[Jesus Christ is the] Head [of the church], from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Colossians 2:16-23

[Jesus Christ is the] Head [of the church], from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. Colossians 2:19

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 2:16-23, where Paul explicitly warns against false teaching that has "no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv16-17: Old Testament ceremonial law was only a shadow of things to come - namely Jesus Christ and the New Covenant based on his shed blood.  He came to fulfill the law and to establish this covenant with all those who believe - see also Romans 10:11-13 and Hebrews 8:5-6. V19: Jesus Christ is the Head (God) of the global church and all members (churches and their members/believers) are "nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments...[and the church] grows with a growth that is from God."
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv16-18, 20-23: Harkening back to my first post on Colossians where I shared a brief overview of Paul's purpose on writing to the church at Colosse, we are warned to - just as the Bereans did - examine (and hold fast to via faith in) scripture closely such that we have discernment to identify and not fall victim to trusting/following false teaching.  See also this blog post for more on the Colossian Heresy.  One of the Colossians' false teachings included how Old Testament Jewish ceremonial law remained intact when we know that Jesus came to fulfill the law and to establish a new covenant based on faith not obedience to ceremonial law.  See also this post.  Paul explicitly and accurately describes these false teachings as things that may "puff" people up "without reason by [their] sensuous mind[s]," as having "an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity," and most damning of all, as having zero "value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."  This indulgence of the flesh is Satan seeking to get between you and God by warping your understanding of who Jesus is such that you not follow the One True God Jesus Christ. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid falling prey to false teaching that is of "no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."  Claim the promise that only Jesus saves and that He alone gives new life. Follow the example of Paul and the Bereans to seek God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, to test scripture, and to seek discernment such that you can identify truth vs false teaching.  Follow God alone and do not add to or subtract from scripture as it is God's perfect Word.

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for giving me Your Word, for revealing Yourself to me, and for helping me discern false teaching.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ..And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.

Colossians 2:6-15

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ..And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. Colossians 2:8, 13-14 

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 2:6-15, where Paul reminds believers of how Christ gave them rebirth (regeneration) in Him, and that they should continue to abide in Him, lest they are taken "captive" by "elemental spirits of the world." Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V9: The whole fullness of deity dwells in Christ and the church. V10: Christ is the head of all rule and authority - He reigns over all, including all governing authorities (see also Romans 13:1-2) and Satan.  Vv12-14: Through regeneration or rebirth in Christ, God raises believers from spiritual death to new life where we have victory over sin and death as He "cancelled the record of death that stood against us." V15: The rulers and authorities thought they killed Christ but He not only rose and was victorious over sin and death, He also "disarmed" them by taking away the very weapons they tried to use to stop the spread of the Gospel.  They used both physical and spiritual forces but He could not be stopped and gave us the same power that raised Him from the dead.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V8: There are unbelievers (scoffers) and believers alike that seek to take believers captive with false teaching or just wrong teaching that focuses on "elemental spirits of the world."  Be careful for these influences.  Do not become friends of the world or pollute your mind with false teaching.  Abide and remain in Him.  Seek encouragement and sharpening from brothers and sisters in Christ.  Vv12-13: Without God people are spiritually dead, enslaved to sin.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid becoming friends of the world by growing comfortable with worldly ways or by allowing false teaching to captivate or engage you.  Claim the promise that we have both the same power that raised Christ from the dead but also the power to triumph over the earthly forces that orchestrated Christ's crucifixion.  Follow the example of Paul who put on the "whole armor of God" - regardless of his persecution and imprisonment, He continued to advance the gospel.  Abide and remain in Him.    

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for giving me new life in Christ, for giving me the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and for giving me the assurance of victory over sin and death. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

 Colossians 1:24-2:5

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. Colossians 1:24-26

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 1:24-2:5, where Paul moves from describing the preeminence of Christ to sharing the purpose of his ministry work.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V25: Paul's ministry is stewardship of both the Word and spiritual gifts given him from God to share and teach the Word.  Vv25-26: God's Word is made fully known through Christ and revealed to believers, implying that some will not see the gospel (not be saved) as believers do.  Vv2:2-3: Christ is the source of "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - see also Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V14: Paul starts by sharing the first of his purposes of his ministry - that (according to interpretation by John Piper) his sufferings represent an extension of Christ's sufferings for those who were unable to personally witness His sufferings on the cross.  Vv25-27: Paul continues by sharing that his suffering furthers the effort to make the Gospel fully known to the Gentiles - that they comprehend and appreciate the riches of Christ glory.  V28: Paul then moves to further define what is meant by fully known and he does so by sharing that those who know and accept Jesus mature in Christ. Discipleship is key - we are called to not to just know Christ but to grow in Christ. V29: Paul emphasizes that he toils and struggles for this end....and Christ works powerfully in him to equip him.  This same equipping power is within all believers - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. V2:1: Paul loves (and lays down his life in a manner similar to Christ) those whom he has not met at Laodicea - we are to love other believers as God loves us - see also John 13:34-35. Vv2:2: Paul seeks to encourage believers to appreciate that they are "knit together in love," and that they mature so that they comprehend the "full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery."  V2:4: Paul seeks these things so that believers may defend against false teaching. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid sinful influences that distract us and pollute God's Word. Claim the promise that Christ is the source of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - know and accept Him!  Follow Paul's example to allow sacrifice and suffering to extend the suffering of Christ to allow God's strength to shine through your weakness.  Know and mature in Christ.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for never leaving or forsaking me, and for working in me to equip and strengthen me to serve through sacrifice and struggle. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

 Colossians 1:15-23

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

I return to my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 1:15-23, where Paul, as part of broader effort to exhort the church at Colosse to defend itself against false teaching, shares how God reigns over all, and how believers are now reconciled to Him and justified in His eyes.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V15: He is the firstborn of Creation - meaning He existed before all other things. V16: All things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him - with the latter meaning that all visible (governing authorities) and invisible (Satan) things exist for His purpose and to manifest His glory.  V17: He is before all things - meaning that in timing/sequence and in authority (He is first), and He holds all things together - meaning that at His direction things can cease to exist and or function.  V18: He leads and is head of the church and He is preeminent. V19: The fullness of God exists in Christ the Son - tying back to v15 where Paul states that Christ is "[t]he image of the invisible God." V19: God is pleased to reside in Christ.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv20-21: God reconciles all things to Himself - without God people remain separated from Him, enslaved and living in sin, hostile to Him.  Vv22-23: Believers are justified, blameless, and not guilty in His eyes - above reproach (discredit, disgrace) IF we "continue in the faith" and avoid "shifting from the hope of the gospel." 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid shifting from the hope of the gospel, either by placing Your hope in things above God, or by allowing anxiety or discouragement to overcome you.  Claim the promise that - as a believer - you are holy, blameless and above reproach before God.  Follow the example of Paul to continue in the faith, and to be stable and steadfast in this faith.

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for reconciling me to You, and for justifying me as holy, blameless, and above approach before You.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 17:26

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:26

Today, I pause my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon - to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion - which today looks at how we can experience the same love of Jesus the Son that God the Father loves Jesus the Son - an incredible concept!  The highlighted text is a prayer from Jesus where He prays the love of the Father to the Son be in us.  In the devotion, Piper challenges us to "imagine being able to enjoy what is most enjoyable with unbounded energy and passion forever."  He then shares three obstacles to such an endeavor while at the same time, reminds us that these obstacles will fall away if the prayer is answered....and one expects that it would be given Jesus is aligned with the Father in desires, will, etc.  Based on the promise of this prayer, and how this promise will come true, we then see the connection to the title of the devotion - Joy Unbound.  If the same love from the Father to the Son is in us and Jesus is in us (via the Holy Spirit), then we experience and inexhaustible joy and pleasure in God.  Let that sink in - Jesus is our greatest treasure, He is more than enough to "meet the deepest longings of our hearts," we have more than enough "strength to savor" Jesus completely as our treasure, and given our salvation, we get to experience this treasure forever.  Incredible indeed!

Comment and discuss this post 

My Prayer: Father God, thank You praying that I experience the same love from the Father to the Son, for living in me, for my salvation, and for the mercies that never cease and that are new every morning.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

[T]he Father...has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

 Colossians 1:1-14

[T]he Father...has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14

I return to my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I move from Philippians to Colossians, where Paul seeks to encourage the young church (which he did not found nor had he ever been) and to defend against false teaching.  "Colosse’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles, [which] manifested itself both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.*"  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv10, 12: God is the most infinitely valuable - above anything else and He is our treasure, worthy of all praise, honor, glory, and worship.  He has "qualified [believers] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."  This is a rich inheritance indeed!  Vv13-14: God "has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son."  For more on this deliverance from enslavement to sin - see also Romans 6:6, and 17-20.  This deliverance gives us freedom from sin (justification in His eyes) and eternal life.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V3: Paul thanks God for other believers - this is a blessing of which we should often remind ourselves.  Our brothers and sisters in Christ worship and serve along side us - sharpening and encouraging us in our walk with Christ.  God designed us and intends for us to love, worship and serve God together - from the very beginning when God provided Eve to Adam saying in Genesis 2:18 that "[i]t is not good that the man should be alone[.]" Vv4-8: Paul encourages the young church, acknowledging their understanding of Truth and emphasizing "[their] love in the Spirit."  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to guard against heresy and avoid falling victim to false teaching that leads us astray from Him.  We are claim the promise that we have a rich inheritance in Christ that gives us victory over sin and death.  We should follow the example of Paul who understood the importance of our brothers and sisters in Christ and to encourage (including prayer) and sharpen one another in our spiritual wisdom and understanding of Him.  Walk in a manner worthy of Christ. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for redeeming me and filling me with the "knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*The MacArthur Bible Commentary 

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me....And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 4:10-23

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me....And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:11-13,19

I return to my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 4:10-23 where Paul completes his letter to the church in Philippi by thanking them for their physical and emotional/spiritual support.  Core to Paul's message is his exhortation that we are fully dependent on God to provide for all our needs and He never lets us down.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv13,19: God provides for all our needs, He strengthens and equips us through the Holy Spirit (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead), who never leaves and forsakes us and lives in our hearts.  With and through Him, we are indeed rich beyond measure.  See Romans 8:11, Matthew 6:31-33, and Ephesians 1:18. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv11-12: Paul describes how, through Christ, he is able to be content regardless of the circumstances - whether it be during periods of abundance or during periods of "hunger...[and] need." This same exhortation - that believers be content regardless of the circumstances - is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18.  Our conditions and circumstances may ebb and flow but God never changes and He is our rock, He provides for all of our needs, and we can put our trust and faith in Him as He is faithful. See also Malachi 3:6, Psalm 119:89, Matthew 24:35, and 2 Corinthians 1:20. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid lacking faith and trust in Him to provide - do not be anxious.  Claim the promises that regardless of our circumstances, God will provide, He loves us, our salvation is sealed/guaranteed, He never changes, and that He is faithful.  Follow the example of Paul to be content no matter what.  Repent of your sins, and put your faith and trust in Him.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for providing for my every need, for never leaving or forsaking me, and for being my rock!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.