Colossians 2:1-5 Our Struggle for His church

Jon Beck

Enough:  Colossians and the Supremacy of Christ in the Church

A journey through the book of Colossians

Col. 2:1-5

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Paul was struggling for the church in Colosae.  What a wonderful concept.  Paul was literally agonizing over the body of Christ.  He agonized over their faith in Christ and that they would continue to live for Him in the midst of heresy and persecution.

When was the last time we agonized/struggled over the body of Christ.

 

The Struggle itself

  • Previous verse. 1:29…Paul toils in ministry, but with all HIS energy
  • 2:1 – To agonize over.  A passionate and consuming struggle over something significant.
  • FOR WHAT?  What was Paul’s struggle over.
    • For her mission, her ministry, her message

 

 

The object of this struggle…THE CHURCH

The church (What is it?)

The word ecclesiology comes from the Greek ekklesia meaning assembly. While the term today is closely tied to the Christian church, its roots are broader. It is a compound of the Greek preposition ek (out from) and the verb kaleo (to call). The most generic definition given by Thayer’s Greek Lexicon is “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place.

  • A Specific/local
  • The Universal

Characteristics of the Church

1:2 – saints and faithful brothers.

1:5-6 – Entrusted with the Gospel.

It was the mission of the early church? Contextually it may be different, but missionally is it different?  We have been entrust with the Gospel!!!!

1:18 – Jesus is the head/source

1:24 – Suffering in Serving for the sake of the church.

 

The Goal of the struggle – Growing and changing into the likeness of Christ

 

  1. HEARTS MIGHT BE ENCOURAGED – Confidence, Courage, Expectation, and Hope.
  1. KNITTED TOGETHER IN LOVE – Unity, purpose….Love
  1. GROWING IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING THE CHRIST IS ENOUGH. His Lordship….He is head of the CHURCH
    1. Treasures….only found in Christ

 

 

The Blessings of this struggle

 SO THAT  (why we do what we do)

 

  1. No one may delude them with plausible words
    1. From within and without
    2. Deceive…sounds good. Makes sense.
    3. They always attack the Gospel
      1. His deity
      2. The sufficiency for Him to save and sanctify

 

  1. See your good order and firmness IN YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST
    1. Military terms. We have a plan and are ready.

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