(#004) Colossians 2 - The Colossian Problem is Our Problem

Class Outline:

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The snake is still tempting the sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome To 

BARAH MINISTRIES

a Christian Church

 

Rory Clark

Pastor-Teacher

 

Good Morning!  

 

Welcome to Barah Ministries…an intimate, local Christian Church with worldwide impact.  My name is Pastor Rory Clark.  Welcome to this Bible lesson!  Who is Jesus Christ?  At Barah Ministries we know this truth…that JESUS CHRIST IS GOD.  The apostle John, who describes himself as the apostle Jesus loved, is vivid with His descriptions of the Lord…here’s one in First John, Chapter 5, Verse 20… 

 

FIRST JOHN 5:20a

And we believers in Christ know that the Son of God has come (in human form)…and He has given us believers in Christ understanding so that we may know God the Father who is true…

 

FIRST JOHN 5:20b

…and we are in union with the Father...who is true…and we are in union with His Son …Jesus …the Christ (the Jewish Messiah). This One is the true God and He is the resurrection life …eternal life.

 

As believers in Christ, we abide in the Father and we abide in the Son!

 

Why does Barah Ministries exist?  At Barah Ministries, we introduce people to the Lord.  We make a difference by teaching the Word of God verse-by-verse from the Lord’s perspective and not from man’s perspective.  Barah Ministries is provided by God for the benefit of both unbelievers and believers.  We give unbelievers the gospel message…the good news concerning Jesus Christ’s salvation offer.  We teach believers in Christ the Word of God…the Bible…the inerrant Canon of Scripture…so those who study can have a deep, intimate, and personal relationship with the Lord.  We encourage believers to gather themselves together with other believers and not to retreat to doing Biblical study alone or online.

 

Why study the Word of God?  When we learn the mind of Christ, we grow in our faith…Second Corinthians, Chapter 5, Verse 7…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 5:7

…for we believers in Christ walk by faith, not by sight (empiricism)—

 

God doesn’t want us to simply learn about faith…He expects us to live faith…a lifestyle clearly outlined in the Word of God.  When we live faith, we count on God and not on ourselves.

 

As you study the Word of God with us, we implore you to always compare what you learn about God, both at Barah Ministries and in the world, with what the Bible has to say.  

 

God has an enemy…Satan…whom God made ‘the ruler of this world.’  He is a deceiver who hates everyone in the world, including you.  First John, Chapter 5, Verse 19…

 

FIRST JOHN 5:19

We believers in Christ know that we are from the source of God the Father…and that the whole world lies under the deceptive power of the evil one (Satan).

 

Satan is a ruthless snake!  First, he tempts us to sin…encouraging us to disobey God.  When we do…when we sin…when we’re feeling horrible about it, Satan accuses us of being bad Christians.  First, he says, “Go ahead…sin…you can get away with it…your sins are paid for.”  After we sin, he says, “God is NEVER going to let you get away with this.  You are so disappointing to God!”  Satan is the accuser of the brethren.  Both Satan’s temptation and his accusation are lies.  Satan is a liar and he keeps on fathering lies.  In Second Corinthians, Chapter 2, Verses 10 and 11, the apostle Paul reminds us how God handles our disobedience…

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 2:10

But if you believers in Christ forgive anyone of anything, I (Paul) forgive you also…for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ (the One who forgives EVERYTHING)…

 

Why does God forgive us?

 

SECOND CORINTHIANS 2:11 

…so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

 

Satan’s schemes involve attacking our conscience so we feel disappointed with ourselves…instead, we must stand on the victorious ground provided by the Lord and His Cross, erecting spiritual defenses against the father of lies.  Don’t be fooled by Mr. Merciless!

 

TODAY'S BIBLE LESSON

The Colossian Problem is Our Problem

 

We continue our overview of the apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians.  We have been answering ten questions about the letter…questions that are worthwhile to use when studying any biblical letter.  In today's lesson, we'll remind ourselves of the answers to the first questions, we’ve answered so far, we’ll answer a few new questions, and we’ll take a look at Chapter 3 of this four-chapter, ninety-five verse masterpiece about Christ and Christianity.  

 

SONG INTRODUCTION

 

Let’s hear some music!  Worry is the constant nemesis of Christians.  We are relentless in creating scenarios in our minds which never occur.  The Lord has a cure for worry…Matthew, Chapter 11, Verses 28 to 30…He says…

 

MATTHEW 11:28 

“Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest.”

 

MATTHEW 11:29 

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…for I am gentle and humble in heart…and you will find rest for your souls.”

 

MATTHEW 11:30 

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

If we’re smart we follow the advice of the group Finding Favour in the matter of the Lord…in their song…CAST MY CARES ON YOU!

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

CAST MY CARES ON YOU

Finding Favour

 

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

CAST MY CARES ON YOU

Finding Favour

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Father…thank you for always encouraging us to grow…we know that you don’t call the already qualified to your plan for mankind…instead you qualify those you call with Your divine power…teach us the power of unity…help us not to talk about the concept f unity, but instead to live unity in every areas of our lives in spite of the distractions poses by Satan’s kingdom…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ's name...Amen.

 

TODAY'S BIBLE LESSON

The Colossian Problem is Our Problem

 

Let’s review a few of the things we’ve learned so far in our overview of Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

 

Who wrote the letter we are about to study?

 

The letter was written by the apostle Paul…the man who was born Saul of Tarsus in Cilia.

 

Who is the letter directed to?

 

The letter is directed to a group of believers in Christ in a small town in first-century Colossae.  The church was started as a home-based church by a believer in Christ named Epaphras.

 

Where do the people live who are receiving the letter?

 

Colossae is about one hundred miles inland from the city of Ephesus, located in modern-day Turkey.  The letter was intended both for the Colossian believers and for other believers throughout the area, including the churches at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

 

What do we know about the author of the letter?

 

We know many things about the apostle Paul.  He hated Christians…he was a persecutor of the church…two things that are rather apPAULling J…he had impressive human credentials…he was given a ministry by God, who made him the apostle to the Gentiles…he even visited the third heaven, the residence of God as outlined in Second Corinthians, Chapter 12.  Most of all, we know Paul was human, just like you and me.  In Romans, Chapter 7, Verses 14 to 25 Paul describes the same human struggle we have…

 

ROMANS 7:14 

For we know that the Mosaic Law is spiritual (because it came from God)…but I (Paul) am of flesh (I am unspiritual…fleshly…in a body with indwelling sin)…I have been sold into bondage to sin (when he was an unbeliever…and also there is the conflict for Paul as a believer …between the flesh and the Spirit).

 

ROMANS 7:15 

For what I am doing (in my outer game), I do not understand…for I am not practicing (in my outer game) what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate (to do…I am not living the REAL inner game…the spiritual inner game…which is what I want to do).

 

Paul is under an influence he does not understand.

 

ROMANS 7:16 

But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, and I do, yet I agree with the Mosaic Law, confessing that the Mosaic Law is good (it is holy, it is righteous, it is from God)…

 

ROMANS 7:17 

…so now (my insight is), no longer am I the one doing the sinning, but indwelling sin in me is doing the sinning.

 

There is a production from within Paul that is not done by Paul.

 

ROMANS 7:18 

For I (Paul) know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh…for the willing(ness to do good…the wish to do good) is present in me…but the actual doing of the good is not present in me.

 

ROMANS 7:19 

For the good that I want, I do not do…instead, I PRACTICE the very evil that I do not want to do.

 

ROMANS 7:20 

But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it…but sin which indwells me is doing it.

 

ROMANS 7:21 

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

 

ROMANS 7:22 

For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man…

 

ROMANS 7:23 

…but I see a different law in the members of my body (in the outer game)… waging war against the law of my mind (the inner game) and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members

 

ROMANS 7:24 

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

 

ROMANS 7:25 

Thanks be to God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord (who delivered us)! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other hand, with my flesh I am serving the law of sin.

 

When did Paul write the letter?

 

In 62AD.  The letter was written AFTER Romans and after First Corinthians.

 

Where was Paul when he wrote the letter?

 

He was in prison in Rome.

 

When we return from the break, we’ll take the offering, and then we’ll learn why God tasked Paul with writing this letter.

 

FIVE MINUTE BREAK

NOBODY

Casting Crowns

 

TODAY'S BIBLE LESSON

The Colossian Problem is Our Problem

 

Don’t ever underestimate the power of your giving.  My four years at Northwestern University cost ,500 for tuition alone.  The room and board were extra.  Today it would be 0,000!  For a mother who made ,000 a year, ,500+ was an astronomical sum that she could not pay.  She didn't have to pay for it.  Someone we didn't know, and still don't know to this day, paid the bill for her. This person's contribution allowed me to have an academic scholarship.  This person's generosity changed the trajectory of my life.  

 

Giving to Barah Ministries could change a life or two or three.  You may not hear how your generosity changed someone’s life while you are here on earth, but know that God knows the impact you make and will share it with you in heaven. 

 

Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall with one of his always inspiring offering messages.

 

THE OFFERING

Deacon Denny Goodall

 

OFFERING VERSE

 

ROMANS 15:13 

Now may God the Father of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

 

OFFERING SONG

HAVEN’T SEEN IT YET

Danny Gokey

 

TODAY'S BIBLE LESSON

The Colossian Problem is Our Problem

 

Continuing our overview of Paul’s letter to the Colossians…

 

What was God’s purpose in getting Paul to write the letter?

 

Whenever a new church is budding, the ruler of this world, Satan, sends his ambassadors into the church to ruin it.  God wanted Paul to help the believers at Colossae to address the problem of Satanic infiltration of the church.  

 

What does God want Paul to communicate to the intended audience of the letter?

 

Paul writes to counteract false teachers and false teaching and to affirm the accuracy of the gospel message…in so doing he communicates the total sufficiency of a relationship with our peerless Lord, Jesus…the Christ.  Several verses in Colossians, Chapter Two highlight Paul’s message to the Colossian believers….Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 8…

 

COLOSSIANS 2:8 

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.

 

Colossians, Chapter 2, Verses 16 to 18…

 

COLOSSIANS 2:16 

Therefore no one is to act as your judge regarding food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

 

COLOSSIANS 2:17 

…things which are a mere shadow of what is to come…but the substance of things…(the reality)…belongs to Christ.

 

COLOSSIANS 2:18 

Let no one keep on defrauding you of your prize (the freedom of the resurrection life) by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind…

 

What is the main message of the letter?

 

The area was full of religious hucksters…false teachers with false teaching.  New ideas about what constitutes spirituality abounded.  The false teachers were selling religious practices:  mysticism, legalism, asceticism, and philosophy.  Paul recommended in Colossians, Chapter 2, Verse 6…

 

COLOSSIANS 2:6 

Therefore, just as you believers in Christ have received Christ Jesus the Lord (simplicity and purity)…so walk in union with Him…

 

We’re encouraged to live the Christian lifestyle and to shed the counterfeit life proposed by false teachers and their false teaching.

 

What relevance does the letter have to our lives today?

 

Let’s listen to Colossians, Chapter 3, Verses 1 to 25 where the apostle Paul gives us instructions for the Christian Way of Living instead of a counterfeit way of life…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:1

Therefore. if you believers in Christ have been raised up with Christ, and of course you have, keep on seeking the things above where Christ is…seated at the right hand of God the Father.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:2

Set your mind on the things above…not on the things that are on earth.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:3 

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in union with God the Father.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:4 

When Christ, who is our resurrection life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:5 

Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead…to immorality… to impurity…to passion…to evil desire…and to greed…all of which amounts to idolatry.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:6 

For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience (unbelievers)…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:7 

….and in these things you also once walked (as a lifestyle) when you were living in them.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:8 

But now you believers in Christ also put them all aside…put off anger… wrath…malice… slander…and abusive speech from your mouth.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:9

Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:10 

…and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a TRUE knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 

 

COLOSSIANS 3:11 

…a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew…circumcised and uncircumcised…barbarian…Scythian…slave and freeman…but Christ is over all, and in all.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:12 

So, as those who have been chosen of God the Father, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion…kindness…humility…gentleness…and patience…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:13 

…bearing with one another…and forgiving each other…whoever has a complaint against anyone…just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you forgive.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:14 

Beyond all these things put on unconditional love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:15 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body…and be thankful.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:16 

Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you…with all wisdom…teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:17 

Whatever you do in word or deed…do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:18 

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:19 

Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:20 

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things…for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:21 

Fathers, do not exasperate your children so that they will not lose heart.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:22 

Slaves…in all things obey those who are your masters on earth…not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart…fearing the Lord.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:23 

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…

 

COLOSSIANS 3:24 

…knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord…the Christ whom you serve.

 

COLOSSIANS 3:25 

For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

 

The Colossians had the same challenge we do.  They wanted to know about the Christian Way of Living so they could walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.  In the next lesson, we'll wrap up our overview so we can get down to the business of learning this letter verse-by-verse.

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Creator of the heavens, the earth…and YOUR CREATOR…loves you unconditionally and wants the best for you.  So here is a question that demands reflection…are you a sinner or a saint?

 

According to the Bible, all of us come to earth as sinners.  Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 23 says…

 

ROMANS 3:23

…all creatures have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

 

Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 10…

 

ROMANS 3:10

…it is written, “There is no creature who is righteous…not even one…”

 

Unfortunately, being a sinner has a penalty.  Romans, Chapter 6, Verse 23…

 

ROMANS 6:23

For the payment earned for being a sinner is both spiritual death and physical death…

 

Being a sinner is bad news, especially if you die as a sinner.  Revelation, Chapter 20, Verse 15…

 

REVELATION 20:15

And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life (at the Great White Throne Judgment of unbelievers) … and that will be true for many…he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.

 

If you die before you accept a relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you leave this life as a sinner, and that is not good news for you.

 

The Bible is a guide for sinners, and it contains good news!  If you’re a sinner and you’re still breathing, you can choose to become a saint!  The Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Father have special plans for sinners… Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 8…

 

ROMANS 5:8

But God the Father demonstrates His own unconditional love toward all mankind…in that while we were sinners (while we were unrighteous, ungodly, unbelievers) … Christ died (a sacrificial death) for us.

 

John, Chapter 3, Verse 16…

 

JOHN 3:16

“For God the Father loved the world unconditionally…and He loved the world so much…that He gave His uniquely born Son (the God-man…the Lord Jesus Christ…100% God and 100% man in one person…to be crucified on a Cross) … so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish…instead, he shall have the resurrection life.”

 

The Lord Jesus Christ has His arms wide open, right this minute, waiting to welcome sinners into His kingdom.  John, Chapter 6, Verse 37…

 

JOHN 6:37b

…and the ones who come to Me (to believe in) Me…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will certainly not cast out (into the outer darkness…the Lake of Fire).

 

In fact, you don’t even have to look for God because He has is ALWAYS looking for sinners!  Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 4 to 7…

 

LUKE 15:4

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine sheep in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”

 

LUKE 15: 5 

“When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

 

LUKE 15:6 

“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’”

 

LUKE 15:7 

“I (the Lord Jesus Christ) tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (changing his mind about having a relationship with Christ) than over ninety-nine righteous persons (saints) who need no repentance.”

 

There are a few things you need to know if you want to be transformed from sinner to saint.  First, you can’t work to be saved.  God does the work for you!  Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 5…

 

TITUS 3:5

The Lord Jesus Christ saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in self-righteousness, but according to His mercy (not giving us what we deserve)…by the washing of regeneration and through renewing by God the Holy Spirit…

 

Second, to be a saint instead of a sinner, you need to have a change of mind…the Bible calls this repentance…and it has nothing to do with your sins as many legalists claim.  Repent means to change your mind about your desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ…moving from having no desire to having an immediate desire to have a relationship with Him… Acts, Chapter 17, Verses 30 and 31…

 

ACTS 17:30

“Therefore, having overlooked the times of your ignorance, God the Father is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent…”

 

ACTS 17:31 

“…because God the Father has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through the God-Man Jesus Christ…whom the Father has appointed, having furnished proof that He is God to all men by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.”

 

Finally, you need to acknowledge the truths in First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verses 3 and 4… 

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:3

For I (Paul) delivered to you as of primary importance the gospel message I also received … that it was Jesus Christ who died for our sins according to the Old Testament Scriptures…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:4 

…and that He was buried…and that He was raised from the dead on the third day…according to the Old Testament Scriptures…

 

So how can you move from sinner to saint?  John, Chapter 1, Verse 12…

 

JOHN 1:12 

But whosoever received Him, to them the Lord Jesus Christ gave the right to become children of God the Father, even to those who believe in Jesus Christ’s name…

 

Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

ACTS 16:31

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.” 

 

But heed the warning in John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…

 

JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life (right at that moment) … but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”

 

The good news is this…Romans, Chapter 10, Verse 13…

 

ROMANS 10:13

…for “whosoever will call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.”

 

Take a moment out of your busy life and heed the suggestion in Romans, Chapter 10, Verses 9 and 10…

 

ROMANS 10:9

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord (that He is God) … and if you believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead… you will be saved…

 

ROMANS 10:10 

…for with the heart a person believes…resulting in the imputation of absolute righteousness by God (your admission ticket to heaven) … and with the mouth a person confesses (admitting faith in Christ alone) resulting in salvation.

 

As a reminder, once you have salvation, you CANNOT lose it.  An immutable God, who never changes His mind, saves you once, and for all time.  Hebrews, Chapter 7, Verse 25…

 

HEBREWS 7:25

Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ is able also to save forever (through His divine power…omnipotence) those who draw near to God the Father through believing in the Christ, since the Lord Jesus Christ always lives to make intercession for those who draw near.

 

In John, Chapter 10, Verse 28, the Lord says…

 

JOHN 10:28

“…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ, and they will never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

 

Believe now!  There’s no time to waste.

 

SONG INTRODUCTION

 

Let’s close with music!  In Mark, Chapter 12, Verse 30, the Lord reminds us…

 

MARK 12:30

“…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…and with all your soul…and with all your mind…and with all your strength.”

 

June Murphy reminds us with one of her amazing songs what the Christian motto must be…I’M ALL IN!

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

I'M ALL IN

June Murphy

 

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

I'M ALL IN

June Murphy

 

CLOSING VERSES

 

         A Doxology of Praise to Our God

 

Let’s close with words of worship for our Almighty God. 

 

ROMANS 8:37 

…in every situation imaginable, believers in Christ keep on overwhelmingly conquering through the Lord who loves us unconditionally. 

 

ROMANS 8:38 

For I (Paul) am convinced that neither death nor life...nor (elect) angels nor principalities (demons...fallen angels), nor things present nor things to come...nor powers...

 

ROMANS 8:39 

...nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to sever us from the unconditional love of God the Father, who is for us through our union with Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

Thanks for coming!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for listening!

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