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COL 06 – Maturing The Church - Col 2:1-7 We had a real Double Barrel message last week The Focus was “The Mystery of God” which is “Christ Living in Us” But we started last wk with a pretty radical messageon Paul’s Suffering for “The Maturing” of the church & that’s where I’d really like to focus today One of the Greatest Blessings the Leadership of this church has hadin these past years – is seeing the Maturing of THIS church body We’ve seen real Maturity in how this body has handled
Difficulty & potential Conflict & we are Very – Very Proud (in a good way) –of how we’ve seen you guys Grow, & Maturein your Relationship with Christ Paul’s desire was also to Mature the churchinto a more complete understanding of the Power of their Relationship with Christ - which is;Christ IN US - & us being Complete IN HIM & we’re going to look deeper into THAT mystery – in 2 weeks (after Resurrection Services next week) But for today we want to focus on “Maturing The Church”1) OUR become more mature in Christ2) OUR strengthening of others – to become mature in Christ As a Refresher – I’d like to review our Vs’s from last weekfrom the NLT to minimize the explanations Let’s start back in Col 1:24 - NLT24 I am glad [rejoice] when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church. This Vs created some pretty strong teaching last week But for this wk – just remember Paul “Rejoiced”(considered it a privilege) to suffer for the benefit of the church & he Rejoiced for TWO reasons;1) he was following Christ (participating) in suffering for the church2) he was given a stewardship (responsibility) for the church  & we saw that ‘Stewardship’ in Col 1:25 - NLT25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you. NOW - I’ve got to make a point right herethis is NOT a “just for the Apostle Paul” verse Gal 6:1-2 makes it clear this is “The Body’s” Job - (NLT)1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Thru-out the N.T. we are all called to a responsibility to;“Carry one another burdens”“Comfort one another”“Build one another up”“Edify one another”“Serve one another”“Teach one another”“Exhort one another”AND “Sacrifice for one another” – among other responsibilities God’s Word is clear – if we’re part of the Body of Christ;We have a Responsibility TO the Body of Christ& We have a Role IN the Body of Christ & we need to accept OUR responsibilityto BOTH – Mature, & to help one another Mature in the body Now – in Vs’s 26-27 Paul spells out THE MYSTERYwhich was the focus of last week’s msg (& agn – nxt msg) Col 1:26-27 - NLT26 This message [mystery] 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 [mystery]: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. The great Mystery Of God is . . . Jesus Christ will come & live inside ANY personwho receives Him as Savior & Lord - - even the Gentiles & then in V.28 Paul goes right back to “MATURING” the church Col 1:28 - NLT28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect [mature] in their relationship to Christ. That “WE” (twice here) has been passed downfrom the first Apostles & Disciples – to US ! That “stewardship” (responsibility) for the benefit of the Body of Christhas been passed down – to US (you & me) This is WHAT we are called to do – for the good of the body; Proclaim Christ – Warn - & Teach one another in God’s Wisdom
That we may present the body - “MATURE”In their Relationship to Christ  Paul understand this privilege (& responsibility) - but he also
understood he didn’t have “Enuf TRY in Him” to do it on his own Col 1:29 - NLT29 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. For the “Maturing of the Body”we are called to WORK & STRUGGLE Hard But ALWAYS DEPENDING on Christ’s Mighty Powerthat works within us YOU & I can depend – on the SAME Mighty Powerthat the Apostle Paul depended on Right Now – Right where you’re atyou can PREPARE for God to use you& you can JOIN IN God using you& you can DEPEND on Christ’s Mighty Power that works within you for the Good (THE MATURING) of the Body of Christ  SO – There’s only ONE OTHER THING you needto “Take Part” in the Maturing of the Body you have to have the DESIRE to be used by God Look at Paul’s Desire in Col 2:11 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
NLT - 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. Paul says “I’m in a great (internal) conflict”
I’m agonizing for YOUAND the church at LaodiceaAND also the other believers I’ve never met He wants them to know he carries great agony for thembecause he understands the dangers they face AND rightly so – as the church of Laodicea ended up proving In Rev 3:14-17 we see where Laodicea ended up –& we can understand in “Hind-Sight” – why Paul was so concerned Rev 3:14-17 - NLT14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!
16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit [vomit] you out of my mouth!
17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. THAT - is that last letter to the church at Laodiceasounds like that letter could even fit in our culture today & THAT should give us some Perspective on Paul’s Agonizingover the need for the church to MATURE IN CHRIST Guys, our faith in Jesus Christ, & our devotion to Himas our Personal Savior & Lord is LITERALLY a battle of Eternal Proportions& THAT’S why Paul is agonizing over the Maturing of the church  & what is it exactly - that Paul is agonizing foron behalf of these churches ?? He wants them to be encouraged, knit together, & confidentin the Mystery of God Col 2:22 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 
NLT - 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. Paul knows exactly what’s at stake here & he begs the believers to be;Encouraged – Knit Together - & Completely Confident of the Knowledge of the Mystery of GodWHICH IS CHRIST HIMSELF !! Paul’s been saying since Vs. 27 of Ch 1That the Mystery of God is Christ Himself – Living in You SIDE-NOTE – I wrestled w/ FIVE Greek Interlinear Translationsover the wording of the end of this Vs. & the NLT NAILS IT - - - Let me just read it to you - - [READ NLT]   But the POINT of the msg is this ; Paul is Agonizing over wanting us to;be Encouraged (strengthen & comfort)be Knit Together by Strong Ties of LoveHave Complete Confidence in God’s Plan (Christ Himself) Paul’s saying – DON’T let the false teachers bring;DISCOURAGEMENT – DIVISION – DOUBT – into the church Stand Strong – Be Confident IN CHRIST - & Do not be moved  & to do that – we must BE CONFIDENT of this Next Verse Col 2:33 in whom [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

NLT - 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. NOT thru whom - - NOT by whom – but IN Jesus Christare hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Not SOME of the treasures, Not even MOST of the treasuresbut ALL of the treasures of wisdom & knowledge . . . Are IN Christ ! & REMEMBER Wisdom & Knowledge are the exact thingsthe false teachers said they could add to Christ but how can you add to the one IN WHOMare hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom & knowledge When we have Christ – we have everythingALL the treasures of ALL the creation - are hidden in Christ & if you are Born-Again today He lives in you& you are Complete IN Him - & that takes care of everything  & in V.4 – we see WHY is Paul makingsuch a Strong Statement about Christ Col 2:44 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.

NLT - 4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. Paul says – I’ve agonized for you to grow mature IN CHRIST Because there is someone comingwho will try to deceive you with persuasive words Please hear me – there IS someone comingwho will try to deceive you with persuasive words One of my biggest fears for a new believeris that they start talking to the wrong person we’ve got to care for New Believers like new-born babies Because there are those out there who really want to deceive them with persuasive words  FOR EXAMPLE - A new believer has just been overwhelmedwith the power of God’s love for them They’re walking on cloud 9 in their new relationship with Christso they talk to a co-worker who’s always seemed religious & they say “Man, I just got savedI made Jesus Christ my personal savior, isn’t that COOL !!!” & the co-worker says “Man that is great, really it is, there’s just a few things that they probably didn’t tell you,  see there was this LATTER DAY Prophet named Joseph Smith, & he was just like the Prophets in the Bible – Only Better  Let me show you some WISDOM & KNOWLEDGE that you CAN’T GET by using JUST the Bible” New Believers - Please – RUN from that !!! Jesus Christ IS the Mystery of God& IN HIM are ALL the treasures of Wisdom & Knowledge & God DID NOT forget some “other” wisdom or knowledge that he needed to reveal to a “LATTER DAY Prophet”
or a young man working in a “Watchtower Print Shop” Or ANYONE ELSE who saysthey have something to ADD to Jesus Christ  Now – In V.5 Paul stops his “Agonizing” for a moment& let’s the church know he IS hearing good things about them Col 2:55 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. NLT - 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. Paul is actually using “Military Terms” here The term “good order” describes Soldiers in Correct AlignmentThe word “steadfastness” means LIT “A Solid Front” (also military) Remember – Epaphras was the Pastor at Colossewho came to Paul in Rome to bring him the good news of the churchalong with the concerns of the false teachers So Paul says – your doing great;you’re like Soldiers in Alignment - as a Solid Frontbecause of your solid FAITH in Christ HOWEVER . . .  You’ve got to BUILD on that Faith . . .you’ve got to Mature the body of Christ to Stand Strong  & in VS’s 6 & 7 we are told exactly how we can continue to be VICTORIOUS against thosewho will try to deceive us with persuasive words Col 2:66 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.The word “AS” means “In The Same Manner, or Same Way”  In the same manner that you received Christ Jesus the Lordso walk in Him What does that mean ?  The emphasis in the GK is clearly on the PERSON of Jesus as
“The Christ” (meaning Savior) & Jesus as YOUR Lord  We’ve got to continue to follow Jesus Christin the same way we received Him - - - as our Savior & Lord Not getting sucked away into the spiritual fad of the daynot looking for some other spiritual enlightenment (Gnostics) But being committed to walking with Jesusas your Savior & Lord - every day  & not just walking – but growing deeper& not just growing deeper – but building your life on Him Let’s read V.6-7 together Col 2:6-76 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 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 [in] him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. This is a great DOUBLE METAPHOR We’ve got to let our roots grow down deep INTO CHRISTAs our Savior - & As our LordOur lives have got to be ROOTED & GROUNDED in Him & then – after our lives are Rooted & Grounded in Himthen we’ve got to be Built up In Him As our roots grow deep - - our lives are built up - - In Him Jesus Christ must be the solid - deep down - bedrock foundationupon which our lives are built & as he becomes our foundationthen our lives are built upon Him & as we do this – our faith will Grow Strong & In the GK – the word “Established (NKJ)”& “Grow Strong (NLT)” represent “A Continuous Action” – It’s a Continual Growing Process As our roots grow deep IN Christ& as our lives are built IN Christ . . . THEN – our faith will continue to grow strongin the truth we were taught  & not only that – but the end of V.7 says and we will overflow with thankfulness. IF we will make the choices for our Faith to grow strongNot only will we be Rooted & Built IN Christ But we will also live a life overflowing with thankfulness  For the MATURING OF THE CHURCH – We Must ; Be Encouraged & Knit Together – by strong ties of love (V.2)Have Complete Confidence in Mystery of God – Christ Himself (V.2)Stand as Soldiers in Alignment – With a Solid Front (V.5)Continue to Follow Christ the same way we received Him (V.6)Let our Roots grow down deep into Christ (V.7)Let our Lives be Built upon (in) Christ (V.7) THEN – OUR FAITH will continually growing stronger& we will be overflowing with THANKFULNESS AND – we will NOT BE - - “Easy Prey”for someone to deceive us with Persuasive Words !!