[1] For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, [2] that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. [5] For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5 ESV)
I write today with Great Concern.
My Concern is many in the Church are not Concerned.
1995 NY TIMES REPORTED A STORY ABOUT DEER THAT WERE TO BE KILLED BECAUSE THE WERE STARVING TO DEATH THEY WERE WEAK AND ENEMIC, IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK.
IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS VEGATATION THEY WERE STARVING. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.
AFTER RESEARCH THEY FOUND OUT THE DEER WERE BEING FED SNACKS AND SWEETS BY TOURISTS THAT WAS CAUSING THEM TO LOSE THEIR APPETITE FOR NATURAL VEGATATION.
Paul’s concern for the Colossian church was that they as well as us not becoming consumed by the diet of the Gnostics and false teachers and lose our appetite for the Natural Vegetation for the Word of God. Believers who truly love God and the church should have great concern for the church. Saints again, I am concerned that too many are not concerned.
In chapter 1 Paul has already Declared the Preeminence of Christ in his greeting prayer and his declaration of the gospel. He has declared that Jesus is God. He is the creator and sustainer of all things. He is Preeminent over creation and the new creation the church.
His Preeminence is declared in the fact that the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ. He ALONE has reconciled all things to Himself making peace by the blood of his cross.
And those of us who were alienated and enemies and evil doers have now been reconciled in order that he might present us holy and blameless and above reproach as we continue in the faith stable and steadfast not shifting from the hope of the gospel.
Paul concern is that the Church not get caught up looking for something New that is not True. He does not want them to Attempt to Substitute for the Substitute.
Then Paul shared with us His Personal Philosophy of Ministry.
In verses 25-29 he talks about the Mission Message Method Motive and Might of a true biblical ministry of preaching. I tell you Apostle Paul was a man on fire.
After talking about his Philosophy of Ministry to the Church, Paul will now express his Concern for the church as he moves from the Preeminence of Christ Declared to the Preeminence of Christ Defended.
Paul is sharing his hearts Concern for the Colossian church and the church as the body of Jesus Christ.
This text calls Christians to the place of examination of our hearts in relationship to our Concerns for the Church of Jesus Christ.
Sound Doctrine in the Life of the Church should alway be of Supreme Importance to the Church. Everything that Sounds Good is not Sound Doctrine. Somethings that are good to you are not good for you.
Somethings TASTE GOOD but are LESS FILLING. My Prayer is that more Christians will have the Heart Concern for the Church of Apostle Paul.
Paul was Struggling and Agonizing with Concern that the people of God hearts would be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
He said this in order that no Christian would be delude you with plausible arguments of men. Paul had never met these Christians face to face and though he was not present with them in body, yet he understood he was with them in spirit, for the church is One Body. Paul rejoiced to see the Church in good order and the firmness of their faith in Christ.
Many are rising up with New and Untrue Doctrines today that is making people lose their appetite for the Natural Vegetation of God’s Word. Snacks and Sweets lace with poisonous and destructive ingredients that will lead to Eternal Damnation.
The Church of Jesus Christ must be Concerned about TRUTH. Truth in deed Matters If Jesus Christ Matters. John 14:6
Are You Christian People CONCERNED?