucified Him.  Peace was His last legacy – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”  That peace kept working in Acts.  See Peter asleep prior to his execution.  See Paul and Silas in Acts 16. 

            b) “… to the which also ye are called in one body“ 

                        Peace in our hearts brings peace towards others.  We are called to one body, and our relationship is to be one of harmony and peace.  Being out of God’s will brings disunity and discord. 

            c) “… and be ye thankful”

                        Peace in the heart brings praise to the lips.  When out of God’s will, we cease to praise Him.  When David covered his sin, he lost his peace and his praise (Ps 32; 51).  Doctors found a cheerful thankful attitude promotes health.  A complaining spirit harms health and shortens life. 

3. THE WORD OF CHRIST (3:16)

            “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

            “The Word of Christ” is the teaching of the Lord Jesus and His Word. 

            a) “. . . Dwell in you richly in all wisdom .” 

                        The words “dwell in” mean “to be at home” in our hearts.  This happens when we listen to, read, study, memorize, meditate on, and obey it. 

            b) “. . . Teaching and admonishing one another”

                        “Teaching” refers to doctrine, and demands a knowledge of the Scriptures.  “Admonishing” has the thought of “caution.”  When this is done in wisdom and love, it will be more acceptable than when spoken forcefully or without love. 

c) “. . . In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”  Psalms are those inspired songs in the book of Psalms.  For centuries the churches sang only the Psalms.  Now we have a rich heritage of hymns. Compare Eph 5:18-6:9 in regard to the filling of the Spirit.

4. THE NAME OF CHRIST (3:17)

            “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” 

            There are people whose name could make nations tremble.  Nations trembled when they heard such names as:

• Slobodan Milosovic who killed 100,000
• Genghis Khan (1206-1227 who killed 40 million.
• Idi Amin who killed 300,000
• Saddam Hussein who killed 2 million
• Pol Pot who killed 1,5 million
• Joseph Stalin who killed 40 million
• Adolf Hitler who killed 40 million.

These names were synonymous with cruelty, death, and unbelievable suffering.  But 2000 years ago One lived whose name is known across the world.  That name is loved and revered by millions to whom it has brought forgiveness, peace, and hope.

            Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “salvation.”  This indicates His primary role as the world’s Saviour.  The Bible gives over 100 different names for Jesus, including Son of Man, Son of God, King of Kings, Immanuel, Good Shepherd, Light of the World, Bread of Life, Lamb of God, and our Great High Priest.

            In Hebrew culture, names often reflected an individual’s character.  As the Son of God, Jesus was the most exalted person to walk the earth.  Hence His name is above every name.  One day every knee will bow to honour Him. 

            His Name is our authority.  A signed cheque authorises withdrawal of money from a bank.  The President’s name signs legislation into effect.  So it is in the name of Jesus Christ that we have the authority to act on His behalf. 

            a) We are Saved Through His Name

                        “There is no other name under heaven, given amongst men” (Acts 4:12). 

            b) We Gather in His Name

                        “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mat 18:20). 

            c) We Are Baptised in His Name

                        “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Act 2:38).

            d) We Pray in His Name

                         “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). 

            d) We Are Victorious in His Name

                        “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts” (1Sa 17:45).  “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Act 3:6).

            g) We Preach in His Name

                        “But Barnabas took Paul and declared how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

            h) We Pastor the Flock in His Name

                        “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit. . .” (1Co 5:4).

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Colossians 3:18-4:1

            Paul now begins a new subject, but it is based on what has gone before.  He insists that the Gospel is all about relationships – with God, and with each other.  The successful establishment of a Christian home depends on the members’ personal relationship with the Lord.  For this to happen, the Word of Christ must dwell in us richly.  Paul applies this principle to marriage, the family, and work situations.  These three areas occupy most of our time, and that is where conflict and most of our problems crop up. 

            What happens in the home, eventually happens in the nation.  Paul addresses the various members of the family unit, and emphasises that the establishment of a Christian home depends on relationships to each other being rooted in a relationship with the Lord. 

• Wives – “as it is fitting in the Lord” (3:18)
• Children – “well-pleasing to the Lord” (3:20)
• Servants – “fearing the Lord” (3:22)
• Masters – “as to the Lord” (3:23)

1. HUSBANDS AND WIVES – LOVE AND SUBMISSION (3:18-19)

            Paul’s teaching on marriage was radical, as it elevated women to a position of equality with the men.  Jewish and Roman societies knew nothing of this.  The Rabbi prayed, “I thank thee, O God, I was not born a woman!”  Divorce was always an open possibility, and a man could change his wives with little reason.  Women were “things to be used and enjoyed, not loved and cherished.”

            The teaching of Jesus altered all this.  He treated women as persons, not things. When they asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”  He forced them to consult God’s original intention for marriage.”  Marriage and the family were part of God’s plan for His people.  Today the homes of our country are under attack.  Marriage is old fashioned and unnecessary.  Many partners now live together without out-dated vows or commitment.  That the home is the basic building block of society is an unpopular doctrine today.

            a) Wives – Submission

                        “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord” (3:18).  Doesn’t this smack of slavery or subjugation?  This military word means “to arrange in rank.”  Like the army, the home has a chain of command.  God never intended headship to be dictatorship.  It is a loving leadership.  God’s way works well, but only when both husband and wives are submitted to the Lord and to each other. 

                        “as it is fit in the Lord.”  The wife’s submission is to be a voluntary act, done because it is right “in the Lord.” 

            b) Husbands – Love

                        Paul charges the husband with the twin responsibilities of love and leadership.

                        (i)   Love.  “Husbands, love your wives” (3:19).  It is not romantic love, but love that builds up and sacrifices, “even as Christ also loved the church.“  A husband who truly loves his wife will remember that 1 Cor 13 says “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 

                                    His love is seen in his sacrifice for her, and her love for him is seen in her submission to him.  So sacrifice and submission balance each other.  

                        (ii)  Leadership.  “Be not bitter against them.”  In Ephesians, Paul clarifies the need for the husband’s leadership.  “The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Eph 5:23,24).  The church submits to Christ because of His love, forgiveness, and compassion.  Christ’s credentials for leadership were a cross and unlimited grace.  That is the husband’s ultimate example. 

                                    Sadly, some long held grudge or bitterness, perhaps over a word spoken, or a deed done, easily poisons the relationship and gives Satan a foothold.  Openness and honesty are the keys to dealing with such problems. 

2. PARENTS AND CHILDREN – ENCOURAGEMENT AND OBEDIENCE (3:20-21)

            “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (3:20-21).

a) Children

                        “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” (3:20).  All children have both rights and responsibilities.

                        (i)   Rights.  Children also deserve respect and care just as much as anyone else.  They also have rights: the right to be born, the right to live and be raised.  They have the right to have godly parents who will teach them the Word of God and discipline them in love.  

                                    In 1877 John Starkey was executed for the murder of his wife.  William Booth took the funeral, and his opening words were, “John Starkey never had a praying mother.” 

            (ii)  Responsibilities.  “Children, obey your parents in all things” (3:20).  The foremost responsibility is to obey – “in all things.”  No wriggle room here!  It includes diet (including spinach!), clothes, dress, deportment, faith, and morals. 

                        Children first meet authority in the home, and the child who defies his parents will defy his teachers, his employers, the police, any who tries to exercise authority over him, including God.

                                    Parents who discipline their children must first discipline themselves.  Only as parents submit to each other and to the Lord can they exercise properly balanced spiritual and physical authority over their children.  

            b) Fathers

                        “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged” (3:21).  A Christian home should be a place where the child finds encouragement and refuge from battles.  It is where he finds a loving heart, a watching eye, a listening ear, and a helping hand.  His home meets all his needs.  Such a home will easily introduce the child to the Saviour. 

                        Parents should spend time with their children, and encourage them.  One survey indicated that fathers spend only 37 seconds a day with their small sons. 

3. SERVANTS AND MASTERS – FAITHFULNESS AND FAIRNESS (3:22-23)

            Today we do not have slaves, but we do have employees.  There were 60 million slaves in Paul’s day.  Many were well-educated with positions of responsibility in the homes of the wealthy.  They helped educate and discipline the children.  But they had no rights, and ultimately were property, not people. 

Why did Paul never crusade against such an evil system as slavery?  He saw a bigger picture and knew that where the Gospel goes, these social evils are uprooted and eliminated.

            a) Servants

                        (i)   The Measure of Service.  “Servants, obey in all things your masters” (3:22).  Here is a call for faithfulness, diligence, and obedience to our employers.   Like Joseph in Potiphar’s prison. 

                        (ii)  The Manner Of Service .  “Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God” (3:22).   When things are difficult at work, it is easy to slack off, especially when the boss is not looking.  “Don’t do it!” says Paul.  Christians are to be the most faithful and conscientious employees.  

                        (iii) The Meaning Of Service.  “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (3:23). Paul lifts the whole idea of work to a higher plane.  It is to be done as if the Lord Himself is our employer!  That’s a high standard!

                        (iv) The Motive Of Service.  “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward” (3:24).  Paul looks beyond the usual motivating forces of remuneration and recognition.  Our main motive is to please the Lord.  What we do and how we do it will be reviewed at the Judgement Seat of Christ. There is no higher motivation than that.   

                        “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons” (3:25).  If an unjust master oppresses his servants, the Christian servant is to remember that the Lord knows all about it, and He will take care of the wrongs, too.

            b) Masters

                        Past centuries saw appalling injustices to the working class.  The result was communism and the hostile trade union movement.  Karl Marx found a ready audience when he called, “Workers of the world unite!” 

                        (i)   The Man In Authority.  “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (4:1).  God is even handed.  The employer has the right to expect a full day’s work for a full day’s pay.  But workers also have rights – safe conditions, fair wage, comfortable and hygienic environment. 

                        (ii)  The Man Under Authority.  “Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (4:1).   What kind of employer would Jesus be?  He would be fair, expecting a day’s work for a fair wage, considerate, and concerned about us.  What would he know about it?  Who ran the carpenter’s shop in Nazareth?  He knows all about the pressures of the market place, stiff competition, and difficulties in running a business.  We are to relate to employees as Christ relates to us.  He lifted us up, prayed for us, and was concerned about our well-being.

SUGAR, SEASONING AND SALT

Colossians 4:2-6

            A few words can make a big difference.  A judge condemns with a few words.  A doctor gives a diagnosis.  There is great power in words.  For every word in Hitler’s book “Mein Kampf,” 125 persons lost their lives in WW2. 

            Speech is a wonderful gift from God, but it is to be handled with care, and used as God ordains.  James has much to say, likening the tongue to a bridle and a rudder, a fire and a poisonous animal, and a fruitful tree and a fountain.  These three picture pairs teach that the tongue has the power to direct, to destroy, and to delight. 

            In these verses Paul points to four important ministries of speech.

1. PRAYING (4:2-4)

            “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (4:2).   Prayer and worship are the highest uses of speech.  Paul frequently asked his friends to pray for him, and if he felt the need for prayer, how much more ourselves.   Paul identified four features of an effective prayer life. 

            a) It Should Be Faithful

                        “Continue in prayer” (4:2).   This means, “Be steadfast, don’t quit.”  This is how the early church prayed.  (Acts 1:14; 2:46).  “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17).  What does this mean?  It means to be constantly in touch with God.  One regret we will have when we get to heaven is our lack of time spent in prayer.   Best not to analyse the mystery, but to keep praying in simple faith.  Sadly sleep, wandering thoughts, unreality, laziness become our enemies.  

                        Does this mean God is reluctant to answer our prayer?  No!  He sometimes delays His answers, to increase our faith and accomplish His purposes at the right time.  Such delays are not always denials.  As we pray, we find ourselves growing in grace even before His answer comes.

                        If wives are to submit to their husbands, if husbands are to love their wives, if young people are to submit to their parents, if parents are to avoid discouraging their children, if men are to serve their masters, and if masters are to care for their workers as those accountable to God, then they must pray!

                        “Watch in the same.”  “Watch and pray” said Jesus.  But the disciples neither watched nor prayed.

                        “… with thanksgiving”  (4:2c).  How thankful we should be that on the Cross the Lord opened the way into the very presence of God.  Suppose the privilege of prayer was withdrawn, as it was from Saul in the OT!

            b) It should be Meaningful

                        “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ” (4:3).  Here Paul makes a specific request.  Specific prayers are meaningful prayers.  Personal prayer lists can help, but it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us what to pray for and places burdens on our hearts. 

                        George Muller, a mighty man of prayer, used to say, “I focus on the promises of God in his Word, and then know for sure I am praying according to His will.” The Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the heart of the believer thus unite together in prayer to make it meaningful and effective.            

            c). It Should Be Thankful                  

                        “Watch in the same with thanksgiving” (4:2).  Phil 4:6 .  If all we do is ask, we are selfish.  God loves to be acknowledged with thanks. 

                        We have so much to be thankful for.  When we remember Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter, it makes this emphasis even more wonderful.  

            d) It Should Be Purposeful

                        “Praying also for us” (4:3).  Our prayers are often vague, and general.  We need to be specific. 

                        The purpose of prayer is not to have man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.  It is not telling God what to do or what to give.  It is asking God for that which He wants to do and give, according to His will.  As we read the Word and fellowship with Him, we discover His will and then boldly ask Him to do what He has planned. 

                        “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of His willingness.”

2. PROCLAIMING (4:3-4)

            “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:  That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”

            Even in prison, Paul saw opportunities everywhere.  Felix, Festus, and Agrippa all heard the gospel because of his chains.  So likely did Nero.  But Paul was human, and needed the prayer support of God’s people,

Paul did not ask to be freed from prison, but rather that the doors of ministry might be opened.  He was more focused on being faithful than being free.  He wanted God to help him do the very thing that caused his arrest!  He was in prison because of the “mystery of Christ,” his bold declaration that the Gospel  promised salvation to all, both Jew and Gentile, on the basis of faith alone. 

            Paul wanted God to help him do the very thing that caused his arrest.  How could he share the Gospel when he was a prisoner.  His guards heard, his visitors heard, there were even saints “in Caesar’s household.”   The spirit of God uses the Word of God as we come to the throne of grace and ask God for His blessing.  Prayer and the Word of God are joined together s (Acts 6:4). 

            He wanted to be quite clear in his presentation of the Gospel.  The message must be presented clearly and simply.  It is the same today.  Those who speak Sunday by Sunday need your prayers.  We study, read, think, and produce a sermon.  But that is the easy bit. 

3. WITNESSING

            “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (4:5). 

            Paul’s explanation as to how we can “walk in wisdom” and thus commend the Gospel challenges our life styles and witness before the watching world of “them that are without.”  

            Paul knew that nothing silences the lips like talk that doesn’t walk.  And nothing is a more effective witness than the silent life of a believer who walks close to the Lord.  The Christian’s walk and talk are to be in harmony with each other.  When character, conduct, and conversation are all working together, it makes for a powerful witness.  In view of this Paul exhorts us to:

            a) Walk Wisely (4:5)

                        “Walk” refers to our daily conduct and life.  How do we “walk in wisdom.”   It means being careful not to say or do what which would make it difficult to share the Gospel.   It means being alert to opportunities to share.  It means doing our work, paying our bills, keeping our promises.  

            b) Talk Wisely (4:6)

                        This means sharing the Gospel, but we must be sure our speech is controlled by grace, so it points to Christ, and glorifies the Lord.  To do this we must have grace in our hearts (3:16), because out of the heart the mouth speaks.  With grace in our hearts and lips we will be faithful witnesses, and not prosecuting attorneys or judges. 

                        We are to add three things to our conversation, especially before “them that are without.”  

                        (i)   Gracious Words  (4:6).   “Let your speech be always with grace.” That is how the Lord spoke – with gracious words.  “Grace is poured into thy lips” (Ps 45:2).  As we share the Gospel, we must be sure our speech is controlled by grace, so it points to Christ, and glorifies the Lord.  To do this we must have grace in our hearts (3:16), because out of the heart the mouth speaks. 

                                    “Grace”  in our speech removes all harshness, criticism, and unkind words.  They marvelled at the gracious words of the Lord Jesus. 

                        (ii)  Seasoned Words (4:6).  “Seasoned with salt.”  .”  Isn’t it strange that people spice up their speech with swearing and four letter words.  OMG!  The Christian is to season his speech with salt.  Salt adds tastiness and arrests corruption.   We must make sure our speech is pure and preservative. 

                                    Salt was used as a preservative as well as a seasoner.   We should never say, “Take this with a grain of salt.”  We must make sure our speech is pure and preservative.  “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” 

                                    Isn’t it strange what people put into their speech.  Four letter words, swear words. OMG!  The Christian is to add salt.  Salt adds tastiness and arrests corruption.  Most around us are lost.  They might be kind, thoughtful and religious, but they need Christ.  

                                    Salt was also added to sacrifices (Lev 2:13).  Perhaps Paul was suggesting that we look on our words as sacrifices offered to God, just as our words of praise are spiritual sacrifices

                        (iii) Timely Words.  “Redeeming the time”  (4:5).  This means “buying up opportunities.”  Time is a non-renewable resource.  Every day God give us 1440 minutes to be spent by us and us alone.  The word buying means there may be a cost involved.

                                    Time is a non-renewable resource.  Every day God give us 1440 minutes to be spent by us and us alone.  But every one of them will be accounted for at the Judgement Seat of Christ. 

COMPANIONS AND COLLEAGUES

Colossians 4:7-18

            Paul is about to close his letter.  In those days it was the custom to close a letter with greeting , as friends did not often see each other, and letters took a long time.  But Paul’s greetings were more than social.  They were insightful commentaries on the individuals mentioned. 

            Paul closes his letter with a roll call of his companions and colleagues.  He had many friends – there are more than one hundred believers, named and unnamed, associated with him in Acts and in the epistles.  He named 26 in Rome alone.  Here in Colosse he identifies ten.  They were not perfect men and women, but they loved the Lord, and were prepared to pay the price of supporting Paul in his ministry, and when we look behind the scenes to discover the drama of these men’s lives, the list comes alive.  Their mention is a preview of the Judgement Seat of Christ. 

            Paul closed his letter with personal greetings from six of his associates: Aristarchus, John Mark, Jesus Justus (all Jews), and Epaphras, Luke, and Demas (all Gentiles).  He then added greetings to two church assemblies, before finally adding his own name and saying his final farewell. 

1. FAITHFUL MEN(4:7-9)

            a) Tychicus (4:7-8)

                        “All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord:  Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts” (4:7-8).

                        Tychicus is first mentioned in Acts where he was one of Paul’s companions on his third missionary journey.  Likely he was saved during Paul’s stay at Ephesus.  Paul left Ephesus in a hurry because of a riot, and crossed over to Europe.  He then decided he would go to Jerusalem, to bring aid to the poor believers in Jerusalem.  Paul was accompanied on this trip by a group of friends.  Seven men were name, including Tychicus. 

                        Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and eventually shipped off to Rome.  It seems Tychicus was with Paul for at least part of this time, and was a great help to him.  Now Paul would send him to Colosse with this precious letter. 

                        (i)   His Character.  “A beloved brother, and a faithful minister, and a fellow servant.”Paul valued his friendship as “a beloved brother.”  What a beautiful title.  He stood by Paul in his hour of danger.  He also valued his fellowship – “a fellow-servant”.  And he was a faithful minister.  Trustworthy. 

            (ii)  His Commission.  Paul sends Him to Ephesus and on to Colosse.   Onesimus was with him (4:9).  Paul knew he could trust Tychicus.  He carried both the letter to Colossians and Ephesians. 

                        Tychicus had a two-fold commission.  First, to gather information.  Paul wanted to know how the Colossians were getting on.  Second, he was to give inspiration to the Colossians.  The false teaching would have caused wounds in the assembly – families divided, etc.  Paul knew he would help heal the wounds. 

            b) Onesimus (4:9)

                        “With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.”

                        Here was a runaway slave with a price on his head,  and the threat of death by crucifixion looming over him.  Slave masters brutally punished runaways as a lesson to others.  However, Onesimus was different.  He had met Paul, and trusted the Saviour.  His master, Philemon, was also a Christian.  Now Paul was sending Onesimus back to Philemon.

                        Like Tychicus, Onesimus was a “beloved brother.”  He told Philemon that he “is one of you,” a broad hint to him – a slave, but also a member of Christ’s body.  He had been pardoned by God for his sin, but he still had to face the consequences of the wrong he had done to Philemon.  Conversion does not cancel moral, financial, and social debts. 

2.FEARLESS MEN(4:10-11. 14a)

            This group is made up of three Jews (Aristarchus, John Mark, and Jesus Justus), and one Gentile (Luke). 

            a) Aristarchus (4:10

                        ”Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner salutes you.”

                        Aristarchus was from Thessalonica in Macedonia, and a faithful companion of Paul.  He was identified as Paul’s fellow-prisoner and fellow-worker, and was a companion of Paul on his third missionary journey.  He accompanied him to Ephesus, where he was captured and almost killed in the Ephesus riot (Acts 19:28-41).   

                        Aristarchus went with Paul to Greece and from there back to Asia Minor.  He went with Paul to Rome, sharing the dangers of the trip and shipwreck of Acts 27.We do not know when he was made a prisoner, but evidently that was the price he paid for his allegiance to Paul. 

                        Aristarchus stayed with Paul through thick and thin – a riot, a voyage, a storm, even a prison.  Was he actually a prisoner?  It may be that he volunteered to stay with Paul during his confinement, for the sake of Christ. 

            b) Mark (4:10)

                        “Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him).”

                        Mark was a Jew, a native of Jerusalem where his mother, Mary, kept an “open house” for the believers (Acts 12:12).  He was a cousin of Barnabas.  He may have been led to Christ by Peter (1 Peter 5:13).  Mark’s mother’s home in Jerusalem was one of the meeting places of the early church. 

                        Years before John Mark had disappointed Paul, and his failure at that time led to a split between Paul and Barnabas when Paul refused to take him again.  Now we see Mark is with Paul in Rome.  No matter what had happened before, Paul now trusts Mark enough to suggest that he go to Colosse on his behalf, and asks the believers there to receive him.  Later Paul had such a high opinion of Mark that he urged Timothy to bring Mark with him to Rome, because he was profitable to the ministry.  Mark was one of the few Hebrew Christians prepared to be by Paul’s side during his imprisonment. 

                        Mark is an encouragement to everyone who fails or falls.  He got back into the ministry, built on his mistake, and proved himself faithful to the Lord.  And where would he have been without Uncle Barnabas?  (“Son of encouragement”).

            c) Justus (4:11)

                        “And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.”

                        This was a Jewish believer who served with Paul, but we know nothing about him.  It is a surprise to come across others with the name “Jesus.”  It was a common name, and comes from the name Joshua, or Yeshua.  Here we have Jesus Justus.   Paul  notes that, like Mark, he was “of the circumcision,” a Jew. 

                        There were many Jews who had attacked and tried to silence Paul.  But Justus and Mark were two who stood with him as his best friends.  They had been “a comfort” to him, lit. a medical term meaning “a soothing medicine.”  Perhaps he represents those faithful believers who serve quietly, and whose deeds are never published.  He was a fellows-worker with Paul, and a comfort to him. 

            d) Luke (4:14a)

                        “Luke, the beloved physician.”  Lk was a Gentile, yet was chosen by God to write the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.  He is likely the only Gentile writer in the Bible.   He was also a physician, and deeply loved by Paul. 

                        Luke joined Paul and his party at Troas (his record begins with “we.”).  he travelled with him to Jerusalem and went also to Rome. 

                        (i)   The Healer.  Paul was not physically strong.  He had been beaten and abused many times.  He had a physical problem he called “a thorn in the flesh.”  He seemed to need the constant care of a doctor.  Even though Paul had the gift of healing, he travelled with a physician!

                        (ii)  The Helper.  Paul called him his beloved physician. He stayed with Paul on his journeys, and recorded his adventures.   He remained with Paul when all others had gone (2 Tim 4:11).He was a professional man who used his skills in the Lord’s service. 

                        (iii) The Historian. A careful historian, he gave us Luke and Acts. 

3. A PRAYERFUL MAN(4:12-13)

            “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.   For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.”

            Epaphras had been led to Christ through Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, and had returned home to share the good news of salvation and found the church there.  Perhaps he also founded the churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:13). 

            Epaphras had come to Rome to acquaint Paul with what was happening at Colosse.  “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you.”A servant of Christ, a slave.  His fervour for the Lord was manifested in self-sacrificing service.  That fervour had taken him to Rome.  He represented the church at Colosse. 

             What motivated Paul to share the Gospel?  He was “a servant of Christ” (4:12).  Paul called him “our dear fellow-servant … a faithful minister of Christ” (1:7).  Epaphras loved Jesus Christ and wanted to serve Him and share His message of salvation.  He did not work alone.  He believed in the ministry of the local church, and in working with other saints.  He was not just a “servant,” he was a “fellow-servant.” 

            Epaphras’ prayer life contained his secret.  See the characteristics of his prayer life:

            a)He Prayed Constantly(4:12). 

                        “always.”  Earlier Paul had said, “Continue in prayer” (4:2)   He did not pray when felt like it.  Prayer was a serious business with Epaphras.  Note how he prayed:

            b) Fervently(4:12).  

                        “labouring fervently.”  This is the same word used on the Lord’s prayer in the Garden – “agonising.”  Concern and enthusiasm combine together.  

            c)  Personally(4:12). 

                        “for you.”    This was no general prayer.  Prayer for Epaphras was not a vague impersonal religious exercise.

            d) Definitely(4:12)

                        “… that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”  Note the four words “perfect – complete – all – will of God.”    He wanted them to be involved in all the will of God, not just part of it. 

                        “All” is a key word in Colossians – more than thirty times.  He wanted them to stand perfect and complete in all of God’s will.  This request carries the thought of maturity, and parallels Paul’s  prayer in 2:2.

            e) Sacrificially(4:13)

                        “For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.”  In the garden Jesus sweat great drops of blood.  Paul had great conflict as he prayed for the Colossians (2:1).  Epaphras experienced “much distress.”  If there is no burden, there will be no blessing.  Praying that costs nothing accomplishes nothing. 

4. A PITIFUL MAN (4:14)

            “and Demas.”There is not much to read about him – just three references.  Paul placed Luke and Demas side by side.  What a contrast!  Paul has something good to say about all the people whom he mentions – except Demas.  In his letter to Philemon, Demas  is listed along with Mark, Aristarchus, and Luke as a “fellow-labourer.” here in this letter he stands alone.  It seems Paul had already detected a flaw in his character. 

            Later, when in Rome, Paul would write a final comment about Demas – “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica.”  He had not departed because of bad doctrine, or lack of faith, but because he loved this world.

            a) Philemon 1:23,24

                        “There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus; Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow labourers.”This was written during Paul’s first imprisonment, when Demas was one of Paul’s close associates.

            b) Colossians 4:14

                        “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” At the end of Colossians, Paul has to say several things about

• Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother
• Aristarchus my fellow prisoner
• Epaphras a servant of Christ,
• Luke, the beloved physician
• Just “Demas.” 

            c) 2Timothy 4:10 

                        “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.”  What had happened?  A slow erosion, his mind filled up with the things of the world. Love for the Lord had been replaced by love for the world

THE READERS

a) The Colossians and Laodiceans (4:15-16)

                        “ Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.” 

                        In different cultures, countries, the same word is always effective.  It does not have to be updated or altered.  The “epistle from Laodicea.”  What is this?  We do not know.

                        Nymphas is the only believer we know from Laodicea. Seemingly he loved the Lord, for he opened his house for the church to meet for prayer and Bible study.

                        The church was soon to become famous for its wealth and worldliness.  By John’s day, the church had become rich, influential, and self-sufficient.  But the Lord described it as poor, wretched, blind, and as having the Lord Himself outside. 

            Paul wanted it to be “read” (lit. “read aloud”) amongst them (4:16).  Note that the Word of God as good for all assemblies.  It crosses culture and language lines, and always has a message for its readers. 

            b) Archippus(4:17)

                        “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” 

                        Archippus seems to have been a member of Philemon’s family (Phil 2), and a man of means.  Paul mentions several things about his ministry. 

                        (i)   The giving of that ministry. “the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord.”  To be a ministry, it had to be “received in the Lord.”His ministry was a gift from God, and he was a steward of God who would one day give account of his work.              Ministry is not something we do for God, it is something God does in and thro us.  Often the most unlikely people are called.  David, Moses, Peter.  Our work for the Lord is not something we do for Him, but something He does in and thro us. 

                        (ii)  The guarding of that ministry.  “Take heed.”  It is a serious thing to neglect the Spirit-given gifts which have been entrusted to us by the Lord.  Was Archippus neglecting his ministry?  Was his family making heavy demands on him?

                        (iii) The growth of that ministry.  “And fulfil it.” His ministry was like a vessel to be filled, as he poured his whole life into it.  The word “fulfil” gives the idea God has definite goals for His servant to accomplish.  He works in us and through us to achieve these goals He has prepared for us (Eph 2:10).  We are able to do this because we have been “filled full” through Jesus Christ. 

CONCLUSION

            “The salutation by the hand of me, Paul.  Remember my bonds.  Grace be with you.  Amen.”

            “Remember my bonds” (4:18).  Those bonds were a reminder of his love for lost souls, especially the Gentiles.   They were evidence of his obedience to the Lord and his willingness to pay any price so that they might hear the Gospel.

            After reading this letter, we see that we have in Jesus Christ all we can ever need or want.  All of God’s fullness is in Him and we have been made complete in Him. 

            We are reminded we are complete in Christ, and are to beware of anything that claims to give us more than what we already have in Him.  All of God’s fullness is in Him, and He has perfectly equipped us for the life that God wants us to live.