Hearts Knit Together in Love

Colossians 2:1-2:3

Written by Paul

Written to believers in Colossae

Written from Rome

Written in 61 AD

Written because of the Colossian heresy

Written to show the supremacy of Christ

The purpose of the Labor, Col 1:28

The key to the Labor, Col 1:29

How to acquire the key, Col 2:1

The struggle, v 1

The purpose of the struggle, 2:2a

The result of the struggle, 2:2b

The true understanding of the struggle, 2:2c-3

Not against flesh and blood, Eph 6:12 Must be equipped for the battle

Spiritual battle – prayer

Prayer is not easy Eph 6:18-20

Prayer is to be universal 1 Timothy 2:1-7

… in order that their hearts might be ENCOURAGED… Aorist PASSIVE subjunctive

Encouraged( παρακληθωσιν paraklethosin) Encourage, comfort, urge, implore, exhort

Role of the Holy Spirit – John 16:7 (παρακλητος parakletos)

Major role of encouragement in the Church Encouraged by the Rapture, 1 Thess 4:18

Encouraged by our church service, Heb 10:25

Encouraged by the Elders, Titus 1:9

… in order that their hearts might be encouraged HAVING BEEN KNIT TOGETHER in love Aorist PASSIVE participle

Knit together (συμβιβαζω symbibazo) Come to the same conclusion, be in agreement, be convinced

as a group

Acts 9:22

Ephesians 4:16

1 Corinthians 2:16

… in order that their hearts may be encouraged having been knit together IN LOVE

Our hearts are knit together WHEN we love one another. Purpose of spiritual gifts is to promote love

Love is mainly a verb We love like Christ when we serve like Christ

Love without hypocrisy Romans 12:9-13

Love changes focus from self to others

… also into all the riches of the full assurance of the understanding, into the true knowledge of the mystery of God, which is Christ…

Riches of the FULL ASSURANCE– incredible treasure trove of wealth in understanding God’s word Riches in Christ Eph 3:8

Confidence in God’s promises to us, Romans 8:28-37 & 9-11

True knowledge (ἐπιγνωσις epignosis) Transcendent matters, or matters of morality

God’s knowledge (ἐπιγνωσις) vs. man’s knowledge (γνωσις)

… also into all the riches of the full assurance of the understanding, into the true knowledge of the MYSTERY OF GOD, which is CHRIST… Paul preached the “mystery”, Ephesians 3:3

Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ, Ephesians 3:6

… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 He is our presupposition

He has been revealed Gnostics hid their writings

Christ makes Himself known to ALL, 1:28

Parable of the lamp, Luke 8:16-18 As we learn, we get more understanding

As we slide away, we get less!

We should labor in prayer like Paul

Pray for us all to be encouraged

Pray for us to have our hearts knit together in love

This will come about when we have a full understanding of the mystery of Christ