Bible Study - Christ the Center - Center of My Life - Colossians 3 and 4 - February 26, 2012

Bible Study - Center – Center of My Life – February 26, 2012

This is our final lesson in our series entitled “Christ The Center.”

Our scripture is Colossians 3:5-10, 14-15, 17; 18-21 and 4:5-6.

This study challenged me to ponder the fullness of CHRIST in me. As Christians, we have all of CHRIST that we will ever receive at the instant of salvation. At that same instant we receive the righteousness of CHRIST. Christians are redeemed but living in a body of flesh. Therefore, Christians need to choose who they will serve their flesh or GOD, as led by the Holy Spirit. A battle takes place in the mind and Christians must choose who will be the referee in the game of their life when decisions confront them. Will they yield their will and allow CHRIST to rule or their flesh?

CHRIST told those who desire to be HIS disciples that they must die daily and take up the cross and follow HIM. It could be stated that since Christians have the fullness of CHRIST in them and they have put-on the clothes of righteousness, don’t cover up your new clothes by putting on the old clothes of your new life in CHRIST.

All Christians have the fullness of CHRIST in them but why don’t they reflect CHRIST? Often, Christians are cover up with their old life and As they study the Bible, pray and obediently serve GOD as led by the Holy Spirit the process of sanctification peels away the layers of their old life to reveal more of their new life in CHRIST.

Cultivate a Christ-centered Character.

Let’s read Colossians 3:5-10, 14-15 and 17 (Focus scripture):

The Life of the New Man

¹ So if you have been raised with the • Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.
² Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.
³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.
⁴ When the Messiah, who is your^[1] Other mss read our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
⁵ Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly:^[2] Lit death, the members on the earth sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
⁶ Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient,^[3] Other mss omit on the disobedient
⁷ and you once • walked in these things when you were living in them.
⁸ But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.
⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices
¹⁰ and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator.
¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,^[4] A term for a savage slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

Paul used the word “if” in verse 1. At times the word “if” can be read as “since” and this is the case here. Paul was not questioning their salvation but confirming the fact that “since” they had received salvation through their faith in CHRIST and HE was sitting at the right hand of GOD, HIS Father, they should set their minds on their new home, heaven. Their citizenship was in heaven. Heaven was not some place they were trying to get to through rituals, observing certain customs, traditions, rules and the list goes on, in essence, they were already there.

As a Christian, you died when CHRIST died and HIS fullness is in you. HE fully occupies your body in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Repeat of last week’s lesson.

When CHRIST is revealed at HIS second coming so will all Christians. When this will happen, no one but GOD knows, therefore, let your lifestyle reflect the fullness of CHRIST that is in you. Put to death your former lifestyle, which consisted of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. You know that such a lifestyle invokes GOD’S wrath and you embraced this lifestyle. You know the truth. Since you have the fullness of CHRIST in you, you “must put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.
⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices.”

Paul was reminding the Christians they had been forgiven and saved from their old lifestyle. They had taken off their old life and put on the new clothes of righteousness that GOD had given them through their faith in what CHRIST had done for them. As Christians, they were in the process of being made more CHRIST-like, through the renewing of their minds. If they keep covering up their new clothes by putting on their old clothes, they will never make Spiritual progress.

In CHRIST, every Christian, regardless of being a Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,^[4] A term for a savage slave and free has the fullness of CHRIST in them. The Scythian was a very bad bunch of people. They were ruthless, savages with no respect for life. They were known for not bathing. They were a stinky bunch of people, so how could they ever become Christian? Regardless, CHRIST died for all who would believe in HIM. HE washes all who will accept HIM with HIS shed blood and makes them whiter than snow and gives them a new fragrance.

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
¹³ accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive]^* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .
¹⁴ Above all, [put on]^* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. love—the perfect bond of unity.
¹⁵ And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.
¹⁶ Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.
¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or indeed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Paul used “therefore” to remind the Christians who they were in CHRIST and to “put on” a CHRIST-like lifestyle. Then he listed a number of examples. He concluded with a challenge for Christians to put on love. Every day we decide what we will wear for the activity we will be facing that day. As Christians, we have been clothed with new clothes of righteousness that GOD provided as a gift through CHRIST. Another way of looking at this is, since Christians have the fullness of CHRIST in them and they are clothed in HIS righteousness, don’t cover HIM up by putting on your old clothes. This is very difficult or impossible to do in our own strength. That is why we need to have and maintain the right relationship with HIM.

When a Christian is in unity/harmony with his/her physical and Spiritual self, then there will be peace. The peace of CHRIST results when Christians bring their flesh under the control of the Spirit. Then CHRIST’S peace not only applies to the individual Christian but it extends from the Spirit led Christian to their fellow Christians within the living body. This does not mean a Christian has to roll over, play dead and never have an opinion different from the living body. It means that in dealing with matters of differences, a Christian needs to let the peace of CHRIST control his/her heart. Some translations use the word “rule.” Rule is a good word because in the Greek it relates to athletics and those who enforce the rules of the game. Paul was saying that Christians need to let CHRIST be the referee in their game of life. The battle or game of life is fought in the mind where decisions are made.  It is in the heart or the center of a Christian’s being where he/she decides how he/she will respond to life’s situations and circumstances. Christians must remember where they came from and be filled with gratitude for the love GOD has for them. Then make your decision on how to respond based upon what GOD has done for you.

Christians must keep the message of CHRIST in their minds, which is the message of forgiveness and salvation. They must live it and share it as they live in the world around them. CHRIST gave HIS life for each person who will accept HIM as his/her Savior, regardless of their degree of sin or how bad they may smell (Scythian). CHRIST’S love is unconditional and everlasting. Just as HE forgives, Christians in turn need to forgive others. Sometimes, Christians need to forgive themselves. Christians need to be grateful to GOD for what HE has done for them and be open to share the Good News with others as the opportunity occurs. 

The message of CHRIST can be lived, taught, preached, sung or expressed in many different ways. The power is in the message; GOD’S Word produces the results. GOD’S Word combined with the power of GOD equals an opportunity for a person to choose salvation. Keep in mind that GOD never overrides a person’s right to choose. Christians should be on the alert to respond to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as GOD provides opportunity to minister. 

In verse 17, Paul stresses the importance of a Christian’s lifestyle. Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. What they say or do should be done with the fact in mind that they represent GOD to the world. Therefore, they are to live accordingly. Again, that is why Christians must have and maintain the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Paul addressed the home life of Christians. It is one thing to act like a Christian should outside the home but what about inside the home?

Be a Christ-centered Home.

Let’s read Colossians 3:18-21:

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and don’t become bitter against them.
²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.
²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.

In the old days, the men loved for the preacher to preach on “wives being submissive” to their husbands. Our thought was that our wives were to be our slaves and hop to our every command. This is not what Paul was talking about. GOD made women or our wives to be our helpmates. They are co-equals and work along our side.

Notice in verse 19, that Paul told the men to LOVE their wives. Nowhere in the Bible does it tell wives to love their husbands. But husbands are to love their wives. When the word “love” was used in the Greek literature, it carried the idea of focusing on a person’s well-being and needs as being more important than their own. If the husband loved his wife accordingly, then it would be easy for the wife to be submissive to him.

The word submissive is important. Yes, GOD’S plan for the family is for the husband to be head of the household. The Christian husband is under the authority of GOD and submission to GOD. In turn, the wife is to be submissive to her Christian husband. In light of this chain of command, wives are to submit to their Christian husbands to accomplish GOD’S plan for their home and for the world as led by the Holy Spirit. It is difficult for those in a home to be obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit if one spouse is not a true born-again believer.

In many homes, the wife is the Spiritual leader and often is on the receiving end of the wrath of her not so Spiritual husband when she tries to serve GOD as led by the Holy Spirit. This can be a very difficult situation. Unity is broken and often leads to a dysfunctional household.

Paul told the Christians in Colosse not to become bitter toward their wives. Women are generally more social than men. It is easy for a woman to try to help another woman or a family that is in need. The husband of the woman trying to help may think his wife is neglecting him. That is why the husband needs to have heart in harmony with GOD through his relationship with CHRIST. Not to say that things cannot get out of hand but going back to our previous scripture regarding the peace of CHRIST, the matter needs to be addressed and settled in peace. It is a matter of communication, which most men are poor communicators. A real man does not hit a woman, except in self-defense.

Paul told the children to obey their parents and for the fathers not to exasperate their children. Don’t ride them to the point that they become discouraged and give up. Just as GOD cuts the Christian slack, then as a husband and father, use that same wisdom in your household. Be consistent. If you tell your child if they do so-and-so again certain restrictions will happen. If they violate your rule, then follow through with what you said the restriction would be. We must keep in mind that Paul was writing to the Christians in Colosse. He was considering that the father/husband was a true born-again Christian. The father is the head of the household and under the authority and accountability of GOD.

Be a CHRIST Centered Witness:

Let’s read Colossians 4:5-6:

Speaking to God and Others

² Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
³ At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the message, to speak the • mystery of the • Messiah—for which I am in prison—
⁴ so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.
⁵ • Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
⁶ Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Paul challenges the Christians in Colosse to communicate with GOD and recognize the blessings and care that GOD provided, as well as, the opportunities to obediently serve HIM. As Christians, we have many opportunities to rejoice in the things that GOD reveals to us and to pray for the things that GOD calls us to pray for. Paul was telling the Christians to pray for each other and especially for those who are called to carry the Gospel to others. They were to pray that doors would open where the Gospel could be presented. This is true today.

Prayer is such a delight. If you hear a siren that means a possible fire, accident, police officer en-route to something, you can pray. As we watch the news on television or read the newspaper, we can pray for certain things that come to our attention. A person’s name may cross our mind during the day, pray for that person. We may see a sign about an upcoming event, we can pray. We may see a clerk in a store having a bad day, we can pray. A person is going to the doctor or having a procedure, pray. A couple is having marital problems, pray. Someone is caught in a sin, pray. There are so many opportunities to pray.

Paul admonished the Christians in Colosse to walk with the full knowledge that they had the fullness of CHRIST in them and for them to be open to any opportunity to share the Gospel with others as the opportunity presents itself. When you interact with the world on a daily basis then keep in mind that you represent GOD, so let your speech and lifestyle reflect HIM. Don’t be confrontational but let your speech be seasoned so what you have to say will be savory. Do not cover up your clothes of righteousness by putting on the clothes of your old life. Walk in the Spirit and HE will give you the right words to say as opportunity presents itself. But you must decide whether or not you will respond to the opportunity. Blessings as you grow in CHRIST and serve HIM.

Bible Study - Christ the Center Center of My Belief - Colossians 2 - February 19, 2012

Bible Study – Center – Center of My Belief – February 19, 2012

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Christ The Center.”

Our scripture is Colossians 2:8-23.

This is a compelling lesson, which will likely need to be pondered. As a Christian, you have all of CHRIST that you will ever have. HIS fullness indwells you through the miracle of the rebirth through CHRIST. If you have the fullness of CHRIST in you, why aren’t you experiencing the power of HIS presence in your life? We may have all of CHRIST but HE may not have all of us.

One caution as you study this lesson. It may seem that Christianity has no restrictions but keep in mind that Christians can and do sin and become enslaved to the things that rob them of their relationship with GOD – Such as dabbling in the occult, the wrong use of drugs, alcohol and various vices. That is why Christians must study the Bible to know what GOD warns us not to do. These are common sense things that block the right relationship and fellowship with HIM. When Christians sin, they must confess their sins, repent and GOD forgives and restores. Un-confessed sin becomes a breeding ground for Satan to use in an effort to defeat a Christian. CHRIST paid the price for all of a Christian’s sin. HE lived as a human and understands temptation. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Colossians 2:8-15:

⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.
⁹ For in Him the entire fullness of God’s nature[2] Or the deity dwells bodily,[3] Or nature lives in a human body
¹⁰ and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,[4] Col 1:22; 3:9 in the circumcision of the • Messiah.
¹² Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
¹³ And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.
¹⁴ He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.[5]

Paul gives the Christians in Colosse excellent advice. It is advice Christians must heed today. Christians can be duped into following religious ritual as the way to salvation and spiritual growth. How does a Christian know whether or not he/she is being misled? Christians must study GOD’S Word, the Bible, ask GOD to reveal truth to them and test it against what they are hearing or reading about. Christianity, as I mentioned some time ago, is simple. CHRIST gave HIS life for all who would believe in HIM. All who ask HIM to forgive them for their sins, believing that HE gave HIS life for them, and ask HIM to come into their lives are saved. What are they saved from? They are saved from sin and its consequences, which is death.

Once a person becomes a Christian, he/she has the fullness of CHRIST in him/her, by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Salvation is the beginning of the process of sanctification, which lasts until the Christian dies physically.

Salvation is much like human conception. When the sperm and egg unite, a human is created. Conception is the instant that every person begins. Yes, some never make it to the birth process but, never-the-less; they were conceived as a human. Many grow in the womb and are born. The point being, at the instant of conception, we were completely human. The rest was process. The same is true when a person receives CHRIST as his/her Savior. They experience the miracle of rebirth in their spirit through their union with GOD’S Spirit through CHRIST. The instant CHRIST comes into his/her life; he/she has the fullness of CHRIST. At that instant, the new Christian has all of CHRIST he/she will ever have or need. A Christian is the light of the world and the salt of the earth. At the moment of salvation, a Christian “is” Spiritual light and salt because he/she has the fullness of CHRIST in him/her.

So, if this is true, why does a Christian go to church, a Bible study, read and study the Bible, serve, pray or do anything? As humans, we have a desire to explore the physical world, to grow and to interact with it. As Spiritual beings, it is our nature to explore and discover our new Spiritual world. GOD, our Father, nurtures and nourishes us through our union with CHRIST. CHRIST said it best in John 15:5 -
⁵ "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. As Christians, it is our nature to seek Spiritual food and to exercise through obedient service as led by GOD. Some Christians choose to allow the flesh to rule their lives and stunt their Spiritual growth and development. They still have the fullness of CHRIST but do not allow HIM to be revealed through their lives. They choose to keep on their old clothes of the flesh and cover up their new clothes of righteousness. They are closet Christians and miss the blessings of allowing the fullness of CHRIST to be revealed through them. It is a matter of the will of the flesh versus the allowing the will of the Spirit to rule one’s life.

The Christians in Colosse had been infiltrated by Gnostics and Judaizers. The Gnostics thought that gaining knowledge and exploring philosophies was the path to the fullness of GOD. The Judaizers were steeped in the Jewish traditions and believed that following the laws, commandments and traditions was the path to the fullness of GOD. Paul was telling the Colossians that both were wrong. CHRIST in you is all you need because:

-          Since CHRIST is over all authorities and rulers and HE is in you, then you have HIS fullness and answer only to HIM. You do not have to be intimidated or swayed by mere human logic or traditions. You have been accustomed to following certain physical or elemental (Certain procedural protocols) steps to be acceptable to GOD through the eyes of man. But these physical things have been cast aside and no longer relevant because as Christians you are complete in CHRIST. As Christians complete with the fullness of CHRIST, you need to focus on yielding your will, which is controlled by the flesh, to being controlled by the will of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, it does not mean that you follow certain physical steps but as you walk in concert with GOD you obediently follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

-          The Judaizers say you should be circumcised, which is a physical act. GOD established circumcision as a covenant symbol between HIM and those who believed in the GOD of Israel. It was a physical action symbolizing this relationship. Being circumcised was a physical badge of honor but it did not reflect the heart of that person toward GOD. GOD said in Deuteronomy 10:16 -
16 Therefore, circumcise your hearts[6] Jr 4:4; Rm 2:29 and don’t be stiff-necked any longer. GOD looks upon the heart and not the outward things that we do to know our true relationship with HIM. The birth, sinless life, death and resurrection of CHRIST established a new covenant relationship between GOD and mankind, for all who would believe upon CHRIST as their Savior. Christians have, in essence, been circumcised by CHRIST, through their faith in HIM and what HE did for them on the cross. This circumcision was not outward and physical but it occurred in the very eyes of the heart, the very center of a person’s being. It is an inward change in the spirit of a person. The Christian experiences a life changing miracle which is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Whereas, once a person has been physically circumcised, the foreskin is cut off and tossed aside. Then the person lives by the dictates of the laws and commandments which are impossible to keep. This does not mean that any physical restraint is not exercised. Those with certain addictions should restrain themselves lest they fall into situations that can rob them of their relationship with CHRIST. They do not lose their salvation but they can lose fellowship with GOD.

-          Paul reminded the Christians in Colosse that what they had in CHRIST went far beyond what could be accomplished by tradition and ritual. They had been baptized, which was a symbol of their salvation experience. In essence, when CHRIST died, they died to their old life and when HE was raised from the dead by GOD, they were also raised to walk in their new life with CHRIST. When GOD raised you from the dead, you left your old life in the grave. You were raised to walk in newness of life. Paul put it well in 2 Corinthians 5:21 -
21 He made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (Christians) might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christians have taken off their old clothes from their old life and put on their new clothes which only GOD can provide. These are the clothes of righteousness. Just let that sink in. In CHRIST you are righteous. It is not something yet to happen but right now you are righteous before GOD, through CHRIST.  HIS shed blood has washed you whiter than snow and you stand pure before HIM. All of your sins, past, present or future have been forgiven by HIM because you have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. That is why you can call HIM, Father or even better you can call GOD Daddy. You have the fullness of CHRIST dwelling in you. The ruler of all is your Father and HE loves you unconditionally. Don’t let anyone rob you of that fact.

-          In verses 14 and 15, Paul continued to reveal the truth of salvation. When CHRIST gave HIS sinless life on the cross, all of our sins were nailed to the cross. When CHRIST died those who believe in HIM also died and since all of their sins were nailed to the cross, the penalty for them was paid in full. The certificate of debt was erased, gone forever and forgotten. Oh, Satan will bring things to your memory in an effort to defeat you and prevent you from living the victorious and abundant Christian life. CHRIST defeated Satan, all the authorities and rulers because HE was raised from the dead by GOD as proof that HE was HIS ONLY SON and worthy of giving HIS life to redeem all who would believe in HIM from sin and death.

Let’s read Colossians 2:16-19:

16 Therefore don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day.[6] Or or sabbaths
17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is[7] Or substance belongs to the Messiah.
18 Let no one disqualify you,[8] Or no one cheat us out of your prize insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his fleshly mind.
19 He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, develops with growth from God.

Paul was telling the Christians in Colosse that since they had the fullness of CHRIST, they did not need to do anything else to become more Spiritual. Hanging onto and observing the traditions of the things that were foreshadows of the coming of the promised Messiah were no longer necessary because the Messiah, CHRIST, had come and fulfilled HIS mission. Therefore, clinging to that which had passed away was no longer of Spiritual value to them as a Christian. Its value may be to reveal the non-Christians how much they miss the mark and reveals to them their need of salvation through CHRIST.

Some false teachers, who had infiltrated the Christian church, were promoting the need for the Christians to live a life of self-denial or ascetic lives. They also brought in the worship of angels. They were saying that they communicated with angels who in turn communicated with GOD and therefore they had better access to GOD through these angels.

Verse 19 – Paul was saying that it was clear that a person who:

-         insisted on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,
 doesn’t acknowledge CHRIST as the head. Such a person fails to see and understand that CHRIST is the head and is all-sufficient.

-         Such a person does not know the truth and Christians should not pay any attention to their teaching. They are false teachers. CHRIST is the head of the true living Spiritual body, which is the living church. Paul was saying, when the human body is in unity and harmony with itself, it experiences growth, nourishment and all that renders it a healthy, functioning body. Physical grow is a natural part of being a human. By the same token, when the true church is in unity and harmony with CHRIST as the head, the true believers will grow, be nourished because they are grafted into the true vine, CHRIST. Spiritual growth is a natural part of being born into GOD’S family.  

Let’s read Colossians 2:20-23:

20 If you died with Christ to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:
21 “Don’t handle, don’t taste, and don’t touch”?
22 All these [regulations]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. refer to what is destroyed by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines.
23 Although these have a reputation of wisdom by promoting ascetic practices, humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value against fleshly indulgence.

Paul was saying, as a Christian you died when CHRIST died and when HE was resurrected, you were resurrected. Your citizenship is in heaven. This is not something you are still trying to obtain by becoming more Spiritual. You have the fullness of CHRIST in you now!!! Therefore, you do not have to keep jumping through hoops to try to prove yourself to GOD. You have arrived because GOD is your Father. You are HIS child. So why do you live as if you still belong to the world? You follow and obey the dictates that the system tells you to obey such as – don’t handle, taste or touch. Such physical thou-shalt-not’s along with human commands and doctrines have been nailed to the cross of JESUS and were annihilated when HE gave HIS life to pay the sin debt. They no longer exist and do not hang over the heads of Christians. CHRIST came to fulfill the law and HE has done that. Therefore, you know that when you accepted CHRIST as your Savior you died when CHRIST died, you were resurrected when CHRIST was resurrected and you fulfilled the law. Christians are free in CHRIST to live the abundant life as HE directs because HE is in charge of all things. So why aren’t most Christians experiencing the abundant life? We live according to the dictates of the flesh. We want to satisfy the desires of the flesh over the desires of the Spirit. Does that mean Christians walk around in long robes with long faces? No!!! We walk according to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We work, invest, play, worship, mingle with our friends, we respond when we are led to respond because we maintain a dynamic relationship with GOD through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We stump our Spiritual toes and GOD reveals where we need to modify our walk with HIM. It is part of the sanctification process. We get to know HIM more each day as we yield more of our lives to HIM. We will never reach perfection but GOD’S goal for each Christian is for him/her to be made in the image of HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

In essence, Paul summarized his remarks by stating that those who promote these thou-shalt-not practices claim that doing so, prevents a person from doing the things that disappoint GOD which results in GOD’S punishment. The bottom line is that following such restrictions does nothing to prevent fleshly indulgence, which gives that person a false sense of Spiritual security. Self discipline by following certain manmade rules, laws or regulations does not make a person Godly. Doing so may give those who observe such a disciplined life the idea that such a person is godly. But the truth is that it only gives the appearance of Spirituality. Remember GOD looks upon the heart and not the outward appearance. CHRIST in you provides you, as a Christian, the power to overcome the flesh through the renewing of your minds and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

A Christian has the fullness of CHRIST in him or her now. Christians strive to become more Spiritual. Christians need to take off the old clothes of their old life daily and allow the righteousness which has been imputed to them to be revealed and walk in the power of GOD as HE leads them. Build an intimate loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST by yielding your will to HIM and allowing HIM to lead and direct your life. It is vital that Christians are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit and maintain a dynamic relationship with CHRIST.

Christians have all of CHRIST at the moment of their salvation but HE does not have all of them. Salvation begins the process of becoming more CHRIST like as Christians yield their will to the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Blessings and understanding as you ponder CHRIST in you the hope of glory.

Bible Study - Christ the Center - Center of My Church - Colossians 1 - February 12, 2012

Bible Study – Center – Center of My Church – February 12, 2012

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Christ The Center.”

Our scripture is Colossians 1: 24-2:7.

Is CHRIST the center of your life? Is HE the center of your church? Step one is CHRIST in you and for HIM to be the center of your life. You can control whether or not CHRIST is the center of your life but it is more difficult to control whether or not HE is the center of the leadership of your church. There is the brick and mortar church building, which is a meeting house. It is those who meet there that constitute the church body. Within that body is a mix of all sorts of people, most of who meet in order to grow and mature in CHRIST.

In the ideal church, CHRIST must be the center of everyone in the hierarchy of the church, which begins with the pastor and all its leaders, teachers, staff, born-again believers/members. Most often, tradition overrules the leadership of the Holy Spirit because to some members the church becomes their fiefdom (Sphere of activity that is controlled or dominated by a particular person or group.). The human hierarchy wants to control what happens within the church. Certain control is necessary and action taken to ensure that the Gospel is being taught as revealed in the Bible and followed.

Several years ago, our church conducted a survey based on a book entitled “Natural Church Development.” The idea is for the church to grow and mature through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The survey is designed to highlight areas that need to be focused upon. Our pastor introduced me to the book. My first reaction was, “That is all we need, another program.” I finally read the book and found the concept interesting and worth pursing. Our church conducted the survey, got the results, which highlighted the areas that we needed to address, but it was never implemented. Therefore, I do not have any experience with how it might work once implemented. If you are interested you can contact dwetzler@churchsmart.com.

Let’s read Colossians 1:24-27:

Paul’s Ministry

²⁴ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church.
²⁵ I have become its minister, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known,
²⁶ the • mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints.
²⁷ God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this • mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

What on earth was Paul saying? Did he mean that CHRIST’S passion was not sufficient for salvation? NO!!! CHRIST gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin and all who would acknowledge that by asking CHRIST to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives, receive salvation and all that comes with salvation – eternal life, being born into GOD’S family, citizenship in heaven, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and much more. So what was Paul saying?

CHRIST’S passion was complete; both sin and death were conquered. The proof was HIS resurrection. This was only the beginning process of GOD’S plan, which GOD kept a mystery for a purpose.

First Corinthians 2: 7-8 gives us some insight why GOD kept it secret until the right moment - -
⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The cross was a mystery but more importantly the message of salvation had to be delivered to each person upon earth. That would be a daunting task. GOD’S plan was further revealed in John 14:26: (JESUS was speaking)

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you.
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

CHRIST had to ascend back into heaven, sit at the right hand of The Father before The Father could send the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell those who accepted CHRIST as their Savior. The plan was for those who received CHRIST as their Savior to receive the Spirit of GOD and become HIS Children through the miracle of rebirth. They would be empowered, enlightened and sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and would be HIS witnesses throughout the world!!! Now that is a plan. The Holy Spirit would teach and empower all Christians – Acts 1:8 (JESUS is speaking) -
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends[2] Lit the end of the earth.”

CHRIST suffered, gave HIS life and was resurrected. Now Paul was carrying out GOD’S intended plan of establishing Christians groups, which we call churches, for the purpose of learning, teaching, growing, maturing and spreading the Gospel of CHRIST. He was carrying out GOD’S plan. He was suffering but rejoicing in his suffering because he knew the reality of GOD’S plan and his final destination was heaven to be with CHRIST and GOD for all eternity.

He was spreading the Good News of salvation through CHRIST, as he was led and empowered by the Holy Spirit and establishing the living church. He knew that the message of salvation was for all who would receive CHRIST as their Savior. This joyful suffering was not just reserved for Paul because every Christian is commissioned to take the message of salvation through CHRIST, to the world.

This does not mean that a Christian has to travel to distant lands because the world begins where ever a person is, at any given moment. It begins at home, work, school, gym, social life, traveling or any place where we are. There are special callings for some to go to specific places but GOD calls and issues the invitation to go. But all Christians are called to obediently serve HIM. Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We contain the living water that quenches the thirst of those seeking a new life in CHRIST. How do you know where to serve? Dr. Henry Blackaby put it best, “When you see GOD at work around you that is your invitation to adjust your life and to join HIM.” The essence of this statement can be found in the book entitled “Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God” written by Dr. Henry T. Blackaby and Dr. Claude V. King and published by LifeWay Church Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175 and available at LifeWay Stores. I recommend using the kit that contains DVD’S of Dr. Blackaby’s lectures along with the study.

Since the Israelites were GOD’S chosen and CHRIST being born a Jew, the revelations and prophesies given from GOD to the prophets regarding the coming Messiah, as recorded and kept in the Jewish scriptures, it would be easy to conclude that salvation was for the Jews. Paul was saying that he had been called to carry the message of salvation to all peoples, especially the Gentiles. Jews, as well as, Gentiles or anyone that acknowledged CHRIST as his/her Savior would receive salvation and become a living stone in the body of true believers, the living church. Yes, there is the physical structure called the church but the true church is made up of those truly born-again in their Spirit by the Spirit of GOD.

Paul had been called by GOD to take the message of salvation through CHRIST, to the Gentiles. This was GOD’S plan all along but it was hidden. Now it has been revealed to all who would accept CHRIST as his/her Savior. When a person receives salvation he/she in turn is to share the message of Salvation with anyone, as led by the Holy Spirit, regardless of nationality, race, color, gender, etc.

The great mystery was and is “CHRIST in you, the hope of glory!” As we have studied, it is CHRIST in you that made you a Christian. Salvation is nothing more and nothing less than, “CHRIST in you the hope of glory!!!” Christians do not have to say to a person seeking CHRIST, “Go over to this place or to that place or do so-and-so and you will find CHRIST.” No!!! Christians have the living, resurrected CHRIST dwelling in them. Christians have the light and are the light. That is GOD’S plan. Let others see CHRIST in you. It is an awesome responsibility but it is GOD’S plan.

Consider that GOD’S Spirit is the sperm and your spirit is the egg. Once you ask CHRIST to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life, GOD’S Spirit, the divine Sperm, unites with your spirit the egg, and a miracle takes place in an instant. You are born-again in your Spirit. Just as the union of the sperm and the egg came together which created you can never be undone, the same is true when GOD’S Spirit unites with your spirit. The miracle of rebirth is a mystery and once you have been born-again in your spirit, the fact that you are GOD’S child will never change. Oh, Christians can disappoint GOD and fail to be obedient to HIS call and HIS desire for them to grow and mature Spiritually but the fact is those truly born of HIS Spirit will never lose their salvation.

Paul had a great desire and zeal to let ever person he came in contact with to know JESUS CHRIST as his/her Savior. You can read the enthusiasm in the words that he wrote. CHRIST in you confirms the fact that you are GOD’S child. Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Remember 1 Corinthians 3:11-16:

11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ.
12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] The Day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.
14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5] Lit yet so as through fire
16 Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
17 If anyone ruins God’s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

Let’s read Colossians 1:28-2:3:

28 We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
29 I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person.
2 [I want]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding, and have the knowledge of God’s • mystery—Christ.[1] Other mss read mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ; other ms variations exist on this v.
3 In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

It is clear Paul knew CHRIST intimately and it was his heart’s desire for Christians to know CHRIST, grow in HIM and be Spiritually mature. CHRIST is the center of all things. HE is preeminent and when this fact consumes your being, then nothing matters except obediently serving HIM. HE is the center and embodiment of all wisdom.

Paul’s desire was for the unity of all Christians. Unity results in the strongest Christian bonds – encouragement and love for one another. Unity in the Holy Spirit provides an environment which mines the Spiritual riches of assured understanding and knowledge of GOD’S mystery, which is discovering the fullness and sufficiency of CHRIST. The treasure of wisdom and knowledge is hidden in CHRIST. Do you desire wisdom and knowledge? Then commit your life to CHRIST and let the indwelling Holy Spirit teach you.

Although Paul had never been to Colosse or Laodicea, he had a heart for the Christians there. When we know CHRIST as the truth, it is our desire for all to know HIM and our hearts are bonded to those who are called to serve HIM whether we have ever met them or not. Christians are brothers and sisters in CHRIST because GOD is their Father.

Let’s read Colossians 2:4-7:

Christ versus the Colossian Heresy

⁴ I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.
⁵ For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the strength of your faith in Christ.
⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, • walk in Him,
⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Paul wanted the Christians in Colosse to remain firmly rooted in the truth of the Gospel. The church had been infiltrated with those who wanted to add to the Gospel. CHRIST is sufficient for the salvation of all who would believe in HIM. Paul did not want them to be led astray by deceptive words of human logic.

Paul was physically in prison but he was with them in spirit and his desire was for them to have an intimate loving relationship with CHRIST. In essence he was saying, you have received CHRIST now put into action what you know by walking with complete trust and confidence that you are serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Walking carries the idea of lifestyle. When a Christian knows who CHRIST is and the power HE has, then serving HIM with complete trust and confidence is a given truth.

Paul referred to being rooted and building upon the foundation of CHRIST and what they had been taught. The roots of thriving plants need to have their roots extending to the water for nourishment. When plants are nourished, they grow. Christians need to have their Spiritual roots extending to the living water of CHRIST and then, as they are led by the Holy Spirit, they build upon the foundation of CHRIST, which is CHRIST in you, the hope of glory. Being rooted in CHRIST, results in a lifestyle that depends upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit. A lifestyle dependent upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit results in building the right relationship with CHRIST.

In pondering what I think Paul was trying to convey to fellow Christians was the fullness of CHRIST that he had discovered during his walk with CHRIST. It is much like you trying to tell someone about the most exhilarating thing you have ever witnessed or experienced in your life – a sunrise, a sunset, a scene in nature, a song, a painting, a poem, a mother’s love, a father’s love, a child’s love, a new born baby, music and the list goes on. Now, try to tell someone about that experience. Mere words fall short of all that you experienced. Walking with CHRIST, building trust in HIM, gaining confidence in HIM and experiencing HIS presence in you is impossible to put into words because it embraces so many emotions and assurances of HIS reality. It is a Spiritual experience and becomes reality in the eyes of your heart, which is deep within you as a born-again believer. You have to experience it to understand it. CHRIST in you, the hope of glory.

Embrace this reality by asking HIM to take you as you are and to make out of you what HE wants you to be. Blessings and joy as you walk with HIM as your Savior building a loving, intimate relationship with HIM.