Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 The Colossian Heresy... 1

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:1-3… 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, 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 2

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:1-3… Paul’s “conflict” for the Colossians and the Laodiceans was mental rather than physical. It was not the ego of a self-appointed crusader that had prompted this letter. 3

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:1-3… A genuine love for one another that emulated the love he had for them would greatly strengthen their mutual desire to stand together against the doctrinal perversions with which disciples were being confronted at Colosse, Laodicea, and, no doubt, in other churches in the area. 4

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:1-3… Not only was a sense of unity a key factor in resisting error but also the possession of a good understanding of God’s “mystery” would provide a defense that deception and falsehood could not penetrate. The “mystery” of God and Christ was not beyond their understanding and commitment. 5

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:1-3… Heaven’s revelation was now hidden from men only in the sense of being a precious treasure for which men must “dig” diligently if they were to share in its inestimable riches. 6

4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Col. 2:4-7… 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 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. 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 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. 7

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:4-7… “Persuasive words” can be destructive to faith if they are not used to speak the truth. Paul was always “in [the] spirit” with disciples who were trying to do the right thing in serving God. 8

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:4-7… His commitment to supporting their battle against error was strong because he knew of their previous achievements in the religion of Christ: They had “good order.” They also had displayed a “steadfastness” of faith. 9

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:4-7… Unless someone could teach them some truth that would change their initial understanding of the Lord’s excellency, why should they even listen to a teacher who wanted to move them away from their original faith? 10

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:4-7… Their “walking” in Christ would be blessed by: Being rooted with a sound foundation of “first principles” upon which to build a “perfect” knowledge of God’s “mystery” Being established in the faith so that any future attacks by human wisdom could be more easily and efficiently dispatched. Being abundant in the faith that had been taught by apostolic authority. 11

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, Col. 2:8-10… 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. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 12

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:8-10… In Christ, the Colossians could enjoy innumerable spiritual blessings: “All wisdom and spiritual understanding” that would provide strength (1:9); Redemption and forgiveness of sins (1:14); Spiritual peace through reconciliation to God (1:20); All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). 13

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:8-10… Paul and other inspired teachers had been working hard to teach gospel truth about the rewards of “Christ in [among] you, the hope of glory” (1:28,29). False teachers were working hard to teach other “truths” they claimed were superior to the gospel. 14

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:8-10… These pretenders had three powerful weapons in their arsenal of errors: Philosophy and vain deceit. Traditions of men. Basic principles of the world. 15

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:8-10… Not one of these things was “according to [the truth about] Christ.” Christians could be “complete” in Christ because He possesses the “fullness of the Godhead bodily.” 16

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 4 Verses 2:8-10… He imparts all the wisdom we need to guide us in our service; He makes atonement for sin so that we can be free of guilt; He is the merit by which sinners can be justified before God; He provides grace to sustain us in the trials and duties of life. 17