Do It Heartily

Bobservations' Column

Pastor Bob Lawrenz

As is typical, this last section of Colossians 3 continues to build on the first half of the chapter. It is about our commitment to Christ. Nothing less than a full commitment will do, nothing less than a full commitment will bring us the result we seek, eternal life with Christ. I say that in full awareness that Jesus is continually loving, forgiving, and gracious, and His mercies are new every morning. Today’s reading performs as a segue in the midst of the chapter to drive home the point of our vulnerability.

Even the successful purging of just one sin in our lives leaves a void in our habits and routines. Putting off the old man leaves a void. Putting on the new man fills the old man’s void. It behooves us to fill the void as it is created. Christ Jesus is the only one that can fill us in mind, body, and spirit. It is His total commitment to us that should elicit our full commitment to Him.

“We love Him because He first love us.” 1 John 4:19

“While we were yet sinners, He died for us.” Romans 5:8

The plan of salvation is God’s perfect plan, even to the death of His only begotten Son for our sakes. Abrahams near sacrifice of his son, Isaac exemplifies in "typology" what God has done for us. The hardships of Joseph, son of Jacob, presents Joseph’s life as a type of Christ’s life. Samson, and many other characters of the Old Testament give us more and more of the history of what Jesus experienced for us during His short time on Earth.

He asks us to die to self, and to follow Him; His life then becomes a type of what ours can be if we do indeed follow Him: a new life, eternal life, with Him in heaven, with the Father and the Holy Spirit and all the rest that are His. It will be heavenly!

2 Timothy 3:16 -

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness.”

This week is part 3 for the church at Colossae: “Correction”

Sunday Morning Message:

Colossians 3:17-25 - "Do It Heartily"

 This week as we finish up the third chapter of Colossians, Paul gets very specific on what Christian conduct looks like.   In verse 17, he says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus! All things really mean all things! 

In Colossians 3, Paul started out his teaching by listing several sinful traits a Christian should avoid.  He then followed this with a list of Godly characteristics believers should be displaying in their lives.

So, in verse 17, Paul summarizes all of this with the following phrase: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17). You don’t do Christ-centered things at church and then worldly centered things at work or home. The command is all-encompassing and covers all of life. It covers all things because Jesus is Lord of all things.  “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6). Our relationship with Jesus is not about a set of rules, it is about our hearts. Hearts that have been renewed, captivated by His love and filled with His Spirit. We obey Him because we love Him.

It is a great privilege and a wonderful responsibility to bear Christ’s name. So, if you call yourself a Christian, remember that it is Him that you represent.

Verses 18-25 - In all our relationships we should look at Christ for our example. Husbands and wives, look at Christ and his relationship with the church as the example for your relationship with each other. Children, look at Jesus who obeyed his parents as the example for your relationship with your parents. Parents, look at Christ and his compassion as the example for your relationship with your children. Bosses and workers, look at the Lord as the ultimate reward-giver and judge as the motivation for your relationship with each other.

The false teachers at Colosse taught that spirituality consisted of higher knowledge and mystical experiences. But Paul says true spirituality is demonstrated in the practical day-to-day, down-to-earth relationships in your home and workplace.

Christ is central! He is central to the universe, he is central to the church, he is central to everything. And part of living the Christ-centered life is putting Christ at the center of your relationships as well.

Commitment to Christ

Bobservations' Column

Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Apostle Paul opens the third chapter of Colossians with a challenge to the Church’s faith-walk. Similar to 2 Corinthians 6:17, it is a call for believers to separate themselves from their old worldly habits and the “comfort zones” of their sins. “Old habits die hard” is a cliché that describes the human condition, our propensity to sin. If we are born again, then the old life is dead, and Jesus gifts us with a second chance of living for His righteousness.

Solomon’s words “there is no new thing under the sun,” ring true because sin has been mankind’s downfall ever since Eve met a serpent in the Garden. But let’s remember that God hold all knowledge, and mankind’s fall from grace, and expulsion from the garden was not a surprise to Him.

There is another truth however, that Jesus loves us, and can change our lives. It’s like a practicum of John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

From death to eternal life is a powerful change! This is what a relationship with Jesus will do for whosoever. There are no special qualifiers, or criteria to live up to. Eternal life is available to all, if they would only believe on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to grow and deepen that relationship. And His story as laid out in the Gospels continues to change lives. It is the simple plan of salvation. Just believe in Him. He will do the rest.

His compassion for us will make us compassionate towards others and we will find opportunities to reach out to those in any kind of need. Empathy develops as we see our “neighbors” as all those around us on earth, even strangers that we’ve never met. The good Samaritan parable provides such an example.

One verse stands out considering all these things:

“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

All of us.

Today's Audio Message:

Colossians 3:1-14 - "Commitment to Christ"

Summary/Notes:

Last week, we ended chapter two with Paul asking the Colossian believers, “If ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why…are you subject to ordinances?” Denying oneself (Colossians 2:21) does not lead to greater holiness and approval from God, our right standing with God is found in Christ alone. Paul says you died with Christ to the principles of this world. Why are you still submitting to its rules as though you belonged to it? We have found the answer to sins problem, it is not found in this world, in ourselves, in our works, but rather in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Colossians 3 reminds us that we have been raised with Christ so we should set our hearts on things above. We died with Christ to the things of this world. We are instructed to mortify or put to death those things, along with our old nature.  And in its place, we are to put on the new man (verse 10).  Paul further explains what this means in Ephesians 4:24; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17. In Christ, we are being renewed in the knowledge and image of our Creator. Paul then gives practical ways in how to live this out.

Beginning in chapter 3, Paul reminds the believers in Colossae that God having raised us to new life in Christ Jesus, we now must walk in that newness of life through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we can do the will of God. 

Paul quickly reminds us to seek those things which are above, we are actively making a conscious decision about the way we think, and those things we are seeking.  Not only that, we are also to, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" - Colossians 3:2.   Our affection, or our undivided attention and love should be centered on the things above, not the things of this earth. What is your mind set on? What is your affection set on? Is Christ your life? 

(See also:  Mark 8:33; Philippians 2:5; Philippians 3:19; Romans 8:5-8)

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.”

As believers in Christ, we need to make a decision to walk in His ways. We need to decide where our minds will and will not go. These are conscious decisions that we make daily, as temptations come, we must choose to crucify the flesh and obey the Lord.

What are those “things above?” Things above simply means God’s ways.  God has given us His Word, which will sanctify us that we might walk in His truth. 

In verse3 Paul says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” This refers to our spiritual birth, our new birth in Christ, symbolized by our baptism (Colossians 2:12). When we were buried with Christ, we were also raised with Him. This is not figurative language, Paul is speaking of a literal change, spiritual changes that took place in us when we repented and received Christ as Lord and Savior.

Galatians 2:20 - “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Because of this, our lives are “hid with Christ in God.”

In Christ we are no longer of this world, but a part of His kingdom. Paul says in Ephesians 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” We do not belong to this world, but another Philippians 3:20 tells us, “But our citizenship is in heaven…” The sooner we grasp this the better. Our lives ought to be reflecting our citizenship in heaven and not this world. 

Our identity is in Christ - NOW! Our identity is not in our old life, not in those things that are left behind. Therefore, we are to mortify the flesh. Mortify means - put it to death. Rid yourselves of the things of the flesh. As we actively seek the Lord's ways and apply those ways to our lives, the Holy Spirit works in us, enabling us and changing us from the inside out. 

Paul goes on to list several sinful behaviors of the old life:

• Fornication, or sexual immorality in all its forms.
• Uncleanness, or impurity - the condition of being defiled morally.
• Inordinate affection or “lust” - vile affections
• Evil concupiscence or “evil desires” - a desire for things that are forbidden, or inordinate.
• Covetousness or “greed” - the inappropriate desire for money which God calls idolatry.

Notice that most of these things deal with sexual immorality.  Any culture that turns their back on God becomes more depraved.  See Romans 1:19-32.  In verse 6, Paul warns that God’s wrath is upon the children of disobedience.

All these things are the outward manifestations of a sinful heart. But now we are dead to sin, alive in Christ, and as believers we must still deal with the attitudes of our hearts. We are to put off; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy filthy communication out of our mouths and lying.

And now we are to put on the new man, after receiving new life by believing in Christ, we are being renewed, and transformed and are growing in the grace of God. 'As believers, part of this new life requires putting on Christlike characteristics, especially love. We are to actively put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience forgiveness, and love. If we are focused on fellowship with Christ, then putting on these characteristics is our goal and our joy.

So, as Paul exhorts us to be heavenly minded.  "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."  (Hebrews 12:2), he presents the principles for living as Christ's followers:

• Set your heart on things above - Colossians 3:2.
• Set your mind on things above - Colossians 3:1.
• Take off the old deeds of the flesh, including the attitudes of our hearts - Colossians 3:3-4.
• Put off the old man - Colossians 3:5-10.
• Put on the new man, clothing yourselves with Christian virtues, especially love - Colossians 3:12-15.

Vindicated

Bobservations' Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz

The Bible states that a blood sacrifice was required to atone for sins. The precedent was established in Genesis 3 and 4. Whether it was a sacrifice for the people, the Priests, or for an individual, bulls, goats, sheep, and even doves were sacrificed regularly on the Temple’s altar. Stipulations were always to be met in order for sins to be atoned, and each ritual of the sacrifice was important.

When it comes to Christ Jesus, the highest of the High was sacrificed once and for all, for all sin, for all time. And interestingly, in Revelation 2, we find the letter of John to the Church at Pergamum. This is where the name of our Church has come from. A white stone is given to all those who overcome (sin and the world).

The white stone is indicative of a magistrate casting a vote of “innocent” after hearing the evidence of the allegations, or charges against an accused. There is much more to the verse, but our Great High Priest, Jesus, has been given authority by The Father to judge the earth and all upon it.

For everyone and anyone who believes in the Lordship of Christ, and that He rose from the dead, they will hear our High Judge proclaim “innocent” for all their sins; innocent, because Christ Himself paid the price for us.

The Bible declares that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and Jesus’ sacrifice has paid our debt, the debt of every sinner that believes on Jesus Christ. The Bible follows up with Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” THIS is one of the messages of the Gospel: Sin & Death vs. Eternal Life through Jesus Christ.

Every individual that has ever lived, or that’s alive now, or that will live on this earth in the future has had, does have, or will have a decision to make. It is a matter of life and death for each one! And the decision is really simple. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or suffer torment for eternity. The black and white print in our Bibles is indicative of the simple black and white choice that each of us must make. It’s a life, or death situation.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” -  John 3:16 

Today's Audio Message:

Colossians 2:14-23 - "Vindication"

 Summary/Notes:

Today we will be finishing our study in Colossians 2.  Pastor Bob titled this morning's messaged, "Vindicated."  We often think of our justification as linked to Jesus’s death on our behalf. But it’s more proper to think of it as linked to his resurrection on our behalf. To be vindicated is to be justified—to be declared righteous. In Christ, we are justified because he is justified through his being raised from the dead. Paul says, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:24–25). When we are united to Christ by faith, his justification becomes our own. We are vindicated in him.

Paul has been confronting the false teachings that had crept into the Colossian church. The Colossians were faced with a barrage of false teachers who insisted on all sorts of particular observances. False teachers offered a syncretism of pagan philosophy, Jewish legalism, mysticism, and asceticism. Paul wrote the Colossians to refute these false teachings and to present the Absolute Sufficiency of Jesus Christ for Salvation and Sanctification. 

In Colossians 2:8–23, Paul specifically mounts a frontal attack on the Colossian heresy. He has already dealt with philosophy (2:8–10) and presented Christ’s sufficiency (2:11–15).  Today we will continue on with Paul's refutation of the Colossian heresy by dealing with Legalism (Colossians 2:16–17); Mysticism (Colossians 2:18–19); and Asceticism (Colossians 2:20–23).

Christ Plus Legalism - Legalism is the religion of human achievement. It argues that spirituality is based on Christ plus human works. Paul was addressing legalistic people in the church who believed, in effect, that a personal, vital, deep relationship with Christ alone is not enough to satisfy God.  They had added rules and requirements governing the performance of certain duties that they thought were essential to spirituality.  They insisted that all the ceremonies - including circumcision, Sabbath observance, and dietary laws were to be maintained as standards of spirituality. Their legalism was in direct conflict with the teachings of Christ. Only the true cutting away of sin by salvation in Christ can make us right with God. When Christ came, the ceremonial elements of the law were set aside, because He was the fulfillment of all they foreshadowed. 

Believers are complete in Christ, who has provided complete salvation, forgiveness, and victory. Paul tells the Colossians, not to let anyone pass judgment or act as their judge.  Paul is warning them not to sacrifice their freedom in Christ for a set of manmade rules. Inasmuch as “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4), to become entangled again in a legalistic system is pointless and harmful.

The dietary laws, festivals, sacrifices, and Sabbath day worship were all things which as verse 17 indicates, are "a shadow of the things to come; but the body (substance) belongs to Christ." A shadow has no reality; the reality is what makes the shadow. Jesus is that reality.  He is the one to which the shadows pointed.

Note: For example, regarding food regulations, Jesus said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven” (John 6:41). There is no need for Christians to observe the Passover either, because “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7). What justification could there be for demanding that Gentiles observe the Sabbath when God has granted them eternal rest (Hebrews 4:1–11)?

The old covenant observances pointed to a future reality that was fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. True spirituality does not consist merely of keeping external rules, but of having an inner relationship with Jesus Christ.

Christ Plus Mysticism - Mysticism is the idea that direct knowledge of God or ultimate reality is achieved through personal, subjective intuition or experience apart from, or even contrary to, historical fact or objective divine revelation. It argues that spirituality is based on Christ plus some unique spiritual experience.  Mysticism is still very much alive today, and still using spiritual intimidation to demean the uninitiated.  Paul wrote the Colossian believers, that kind of mysticism is the product of a prideful and unspiritual mind. Those who embrace it have turned from their sufficiency in Christ.  They spin their views of God and spiritual truth out of their own self-authenticated, self-generated feelings, which become more important to them than the Bible. Don't be intimidated by them.  Heeding to these false teachers will have a serious impact on our spiritual growth. There is no "higher plane" - no surpassing experience.  Christ is all and all! In Him alone you are complete.

These false teachers are also engaged in the worship of the angels, thus denying the truth that there is “one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Note:  The Bible strictly forbids the worship of angels. “It is written,” Jesus told Satan, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10). When John tried to worship an angel, he was rebuked for doing so: “I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, ‘Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God’” (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The angels themselves worship God (Isaiah 6:1–4).

In addition to practicing false humility and worshiping angels, the false teachers were taking their stand on visions they had seen. There is no need for extra-biblical revelation through visions, because “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:1–2).

Paul tells the Colossians not to be intimidated by the false claims. Far from being the spiritual elite they thought themselves to be, they are puffed up with pride in their fleshly minds. These are guilty of gross spiritual pride and were devoid of the Holy Spirit.  They have gone beyond the teaching of Christ and not holding fast to the Head (Christ).  See Col. 1:18.  Spiritual growth comes from union with Christ, as Jesus described abiding in Him in John 15:4–5. These false teachers had become detached from Christ.  By losing focus on Christ and what He has done, the natural result was that these teachers would fall into error.

Christ Plus Asceticism - An ascetic is one who lives a life of rigorous self-denial as a means to earn forgiveness from God. It is motivated by pride rather than humility, and it is an attempt to accomplish in the energy of the flesh a right relationship with God, which can be brought about only by a divine transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.   Paul said we aren't in bondage to any religious systems that require some kind of abstinence to make us acceptable to God.  These teachings are deceptive and destructive. False standards of spirituality serve only to indulge the flesh.

Paul’s message to the Colossians is that we must hold fast to Christ's sufficiency, never adding to it or taking from it.   In Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).  In Him dwells all the fullness of the deity in bodily form (2:9). And nothing can ever separate us from Him (Romans 8:35-39).  We must hold fast to Christ, in whom we “have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10).