The Struggle
Notes
Transcript
The Walk
Palindromic Day—02.02.2020 (909 years)
written the same backward and forward
Colossians 2:6–7 —Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
WALK in JESUS
What GOAL should drive us forward?
What moves Paul forward?
Colossians 1:24–29 — 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Paul has suffered much for the cause of Christ, and in that he rejoices. Why so? He is filling up what is lacking in Christ’s affliction. What does that mean? It has nothing to do with Jesus’ work of salvation on our behalf. It has everything to do with Jesus identifying with our service on His behalf.
Acts 9:4–5 — And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, TO MAKE THE WORD OF GOD FULLY KNOWN, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.
Mystery—Christ IN you—Walk then IN Jesus, rooted and built up in HIM,
28 Him we proclaim (present tense), warning (present tense) everyone and teaching (present) everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (over 60 days to establish new habit) 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
What moves Paul forward?
Colossians 1:28 — HIM (JESUS) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone MATURE in CHRIST.
Paul seeks to join Jesus in presenting himself and others
as mature in Jesus
MATURE? Perfect/complete—(telios) fulfilling purpose
plant—fruitful
Colossians 1:9–11 — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him (you don’t lose your identity—neon sign): bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (there’s the picture of maturity) 11 (Christ’s activity) being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
Paul want’s everyone to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Will we follow Paul’s example?
Will you join Jesus in presenting yourself and others
as mature in Jesus? I’m not an apostle.
Hebrews 10:23–25 — 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 3:13 — 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Will you join Jesus in presenting yourself and others
as mature in Jesus?
Plan of Action
1) Begin each day by reading a chapter of Ephesians. Ask God to impress a lesson upon your heart. Ask Him to enable you to live out what He helps you to see. (Once you complete the book during the week, start it over again.)
2) Ask God also to fill you with His wisdom and understanding concerning the people and situations you face into the day ahead (Colossians 1:9-12).
Prayerfully identify the path He would have you to take. Consider especially those you might encourage in the faith.
Ephesians 5:15–21 — 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine (THINK INFLUENCE), for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit (THINK INFLUENCE), 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Prayerfully identify the path He would have you to take. Consider especially those you might encourage in the faith.
With the path before you, ask Jesus’ help to walk it. Choose to walk in Jesus.
3) Conclude your prayer by marveling over God’s work of salvation on your behalf (WEEK 2— Colossians 1:12–14— 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins—Marvel over God’s work of salvation on your behalf.
Identify two additional reasons to be thankful and give thanks to the Lord.
Join Jesus in presenting yourself and others
as mature in Jesus
State the obvious--Spiritual growth requires effort.
Colossians 1:28–2:5 —28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling (ἀγωνίζομαι--intensity) with all His energy (ἐνέργεια) that He powerfully works (ἐνεργέω) within me. 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle (ἁγών) I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ (Christ in you, the hope of glory), 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and THE FIRMNESS OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST.
Spiritual growth requires effort
Will we put fort the effort?
FOCUS on JESUS
Colossians 2:6–7 —Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.