Paul’s Labor for the Church (continued)
Introduction
Are there still unrevealed mysteries in the Bible?
Yes
The nature of the Trinity.
The identity of Melchizedek.
The Apostle Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”.
The End Times and the Book of Revelation.
The mystery of the timing of Christ’s return.
The mystery of God’s sovereignty and free will.
Etc.
Are there unrevealed mysteries in the Bible that we need to have revealed?
No
Colossians 2:1-7 NLT
2:1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Examine the Scriptures:
Paul’s Labor for the Church (continued)
Colossians 2:1-7 NLT
2:1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church
Paul agonized for the believers at Colossae and Laodicea.
- Ministry can be hard.
at Laodicea,
There was a close relationship between the church at Colossae and the church at Laodicea.
The two cities were only 10-20 (approximately) miles apart.
The heresy in the Colossian church had spread to Laodicea.
While Paul does not explicitly define this heresy it was most likely a mix of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and early Gnostic-like mysticism.
and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
The church at Colosse was not founded by Paul but was still very important to him.
The church in Colosse was likely established by Epaphras, a co-worker of Paul who was from that region.
The Apostle Paul did not visit Colosse as far as we know from the Bible.
While Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, it is widely believed that he had never been to the city.
Paul cared deeply for the body of Christ.
2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.
- Believers need encouragement.
- Paul understood the importance of unity within the Church.
- Love unifies the Church.
I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan,
Review from previous lesson:
In Scripture, a “mystery” or a “secret” frequently refers to something once concealed but now revealed.
A truth previously unknown or not fully understood but now revealed by God.
- Many of the mysteries in the scriptures have been revealed to Believers.
1 Colossians 1:25-27 NLT
25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. 26 This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. 27 For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
Ephesians 3:6 NLT
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT (Addressed to the Gentiles)
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
- The mystery revealed here is that Christ would dwell in Gentiles and deal with them on the same basis as He did Jews.
- Paul wanted the churches at Colossae and Laodicea to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan.
Gentiles have access to the truths of the Gospel.
Promises to Gentiles (as well as to the Jews).
John 3:16 NLT
6 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Romans 10:9 NLT
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan,
which is Christ himself.
3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Corinthians 1:24 NLT
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of wisdom.
- True wisdom is found in knowing Christ.
John 1:18 NLT
18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One (Christ), who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
Hebrews 1:2-3 NLT
2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. … 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, ….
Christ reveals God to man.
God speaks to us through His Son.
Most importantly:
John 14:6 NLT
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.
How many times have we heard Paul make comments similar to this one?
What the false teachers were saying sounded right, but it was still false.
True wisdom is not found in human philosophy or traditions but in Christ Himself.
False teachers were having a negative impact on these churches, claiming to have special knowledge of the mysteries of God’s truth.
- False teachings can sound appealing but must be tested against Scripture.
Paul insists that Christ is God’s mystery. All understanding is found in him.
5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Put the following three verses together.
1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
Galatians 6:9 NLT
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith
- Paul urges believers to remain anchored in the truth of Christ rather than being swayed by persuasive but empty philosophies.
7 Let your roots grow down into him (Jesus), and let your lives be built on him.
Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord (The Scriptures),
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Spend time in the Word.
Spend time in prayer.
Be in community with other believers.
- Spend time in the Word. Spend time in prayer. Be in community with other believers.
Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Spiritual growth requires firm faith, continual learning, and thankfulness.
- Christian growth is an ongoing process of deepening faith, maturity, and gratitude in Christ.
