Sunday School Lesson

June 23

Lesson 4 (KJV)

Hearts United in Love

 

Devotional Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:10–17

Background Scripture: Colossians 2:1–15

 

Colossians 2:1–15

1. For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

 

2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

 

3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

4. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

 

5. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

 

6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

 

7. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

 

8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 

9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

 

10. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 

11. 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:

 

12. 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.

 

13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 

14. 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;

 

15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Key Verses

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.—Colossians 2:6, 7

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

 

1. List three things that believers have in Christ.

 

2. Compare and contrast the meaning and significance of circumcision and baptism.

 

3. Identify one area to grow or mature in his or her walk with Christ and make a plan to do so.

 

HOW TO SAY IT

Apphia	Af-ee-uh-or Ap-fee-uh.
Archippus	Ar-kip-us.
Colosse	Ko-lahss-ee.
Epaphras	Ep-uh-frass.
Ephesians	Ee-fee-zhunz.
Ezekiel	Ee-zeek-ee-ul or Ee-zeek-yul.
Laodicea	Lay-odd-uh-see–uh.
Messiah	Meh-sigh-uh.
Philemon	Fih-lee-mun or Fye-lee-mun.

Introduction

1. Pursuit of Completeness

For many today, the promise of everlasting romantic love is the height of personal wellness. Tom Cruise’s oft-parodied line “You complete me” from the film Jerry Maguire points to humanity’s constant pursuit of completeness and our sense that we do not possess it on our own. Others do not seek wholeness through romance but instead through other relationships, through work, or even through hobbies. Where can we look to find true completeness?

1. Lesson Context

Members of the Colossian church came from backgrounds featuring a myriad of religious and philosophical options. On this buffet were Judaism and pagan religions from across the Roman Empire. There were mystery religions that promised spiritual enlightenment through secret knowledge. There were sophisticated systems of philosophical thought and groups that practiced black magic. Each group made its own claims about truth. Some believers at Colosse attempted to augment the gospel with a mixture of elements from this religious-philosophical buffet. The temptation to trust in humanity’s knowledge rather than in faith through Christ and knowledge of Him was irresistible to some.

1. Love’s Concern

(Colossians 2:1–5)

1. Paul’s Intensity (v. 1)
2. For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.

 

Paul desires that his readers know of his ministry of prayer on their behalf (see Colossians 1:9–12). The word translated conflict is a form of the same word translated “striving” in 1:29 (speaking of Paul’s own labor) and “fervently” in 4:12 (speaking of Epaphras’s laboring for them in prayer).

Paul greets Archippus by name in Colossians 4:17 and knows other Christians in Colosse (Philemon and Apphia; compare Philemon 1, 2 with Colossians 4:10–17). Even so, the phrase for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh is widely accepted to mean that Paul has not actually been to Colosse. Laodicea is another city in the Lycus River valley, approximately 10 miles from Colosse. Although many within this letter’s audience are strangers to Paul, they are still objects of Paul’s concern that arises from the unity believers have in Christ (Ephesians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 1:2).

 

What Do You Think? What plan can you create for expressing concerns for people in ways they will receive and appreciate?   Digging Deeper Consider nonverbal expressions of concern in addition to verbal, and when it might be best to use one type over the other.

1. Paul’s Purpose (vv. 2, 3)

2a. That their hearts might be comforted.

 

Scripture often uses the term heart to designate the person, especially one’s center of moral and ethical deliberation, will, and attitudes (Genesis 6:5; Exodus 4:21; Matthew 9:4; 12:34; etc.). The verb translated comforted communicates more than offering solace; one is encouraged and strengthened in this comfort. The same root word yields a title for the Holy Spirit: Comforter (see John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7); this gives depth and nuance to the ways he ministers to believers.

 

2b. Being knit together in love.

 

This suggests a unity of purpose and thought. The same term appears in Ephesians 4:15, 16 and Colossians 2:19 to speak of a unity derived from the church’s attachment to its head, Christ. The love that unites believers has its source in their devotion to Christ, who empowers them to love each other (Ephesians 3:19; 4:1, 2; 1 John 4:11). Only a love built on the knowledge of what Christ has done and a desire to serve others can unite the church (John 13:34, 35).

 

What Do You Think? In what ways can your church promote a stronger sense of unity and common purpose?   Digging Deeper Consider how this might be done corporately (through the church’s formal communication and programming channels) as well as by individual believers.

2c. And unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.

 

Paul desires the saints to have the confidence and power that comes from an ability to distinguish between true and false teaching (see Acts 9:22). The focus of this understanding is to be the acknowledgement of the mystery of God. Paul uses mystery, a term found earlier in Colossians 1:26, 27, to refer to formerly hidden things now revealed by God to His people through apostolic preaching and writing concerning the gospel (see Romans 11:25). The identification of the mystery as being of God, both of the Father and of Christ, exalts Christ by pointing to the unity and equality of the Father and Son in the Trinity together with the Spirit.

 

3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The false teachers in Colosse claim they possess hidden truth to which only the spiritual elite have access. In contrast with them, the verse before us identifies Christ as the one in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Though related, wisdom and knowledge are not the same. Knowledge is the mental apprehension of truth; wisdom is the ability to use knowledge appropriately. Believers can access the hidden wisdom and knowledge revealed now in Christ and can possess full understanding through the mystery of God.

Buried Treasure

In 1934, Theodore Jones and Henry Grob made a discovery most children only dream about. Jones and Grob had started a secret club and were burying the box that would hold the club’s treasury and secrets. Digging in the dirt floor of Jones’s cellar, the teens discovered the Holy Grail of childhood fantasy—real buried treasure! They first came across a shiny $20 gold coin. When their excavation was complete, the boys had unearthed 3,558 century-old gold coins, a fortune that would be worth more than $10 million today.

After months of legal proceedings, the coins were sold at auction. The money was then placed in two trusts that the boys could access after they turned 21.

For the most part, finding hidden treasure is a childhood fantasy. But for Jesus’ followers, it is a spiritual reality. What treasures have you discovered through your friendship with Jesus?

—J. E.

1. Paul’s Presence (vv. 4, 5)
2. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

 

Paul knows Christ is the full repository of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 1:9, 10; 2:2). False teachers could dazzle and impress an audience, especially if they were not already convinced of the truth they found in Christ.

 

5. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

 

Though Paul is in prison in Rome (Acts 28:16–31; Colossians 4:10, 18), through his letter he expresses intimate knowledge of the church in Colosse and great love for them (see also 1 Corinthians 5:3). He expresses the delight he has known from hearing positive reports about the Colossian believers from Epaphras (Colossians 1:7, 8; 4:12, 13). Order and steadfastness result from faith in Christ. Biblical faith is more than intellectual assent to truth claims; it is a commitment to action resulting from one’s trust in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3; James 2:14–22). A fundamental defense against deceptive and crippling doctrine is a deepened commitment to Christ.

 

What Do You Think? In what situations could you provide encouragement by expressing your pride in someone else’s accomplishments?   Digging Deeper Think especially of situations and people where encouragement would not normally be expected.

1. Love’s Growth

(Colossians 2:6, 7)

1. Walking in Christ (v. 6)
2. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.

 

Paul calls his audience back to what was originally preached and taught among them in contrast to the error that has arisen in their midst. He also summons them back to the exalted Savior he describes earlier in Colossians 1:15–20. By using the full title Christ Jesus the Lord, Paul reminds his readers that Jesus, the one who walked humbly among humanity as a man, is also the Messiah (Greek “Christ” = Hebrew “Messiah”), the anointed king, and the Lord God in flesh. He is the exalted one who is above all (Philippians 2:9–11; Colossians 1:15–20; 2:3, 9, 10).

So walk ye in him essentially summarizes the specific commands and warnings that follow: believers are to act out the lordship of Jesus Christ in their thought and deeds (James 2:14–26). Walking, a frequent biblical image for life (Genesis 48:15; Psalm 86:11; 2 Corinthians 5:7; etc.), evokes notions of being on the way toward a destination. Moreover, believers are to walk in Christ, not simply withChrist (Colossians 1:28; 2:20; 3:1–3). He is not a travel companion we call alongside us as we travel where we have already determined we want to go. As our Lord, Jesus determines our path and empowers us to walk the path to which we are called (Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 9:23).

1. Strengthened in Christ (v. 7)
2. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

 

Paul uses a horticultural metaphor (see Colossians 1:10–12) and a reference to thanksgiving to expound on a command to walk in Christ. Having been rooted … in him, believers are to grow as a plant grows out of the soil in which it is planted (compare 1 Corinthians 3:10–14; Ephesians 2:20).

Stablished has the notion of confirmation or strengthening (Romans 15:8; 1 Corinthians 1:6, 8). By sticking to their roots and being built up, the saints in Colosse will be established in faith. The passive verbs rooted, built up, and stablished reveal that it is God who grounds them in faith. Abounding therein with thanksgiving is the believers’ main task throughout this process (Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2). Thanksgiving will abound in the saints’ lives as they (we) are attentive to what God has done in Christ and to what He is currently doing.

III. Love’s Object

(Colossians 2:8–12)

1. Reject Thoughts (v. 8)
2. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 

Philosophy refers to systems of thought characterized by human origin. The word rudiments translates a Greek word that has two meanings. Though the word can refer to astrological concepts, in this verse it refers to an organized series of things, such as the letters of the alphabet. The word came to connote the basic elements necessary for a rudimentary knowledge of a subject (compare Hebrews 5:12).

World refers to the transitory systems of humanity that can and/or do stand between a person and God. World in this sense combined with the word rudiments thus refers to human ideas considered necessary to supplement or even to replace the work of Christ (Galatians 4:3, 9).

To understand more clearly the significance of philosophy and worldly rudiments, one must observe their contrast with things of Christ. In his address to the men of Athens, Paul repeatedly alludes to ideas discussed among Greek philosophers (Acts 17:22–31). Such thought, which depends on human tradition, is deceptive in comparison with the fullness of understanding and life available in Christ (Colossians 1:9; 2:2, 3).

Then and now, the rudiments of the world are ultimately powerless. They are the “-isms” of human tradition, culture, and pagan religion that seek or profess understanding through natural human insight alone. They do not seek to understand Christ in the light of Scripture nor do they exalt God and Christ to their proper place.

Power of Truth

In the novel 1984, George Orwell envisioned a society in which truth was determined by the government for its own ends. In Oceania, the populace knew that “war is peace,” “freedom is slavery,” and “ignorance is strength.” This knowledge was made possible through “doublethink,” the ability to accept two mutually exclusive concepts as true. The government ruled in paradox: The Ministry of Love inflicted torture. The Ministry of Peace waged perpetual war. The Ministry of Plenty rationed resources.

Orwell understood that saying something is true does not make it so. In this, he would have found agreement with the apostle Paul. Paul did not see truth as relative or infinitely flexible. In fact, Paul believed truth has an author who offers us a firm foundation when we trust Him. What “truths” do you need to reevaluate in light of the truth that Christ reveals?

—J. E.

1. Embrace Fullness (vv. 9, 10)

9, 10. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

 

Paul emphasizes the magnitude of the incarnation of Jesus Christ by speaking of all the fulness. His use of the present tense verb dwelleth highlights that the incarnation is not simply a historical event but also a present reality with contemporary significance. The power and completeness of Christ exhibited in His incarnation is available to all believers.

 

Colossians 1:16 earlier asserts that Christ created all things, including all principality and power, and that they exist for His purposes. This tandem often refers to evil powers, whether terrestrial or celestial, real or imagined. Christ thus is preeminent above them all (Philippians 2:9–11).

Sandwiched between this section’s two central claims about Christ is the affirmation that believers are complete in him. The repetition of the concepts filling, fullness, and completeness in this letter (Colossians 1:9, 19, 24; 2:2, 9; 4:12) suggests that false teachers in the Colossian church asserted that Christians need something in addition to Christ to be complete. Paul, however, affirms that because Christ supersedes the powers, believers need not fear them as a barrier to all that is available in Christ. Neither do they possess any power to provide the fullness God offers in Christ. To seek fullness in any other person or power than Jesus Christ is futile and foolhardy.

1. Accept Cleansing (v. 11)
2. 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.

 

Paul evokes the imagery of circumcision to describe the believer’s incorporation into God’s new covenant community (see Genesis 17). The Old Testament Scriptures also intimated that physical circumcision alone did not validate one’s covenant relationship with God (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). A greater circumcision, one of the heart, was needed (Romans 2:28, 29).

Christ followers of both genders from among all people groups have now received this greater circumcision, here called the circumcision of Christ. Old covenant circumcision was a physical act, but Christ performs the new circumcision in the spiritual realm; it is made without hands. Old covenant circumcision was performed on male Israelite infants. Christ’s circumcision is performed on men and women who exercise faith. Circumcision under the law involved the removal of a piece of skin; new covenant circumcision involves the removal of a whole way of life, the body of the sins of the flesh.

1. Rise to Full Life (v. 12)
2. 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.

 

As in Romans 6:1–14, baptism is linked with burial, and that burial imagery illustrates the completeness of death to sin. The rising out of water then pantomimes our resurrection. Paul describes the believer’s resurrection life as having already begun. Believers can now access a full life through the transforming power God manifested in raising Jesus from the dead.

No power to destroy the old life and to raise the Christ follower to new life resides in the water itself. Rather, baptism is made effective by its connection with the faith of the operation of God (see also Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5; and 1 Peter 3:21).

 

What Do You Think? Which Scripture passages or biblical themes have you personally found helpful in connecting faith, baptism, and daily Christian experience?   Digging Deeper In what ways can you help others make the same connection?

1. Love’s Triumph

(Colossians 2:13–15)

1. Christ Conquers Sin (v. 13)
2. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.

 

The Colossians had been dead in [their] sins (see Ephesians 2:1). The Greek word first translated sinsand then trespasses emphasizes deliberate disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. The phrase uncircumcision of your flesh then points to the hearers’ identity as Gentiles outside the old covenant (Ephesians 2:11–13) and describes a continuing state of spiritual rebellion (Ezekiel 44:7, 9).

They are now alive with Christ (Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:5). All their trespasses have been forgiven. God’s act of pardoning sins demonstrates the grace of God’s forgiveness. God’s forgiving all trespasses shows the extent of God’s grace that completely removes sin.

 

What Do You Think? What are some ways to help fellow believers overcome the burden of guilt associated with past sins?   Digging Deeper How might your answer differ depending on the specific type of sin with which a person feels burdened?

1. Christ Fulfills the Law (v. 14)
2. 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.

 

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said that He had come to fulfill the law, not eliminate it. The text before us provides a vital clue regarding how that has now happened. The phrase handwriting of ordinancesportrays the Old Testament law as an invoice or IOU indicating we owed something to God. Elsewhere, Paul affirms that the law is “holy” and “good” (Romans 7:12). It was a righteous standard that accused the ancient Israelites and against which they could not argue.

However, Christ has blotted out this debt. By sending His own Son to suffer the penalty for our sin, God both upheld the holiness of His own law and rescued us from its accusation. Just as Pilate literally nailed words of accusation (“The King of the Jews”) to the cross (John 19:19), God figuratively nailed the law and its penalty there as well.

1. Christ Gives the Victory (v. 15)
2. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 

Victorious imperial armies displayed their captives and their spoils of war as they marched through the streets of Rome. Christ is the conquering king who has triumphed over Satan, demonic forces, and all the powers of evil. In His death, Jesus stripped them of their power, atoned for our sins, and won a decisive victory over evil, a victory that His resurrection confirms. The open show made of them harkens back to the language of mystery (Colossians 2:2) and reminds the audience that no additional knowledge or wisdom is needed because God has accomplished His plan fully in Jesus Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:2–5).

We are freed to live a resurrection kind of life now in Christ (Colossians 2:13). Christ’s death canceled and made irrelevant all the old things that once cluttered life and opposed us (v. 14). Believers are united with Him and with each other.

Conclusion

1. Possession of Completeness

Because Christ is supreme above all and we are complete in Him, we have all we need. Rather than being led astray by other teachings, we trustingly keep our feet on the path Jesus sets for us to walk.

1. Prayer

Our Father, grant that we may be rooted and built up in Christ and strengthened in our faith. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1. Thought to Remember

Mine the treasures hidden in Christ; look nowhere else.

 

 

KID’S CORNER

The New Covenant Gives Hope

June 23, 2019

Colossians 2:1-15

Colossians 2:1-15

(Colossians 2:1) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

Paul expressed deep concern for the Christians and churches he had never visited. Imprisoned in Rome, Paul could not rush to these churches to help these Christians. Paul struggled as one contending against hostile spiritual forces to know what to do for them. He prayed fervently and specifically as he thought of what these Christians and churches faced and the type of help they needed from resources that He prayed for God to supply. Then, Paul wrote a Holy Spirit inspired letter to build up the faith, spiritual endurance, and courage of those under attack from various directions, from false ideas, from unbelievers, and from those committed to false gods and religions.

(Colossians 2:2) that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

Jesus Christ, including His ministry, His death on the cross, and His resurrection was the mystery that the Old Testament pointed toward but could not reveal until God the Father sent His only Son into the world. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His presence within believers and His spiritual presence in the Church as the Body of Christ, the readers of Paul’s letters (inspired by the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer) would receive the courage to face their enemies and defeat them. They would maintain their love for Jesus and one another. They would understand the teachings and truths about Jesus, and they would understand the sources and reasons for their recent trials. They would know that Christ with and within them was their hope of glory, as Paul had written in Colossians 1:27, “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” They could trust Jesus Christ as their salvation no matter what or who they struggled against, as Paul could testify from prison in his letters.

(Colossians 2:3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Some opponents of the Christian Church were members of the mystery religions that we sometimes think of as Gnosticism or preliminary to Gnosticism. These religions claimed to have and reveal mysterious knowledge about God and the future to their recruits through a succession of secret rituals. They sought to draw Christians into their circles or infiltrate and take over Christian churches. However, Paul wrote that all the treasures (true riches) of wisdom (an understanding of the truth and how best to live according to the truth—see the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes for examples) and knowledge (knowing and understanding facts about the true nature and character of the true God, the gospel, and reality that are the foundation for true wisdom—see the New Testament for example) are to be found in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the Church openly reveals true wisdom and knowledge by teaching about Jesus Christ openly for anyone to hear. The Christian Church has no secret rituals for members to pass through for enlightenment. The Christian Church has no secret books, and the Church makes the Bible available for anyone to read—and encourages everyone to read the Bible. The Church also encourages everyone to place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; then, they will understand more of the mysteries of Christ as they live under His lordship and leadership.

(Colossians 2:4) I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

Jesus Christ gives wisdom to His followers that is never separate from knowing him and always involves him. Christ gives His followers wisdom and spiritual help that will enable them to recognize and understand enough of the arguments of unbelievers not to be misled by false ideas. Christians will be better prepared to quickly recognize and turn from those who would deceive them with what at first sounds like plausible arguments by thinking together (especially thinking about the truths revealed in the Bible) and by praying together. Paul prayed fervently that they would recognize false ideas and be able to avoid the traps set by false teachers.

(Colossians 2:5) For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Paul wrote to them because he had heard about how disciplined they were as good soldiers for Christ, and about how firm their faith in Christ was as they fought the good fight of faith “in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left” (2 Corinthians 6:7).  Paul wanted to encourage them as he had encouraged Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, to “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses,” for they were in a battle for the Truth, the Church, their spiritual life in Christ, and their future.

(Colossians 2:6) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

The Bible clearly teaches that the true followers of Jesus Christ will receive Jesus Christ as the Lord of their lives as well as the Lord over all creation. The Bible reveals that the true followers of Jesus Christ will receive Christ into their lives as both Lord and Savior, and not just as a Savior from sin or the Way to heaven, but also as the One who will live in them and enable them to live in him so they can to do as He wills. When the followers of Jesus Christ in the New Testament called Jesus their Lord, they meant at least three things. First, Jesus Christ (the King) was their Master. Second, Caesar was not their Lord. Third, Jesus is the LORD (God). As Savior, Jesus reconciles us to God despite our past sins. As Lord, He leads us in the way of righteousness and peace. Salvation includes a believer’s trusting in the power of Jesus Christ to help them follow Jesus Christ and His way of life in accordance with the Bible now and forever.

(Colossians 2:7) having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

When we love God and seek to understand the will of God in Jesus Christ, in order to do His will and overcome temptations to do wrong, we will become less likely to turn from faith in Jesus Christ or lose our confidence in God our Father. Jesus Christ will help us grow in faith and enable us to understand and apply the Bible’s teachings in our daily decisions. As we understand Jesus better and live closer to him spiritually, we will thank God more and more for all He does for us and for others through us. When we first come to faith in Jesus Christ, Jesus will begin to work within us to establish us in our faith in him so we will never fall away or cease to trust in him. As a mighty oak, through faith in Jesus Christ our spiritual relationship with God will grow down with “deep roots” and grow up strong enough to withstand the storms of life.

(Colossians 2:8) See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

The word philosophy means “love of wisdom.” The study of philosophy is the study of human ideas, sometimes using and sometimes misusing good sound logic and reasoning. The word theology means the “science of God,” or reasoning about God that should strive to create a system of ideas that can be found in the Bible and used to interpret the Bible correctly; unfortunately, theological systems sometimes develop and spread ideas about God not found in the Bible. Good theology is drawn from the Bible as God’s true revelation to us, without adding ideas not clearly found in the Bible. Bad theology imposes its ideas (human traditions and sometimes philosophy) on the Bible, misinterprets the Bible, and then tries to convince others to believe its teachings. Paul warned against believing bad theologies and philosophies which can captivate the mind and make it almost impossible to understand the Bible’s teachings rightly. Some long dead philosophers and theologians have kept generations of their believers, and keep believers today, captive to their false ideas—misleading many. The study of philosophy or theology can appeal to human pride and influence some people to turn away from or reject the revelation of God to us in the Bible and in the life of Jesus Christ. The “love of wisdom” can lead us away from the love of God and into disobedience (as King Solomon demonstrated when he decided he was so wise he could worship the idols of his foreign wives that God had forbidden the Jews to marry—unless their wives first embraced the Jewish faith and came to worship the true God. Paul earnestly prayed for those he wrote to knowing they were facing these types of intellectual and spiritual challenges from Gentiles (and some Jews) who embraced the myths of the mystery religions and philosophy. Paul’s letter warns us to avoid becoming a captive to ideas and teachings that are contrary to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The study of philosophy and theology can help some people understand the ideas of others in such a way that they can better and more convincingly share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Bible’s teachings with unbelievers and lead them to true faith. However, Paul recognized that philosophical and theological ideas also mislead many. Some put their philosophical or theological system above the Bible, and then misinterpret the Bible using their false philosophical or theological system. Elemental spiritual forces, demons, or ungodly spirits can also lead people into false beliefs, philosophies, and theologies, and these demons usually look for ways to use misunderstandings about God and the world to lead people further away from Jesus and trust in the Bible. In 1 Timothy 4:1. Paul wrote, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

(Colossians 2:9) For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

Paul emphasized the fact that the Son of God fully indwelt and fully united with the physical body of Jesus Christ on Earth when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary (Colossians 1:19). Jesus Christ is fully God in a fully human body. Therefore, what Jesus said, demonstrated, and lived through at each moment was a true revelation from the true God, the truth about God, the truth about God’s love and intentions, and the truth about the ways human beings should live spiritually and mentally in their human bodies in this world. In John 14:9, Jesus revealed this fact better than I can describe it, “Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”’”?

(Colossians 2:10) and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

Some promote the study of philosophy, different world religions, and different religious practices, in order to teach that there is something lacking in our lives even if we do follow and trust in Jesus Christ. They deceive people into thinking that their philosophy or spiritual practice or religious technique can supply what is lacking in following Jesus according to the Scriptures. However, Paul emphasized that we have fullness, all the fullness we will ever need, in Jesus Christ, who will keep filling us as He expands our capacity to receive more of him through trusting and obeying him according to the Bible. No one is greater than Jesus Christ; therefore, we need no other spirit guides, demons, or practices adopted from other religions. Jesus Christ is the head over every ruler or authority; so, we should never accept a lesser ruler or authority to follow morally or spiritually contrary to the Scriptures, but always do as Jesus leads, and Jesus will always lead us morally and spiritually according to the Bible’s teachings in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Colossians 2:11) and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

In the New Testament, especially in Paul’s writings, those who promoted physical circumcision as the Jews did needed to know the better way through Jesus Christ. Prior to trusting in and receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we followed our emotions and desires and bodily cravings (the flesh) contrary to the Bible. Our spiritual circumcision by Jesus Christ will remove our slavery to the flesh and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures transform our thinking and enable us to know and follow the will of God—and even love God and desire to do the will of God at all times in our fight against temptations and sin.

(Colossians 2:12) having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

When we agreed to be buried with Christ in baptism, we rejected our old way of living in sin and we died to our old way of living apart from God, and we committed ourselves to live wholly for Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. Through baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God the Father raised us to new life, a radically different way of life that seeks to live holy in Christ Jesus. After Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He lived a different type of life—not morally different—He demonstrated different abilities in a glorified human body. We have divine power to live a morally and spiritually different life after our baptism. We will have different abilities after we receive our resurrected and glorified human bodies. Those who live immorally will not be trusted to live in the new heaven and earth with resurrected bodies that have the abilities Jesus demonstrated in His resurrected body. No believer in Christ would want to give immoral people the ability to walk through walls or appear and disappear in rooms at will. Heaven would soon become a hell for everyone if immoral people were given these supernatural powers in heaven, which makes hell a necessity.

(Colossians 2:13) When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

We can make a choice to be buried with Christ in baptism, but we cannot save ourselves from the eternal consequences of past and future trespasses. Because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, God the Father can make believers spiritually alive with Jesus Christ and thereby save all His followers from the eternal consequences of their past sins and future trespasses should they sin again as Christians in this life. Because Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for us, God can forgive us, mercifully and justly forgive us, for our sins. He can also save us from the practice of sins when we are tempted. If we go to Jesus in trusting, fervent prayer for help to obey him, Jesus will be the Way we need. Jesus will show us the way of escaping temptations, and He will give us the power to overcome our temptations.

(Colossians 2:14) having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Jesus Christ lived a morally and spiritually perfect life. Jesus always obeyed and upheld God’s law. He lived and died as a perfect example and teacher. Because of our sins, Jesus came to die as a perfect and holy sacrifice for us. When Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, God fulfilled His holy and righteous law when He accepted Jesus’ death as a substitute for the death we deserve. God loves us and because Jesus died a sacrificial death as a substitute for us, God graciously forgives us and sets aside the legal demands of the law that as a consequence of our sins we should die forever. When we think of how much God the Father and Jesus love us, enough for the Father to send His only begotten Son to die for us, we cannot help but love God and Jesus more and thank Jesus for His saving us from our sins and their consequences. Our love for God will inspire us to live in ways that will be a moral and spiritual example and bless God and others.

(Colossians 2:15) When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

The purposes of the worldly and otherworldly rulers and authorities that opposed God when Jesus died on the cross were defeated when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. He made them into a public example of what can happen when anyone opposes or rebels against God—God will win the victory. When we live holy and wholly for God, as Christ Jesus works in us, those who oppose the true God and the gospel of Jesus Christ become a public example of what everyone should avoid. In addition, we become a public example of how to live victoriously as God conquers evil through us—even if we suffer or die a martyr’s death—even as Jesus is a public example of faithfulness to God the Father and to those He died to save.

 

The New Covenant Gives Hope

June 23, 2019

Colossians 2:1-15

 

“And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

The new covenant revealed in the New Testament includes Gentiles as well as Jews. The new covenant gives hope to everyone. In Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, he described the Gentile Christians as those who at one time were out of fellowship with God because they lived outside the old covenant, which was given to the Jews. They had not been circumcised—the sign of membership in the covenant. The law of God written on their conscience made legal demands; therefore, they knew they had failed to obey God’s laws and they deserved God’s just punishment. But through their newfound faith in Jesus Christ, Jesus made them spiritually alive with Him and welcomed them among God’s people. They were no longer slaves of sin and spiritually dead; rather, God had forgiven all their sins and freed them from fear of death. When Jesus was nailed to the cross and died, the punishment we deserve was also nailed to the cross—even though we were not yet God’s people. Therefore, by believing in Jesus Christ, God cancels our debt to Him—the punishment we deserve for our sins. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, by God’ grace many have heard the good news about Him and have believed in Him. Because Jesus reigns as Lord of heaven and earth, He sends His Spirit to indwell all who believe in Him, He adopts them into God’s family, and gives them eternal life.

 

Thinking Further

The New Covenant Gives Hope

June 23, 2019

Colossians 2:1-15

Name _________________________________

1. What is the mystery of God, and where can we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

2. Why can the Scriptures be trusted more than philosophy and human traditions?

 

3. How can the study of philosophy or human traditions be harmful? How can the study of philosophy or human traditions be helpful?

 

4. What are and how might the “elemental spirits of the universe” mislead someone or take someone captive?

 

5. What are some of the blessings from God that Christians can enjoy?

 

 

Discussion and Thinking Further

1. What is the mystery of God, and where can we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The mystery is Jesus Christ, who fulfilled prophecies of the Old Testament when He came into our world as the longexpected Messiah of the Jews. We find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Jesus Christ and in the Word of God written, the Bible.
2. Why can the Scriptures be trusted more than philosophy and human traditions? The Bible is the revelation of God from God to us, the Word of God written. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Jesus is the Word of God incarnate. The Bible says in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, ” and in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Philosophy and human traditions are limited to what finite human beings with very limited understanding of the total universe and total human history can imagine, and their ideas and traditions are sometimes the doctrines of demons. In 1 Timothy 4:1, we read, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
3. How can the study of philosophy or human traditions be harmful? How can the study of philosophy or human traditions be helpful? People can think that philosophical and theological ideas and human traditions are superior to what the Bible teaches because some people are very persuasive and seem to have “respected scholarly credentials” in the eyes of this world. If the study of philosophy does not mislead someone, a student of philosophy can learn to think logically and better understand what is false teaching so they can better apply the Bible’s teachings to these false teachings and help some come to see that the Bible is true.
4. What are and how might the “elemental spirits of the universe” mislead someone or take someone captive? These are demons, spirits whose knowledge is far below the knowledge that can be found in Jesus Christ and the Bible. Those who do not follow Jesus Christ, but instead follow the flesh, can be spiritually blinded and be convinced that living in sin is okay and better than following the Bible’s teachings. Demons can take a person morally and spiritually captive, and the person made captive can only be freed through faith in Jesus Christ.
5. What are some of the blessings from God that Christians can enjoy? Access to true knowledge and understanding in Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit as we prayerfully read the Bible. The power to live our lives in Christ so we can glorify, obey, serve, and worship the true God. We are made alive with Christ and He has forgiven us all our sins.

Word Search

The New Covenant Gives Hope

June 23, 2019

Colossians 2:1-15

Name ________________________________

 

K S Y S N A I S S O L O C Z D

I E U S T R U G G L I N G E T

J D W S J G A K W C F X H I R

C E Y R E T S Y M B A S K Y E

H G J F C J B K A E I T N V A

R A M G H E D X C L C A O W S

I R H T I A F I B K R T W I U

S U Q P F E D A S G I H L S R

T O A L I O T P U A B U E D E

S C P H A S L M N R R K D O S

R N O L E C E S E T U M G M J

S E M D F N D W D Y F L E U Y

P B Z E T J S H D C M H E D I

S K I S Y C P N I A W D T R Y

N D O G L H O W H K L C O E S

 

Struggling

Laodicea

Colossians

Encouraged

Mystery

Christ

Hidden

Treasures

Wisdom

Knowledge

Arguments

Established

Faith

Disarmed

Rulers

 

True and False Test

The New Covenant Gives Hope

June 23, 2019

Colossians 2:1-15

Name __________________________________

 

 

Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.

1. Because Paul had built churches in Laodicea and Colossae, he wrote his Letter to the Colossians and hoped the Laodiceans would read it too. True or False
2. Paul wanted to help the Colossians have an assured understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ himself. True or False
3. Paul told the Colossians to hide from unbelievers all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that they had found in Christ. True or False
4. Paul did not want the Colossians to be deceived by arguments that might seem reasonable but were not reasonable or according to the truth of Christ. True or False
5. In this sinful world, it is impossible for Christians to have a firm faith in Jesus Christ. True or False
6. Christians should avoid becoming captive to deceptive philosophies, human traditions, and the spiritual forces of this world. True or False
7. The whole fullness of deity dwells bodily in Jesus Christ. True or False
8. Jesus Christ is the head of every ruler and authority. True or False
9. Though every Christian was once dead in trespasses, God made them alive together with Christ when He forgave them all their trespasses. True or False
10. Jesus disarmed, triumphed over, and made a public example of the rulers and authorities of this world. True or False

 

True and False Test Answers

1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

 

Prayer

Our Father, grant that we may be rooted and built up in Christ and strengthened in our faith. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.