Growth Requires Change

Sermon Outline Encouraged to Grow Colossians 2:1-7 Introduction 1. Illustration: On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform was fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered above, straining its lines, was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the presence of "a respectable assembly and a great many other people," and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went -- the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil! Change is an interesting thing some folks love it, others are violently opposed to it. One of the great goals of the Christian life is growing in Christ. We can only grow if we are willing to change. Change from who we were to who God wants us to be. We need to know that all Christians are called to grow in Christ, we need to encourage others in their Christian walk to grow in Christ as well. Today we are going to look at Paul’s goal in ministry, what it is he wants for the people he serves. Turn with me if you will in your Bibles to Colossians 2:1. Paul had told them how he labors according to God’s power working in him. He will now tell them what the goal of this labor is. I. All Christians should be encouraged to unite in their growth in Christ in whom is all wisdom.v1-3 Colossians 2:1–3 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Growth takes Struggles Paul told them he had a great struggle; this word translated struggle describes a conflict against strong opposition. Paul makes it clear here there is someone opposing his work for the church. Paul might have been talking about the Roman’s who were imprisoning him, but it is more likely he is talking about the false teachers, in Colossae who were teaching a false gospel. When we present God’s truth there will always be those opposing it. Notice, Paul is in this conflict fighting for people whom he has not met. “all those who have not personally seen my face.” We need to be fighting not just for those we know, but for all those in Christ, even the ones we have not seen face to face. We can do this in so many ways, prayer, supporting Christian causes around the world, speaking up when we see God’s word being attacked. Encouraging others in their Christian walk. Growth requires Unity Paul’s stated purpose was that “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love” The phrase “may be encouraged” has a meaning of someone coming along side and helping. This is the same idea that is found in John 14:16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; What Paul is saying is that he wants to come along side them and help them to be knit together in love. We all can use a word of encouragement every now and then. During quail season in Georgia, an Atlanta journalist met an old farmer hunting with an Old dog, a pointer, at his side. Twice the dog ran arthritically ahead and pointed. Twice his master fired into the open air. When the journalist saw no birds rise, he asked the farmer for an explanation. "Shucks," grinned the old man, "I knew there weren't no birds in that grass. That dog's nose ain't what it used to be but him and me have had some wonderful times together. He's still doing the best he can -- and it'd be mighty mean of me to call him a liar at this stage of the game!" We need to encourage others in their Christian growth understanding that in many cases they are doing the best they can, and encouraging them even when there are no birds in that grass. One of the things people need to be encouraged to grow in is unity. “having been knit together in love” Paul uses this concept of a physical body growing into a mature unity to illustrate the growth and unity are possible only in Christ, in the Spirit and in love. Unity was so important because of the false teachers. The ‘false teachers’ with their errors would injure and divide the body, while sincere love would ‘knit together’. Christian growth is a group task! The individuals of the church needed each other. Growth is Only Found in Christ. “Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” The force of this statement is that all and not merely some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are contained in Christ; so, any search for them outside of Christ is doomed to fail. Not only are they in Christ, but they are contained in a hidden way. Therefore they do not lie on the surface, but must be sought for earnestly, as men seek for hidden treasure. Christ is all that believers need for salvation and sanctification because both are found exclusively in him. The false teachers were attempting to make Christianity understandable, relevant, and applicable to Greek society and culture. This same motive draws many modern heretics to force the gospel into modern thought forms or categories. We must be so careful where we look for wisdom and knowledge. There are many neat sounding things out there; Things that tickle our ears, things that sound wonderful, but lead only to destruction. Erin and I got distracted by these things; we wasted many years chasing after all sorts of false teaching. We were tricked by fancy words and pretty pictures. II. All Christians should grow in Christ so they will not be tricked by fancy words.v4-5 Colossians 2:4–5 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Growth Protects From Deception Paul as saying in effect, “I say all this to you, so you will not be led astray by those false teachers who speak of another knowledge, of other mysteries.” “delude” means literally, “to reason alongside,” thus, “to reckon wrong, to deceive by false reasoning, to lead astray by false reasoning.” Paul tells us only full knowledge and wisdom of Christ can keep a believer from being deceived by fine-sounding arguments Paul gives a similar warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. The ‘persuasive words’ used by the ‘false teachers’ are similar to those used by crafty salesmen who package and present a useless product to make it appear worthwhile. Be with Those Who Need to Grow “For though I am absent in body.” Although Paul could not be physically present in Colossae tell off the false teachers He wants the church to know he is with them in spirit. This is often the case in our world today. We end up physically separated from loved ones and fellow Christians. We need to make sure they know we are with them in Spirit, even when we are not with them in person. This may seem like a consolation. Telling someone you are with them in Spirit, but the truth is being with them in Spirit is far more important than being with them in the flesh. For what good would it do if you were present in body but far from them in spirit. To be with someone in Spirit is to be united in purpose, committed to the same goal. What good does it do to be with them physically if you are not with them in Spirit. Growth in Christ results in Stability The ranks of the Colossians have not been broken; in his letter Paul is not hurrying to the rescue of a congregation that has been thrown into disorder. Thus far the Colossians have stood in firmness, but, like all false teachers, the ones in Colossae are persistent, and this causes Paul’s concern for the Colossians, He is thinking of the future days, he is not one who waits until the damage is done. He acts with promptness so that no damage shall ever be done. So that with his help the Colossians shall stand more firmly than ever. He is encouraging them to continue to stand strong and firm in Christ. The world is full of things that call us to turn from God and lean on them. We are called to stand firm in our faith in Christ Jesus. The poet William Blane once wrote: 'Tis said Philosophy hath charms Which prove celestial birth, That Science, with distending arms, Grasps Heaven in grasping earth. I know not, neither have I tried Their claims to disallow: A trusting soul is satisfied With neither why nor how. They come from God if they be right: If true, they lead to Him; But who would shun the noonday light To grope 'mid shadows dim? And who would leave the Fountain Head To drink the muddy stream, Where men have mixed what God bath said With every dreamer's dream? How dim is every earthly light When suns celestial glow! No earthly visions lure the sight Where God His face doth show. We are bombarded by smooth talking false teachers today. No matter how attractive their words, we need to stand firm in our Faith in Christ and reject their words. We are called to grow in the same way we were saved, by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. III. All Christians should grow in Christ by sticking with the Gospel that got them to Christ.v6-7 Colossians 2:6–7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Grow the same way you were saved “as you therefore have received Christ” The Christian faith is a person, a life, and a body of truths. The received has two meanings (1) the welcoming of a person and (2) the receiving of “tradition”. Both these meanings apply is this context. The Colossians heard the content of the gospel tradition through Epaphras’ preaching; then they personally welcomed the Person of the gospel. They were to remember the nature and content of their faith at the time of their salvation, and that was to guide them throughout their Christian lives as well. Walk in Christ by growing in His likeness In the same manner as the Colossian saints received the instruction regarding Christ as to His Person and Work, they should also order their behavior. “so walk in Him” Christianity is not a theological creed only; it is also a lifestyle of faith Ephesians 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Here it means: Keep on holding fast to Christ, keep on believing in him, and then, of course, also keep on obeying him in good works. The next set of statements stress parts of what this continuous walking in connection with the Lord consists of. Grow Same as you Started “having been firmly rooted” Like a tree that has struck its roots deep has a sufficiency of support for withstanding all the assaults of winds and storms, so, if anyone is deeply and thoroughly fixed in Christ, as in a firm root, it will not be possible for him to be thrown down from his proper position by any smooth talk. “now being built up in Him” Means to increase the potential of someone or something, with focus upon the process involved—‘to strengthen, to make more able, to build up. “and established in your faith” Is to increase in inner strength, with the implication of greater firmness of character or attitude—‘to receive more inner strength, to be strengthened in one’s heart.’ The progressive nature of all the concepts suggests the idea of “more and more” just as a taproot goes down more and more, and as a building goes up more and more. Growth results in Gratitude When he adds, with thanksgiving, he would have them always keep in mind from what source faith itself proceeds, that they may not be puffed up with presumption, but may stay humble in the gift of God. As believers are “built up” in Christ, they become more grateful and are overflowing with thankfulness Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. He assumed that Christians would live in an attitude of thankfulness for the many blessings bestowed upon them. It is important for us to understand one of the first indicators of departure from God is a lack of thanksgiving Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. An honest farmer was asked to dine with a gentleman, and there asked a blessing at table as he was accustomed to do at home. His host said jeeringly, "That is old-fashioned; it is not customary nowadays for well-educated people to pray at table." The farmer answered that with him it was customary, but that some of his household never prayed over their food. "Ah, then," said the gentleman, "they are sensible and enlightened. Who are they?" The farmer answered, "They are my pigs." Giving thanks is a deliberate act, it is not something that happens automatically. It takes a conscious effort. We have to notice what God has done for us, from this we have to give Him honor for what He has done. This is an ongoing thing that must be done daily if not more often. Giving thanks to God needs to be a major part of our prayer life. It is good to include thanks in every prayer. Conclusion One of the things we can be thankful for is growing in Christ. This growth can be a struggle at times, we need to know there may be those who will oppose us when we are trying to Grow in Christ. We will need encouragement along the way as we grow. We need to be encouraging others in their growth. This growth we are looking for does not just come from any source, it is to be a growth in Christ, a growth based on the wisdom and knowledge found only in Christ. We need to guard against anyone trying to persuade us with fancy words, and the best guard against this is a mature understanding of Christ. We come to this mature understanding of Christ when we walk with, abide in, live with Christ in our lives. We grow when we live out the same Gospel that we received when we trusted in Jesus Christ. We display our growth when we give thanks to God. We should always be thankful to God because he loved us even when we were still sinners, He came in the form of a man, Jesus Christ, lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay for our sins…. ALTAR CALL If there is anyone here who has not trusted in Christ, anyone still trying to earn Heaven, in a moment I am going to pray a prayer and we are going to sing a song. During that song I would invite you to come forward and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Additionally if there is anyone who is in need of prayer I would love for you to come forward so that I can pray for you. And Finally if there is anyone here who wishes to be a member of this Church this is the proper time to come forward and receive membership in this church.