The Mystery of God Colossians 2 1 3

The Mystery of God Colossians 2: 1 -3 by Bob De. Waay Gospel of Grace Fellowship November 23, 2014 The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 1

Paul’s Struggle for the Church Colossians 2: 1 (NASB) 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, “Struggle” is an athletic term § Paul’s concern extended to all the Christians in the vicinity of Colossae § Paul prayed because of the inroads of false teaching § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 2

Knit Together in Love Colossians 2: 2 a (NASB) that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, . . . “Encouraged hearts” denotes the strengthening of the whole inner person § Paul prays for loving unity which is something always under attack § Ephesians 4: 16 uses the same term translated “knit together” § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 3

The Mystery of God Is Christ Colossians 2: 2 b (HCSB) so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. Colossians 1: 27 also linked “mystery” and Christ § Both passages also reference “riches” § “Assured understanding” is publicly revealed in the gospel and is not secret § The Colossians were surrounded by mystery religions § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 4

Christ Is the Storehouse of Wisdom & Knowledge Colossians 2: 3 (NASB) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Both Jews and pagans had their own “wisdom” and “knowledge” § We have all we need in Christ § What was sought from illicit sources is actually “stored up” in Christ (translated “hidden”) § Isaiah 45: 3 LXX has the same Greek word “stored up” § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 5

Implications and Applications § Focus on Christ and the gospel will cause growth in unity and love § There is no valid unrevealed secret to be discovered § We must resist the many claims that Christ is not enough The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 6

Unity and the Gospel Philippians 1: 27 (NASB) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; “Conduct yourselves” is imperative in the Greek § The gospel has moral content § There is always a battle against the gospel § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 7

There Is No Valid Unrevealed Secret Deuteronomy 29: 29 (NASB) The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. Spiritual revelators cannot discover what is not revealed § Only the Bible is God’s Word and it means what it says § Isaiah 48: 16 § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 8

We Have All We Need 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 (NASB) All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Christ alone and Scripture alone are essential truths § False teachers always attack the sufficiency of Christ § The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 9

Christ Is God’s Mystery Ephesians 3: 8 -10 a (NASB) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known. . . The Mystery of God: Colossians 2: 1 -3 10