Colossians 1:24-29
“24Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s affliction. 25Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”
Observations
· Paul had not yet suffered as Christ had, but he was willing to fill up that which was lacking.
· The mystery that had been hidden from the past ages and generations is now made known to the saints. What was this mystery? It was that Christ would live in the saints, giving them hope of sharing the glory of God. Paul says the same thing in Romans. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God; through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand and we exult in hope of (sharing) the glory of God” (Rom. 5: 1, 2). In Colossians 2:2 Paul says the mystery is “Christ Himself.”
· A minister is called to proclaim Christ to every man “so that he may present every man complete in Christ.” For this purpose Paul labored in the mighty power of God. No minister can fulfill his calling who doesn’t have the same purpose. And if he has the purpose, God will give him the power.
Remarks
“In 1960 I walked down the street in Bethpage, NY from the church to my house, reading Colossians as I walked. When I read the above verses, I concluded that this must have been Paul’s purpose statement. He had been called to preach God’s mystery. With deep conviction and gratitude I realized that I had been called for the same purpose. I resolved to make this my purpose also. I preached a sermon on these verses the following Sunday titled, “God’s Mystery Revealed;” and I have held these verses among my favorite Scriptures ever since. Looking back I can see how ministers and churches fail to present converts “complete in Christ.”
Family and church traditions have persuaded many to join churches that were not joined to Christ.
They may have made good church members without being good Christians.
Church growth movements have been busy growing churches rather than growing Christians.
Churches advance church doctrine rather than the doctrine of Christ.
“Progressive” churches have grown so accustomed to their aberrant theology and liberal life-style that they have not acknowledged either the Holy Spirit or His Word.
Legalistic churches have considered their interpretation of Scripture to be right and all others to be wrong; and in this rigid mindset they have often become unyielding and unteachable.
Some have no convictions either way; they believe that it doesn’t matter what we believe, since all are going to heaven anyway.
Procrastination is the enemy of the soul. People live as if they have unlimited time to mature, so they fail to take the matter seriously and never grow up.
I have great concern about those who live this way. Remember the song that said, “Everybody that’s talkin’ ‘bout heave but ain’t goin’ there”?
Isn’t it sad to realize that God’s eternal mystery has been clearly revealed in Christ, and to most folk it is still a mystery?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Incomparable Christ
Colossians 1: 13-23
“13 He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.”
Observations
· Satan’s realm of evil in which so many are deceived and trapped is called, “The dominion of darkness.” When one is rescued from that realm, he is transferred into the kingdom of Christ. I consider it a mistake to put the greater emphasis upon a coming kingdom, as so many do, to the neglect of the present kingdom, in which we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Some years ago there was a “Kingdom Now” movement that had considerable opposition. It was opposed improperly in favor of a future kingdom. But why not say the kingdom is now, since we have been “rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred to it?” Being a willing subject in Christ’s eternal kingdom now is one of the Christian’s greatest privileges.
· Our great King is the beloved Son of God, who bears His Father’s image. And being the “first born” Son, He was privileged to inherit the Father’s fullness and to become the Creator and Sustainer of “all things.” “What a mighty King we serve!”
· Christ is also the head of His church, having reconciled us to God in His body through death, and He presented us to Him holy, blameless and beyond reproach. “Holy and blameless” are also in the now; we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to be given this nature. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3, 4). Philippians, Paul said that saints are to be “blameless and innocent children of God;” here he says that they are “presented before God, holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” These are all saintly characteristics, and they are all now! Why should unholy persons claim these virtues and true believers deny them? If you are a true believer, display them to others who need to be where you are and have what you have.
Remarks
· If you have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred holy and blameless and beyond reproach into the kingdom of Christ, it will show. After a moving encounter with the Holy Spirit years ago, I preached a sermon titled “Filled with the Spirit,” after which a woman responded to the invitation saying, “I want what Lacy”s got!” I felt so blessed to have modeled what I preached. If you have the Holy Spirit, let others see that you do; they will also want what you have. If you are a believer who don’t have the Holy Spirit, submit to your King and ask for Him; “Your Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13).
“13 He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-- 23if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.”
Observations
· Satan’s realm of evil in which so many are deceived and trapped is called, “The dominion of darkness.” When one is rescued from that realm, he is transferred into the kingdom of Christ. I consider it a mistake to put the greater emphasis upon a coming kingdom, as so many do, to the neglect of the present kingdom, in which we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Some years ago there was a “Kingdom Now” movement that had considerable opposition. It was opposed improperly in favor of a future kingdom. But why not say the kingdom is now, since we have been “rescued from the domain of darkness, and transferred to it?” Being a willing subject in Christ’s eternal kingdom now is one of the Christian’s greatest privileges.
· Our great King is the beloved Son of God, who bears His Father’s image. And being the “first born” Son, He was privileged to inherit the Father’s fullness and to become the Creator and Sustainer of “all things.” “What a mighty King we serve!”
· Christ is also the head of His church, having reconciled us to God in His body through death, and He presented us to Him holy, blameless and beyond reproach. “Holy and blameless” are also in the now; we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to be given this nature. “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:3, 4). Philippians, Paul said that saints are to be “blameless and innocent children of God;” here he says that they are “presented before God, holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” These are all saintly characteristics, and they are all now! Why should unholy persons claim these virtues and true believers deny them? If you are a true believer, display them to others who need to be where you are and have what you have.
Remarks
· If you have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred holy and blameless and beyond reproach into the kingdom of Christ, it will show. After a moving encounter with the Holy Spirit years ago, I preached a sermon titled “Filled with the Spirit,” after which a woman responded to the invitation saying, “I want what Lacy”s got!” I felt so blessed to have modeled what I preached. If you have the Holy Spirit, let others see that you do; they will also want what you have. If you are a believer who don’t have the Holy Spirit, submit to your King and ask for Him; “Your Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13).
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Will the United States be Next?
The following is from the Associated Press April 21, 2008
"Latin America gets another leftist leader" Fernando Lugo's victory in Paraguay adds to the leftward tilt. Latin America's leftward tilt began with the arrival of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez a decade ago, then continued with new presidents in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. 'Paraguay's election is just further evidence that Latin America's political geography has changed in basic ways,' said Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank. "
With the leftist movement in the White House and Congress, it appears that the U.S. is turning left and will soon be in step with them.
"Latin America gets another leftist leader" Fernando Lugo's victory in Paraguay adds to the leftward tilt. Latin America's leftward tilt began with the arrival of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez a decade ago, then continued with new presidents in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. 'Paraguay's election is just further evidence that Latin America's political geography has changed in basic ways,' said Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank. "
With the leftist movement in the White House and Congress, it appears that the U.S. is turning left and will soon be in step with them.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Readings from Colossians
Introduction
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were all written by Paul at about the same time, while he was a prison in Rome. Each has its theme and purpose. Ephesians deals with the unity of the church that was being disturbed by false teachers, primarily those who were imposing Judaism upon it. Philippians concerns Paul, a grateful recipient, and the Philippian church, a generous giver, at a time of Paul’s need. Colossians, along with Paul’s usual teaching and encouragement, deals specifically with a Colossian heresy that was spreading in that area.
Our attention is now focused on Colossians, having spent several weeks in Philippians. This study will consist of a series of readings. You are urged to take time and to pay close attention to Paul’s statements in order to gain a deeper insight into his thoughts. He will lead us to Christ and accompany us in a walk with Him. Our first reading is the first twelve verses of Chapter one. (New American Standard Bible)
1. Introductory Paragraph
Colossians 1:1- 12
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. 9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. “
Observations
1. True Christians—true believes are “saints and faithful brethren.”
2. Grace and peace go together; it is in God’s grace that we find peace.
3. These Christians had love for “all the saints,” do we or are we selective?
4. Hope is “laid up” and “reserved for us” in heaven.” “If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait for it (Rom. 8:25).
5. The Christian life is progressive: We hear the word of truth, understand the grace of God revealed in it, and this understanding brings “love in the Spirit.”
6. We ought to pray for one another that we may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, which brings ‘spiritual wisdom and understanding,” enabling us to “walk in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.” This is the way to bear fruit in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God.
7. We cannot find this life anywhere except in Christ, and is's not found by anyone except true believers. This assurance causes us to “joyously give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
Notes
· There is no biblical authority for canonizing a person as a saint after he or she is dead. The Bible calls Christians saints while they live. Paul addresses a number of his letters “to the saints.”
· Grace is often ignored, misunderstood and presumed upon, while Paul makes the subject plain and writes about it more than all the other New Testaments authors combined. People would spare themselves much guilt and stress if they would come to an understanding of grace.
· Colossians, like Paul’s other letters, mentions truth, grace, faith, love, hope, joy and peace; giving us assurance and comfort, just as Philippians did. Let us approach it with this understanding and receive its blessings.
· I shall never forget the joy I felt when first I learned that one may be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” I realized then, in the early days of ministry, that what I needed was not just wisdom and understanding but “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Upon learning this, I dug deeper into the Word and began preaching expository sermons through books of the Bible, attempting to share my discovery with others. I pray that you are having the same experience.
· If anyone has a comment or question on this reading, or any future reading, please send it as a reply and I will appreciate it and perhaps share it with the other readers.
Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were all written by Paul at about the same time, while he was a prison in Rome. Each has its theme and purpose. Ephesians deals with the unity of the church that was being disturbed by false teachers, primarily those who were imposing Judaism upon it. Philippians concerns Paul, a grateful recipient, and the Philippian church, a generous giver, at a time of Paul’s need. Colossians, along with Paul’s usual teaching and encouragement, deals specifically with a Colossian heresy that was spreading in that area.
Our attention is now focused on Colossians, having spent several weeks in Philippians. This study will consist of a series of readings. You are urged to take time and to pay close attention to Paul’s statements in order to gain a deeper insight into his thoughts. He will lead us to Christ and accompany us in a walk with Him. Our first reading is the first twelve verses of Chapter one. (New American Standard Bible)
1. Introductory Paragraph
Colossians 1:1- 12
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. 9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. “
Observations
1. True Christians—true believes are “saints and faithful brethren.”
2. Grace and peace go together; it is in God’s grace that we find peace.
3. These Christians had love for “all the saints,” do we or are we selective?
4. Hope is “laid up” and “reserved for us” in heaven.” “If we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait for it (Rom. 8:25).
5. The Christian life is progressive: We hear the word of truth, understand the grace of God revealed in it, and this understanding brings “love in the Spirit.”
6. We ought to pray for one another that we may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, which brings ‘spiritual wisdom and understanding,” enabling us to “walk in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience.” This is the way to bear fruit in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God.
7. We cannot find this life anywhere except in Christ, and is's not found by anyone except true believers. This assurance causes us to “joyously give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”
Notes
· There is no biblical authority for canonizing a person as a saint after he or she is dead. The Bible calls Christians saints while they live. Paul addresses a number of his letters “to the saints.”
· Grace is often ignored, misunderstood and presumed upon, while Paul makes the subject plain and writes about it more than all the other New Testaments authors combined. People would spare themselves much guilt and stress if they would come to an understanding of grace.
· Colossians, like Paul’s other letters, mentions truth, grace, faith, love, hope, joy and peace; giving us assurance and comfort, just as Philippians did. Let us approach it with this understanding and receive its blessings.
· I shall never forget the joy I felt when first I learned that one may be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” I realized then, in the early days of ministry, that what I needed was not just wisdom and understanding but “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Upon learning this, I dug deeper into the Word and began preaching expository sermons through books of the Bible, attempting to share my discovery with others. I pray that you are having the same experience.
· If anyone has a comment or question on this reading, or any future reading, please send it as a reply and I will appreciate it and perhaps share it with the other readers.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Questions on Philippians Four
1. What was Paul’s instruction to the Philippian church at the beginning of this chapter? (v. 1)
2. What did Paul ask two disagreeable women to do? (v. 2)
3. What did he ask of the church regarding these women? (v. 3)
4. What does he instruct us all to do? (v. 4)
5. What two characteristics must be manifest in our lives? (Vs. 5-6)
6. What promise does Paul hold out to us as we make our request known to God? (v. 7)
7. What six things should we let our minds dwell on? (v. 8)
8. What promise does Paul holdout to us if we follow his instructions? (v. 9)
9. Where do Christians rejoice? (vs. 4, 10)
10. Why did Paul rejoice? (v. 10)
11. What did Paul say he had learned? (v. 11)
12. What did Paul say he knew? (v. 12)
13. What did Paul say he could do? (v. 13)
14. What did the Philippian Christian Christians do for Paul that no other church had done? (vs. 15, 16)
15. What was more important to Paul than the gift he had received from this church? (vs. 17, 18)
16. What did Paul promise these saints for their generosity? (v. 19)
17. How pervasive had the gospel been in Rome under Paul’s teaching? (v. 22)
18. What was Paul’s benediction to this letter? (v. 23)
_______________________________
This ends our study of Philippians. I have been blessed in writing this series of articles; I pray that you have been blessed by reading them. Thank you for accompanying me on the journey. Stay with me; there are exciting things ahead.
2. What did Paul ask two disagreeable women to do? (v. 2)
3. What did he ask of the church regarding these women? (v. 3)
4. What does he instruct us all to do? (v. 4)
5. What two characteristics must be manifest in our lives? (Vs. 5-6)
6. What promise does Paul hold out to us as we make our request known to God? (v. 7)
7. What six things should we let our minds dwell on? (v. 8)
8. What promise does Paul holdout to us if we follow his instructions? (v. 9)
9. Where do Christians rejoice? (vs. 4, 10)
10. Why did Paul rejoice? (v. 10)
11. What did Paul say he had learned? (v. 11)
12. What did Paul say he knew? (v. 12)
13. What did Paul say he could do? (v. 13)
14. What did the Philippian Christian Christians do for Paul that no other church had done? (vs. 15, 16)
15. What was more important to Paul than the gift he had received from this church? (vs. 17, 18)
16. What did Paul promise these saints for their generosity? (v. 19)
17. How pervasive had the gospel been in Rome under Paul’s teaching? (v. 22)
18. What was Paul’s benediction to this letter? (v. 23)
_______________________________
This ends our study of Philippians. I have been blessed in writing this series of articles; I pray that you have been blessed by reading them. Thank you for accompanying me on the journey. Stay with me; there are exciting things ahead.
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