Understanding the purpose of Colossians.

In this clip Nathan shares why we have to understand any scripture in its context. For more please listen to the full message here: https://soundcloud.com/user-830713149-229342443/intro-to-colossians

Today, we're going to begin a brand new series in the book of Colossians.

So, if you have your Bibles go ahead and turn with me there. But as you're turning, instead of going to the beginning, we’re going to start strategically in chapter 2:8...

[Colossians 2:8] 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.”

Okay, so the reason we're starting here and not chapter 1:1 is that

understanding Paul's motive (or his purpose) for writing is absolutely vital to rightly dividing the rest of the letter.

As a principle, understanding a situation accurately is essential to a correct application! Or to say it in the reverse: accurate application must follow accurate information.

This week Barney Estes shares the Holy Spirits role in our knowing and being known by God.

In chapter 6 and 7 of "The Chronicles of Narnia - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," C.S. Lewis focuses on a boy named Eustace. Lewis tells us that Eustace 'wondered off avoiding his chores.' In his wondering, he entered into a dragon's cave to plunder its treasure. The problem, however, is that in so doing, Eustace turned into a dragon himself.


Afterward, Eustace comes across a lion who changes him back to the boy he once was. Upon this transformation he apologizes for his behavior, no longer feeling a desire to go back for more treasure. Lewis says that "he began to be a different boy."

Discovering that the lion who changed him was, in fact, Aslan, Eustace asks Edmond (his cousin who has a relationship with Aslan) "Who is Aslan?" and "Do you know him?" (John 5:1-17) To which Edmund responds in quite an amazing way, he says "well... He knows me. He is the great lion, the son of the emperor-beyond-the-sea who saved me and saved Narnia."

The reason I share this is to highlight the importance of what is a two-way relationship with God. Although Edmund clearly knew Aslan "He is the great lion, the son of the emperor-beyond-the-sea who saved me and saved Narnia." Edmund's answer emphasizes that Aslan "knows" him.

Last week we learned that knowing God is essential; this is a part of God's express goal. (1 Cor. 13:12 - "to know as we are fully known.") But today I want you to see that being known by God is arguably the more important point and that being known by God comes with clear signs.

Now, although I can't prove this, Lewis' inspiration for Edmunds answer might have come from the Apostle Paul,

[Gal 4:8-9 NASB] 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Paul is in no way discounting our capacity or need to know God but rather is placing the emphasis on the idea that Christians have come to be "known by God."

Preach the Gospel. (Ordo salutis)

Order of Salvation:

[Eph 1:13-14 NASB] 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

[Rom 1:16 NASB] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

[Eph 2:8-9 NASB] 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

[Rom 4:5, 16 NASB] 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, ... 16 For this reason [it is] by faith, in order that [it may be] in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

[Rom 10:17 NASB] 17 So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Conviction is good!

[2Sa 7:20 NASB] 20 "Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord GOD!

[Psa 139:1-7 NASB] 1… O LORD, You have searched me and known [me.] 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 [Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is [too] high, I cannot attain to it. (back to 2 Cor. 13:12) 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

To Know and Be Known! (Matthew 16:13-17)

1. How did we come to know God? 2. How do we know God knows us?

Scriptures used:

[1Co 13:12 NASB]

God's relational knowledge:

[Gen 18:19 NASB]

[Exo 33:12-13 NASB] 12 Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.' 13 "Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people."

[2Sa 7:20 NASB]

[Psa 139:1-7 NASB]

[Jeremiah 1:5 NASB]

[Amos 3:2 NASB]

Eternal Implications:

[Mat 7:22-23 NASB] 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

[Jhn 5:39-42 NASB]

This week… To Know God:

[Mat 16:13-17 NASB] 13 Now, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some [say] John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

We came to know God through the revelation of the Gospel…

Order of Salvation:

[Eph 1:13-14 NASB] 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God's own] possession, to the praise of His glory.

[Rom 1:16 NASB]

[Eph 2:8-9 NASB]

[Rom 4:5, 16 NASB]

[Rom 10:17 NASB]

Conclusion:

We came to know God through the revelation of the Gospel. Although proclaimed through flesh and blood, this revelation was from the Father. This is why the great commission is so important. This is why Romans 10:4 speaks of the blessedness of the person who brings this good news. This is also why the Scriptures teach us that we’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation. [2Co 5:17-21 NASB]

A Sad State of Affairs

Now it's also true that if someone is genuinely divisive or heretical, we tend to do nothing about them. Think about the sad state this put us in inside the Church. When we disagree, we divide and when there's an actual danger we tell ourselves we shouldn't judge. G.K. Chesterton points out this problem in his book aptly named Heretics.

"The word "heresy" not only means no longer being wrong; it practically means being clear-headed and courageous. The word "orthodoxy" not only no longer means being right; it practically means being wrong. All this can mean one thing, and one thing only. It means that people care less for whether they are philosophically right. For obviously a man ought to confess himself crazy before he confesses himself heretical."

So unity is good, division is bad, divisive people are a problem that must be dealt with, and there are absolutes in our belief; orthodoxy is not a bad word.

But as I've shared in the past, we must make an important distinction between the divisive person and someone who is simply wrong. In other words, holding an unorthodox view doesn't make a person a heretic or divisive.

Are unorthodox ideals a problem? Absolutely! But it's sowing division (with those unorthodox views) that's the real problem according to the Bible (Titus 3:10-11; Romans 16:17).

But the person who holds an unorthodox view is to be governed by something far more significant, Christian charity. Passages like James 1:5-6;

[Jas 1:5-6 NASB] 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

[Eph 4:2-6 NASB] 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (this is one reason we have God's word)

[2Ti 3:16-17 NASB] 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

And Eph. 4:11-16 (4 or 5-fold ministry).

I can't stress how important this distinction is (those who hold unorthodox views and those who divide people). And here's why: it's hard work to preserve unity. It's no work at all to label someone a heretic and walk away. Truth is there's far too much of this going on in some circles of the Church today. And sadly it's not always over orthodoxy, many times it's over ill-informed traditions.

Letting the text speak.

This morning I want to talk to you candidly about a few things: unity and division, orthodoxy, as well as allowing the text of scripture to speak for itself.

Last week, I stressed God's desire for unity and His disdain for division; in particular, those who cause division. The book of Proverbs tells us that those who sow discord are an abomination to God and the objects of His hatred; which is strong rhetoric! But as we learned, the reason for this bold language is that divisive people are not of God (Romans 16:18). They are the true definition of what we call a heretic.