RIVERWAY CLASSWeek #5

Colossians 2:6—2:23Instructor: Ernie Zarra

Last Week’s Text

1:24—2:5

Colossians 1:24We find Paul rejoicing in his own

sufferings.◦What does he mean by this?◦How does James 1:2 coincide with

Colossians 1:24?“CONSIDER IT ALL JOY,

MY BRETHREN, WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER

VARIOUS TRIALS.”

James 1:2“My Brethren”

◦James immediately points to those he is writing to as equals.

◦He never uses his position of authority as a position to abuse power.

◦His humility as a servant is grounded in Christ.

“Consider it all joy”◦How can it be joyful or even

profitable for us when we meet trials?

◦This entire passage focuses on the development of the Christian character.

“Joy”◦From the Greek word kara.◦Literally means gladness and being

joyful. T◦Trials are the cause for occasions of

which there is to be joy. ◦Matthew Henry writes: “Philosophy may

instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but Christianity teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed from love and not fury in God.”

Back to Colossians 1:24Let’s examine the following texts:

◦2 Timothy 2:3◦1 Peter 1:20-25◦Philippians 1:27-30

Colossians 1:25Paul became a minister according

to God’s purpose, and to accomplish God’s will.

Colossians 1:26God’s Word, in its fullness, is

equated with a mystery.◦Paul contrasts this mystery of the

ages with that of the teachings of the Gnostics.

◦The major difference here is that all saints have complete access to this mystery, not merely those of a higher intellectual plane.

Colossians 1:27God willed to make known to the

Colossians the riches and glory in Christ◦In what ways did these riches

become known?◦How was this “revelation” different

from those secret revelations claimed by the Gnostics?

Colossians 1:28What is Christian maturity?What are some biblical, and

personal characteristics of this maturity?

Let’s revisit James 1:1-16

James 1:1-16What are the marks of a mature, effective Christian?What about the opposite?

Habit 1: Dichotomize Your Life. Truly ineffective Christians apportion their lives into secular and sacred components.Habit 2: Make tolerance your god. Accept anything and everything. All viewpoints are not only valid but also equal.Habit 20: Seek the quick, self-help solution. Look for easy answers. Trust your instincts.

Colossians 1:28 Activity

Completeness in Christ Incomplete Christians

JAMES 1:1-16 Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:21

Unstable inHis ways

Young Ruler:“What

am I

lacking?”

Colossians 1:29Paul states that he labors

according to God’s power◦What is the difference in our culture

between “labor” and “work”?

Colossians 2:1

Paul seeks to identify with those who are struggling and to be certain those believers know he is with them in their struggles.

Colossians 2:2Paul relates the purpose of their

“struggles” together◦What joins the Colossians to Paul, in

terms of struggles?◦What is to be the result of

“struggling”?

Colossians 2:3Paul draws a direct contrast to

the things that are claimed to be hidden by Gnosticism, and the “treasures of wisdom” available for all in Christ.◦In your mind, what are “treasures of

wisdom and knowledge?”

Colossians 2:4~How persuasive are some of the

heresies and false teachings that are found in the church?

~What persuasive teachings exist in culture that believers would do well to avoid?

~Ever heard someone speak, know there was error in there somewhere, but were unable to decipher the actual error at the moment?

Colossians 2:5~Paul was rejoicing from afar with

the Colossians for their Christian character.

~How important is Christian stability to those who are watching?

~When trials come, what security does it provide to know that mature believers have been through similar circumstances?

Closing Question

What have we ascertained about the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1—2:5?

This Week’s Text

2:6—2:23

There Are Two Types “In Christ”

The Dead in Christ ◦(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

The Alive in Christ◦(Colossians 2:6-7)

Those Alive in Christ (2:6-7)Are firmly rootedHave received the faithKeep on walkingIn a state of continually being

built up in HimAre establishedHave been instructedOverflow with gratitude

Is Christ Sufficient? What does it mean when Paul

says Christ is all-sufficient?Is He sufficient for us today? (2

Corinthians 12:7-10)

Christ Is All You Need (2:8-15)

Warning Against False Philosophies (2:8)

False Teachings in the Church at Colossae ◦Gnosticism◦Dualism◦Mystery Cults◦Paganism◦Asceticism◦Jewish Mysticism◦Syncretism

Fullness of the Godhead Is In Christ (2:9)The fullness of God exists

continually in Christ.The Word was made flesh and

dwelt among us.Jesus was the God the Son before

His incarnation.

We Are Made Complete in Christ (2:10)Christ is not merely a divine

essence imparted to us.We are not little “gods.”Angels, rituals, and pagan

philosophies pale in significance to His fullness.

The new birth allows us to partake of God’s divine nature without us being deity.

Warning Against Judaistic Ceremonialism (2:11)Outward signs are not

necessarily indicators of inward changes.

The new birth is the “Christian circumcision.”

Spiritual circumcision is in Christ

Baptism and Circumcisionin Christ (2:12-13)Baptism is like circumcision, in that

they are both symbols of changes brought about by Christ.

Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

To be uncircumcised in Spirit, is to be dead in trespasses and sin.

Paul’s message to the Colossians is that the false teachings distort the finished work of Christ.

Our Debt Is Cancelled (2:14)Our debt is now “wiped away.”William Barclay suggests the ancient

documents were written on papyrus or vellum and the ancient ink had no acid in it. Therefore, it did not bite into the surface of the writing material. When the scribe needed to erase the writing on the surface he took a sponge and wiped the writing off. It was on the surface of the paper and therefore not permanent. “The ink could be wiped out as if it had never been.”

We Are Free From Gnosticism (2:16-17)Gnosticism or its influences adds

no advantages for the Christian.Christ is sufficiency and no

heresy can measure up to the person and work of Christ.

Paul’s Final Warnings (2:18-23)

Worshipping angels over Christ debases Christ.

Asceticism is an indulging in the flesh.

Exercise caution because practices that have the appearance of wisdom may be based in the flesh.