Colossians (2011)

In the classic nursery rhyme, there is a line that says, "how does your garden grow?" As we begin to phase out of Paul's introductory section of Colossians, we begin to learn of the imperatives used to guide believers in the basic structure of the Christian life. In this lesson, we learn that order, organization, and self-discipline are keys to a good spiritual "garden". Are you including in your own daily structure reading God's Word, prayer time, and Bible study? If Paul were mentioning twenty-first century believers in his greeting as he was the Colossians, would he be thankful for our own orderly, organized, and self-disciplined spiritual life?

How does your (spiritual) garden grow?

What treasure are you seeking? Scripture tells us that spiritual assets and riches already exist in the believer's life. But how can we know that is true? How can we have that assurance?

In this lesson we learn these riches are activated as we learn God's Word, creating confidence and the ability to apply the Word to real life situations. We acquire wisdom, a skillful execution of the knowledge we have. We learn the true meaning of Paul's reference to "mystery" and how it is related to the new entity - the body of Christ. We learn that all (not some) treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ and are ours. Here's the formula for our growth process: understanding = knowledge = wisdom.

So what is bringing the most meaning and significance to your own personal life?

Continuing our review of spiritual gifts, we are reminded that two of these gifts (apostle and prophet) ceased around 95 to 100 A.D. Yet it was primarily through Paul's gift as Apostle that God revealed the Mystery Doctrine. Emphasis is placed on a congregation reaching spiritual maturity, but how is that measured? We learn the steps: understanding, knowledge, and finally wisdom, which is a skillful application of the knowledge we've acquired, which begins and is based upon understanding.

The Apostle Paul refers to "the riches of Christ." How do we attain it, and how does it relate to the Mystery of God?

As we conclude the last verses in chapter one of our Colossians series, Paul introduces the Mystery Doctrine to us. As the designated apostle to the Gentiles, his role is actually part of this Mystery Doctrine and gives him the distinction of explaining the privileges of the Church age believer and how that differs from the barrier between Jew and Gentile that existed in the Old Testament. He talks about the "mystery of Christ", the "riches of the glory of this mystery", and "Christ in you, the hope of glory." What is meant by all these terms? As we will discover, the Mystery Doctrine includes Jesus Christ's presence among the Gentiles for the first time.

As we continue in our study of the doctrine of the Church, we learn that the role of the local Church is a manifestation of the universal Church. We learn that a believer's responsibility with the spiritual gift/s delegated to him is to serve something greater than ourselves. But what is Christian service? What is your ministry? We learn that every believer is accountable to Christ for the use of his spiritual gift/s. If we minister to our local body of believers, we serve one another. This in turn serves Christ and is a result of our spiritual growth and spiritual maturity.

With this verse, we begin a study of the Doctrine of the Church, the body of Christ. This raises some initial questions. What is the church, how did it begin, and where does it fit in with regard to Israel in God's plans and purpose in history?

In this lesson, we learn that the Church is distinct from Israel and is one of the two distinct people of God. We learn that the Church is both universal and invisible (made up of all believers during the Church age), as well as local and visible (made of local assembles of believers and non-believers alike).

Can believers truly find joy in the midst of adversity? Does the Bible spell out the mechanics of joy? As we continue to study this verse in Colossians, we learn that true joy is a process, a culmination of growth which is only fully realized when we reach spiritual maturity. Until then, our life is really sub-normal. Spiritual joy differs from the joy we think of coming from circumstances or our own personalities.

In this lesson, we learn the difference between Christ's sufferings on the cross and His afflictions. We learn that His afflictions, while not redemptive, did set a pattern of how we are to face adversity in our own lives. As we grow and apply learned doctrine and walk and abide in Him, spiritual joy results from the Holy Spirit producing character qualities above and beyond personality or circumstances, which is why believers can have joy in the midst of the adversities of life.

What is suffering? What is happiness? Many would say that suffering is when life doesn't meet with our expectations. Many would say that happiness is associated with a specific set of pleasurable circumstances.

In this lesson we learn more about different levels of joy and happiness, and what gladness means. We learn that when our happiness is influenced by people, emotions, and circumstances, we become enslaved to them. We learn what robust joy is. We learn how abiding in Christ is connected to real joy and stability.

In our continuation of the Sufficiency of Christ segment of this study, there is much Paul has to say about suffering, and includes some very interesting comments about joy and happiness. Many questions are raised.

What is the true meaning of joy and happiness? How can you rejoice in your sufferings, as the Bible instructs us to do? Can a believer actually have joy in the midst of adversity? These questions cause us to look back to the suffering and afflictions Christ endured. What did He rely upon? Our attitude should be one focused upon the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all areas. He didn't leave anything out, did He? To have that joy we keep our eyes on the end game - on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. And through that, we learn to love the battle!