2015

Year of Breakthrough

WHOLESOME

LIVING

SUNGAI WAY-SUBANG METHODIST CHURCH

ROOTED & BUILT UP

IN CHRIST Rev Dr Ng Swee Ming

5 July 2015

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS

Colossians

I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINE

CHRIST'S SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY DECLARED

1. 1:1-8 Lessons in Discipleship 1

1st : FAITH in Christ2nd : LOVE for the brethren3rd : HOPE in heaven

2. 1:9-14 Lessons in Discipleship IIImportance of Prayer Building Deep in Christ Sub-Structure Structure Superstructure

sermon series on Colossians

3. Col 1:15-23

The SUPREMACY & SUFFICIENCY of CHRIST

v15-17 The Supremacy of Christ in CREATION

v18-20 The Sufficiency of Christ in Re-CREATION

Conclusion :

v21 Our Past Alienation

v22 Our Present Reconciliation

v23 Our Future Glorification

Blueprint for Discipleship

Col 1:24-29

Know WHY … the mystery … ‘Christ in you, the Hope of Glory’

Know HOW … in loving communities…

Know WHAT … cost to consider …

Know WHO … as a servant …

Conclusion :

Making Disciple

Loving COMMUNITY.

General Outline of Colossians

I. Chp 1 : DOCTRINE

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DECLARED

II. Chp 2 : DANGER

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

III. Chps 3-4 : DUTY

Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DISPLAYED

Col 2:1-71 I want you to know how much I am

struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.

2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

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

Col 2:1-7 cont.

4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,

7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Chp 2 : DANGER –Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

Epaphras :

‘Founder ?’ Colossian Church…

1,500km journey to Rome…

Consult Paul about ‘false teachings’ -

‘Gnosticism’

Paul’s response – his letters

Chp 2 : DANGER – Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

Gnosticism / Gnostics :

‘Gnosis’ – Gk knowledge

Generally : ‘spirit / soul’ is good & eternal…

‘flesh’ is bad/evil & temporal…

Understanding of ‘Jesus’…

Terms used :

the Mystery / Secret …

special Knowledge …

Chp 2 : DANGER – Christ's Supremacy & Sufficiency DEFENDED

Paul’s response ….The ‘Mystery’ is ….Christ in you, the hope of glory

Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom …Knowledge – Facts & Information…Understanding – Meaning, Principles

& Reason…Wisdom – Application & Action

Supremacy & Sufficiency of Christ…

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In ChristBlueprint for Discipleship Col 1:28-2928 We proclaim HIM, admonishing and

teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

29 To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me….

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:1-21 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

Col 2:1 I want you to know how much I am struggling (agonizing) for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally….

Q: How ?A: thru PRAYER …. Chp 1 v3, 9, 10

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:2a “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart …”1. Looking Within : ENCOURAGED IN HEARTOur physical heart is important…But “heart’ here …‘spiritual heart’, the ‘inner person’ …the mind, emotion, feelings, conscience ….where faith arise / resides …Biblically - can be pure, upright, righteous …

or wicked/evil, deceitful, scheming…

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:2a “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart …”

1. Looking Within : Encouraged in Heart

Our HEART …where salvation starts …

Rom 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ….

where evil ‘originates’ …Mark 7:21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:2a “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart …”

1. Looking Within : Encouraged in HeartOur HEART needs to be ENCOURAGED …

Gk : parakaleo – ‘come alongside of’, ‘comfort’Eg 2 Cor 1:4 who comforts us in all our

troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Gk: parakletos – ComforterJohn 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things

Col 2:2a “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart …”

1. Looking Within : Encouraged in HeartOur HEART needs to be ENCOURAGED …Q: How or By Whom ?A : By God thru the Holy Spirit…

ref 2 Thess 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father… encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

A: Thru fellow Believers & Community …

ref 1 Thess 3:2 We sent Timothy … to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, …

We all need ENCOURAGEMENT…

We all need ‘one-another’ …

V2a My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love,

2. Looking Around : UNITED in LOVE ‘knit together’Can only happen in a community… ‘AGAPE love’ is the key …Jn 13:34 A New Commandment… by this …1 Pet 4:8 Love covers over a multitude of sins

Unity, Oneness, Togetherness …Col 3:14 put on love, which binds them all together

in perfect unity. Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the

Spirit through the bond of peace.

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

2. Looking Around :

UNITED IN LOVERemember the Giant

Sequoia trees…Tall stately giants ….Relatively shallow roots…Strength in COMMUNITY

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

2. Looking Around : UNITED IN LOVEQ: What is the man doing ?Q: What does he use ?

Quote : ‘If each of us are in

tune with Christ we will be in tune with

one another.’

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

Col 2:2b-52b so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

3. Looking Above : FAITH in CHRIST

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

3. Looking Above : FAITH in CHRISTQ: What’s FAITH ?A: Heb 11:1

‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…. ‘

Believe …. Trust ….

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

3. Looking Above : FAITH in CHRISTQ: FAITH in Who & What ?A: Heb 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … it is the gift of God

FAITH in GOD … FAITH in CHRIST …

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

3. Looking Above : FAITH in CHRISTPhil 3:9b “…the righteousness that comes from God

and is by faith.” Rom 10:17

“… faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard … through the word of Christ.”

FAITH in CHRIST = WORD of CHRIST= The BIBLE (God’s WORD)

* with few exceptions…

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

3. Looking Above : FAITH in CHRIST2 Tim 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

QUOTES :

KNOW the WORD ….And be KNOWN By the WORD

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ3. Looking Above : Faith in ChristThe Queen James BiblePublished 2012Editors : ‘Anonymous’

Scholars : ‘Unidentified’

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

King James BibleLev 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination”Lev 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them”

Queen James BibleLev 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind in the temple of Molech; it is an abomination”Lev 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind in the temple of Molech, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them”

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

King James Bible Rom 1:26–27 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet”

Queen James BibleRom 1:26–27 “Their women did change their natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, left of the natural use of the woman, burned in ritual lust, one toward another; Men with men working that which is pagan and unseemly. For this cause God gave the idolators up unto vile affections, receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet”

Quotes:

Isaiah 7.9If you do not stand firm in your faith,

you will not stand at all .

The less you spend time with TRUTH,The easier it is to

believe LIES- Lecrae

D.L. Moody:The Bible will keep you from sin

or sin will keep you from the Bible

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In ChristCol 2:6-76 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the

faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

4. Looking Below :

ROOTED & BUILT UP IN CHRIST

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ4. Looking Below : Rooted & Built Up in Christ

Roots

Hidden, Not seen…

very important to a plant

Nourishment

Stability

No roots =

no growth

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ

4. Looking Below : Rooted & Built Up in Christ

Parable of the Sower (Matt 13)…

Sower – Seed – Soil …

Is all about ‘ROOTEDNESS’ …

30, 60, 100 X

NONE

SHALLOW

TANGLED DEEP

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ4. Looking Below : Rooted & Built Up in Christ

Q: What are the plants below ?

Q: Do you know how they grow bonsai ?

Q: Are you a ‘bonsai Christian’ ?

Nice to look at …

BUT ….

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ4. Looking Below : Rooted & Built Up in Christcontinue to live (abide) in Him rooted in Himbuilt up in Him, strengthened in Himthankful to Him

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In ChristSummary :

1. Looking Within :

ENCOURAGED IN HEART

2. Looking Around :

UNITED IN LOVE

3. Looking Above :

FAITH IN CHRIST

4. Looking Below :

ROOTED & BUILT UP IN CHRIST

Sequoia tree bark is rich in ‘tannins’ a strong

natural defense againstwildfire, decomposition

& insects infestation eg termites.

Sequoia ConesUnripe Ripe

sequoia tree –burned by fire…

Sequoia seeds… ripe sequoia cone

with seeds…

Conclusion:The Colossians had their challenges…External persecution…Internal “false teachings”…Today we have more challenges ….We are nearer to Christ’s return …‘Shaking’ is happening …

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ - APPLICATION

DISASTERS

RELIGIOUSECONOMICS

POLITICAL

Sociological

Conclusion:Q: Are you ready ?Q: Are you prepared ?Q: Are You ROOTED & BUILT UP IN CHRIST ?Look in…

Look around…Look up…

Look down …

Col 2:1-7 Rooted & Built Up In Christ - APPLICATION