Colossians 2:1-7 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
What would you assume to be the greatest heartache for a pastor? It’s not from physical or mental strain. It’s not from the actual preaching of sermons. If it was just preaching or administration of the church, it would be easier. I am to see that everything is done orderly and decently, but the strained relationships that can be between the pastor and the members or between members are what’s hard on a pastor. There are five things I want to mention that any minister would want for his people.
First, look at verse 2. He wishes their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love. If a church is to move forward, it begins when its people love one another as they should. The New Testament church was strongest when it was unified. Thousands were won to Christ in Jerusalem. The devil works outside the church all the time, but he loves to move within so that people fight with one another. Do you love one another as you should? It goes beyond union. Two things can have a union and still not have unity. Tie two cats tails together and you have a union, but you have no unity at all. We must go beyond union to unity. It’s the devil we fight against, not each other. We can’t get our way all the time. Sometimes we have to put aside ourselves.
Second, look again at verse 2. A minister wishes full assurance of understanding. Do you have an assurance of salvation? Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ve been saved? Do you know what you believe about God? He’s Creator, the Great I AM, Sustainer, Giver of Life. Do you know what you believe about Jesus? He’s the second person of the godhead. He came to earth as the God-man and was crucified, buried and arose again. Do you know what you believe about the Holy Spirit? He’s the third person of the godhead. He, NOT it. He convicts one of sin and upon repentance comes to live in the heart of a believer. Do you know what you believe about sin? Sin is transgression against a righteous and holy God. Sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, but Jesus brought the cure for sin when he came. Do you know what you believe about the devil? He’s a liar, the father of lies. He does everything he can to bring God down. Do you know what you believe about salvation? God prepared the way for every person, no matter who, to be saved. Jesus paid the price to give us salvation when he died on the cross. Do you know what you believe about the Bible? It’s the inerrant, undefiled and pure Word of God. Many convictions that people hold have no backing in the Bible. They should be in the Word of God. Know them.
Third, look at verse 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. A minister wants his people to walk in Christ. This is our manner of life–how we walk and live. It should be like a Christian ought to walk and live. We are to be different. We’re in this world but not of it. Live differently than the world.
Fourth, look at verses 5 and 7. Stedfastness of your faith and stablished in the faith. Are you still maturing in the faith? The Hebrews writer says we are to grow, get beyond the milk so that we can teach others. Be growing in the Lord. Be rooted and built up in him. Sink in with roots so you won’t be uprooted when trouble comes. Be on your guard. Know as much as you can about the Bible so you can grow.
Fifth, look again at verse 7: abounding therein with thanksgiving. Be ever thankful. We can’t thank God enough. Put things in the hands of the Lord. If he can’t take care of it, it can’t be done. Do it and abound in God with thanksgiving.
Verse 3 says In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The treasures are in Him. Receive Jesus Christ and grow in him. Live in union and unity with others.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 