Sermon Tone Analysis

THE PROBLEM OF PERSEVERANCE

It’s hard to stick with things, isn’t it?

Every year, it’s an American tradition to make resolutions on New Year’s Eve, in the hope that we will finally implement the changes in our lives that we’ve been meaning to make for years.

“This’ll be the year I stick with that diet!”

“This’ll be the year I take my workout plan seriously!”

“This’ll be the year I learn how to play piano!”

And so on.

We’re all pretty well acquainted with this dilemma.

For some reason, we just intrinsically have a tough time being consistent with anything!

And sadly, doesn’t that tend to be the case in our walk with Christ?

There’s an abundance of Bible plans out there, but none of them seem to be the best fit.

And sadly, doesn’t that tend to be the case in our walk with Christ?

There’s an abundance of Bible plans out there, but none of them seem to be the best fit.

There’s a lot of serving opportunities at church, but it seems like our schedules are way too busy to commit every week!

And there’s so many things to pray for, that we get overwhelmed and end up not praying at all!

And that’s just a few scenarios among many.

There’s

Now, sometimes, our current season of life may limit us from being as committed to church life as we’d like, and that’s understandable.

However, I think we as young believers think too lightly about the dangers of having a limited commitment to our daily walk with Christ.

This danger was heavy on the heart of the apostle Paul, and the solution he gives in his inspired letter to the Colossians is as beneficial for us as it was for the Colossian believers themselves.

Tonight, we’re going to complete our study of what the “Purpose-Driven Pastor” looks like.

Here in , we find two passions that every godly shepherd has: a passion for protection and a passion for progression.

Follow along as I read.

CONTEXT

So far in Colossians, we’ve seen Paul establish the wisdom of the true gospel from verses 1-23 back in chapter 1.

Then, we began looking at the folly of any false gospel, starting in chapter 1, verse 24.

Now, we’re at the close of the idea Paul started back in that verse.

Here, in , Paul’s main point was to steer the Colossians away from spiritual deception and steer them towards spiritual direction.

This passage consists of a revealing explanation (), a heartfelt consolation (), and a pastoral exhortation ().

includes a revealing explanation (), a heartfelt consolation (), and a pastoral exhortation ().In this passage, Paul gives the reason for why he is writing the way that he has from 1:24-now.

Then, Paul asserts that he finds joy in seeing and hearing about their perseverance in the faith, regardless of whether or not he is with them.

Then, as a result of all of that, he charges them to continue to persevere by walking in Jesus Christ, full of thankfulness and devotion to sound doctrine.

In verse 4, Paul gives the reason for why he is writing the way that he has from 1:24-now.

Then, in verse 5, Paul asserts that he finds joy in seeing and hearing about their perseverance in the faith, regardless of whether or not he is with them.

Finally, in verses 6-7, as a result of all of that, he charges them to continue to persevere by walking in Jesus Christ, full of thankfulness and devotion to sound doctrine.

Here, in , Paul’s main point was to steer the Colossians away from spiritual deception and steer them towards spiritual direction.

All in all, Paul’s main point in writing these verses was this: to steer the Colossians away from spiritual deception and steer them towards spiritual direction.

A PASSION FOR PROTECTION ()

With that in mind, let’s look at verses 4-5, where we find the first passion of a true shepherd: a passion for protection… a passion for protection.

“I say this” is in reference to everything Paul has talked about in the last 8 verses.

There’s no pride in his heart when it comes to discussion about his selfless ministry efforts.

Don’t miss the “so that” in verse 4… The whole purpose behind why Paul has spoken the way he’s been speaking is because he doesn’t want the Colossians to be deceived by anyone or anything!

Paul’s hope in writing this passage, and the letter at large, was to protect the Colossians from any obstacles to their perseverance.

Why was this necessary?

Only because Jesus Himself spoke clearly on how important it is to be precise in our perseverance.

In , He says that the path of the Christian is narrow, and many miss the mark.

If you’re anything like me and you’re directionally challenged (which basically just means you don’t know to get anywhere without Google Maps), then you’re entirely and utterly dependent on the directions you’re given by whatever app you use to get from Point A to Point B. So, even if there is a potential for Apple Maps to lead you astray, you just have to exercise faith because your lack of ability means that there isn’t really any alternative!

Make no mistake, in the Christian life, we’re all directionally challenged.

Without the sovereign grace of God acting on us, we never would’ve come to Christ on our own, let alone live more like Him!

However, where the Apple Maps analogy fails is this: if the directions lead us to the wrong location, the consequences aren’t all that bad.

We can usually find a solution to get us back to where we needed to be in a reasonable amount of time.

On the other hand, if we’re following the wrong directions on the road to eternal life, the consequences are dire, and most importantly, there’s no guarantee we will have enough time to get back on track.

All that to say, we need to pay all the more attention to the many devices that the devil, the world, and our flesh will throw at us to derail our faith.

One in particular?

Persuasive arguments from false teachers.

Look at verse 4 again: “so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.”

The best definition of this is spiritual deception… spiritual deception.

Spiritual deception is very real, very present, and very dangerous.

One primary way it can come is through false teachers, such as the ones Paul is warning the Colossians about here in this very verse.

Let’s unpack this a little for a moment though.

First, spiritual deception is very real because the Bible says so!

You probably weren’t expecting that answer, but it’s the answer nonetheless.

If Scripture warns us about something, then we would do well to take it just as seriously as God does.

We’re easily

All we have to do is look at our own lives and it’s easy to see how real of a danger it is.

Listen to .

Spiritual deception not only comes from without, but within!

How much of the Word do we hear in sermons every week on Sunday, only to forget most of what we got convicted over by Monday morning?

Right now, it may not seem like it’s having much of an effect on us, but in reality, when we harden our hearts to conviction like that, we’re prime candidates to fall prey to spiritual deception.

Second, spiritual deception is very present because it’s going on all around us! Look at all the false teachers in the prosperity gospel movement.

How many souls are led astray by the ministries of Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, and others?

What about the other movements going on even in conservative Christianity?

Denominations that have held the line are beginning to blur that line as the world at large is getting more and more aggressive with homosexuality, loose living, and abortion?

If we’re not arming ourselves with what the Bible teaches on these things, then we’re prime candidates to fall prey to spiritual deception.

Third, spiritual deception is very dangerous because we don’t see it for what it is until it’s too late.

People wouldn’t pay a shady contractor for a kitchen remodel if they knew he was shady from the jump.

It’s hard for us to see deceivers for who they are because deep down, our flesh really wants to like what they have to say! Listen to Paul on this exact issue in .

So, now that we know why Paul found it so necessary to teach the Colossians about the reality, presence, and danger of spiritual deception, we naturally want to ask: “Paul, if your main reason for writing was to protect them from a danger that is real but not technically present at the moment, why are you writing so strongly to them?”

We only need to look at verse 5 to get the answer.

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Here, Paul concedes the reality that he’s not physically there.

He understands the fact that they are 1300 miles apart and that the distance is palpable!

But… Don’t you love when the Bible says “But”!? Look at the text again: “But, or nevertheless, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”

Paul’s saying here, “Yeah.

I might not be with you all physically, but I’m 100% present spiritually.”

What does that presence look like?

Extreme joy at the sight of their continued perseverance, which is evidenced by their orderly manner and unshakeable steadfastness in their faith.

Paul’s intense desire to see their growth and his subsequent delight in their growth sets the standard for what we should look for in a shepherd.

It’s the defining mark of ministry!

The purpose behind why we speak hard truths to each other, confront one another about sin, and encourage one another to persevere must be from an inward desire to see our brothers and sisters remain firm in the faith.

If that’s not our mindset, or the mindset of our pastors, then the same Bible that says is living and active becomes dead and sterile because of lovelessness.

A PASSION FOR PROGRESSION ()

So, in verses 4-5, we saw that the first passion of a godly shepherd is a passion for protection.

Now, in verses 6-7, we find the second passion of a godly shepherd: a passion for progression… a passion for progression.

Follow along as I read.

This “Therefore” tells us that this statement Paul is making here in verses 6-7 is the peak, the mountaintop, the finale to what Paul has been saying up until this point.

It’s also interesting to note that Paul says here, “as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him...” He’s purposefully emphasizing the reality that the things he is saying and is about to say are nothing new!

The Colossians already know the true Christ and the wisdom of His gospel.

Their only job?

Simply to stick with what they knew and keep sticking with it.