ROOTED IN HIM

                                                 ROOTED IN HIM Colossians 2:4-8

When the Son of Man comes, will he find Faith on the earth? Luke 18:8. Who asked that question? None other than Jesus himself, who is the author and the finisher of our Faith. It looked like He had already foreseen the affairs of our world today. Many in the World live as though God doesn't exist. Because of the increased wickedness, many Christians' love for God is growing cold. Many Christians in the Church are losing their Faith in Jesus Christ.

How could we navigate our Christian Faith in a world that is increasingly becoming arrogant toward God and hostile toward God's people? How could we hold on to the truth in a culture of alternative facts, or how do you know your version of the truth is the actual truth? These faith challenges are not new; the first-century Colossian believers also faced them. How did they hold on to their Faith in Christ amid heresies, a hostile and often violent culture?

We are continuing our 'In Him' series based on the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Colossian believers. Today, we will examine the importance of holding fast to our Faith and how we can navigate our culture without compromising our Faith, as many Christians do today. I title this sermon, Rooted In Him, Colossians 2:4-8.

            At the time of writing the letter to the Colossians, Paul was in prison in Ephesus, awaiting trial for his preaching. Still, he was glad to hear Ephaphras' report about the well-being and struggles of the believers in Colossae. The purpose of the letter was not to rebuke any sin or correct a doctrinal error but to encourage the believers in their faith struggles. He was concerned about the influence of the false teachers and urged the believers to remain strong in their Faith.

I. A Disciplined Life Strengthens Our Faith In Christ

Colossians 2:4-5, "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in Spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your Faith in Christ is."

As a pastor, Paul wanted to be personally present in the Church to speak to the believers, but he couldn't be there in person, so he wrote to them instead. He warned them so that no one would deceive them by fine-sounding arguments. Paul noticed in other churches, such as Corinth, some believers were being deceived and turning away from their Faith.

II Cor 11:3-5, "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough." Paul did not want what happened to the Corinthian believers to occur to the Colossian believers, or to any of Christ's followers at any time.

So, he appealed to their strength, saying, "I delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." In the scriptures, discipline means training. It is not physical but spiritual training. Writing to Timothy, his spiritual son, he urges him, saying, "Train yourself to be godly." I Timothy 4:7. Paul's assessment of the Colossian believers was that they were well-disciplined, which led them to be strong in their Faith.

I thank God that at Hope Church, I see several of you are well-disciplined and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ. But don't be slack in your spiritual disciplines, such as reading Scripture, Worship, Prayer, and fellowshipping with other believers. Some of you may have to start developing those spiritual habits. However, if we do not maintain those disciplines, we too might be deceived. How can we remain steadfast in our Faith?

Let's follow Paul's advice in Colossians 2:6-7, "So, then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thanksgiving."

II ROOTED IN HIM.

The apostle Paul affirmed that the Colossian believers received Christ Jesus as their Lord, an act that occurred at some point in their lives. But then he urged them not to be stagnant in their Faith, but to continue living their lives in Him by being rooted and built up in Him.

 Similarly, those of us who have been born again have received Jesus Christ as our Lord. However, that is not enough. As we journey long, we must continue to live our lives in Him by being rooted in Him. What does Rooted in Him mean, and how is it expressed in our lives?

Paul uses a metaphor of a tree sending its roots deep down into the soil. In the scriptures, we see the life of a believer as a tree planted in the ground. For instance, Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever they do prospers."

In the parable of the Vine and the Branches, Jesus explained the importance of being rooted in Him. John 15:5-7, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.  If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Based on these illustrations, what does it mean to be rooted in Him?

It means Christ is the soil in which believers are rooted, and He enables them to produce the fruit of good deeds and words, and to grow in their knowledge of God. That is the prayer of Paul for all believers in Col 1:10. When we continue to live in Jesus, who is the good and fertile soil from whom we receive the sustenance to lead a fulfilling and fruit bearing life.

How can we be rooted in Christ? It does not happen automatically, but instead intentionally being with Jesus and getting to know Him through the reading of the Bible. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we will be like Him, and our Faith is also strengthened. I emphasize that without reading and applying God's word, we cannot understand what God is like, His purpose for our lives, and how to navigate life in this highly conflicted.

Paul, writing to the Roman believers who lived in a culture similar to ours, explained the importance of living by the teachings taught in Scripture. Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." What did we learn from the Bible?

Unfortunately, many Christians in the USA do not read their Bible, let alone live by the teachings of the scriptures. Many let the culture influence their understanding of life; instead, let the scriptures inform them how to live their lives that are worthy of God. Because of their lack of Biblical knowledge, resulting in their shallow relationship with Chris, many Christians are easily persuaded by the empty promises of the politicians and deceived by worldly philosophies.

On the contrary, a Christian who is deeply rooted in Him is not easily deceived. Because Christ, who gives us wisdom, becomes our wisdom. The Holy Spirit that He sent us becomes our guiding counselor and ever-present help in times of need. When we are rooted in Him, we will be able to test and discern the deceiving spirits. We will hold on to the truth and avoid error.

A Christian who is deeply rooted in Him would say, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by Faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Gal 2:20. A person deeply rooted in Him will be a grateful person. They will be thankful for all things. Let's examine our lives today. Are you living a shallow and weak Christian life? Or is your life deeply Rooted In Him?

 

 

 

In Him Are All The Richest Treasurers

                                      IN HIM ARE ALL THE RICHEST TREASURES

Over forty years ago, against my parents' wishes, who wanted me to become an Engineer, I wanted to become a missionary immediately after graduation. Who wants to be a Missionary these days? That decision shocked my parents and led me to join Youth With A Mission. During one of the worship sessions, I heard these verses of a song, "Lord You Are More Precious Than Silver." That song changed the course of my life. I felt as though I had found the richest treasure.

Here is some background information on that song. Lynn DeShazo, who had just graduated from Auburn University, felt that the Lord wanted her to work on praise and worship music, as well as learn about spiritual disciplines. One of those spiritual disciplines was fasting. Working at McDonalds when you are fasting is a challenge in and of itself, but when you are salting crispy Golden French fries, it is nearly impossible!

As the day went on, the temptation grew stronger and stronger. She began to meditate on those fries until she looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then grabbed two fries and gulped them down. Lynn felt so guilty all the way home. She asked for forgiveness because she had not been strong enough to resist temptation. God put two verses of Scripture on her mind.

Colossians 2:3, "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Proverbs 8:11, "For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Linking those two verses and forgetting all about the Golden French fries, she began to worship the Lord. And, soon, this song was born."[1] What do you treasure in life?

If only you knew Jesus Christ, in whom "Are All The Richest Treasures," you too wouldn't want to settle for anything else. In our 'In Him' series today, we will explore what those richest treasures are and how they impact our daily Christian life. Colossians 1:24-2:1-5

I. The Apostle Paul's Mission To the Church

When we think of the Apostle Paul, we see him as an evangelist, missionary, and great defender of the Gospel. But did you ever see him as a pastor? God changed a persecutor of the Church and a highly learned and Jealous Pharisee, Paul, into a servant of the Church. God commissioned him to the believers, the whole council of God's word. It was a pastoral call.

Paul, a Pharisee who had become a pastor, was concerned about the believers in the churches that he planted during his missionary journeys. The Letter to the Colossians is one of the thirteen pastoral letters that Paul wrote to encourage believers. Paul's Mission to the Church was to proclaim the Gospel, admonish and teach believers with all Wisdom so that everyone would fully mature in Christ. As a caring pastor, Paul explained God's mystery to the Colossian believers, which had been kept hidden for ages. What is that mystery, and how does it impact us?

II. The Mystery Is Christ In You, The Hope Of Glory

The word Mystery in English means "something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain." In our contemporary culture, we often associate mystery with mystery novels and other things that are mysterious. For Paul, the word "mystery" was a revelatory term.

It was about God's redemptive plan, which was once hidden from all people. Writing to Ephesians, Paul explains the mystery of God this way. Through the Gospel, the Gentiles become heirs and form one body, sharing together in the promise in Christ. (Eph 3:6.).

In Col 1:26-27, Paul explains, "This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing.

The mystery, in a nutshell, is this: Christ is in you, so therefore, you can look forward to sharing in God's glory." The Message. That is for our future, but what do we have in Christ now?

III. In Him Are All The Richest Treasures

It is a blessing to know that one day, in Christ, we will share God's glory and live eternally with Him in heaven, but how about here and now? What provisions has God left us with to navigate the challenges while we still live in God's beautiful but broken World?

Let's ask Pastor Paul what he has to say about that. "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not met me personally. My goal 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:1-3.

While studying for this message, God freshly reminded me of my primary calling as a pastor. Like Paul, my goal is to encourage you all in Hope Church, as well as those I don't meet personally. I do my best to teach, preach, inspire, and pray for you all so that you might grow in your love for God with a fuller understanding of the knowledge of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge." Let's unpack these two richest treasures in Christ.

1. The Richest Treasure of Knowing Christ.

            The Greek word "gnosis" is translated in English as "knowledge." This knowledge is not intellectual, as it comes from reading and observation, but rather experiential. What Paul is aiming for here is that we may know Christ intellectually by reading or hearing about Him, but do we know Him experientially? Did we have an encounter with Jesus in our lives similar to the one the Apostle Paul had on the Road to Damascus, which changed his entire life?

            A good education may help us secure a well-paying job and live a comfortable life, but knowing Christ is the only way to eternal life. That is the richest treasure we should pursue. Experientially knowing Jesus Christ transforms us and helps us discover our true purpose in life.

The apostle Paul, who has high credentials in learning and religious living, has this to say about knowing Christ. Philippians 3:7-10, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,..I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death."

The basis of this richest treasure of knowing Christ begins with believing in Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. It will continue to increase as we spend more time getting to know Christ through personal reading of God's Word, Worship, Prayer, and witnessing. This knowledge of Christ will lead us to discover another richest treasure, which is Wisdom.

2. The Richest Treasure of Wisdom In Christ.

            The Greek word Sophia is translated into English as "Wisdom," which refers to the knowledge of how to regulate one's relationship with God. When one is wise unto God, he is prudent with others and knows how to regulate his own life and circumstances. These Richest treasures of Knowledge and Wisdom are hidden in Christ

On this Father's Day, let's listen to a wise father's advice to his son. My son, if you accept my words…turning your ear to Wisdom, and applying your heart to understanding...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives Wisdom." Pro 2:1-12.

In Pro 8:10-11 we read, "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom, is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare with you." What are you running after? The only richest treasures in this World worth pursuing are Wisdom and knowledge in Christ. God gives them to those who believe in his Son, Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] https://thescottspot.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/more-precious-than-silver-written-in-1982/

The Promised Holy Spirit (John 14:15-27)

                                                 THE PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT 

It has been our privilege for the past eight years to shepherd God's flock at Hope Church in Sharon, a small town in Massachusetts. What makes Sharon unique is that, besides others, it has two distinct communities: A large Jewish community that follows the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. A small Christian community that follows Jesus the Messiah and His teachings as recorded in the New Testament, which is the continuation of the Old Testament.

The Jewish community observes three major festivals, one of which is the Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot, a Hebrew name. The Feast of Weeks is the second of the three "solemn feasts" that all Jewish males were required to travel to Jerusalem to attend (Leviticus 23, Deuteronomy 16:16). This important feast begins seven full weeks, or precisely 50 days, after the Feast of Firstfruits. It is also known as "Pentecost" (Acts 2:1), which means "fifty."[1]

From June 1 to 3, 2025, the Jewish community observed "Shavuot, a two-day festival that commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai."[2] What connection do Christians have with the Jewish festival, Shavuot, or the Festival of Weeks?

Jesus was crucified as the "Passover Lamb" and rose from the grave at the Feast of First Fruits. After the resurrection, He spent forty days teaching His disciples before ascending to heaven (Acts 1). On the day of Pentecost, or fifty days after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, God sends the Promised Holy Spirit (John 14:15-27). Unfortunately, many sincere Christians are unaware of the significance of Pentecost, let alone celebrate it. On this Pentecost Sunday, we will learn about the Promised Holy Spirit. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the World, and how does He impact the lives of individual believers today?

I. The Most Neglected Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

In general, we Evangelical Christians believe in a Triune God, that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. We spend a considerable amount of time learning about God the Father and God the Son. But many sincere Christians have little to no interest in learning about God the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Godhead. Why is this disinterest and neglect?

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who wrote a whole book on this crucial doctrine, "God the Holy Spirit," explains the neglect this way: "Generally speaking, the position today is that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is either neglected or it tends to be emphasized and exaggerated in a false manner. Because people are so afraid of the spurious, the false, the excesses and freak manifestations of the Holy Spirit, so they neglect the doctrine of the Holy Spirit altogether."[3]

We are comfortable addressing God as our heavenly Father and Jesus as God's Son, but how do we address the Holy Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit have a personality? Is the Holy Spirit Divine? Let's explore these questions from the Bible and the book "God the Holy Spirit." Martyn Lloyd Jones notes, "I have heard most orthodox people referring to the Holy Spirit and His work as 'it' and 'its' influence and so on as if the Holy Spirit were nothing but an influence or a power."

He provides a few reasons behind that thinking: First, his work appears impersonal to us because it involves mystical and secret work. Second, the very name itself. What does Spirit mean? It means breath, wind, or power. That makes one think of Him as just an influence rather than a person. The third reason is the very symbols used in speaking of Him: the dove, oil, water, fire, and so on. The fourth reason is how the KJV wrongly translated the work of the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit"(Rom 8:16), "the Spirit itself maketh intercession"(Rom 8:26).[4] The NIV translates as the "Spirit himself." Hence the confusion!

II. The Person and the Divinity of the Holy Spirit

            Let us examine the scriptures to establish the Person and divinity of the Holy Spirit. In our 'In Him' series, the personal pronoun 'Him' referred to Jesus Christ. Jesus uses the masculine personal pronoun "He" several times, referring to the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. If Jesus addressed the Holy Spirit as 'He' and 'Him,' we too can refer to the Holy Spirit as 'He' and 'Him,' not as a force, power, or influence. A few scriptures that support the Person of the Holy Spirit.

            The Holy Spirit is identified with the Father and the Son in such a way as to indicate personality. Look at the Baptismal Formula: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."Matthew 28:19.

He identifies with us as a person. In a letter to the Gentile believers, the Apostles said, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements." Acts 15:28. He has a sovereign will. I Cor 12:11, He distributes the spiritual gifts as He wills. He can be grieved, so we are warned not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). He expresses love as we read about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22).

He can be lied to, as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira in the early Church. Peter rebuked Ananias, saying, "How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit." After that, he made a profound statement, saying, "You have not just lied to human beings but to God."Bringing out the divine nature of the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3-4.

Here are some scriptures about the divinity of the Holy Spirit. He is the creator, as stated in Genesis 1:2. Job notes that the Spirit of God made him—Job 33:4. He is eternal, as He was referred to as the eternal Spirit. Heb 9:14. He has the same attributes of God. He is omnipresent, as stated in Psalm 139:7. He is omnipotent, as seen in Luke 1:35. He is omniscient, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11. These scriptures reveal the Person and Divinity of the Holy Spirit.

III. The Work of the Holy Spirit In The Life Of A Believer

 There are many promises of God in the Bible, and all of them are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ. II Cor 2:20. In 900 BC, God promised through His prophet Joel that in the last days, He would pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28-29). Eight hundred years later, Jesus promised his disciples that he would ask the Father, and he would give them another Advocate to help and be with them forever—the Spirit of Truth. He would also live with and in them. John 14:15-17.

As promised, God sent the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to a group of 120 disciples first and then to 3,000 Jewish people from all over the World gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. He convicted them of their sins, leading them to repentance and baptizing them in the water. As a result of the Holy Spirit's conviction, a Church was born.

Here are a few ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives. First, the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins and leads them unto repentance as He did in Acts 2:37-39. Second, when we believe in God through our faith in Jesus, we will be marked with God's promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the final day of redemption. Eph 1:14

Third, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the bodies of believers, making us His temples. I Cor 6:9. For that reason, we honor God with our bodies, avoiding sexual immorality and all other vices that destroy our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit.

Fourth, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of everything that Christ has said. The best way to learn about Jesus is to sit humbly with an open Bible, a pad to write, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us about Christ. In addition to these, He counsels us, comforts us in our hurts, and helps us in our prayer life. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Throughout my life, I have learned to rely on Jesus through the Help of the Holy Spirit. If you let Him, the Promised Holy Spirit can also guide and lead you to Christ.

 

 

 

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[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Weeks.html

[2] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609663/jewish/What-Is-Shavuot.htm#:~:text=15-,Shavuot%202025,of%20the%206th%20of%20Sivan.

[3] Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “God The Holy Spirit.” Page 5

[4] Ibid., 8,9

In HIM: All Things Hold Together

                                       IN HIM: All Things Hold Together 

When we follow the domestic and global news, one cannot help but feel as if our world as we know it is falling apart at the seams. We would like to know if there is anyone who could repair the world's broken systems and hold them together so that we can live in relative peace and security. It has been challenging for Christians everywhere, especially those living in a pluralistic and secular society, to hold on to our Faith in God, particularly in Jesus and His redemptive work.

These challenges are not new; Christians of past generations have faced them as well. How did they handle those heretical views about Christ? We will ask the Colossian Christians, in particular, as they faced the heresy of denying Christ’s divinity, which threatened their Church in Colossae. They must have been blessed to have had the Apostle Paul on their side, who combated this damning heresy with a strong defense of Christ's divinity. In our 'In Him' series, we will explore how All Things Hold Together In Christ. Colossians 1:15-23.

Let us address two complex concepts in Col 1:15, "The Son is the Image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." First, Jesus Christ is presented as the image of the invisible God. The Greek word "eikon," translated as "image," refers to that which resembles an object and represents it. Eikon always assumes a prototype, not merely what it resembles, but from which it is drawn. For instance, the reflection of the sun in the water is called by Plato Eikon.

 Paul's teaching here is that there was not a mere coincidental resemblance between Jesus Christ and his Father, but they were eternally related to one another. The One was the reflection of the Other, who was real and not merely the figment of our imagination. This is even though God is invisible. That which is invisible, nevertheless, can be and is real. John 1:18, "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known." In other words, seeing Jesus is equivalent to seeing God.

The second Word, 'firstborn,' is used twice in Col. 1:15 and 18. What it means here is that Christ holds the same relation to all creation as God the Father, and He is above all creation. It does not mean that He is part of the creation made by God, but that the relation of the whole creation to Him was determined by the fact that He is the cause of the creation of all things, and without Him, there could be no creation. Let's see how this concept is clarified in verse sixteen.

I. The Supremacy Of Jesus Christ

            Have you ever wondered how everything began—the universe with its vast number of galaxies and stars within them, the beautiful Earth with all its wonders and intricacies, and, above all, human life that lives and enjoys these lovely things? When you ask such a question, we will hear several arguments from scientists, evolutionists, biologists, philosophers, and religious leaders. As a shepherd, I approach the question of how it all began from the Scriptures.

Colossians 1:16, "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." To find out who this Him was, we will read John 1:1-5,

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the Light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

 

 

John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The Word that once was with God and was God in the beginning, at the right time, was incarnated in the world in human form. We call Him Jesus Christ, our Lord. He was the one who created all that we see and don't see: plants, animals, oceanic life, the cosmic wonders, and humans.

The Apostle Paul debunked the heretical teaching that Christ was not God but a created being by affirming that all things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. He went one step further by including thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities, which are various categories of angelic beings that were also created by Jesus and for Jesus.

In his letter to the Ephesians Church, Paul prays that the believers would be enlightened. And they might experience "the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the Church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Ephesians 1:20-23.

Through both these letters, Paul silenced the heretics and skeptics by placing Jesus in the highest place over everything. Thereby, he established once and for all that Jesus is the only supreme God. No one would be a match for Him, for He has all the power and authority.

If everything has been created by Jesus and for Jesus, how about you and I? We, too, have been fearfully and wonderfully created by God, and we are made for Him. The Psalmist sums up the response of creation and all its creatures to their Creator. Psalm 148:1-14.

"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command, they were created, and he established them forever. He issued a decree that will never pass away. Kings of the Earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on Earth, young men and women, older men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted;  his splendor is above the Earth and the heavens." Let's examine another bold proclamation by Paul.

II In Him: All Things Hold Together

Colossians 1:17-18, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the Church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy." These scriptures indicate that Jesus, the Supreme God, is not only the Creator of everything but also the sustainer of everything. 

When we feel overwhelmed, thinking that the whole world, including our personal world, is falling apart, let us take heart. Jesus, the one who spoke and everything came into existence, knows how to hold things together until He comes back and establishes His eternal Kingdom.

Jesus is the head of the Church, His body on the Earth. We are members of his body. When Jesus is the center of our lives, we are together. When we move away, we will fall apart. Jesus is committed to making us holy and presenting us to the Father without any blemish.

That is the good news. We have heard it and responded to it by placing our trust in Him.

            At times, we may not understand why we go through difficult times, but during such times, let's trust Him to know that He will hold all things together in our lives. I have been a Christian for over forty years. All these years, Jesus has never failed me; I have failed Him several times. But as he promised, when we are faithless, He remains faithful to us.

How does this truth in Him, that all things hold together, impact our daily living? Believers in Christ can hold onto this truth and remain calm and trusting while facing the turbulence and storms of life, knowing that Jesus holds all things concerning our lives together.

When the world all around us is spinning out of control, God's peace will rule our hearts because we belong to the Prince of Peace and His everlasting Kingdom. How is your life today? Is it falling apart at the edges? Are you afraid of your future and the future of your children? Run to Jesus, who holds all things together in the present and all the days of our lives.

 

 

 

In Him : The Greatest Rescue

                                               IN HIM: The Greatest Rescue

On July 4, 1976, the day the US celebrated its 200th birthday, an Israeli expatriate took a phone call that would change his life. A student in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he went by the name Ben Nitay, an Americanized version of his original name. On the phone was his younger brother, calling with grave news. It concerned their older brother Yonatan, or Yoni. At 30 years old, ruggedly handsome and newly installed as the head of Israel's elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit, Yoni, in the early hours of that day, led a raid to rescue more than 100 Israeli hostages held at Entebbe, Uganda.

The rescue mission had been astonishing, and the hostages were free. The leader on the ground, Yoni, had been killed in action. Their brother was dead. Ben Nitay, born Binyamin Netanyahu, drove seven hours to Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where his father taught. The 26-year-old was determined to break the news to his parents himself. "I could see my father pacing back and forth. And all of a sudden, he turned his head and saw me. He looked surprised but immediately understood and let out a sharp cry.

The family flew in virtual silence from the US to Israel for the funeral of the son and brother who had already been garlanded as a military hero and was now about to enter the national mythology. The Netanyahu name would take its place in the Israeli pantheon and, in the process, open up a path that would take young Binyamin to the top of Israeli politics."[1] Over two thousand years ago, another son and brother, a young Jewish man of 33, offered his life to pull off the Greatest Rescue in human history. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, writes about how that recuse mission was unfolded. In Him: The Greatest Rescue. Colossians 1:9-14

We continue our "In Him" series from the book of Colossians, exploring the incredible spiritual blessings found in Christ for all who believe in Him. Today, we will learn about The Greatest Rescue Mission in Christ and how that impacts our daily Christian life.

To understand the gravity of the rescue mission and appreciate its benefits, we must consider the perilous place we once lived in and the safety we will enjoy eternally.

Colossians 1:13-14, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." NIV. NASB reads, "For He rescued us from the domain (authority) of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of  His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

These verses inform us that God conducted a significant rescue operation at some point, delivering people from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. The NLT reads, "For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son." This translation suggests that there are two kingdoms—one of Satan's and the other of God's. God is the only King we have with an enduring Kingdom. All Satan has a dominion, or "power and authority." Let's examine the dominion of darkness and its influence.

 

I. The Dominion of Darkness

During my preaching, you have likely heard me discuss God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Satan repeatedly. But did you know that a lot of Churches and Christians reject the reality of Satan?

Barna Group research in 2008 notes, "Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan is not a living being but is a symbol of evil."[2] In the 1995 film Usual Suspects, Kevin Spacey says, "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist," Why this confusion? What does the Bible say about Satan? Let's explore.

Consider the following scriptures that explain the origin and fall of Satan. Isaiah 14:12-15 indicates Satan was created as a holy angel. Ezekiel 28:12-14 describes Satan as having been made a cherub, apparently the highest created angel. He became arrogant in his beauty and status, wanting to sit on a throne above God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15).

How did Satan fall from his high position? It was Satan's pride that led to his fall. Notice the many "I will" statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Because of his sin, God permanently removed Satan from his exalted position and role. Though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God's Kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult, world religion, and system. He will do anything to oppose God and those who follow Him.

Satan wages war against God and God’s people in the spiritual realm. This is how Paul describes this Spiritual Warfare: Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Satan influences the systems and governments of the world through his evil agenda to commit evil against God and people.

He will have dominion or power over the disobedient at an individual level. Eph 2:1-2, “And you were dead in your offenses and sins, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Under his control, people commit sins by engaging in acts of darkness. (Rom 13:12-13). All of us once were disobedient to God and walked in darkness (John 12:35), not knowing where we were going. We were all subjected to the wrath of God and were in danger of eternal destruction. Who would deliver us from the domain of darkness? God, being rich in mercy, conducted the greatest rescue because of his great love for us. Eph 2:4.

 

II. In Him: The Greatest Rescue

Colossians 1:13, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.” This is the greatest rescue operation that God ever conducted to deliver people from the power and authority of Satan. This rescue did not happen without bloodshed. It took the life of God’s only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross. Through his blood, he paid the penalty for our sins. Gal 3:13, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Paul never wants believers to forget who was behind this greatest rescue, saying, “In Christ, we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.” Where are we transferred to once we are rescued from the dominion of darkness? Into the Kingdom of Light, of God’s beloved Son.

 

III. The Kingdom of God's beloved Son

Vs. 13, “For he has rescued us from the domain of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves.” This is where all the believers in Christ live today, while we are still alive in this world. When we die, we will live in His eternal Kingdom when he establishes it on the second return of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Jesus becomes our true King, and we become the citizens of His enduring Kingdom. What is God’s Kingdom like? It reflects its King.

It is the Kingdom of Light, where no darkness or evil will exist. It is the Kingdom of Love, where there is no fear and hatred. It is the Kingdom of righteousness and justice, and injustice has no place. It is the Kingdom of Peace; unrest and anxiety will not exist.

It is the Kingdom of Joy, where sadness and sorrow will flee. It is the Kingdom of eternal life and health. Sickness and death are dealt with once and for all. That is the kind of Kingdom that Jesus taught us to pray when he said, “Let Your Kingdom Come.” That is the Kingdom Jesus preached about and commissioned us to preach. Matthew 24:14. As the citizens of God’s loving Kingdom, let us enjoy its benefits now. However, as heavenly citizens,  let us work hard to lead as many people as possible to believe in our eternal King, Jesus Christ.

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[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/25/entebbe-raid-40-years-on-israel-palestine-binyamin-netanyahu-jonathan-freedland

[2] https://www.barna.com/research/most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exist/

In HIM: True Knowledge & Wisdom

                                         IN HIM: True Knowledge & Wisdom

Take this simple true or false quiz. 1. "Prayer is more important than mowing your widowed grandmother's lawn. 2. Sharing the gospel is more important than taking a meal to a new mother and father just home from the hospital. 3. Doing "sacred" work, such as preaching or being a missionary, is more important than "secular" work, such as accounting or being a lawyer.

If you answered "true" to any of these questions, you've been deceived by the ancient heresy of Gnosticism." We will see how so.[1] In our "In Him" series, we have been learning about the incredible spiritual riches found in Christ in the book of Colossians. So far, we have learned that in Christ we belong to God and His family of brothers and sisters, both locally and globally.

One of the spiritual benefits of belonging to God's family is that we can be protected against heretical teachings that derail our Christian Faith. In our passage today, the apostle Paul tackled a heretical teaching called Gnosticism that plagued the Church in Colosse by pointing them to Christ, in whom True Knowledge & Wisdom are found. Colossians 1:9-12

I. The Heresy of Gnosticism: Both Then and Now.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian believers to warn them about Gnosticism, a heresy that affected the believers in the early Church in the first 200 years. This heresy was repudiated not only by the writers of the N.T. Epistles, but also by the Church Fathers.

Irenaeus exposed Gnosticism by saying, “Error never shows itself in its naked reality, in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than the truth itself." What is Gnosticism? How does Gnosticism mask itself today, and how does it affect our Christian faith? The word is derived from the Greek word, gnosis meaning, "knowledge." The Gnostics separated matter from thought.

They considered matter as evil and thought or knowledge as the ultimate for salvation. That heresy led them not to attribute humanity to Jesus Christ, since humanity, being material, was evil to them. Such a belief developed into two directions. One was a complete denial of sexual and other bodily appetites, virtual asceticism, and the other was the unrestrained indulgence of the body. The key belief is that the spiritual is good, the physical is bad.

Gnosticism disguises itself in contemporary culture. According to an article on Gnosticism by the Christian Institute, "Millions of people today unknowingly hold Gnostic beliefs that are central to the transgender debate. The distinction between men and women should be rejected because it is part of the useless creation order, which led to Gender Identity Issues.

Many famous people were influenced by Gnosticism, such as the Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung. A music legend, John Lennon, said, “The only Christians were the Gnostics, who believe in self-knowledge, i.e, becoming Christ themselves, reaching the Christ within.” Gnostic themes, “chime in with contemporary ideals of self-discovery, self-awareness, self-actualization and self-salvation, not to mention a dislike of any kind of authority, especially the Church.

The New Age movement shares common thoughts with Gnosticism. Gnosticism affects all aspects of life, for instance, the Gnostics would say, “since the real you is what you feel deep inside, the inner person overrules all external factors, including objective biological reality.

So the transgender movement claims that gender identity doesn't necessarily align with birth sex. A person can look within to write their own script—whether that's male, female, or some other option, regardless of their body." How does this flawed thought get refuted biblically? God, in his supreme Wisdom, "Created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him male and female. He created them." Gen 1:27. The Gnostics claim to have access to superior knowledge and Wisdom, but what is their real source of knowledge and Wisdom?

II. Worldly Knowledge & Wisdom

The scripture indicates two sources of knowledge and Wisdom: worldly and godly. What is the difference between knowledge and Wisdom? The dictionary defines Wisdom as "the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting." Knowledge is "information gained through experience, reasoning, or acquaintance." Knowledge can exist without Wisdom, but not the other way around. One can be knowledgeable without being wise. For example, knowledge is knowing how to use a gun; Wisdom is knowing when to use it and when to keep it locked.

Not all worldly Knowledge and Wisdom is bad. For instance, developing and properly using education, medicine, science, and technology could improve society and the quality of life. Here are some Biblical views on worldly knowledge and Wisdom. Paul notes that knowledge without love amounts to nothing. I Cor 13:2. Human Knowledge makes one arrogant. 1 Cor 8:1.

King Solomon noted that pursuing knowledge without God is foolish. "Then I applied myself to the understanding of Wisdom, which, too, is chasing after the wind. For with much Wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:17-18.

Paul urges us to "Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.”1 Tim 6:20-21. James 3:13-16 reads, “Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for Wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly.

It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't Wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't Wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't Wisdom. It's the furthest thing from Wisdom, it's animal cunning, and devilish plotting. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart, and everyone ends up at the others' throats.” (The Message). If the Gnostics' source of knowledge comes from the world, where does true Knowledge and Wisdom come from?

III. In Him: True Knowledge & Wisdom

We don’t combat Error with more Error but with truth. The apostle Paul dealt with Gnosticism, not with worldly knowledge and Wisdom. Instead, he implored Godly Knowledge and Wisdom. James explains that Godly Wisdom comes from heaven, which is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. James 3:17

The Apostle Paul prayed that the believers would be filled with True Knowledge and Wisdom. Colossians 1:9-10, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the Wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Where do we find True Knowledge & Wisdom? In Him alone!

Man can create AI (Artificial Intelligence). But only God is the source of  True Knowledge and Wisdom. Since He is the source, they are called godly knowledge and Wisdom. One of God's natural attributes is that He is Omniscient, which means “All-Knowing God.” Everything in the universe, on earth, and in your life is known to God.

That all-knowing God challenges the wise people. “Let not the wise boast of their Wisdom, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” Isaiah 9:23-24. How well do you know Jesus, who became Wisdom for us?

Our lives will change when we know the One who is the True knowledge and Wisdom. We live wisely “Pleasing God in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” Col 1:11-12. 

 

 

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[1] Derrick G. Jeter, www.DerrickJeter.com.