What is necessary for Christ to have preeminence in all things in the local church:
* First and foremost: Members with faith in Christ. A church must be comprised of born again believers; if not it is not a church.
** Second: Must cultivate love for all the saints,
*** Third: Be fruitful
**** Fourth: Walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing
***** Fifth: Being steadfast and faithful in our faith in Christ
****** Sixth: Being faithful stewards of the mysteries of God
Watchman Beware
Paul begins Chapter 1 by praising the church in Colosse for what they were doing right. Paul also declares that Christ is to have the preeminence in Church in everything the church does because of who He is and what He has done.
In Verse 23 and 24 he begins to transition to warning the church against falling from being steadfast and faithful.
In Chapter 2:1-2 Paul conflict he has for the Church in Colosse, Laodicea and all the churches he had never visited. (2Cor 11:28)
The conflict was:
· He wanted to visit every town where there was a church but time and events would not allow this.
· Were they comforted through love and sound doctrine concerning the mystery of God, and the Father and of Christ.
v He relied upon faithful men such as Timotheus, Epaphras, Tychicus, and others mentioned in his epistles to exhort these churches and report back to him.
V2:2-3 Paul stressed what is necessary for a group of Christians to be knit together or one local body of Christ, local church.
· V2a hearts comforted; at ease, no conflict within the church being knit together.
· Knit together: 1Cor 1:10; 2Cor 13:11; Phil 2:2, 3:16;1Pet 3:8
v Love one for another and love for all saints and no divisions in what is taught, sound doctrine.
V2b Paul again stressed the need for churches to be grounded in the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
· Col 2:9; 1Ti 3:16; 1John 5:7
· The reason is seen on V2:3: In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Eph 4:14
· V2:3 All truth and wisdom must begin with Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God”. In this verse is ”elohiym” the plural God. If a church does not get this mystery of “God” right every thing taught there must be questioned.
V2:4a And this I say: The church must handle of the wisdom and knowledge hid in the mystery of God properly to avoid those who want to corrupt the teaching of the church.
V2:4b, 8 Paul’s warning to the churches, Grace Baptist included:
· It is as if Paul knows this is going to happen. (Acts 20:29-31) Watch out for those who want to beguile you with enticing words through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
· This is how false doctrine will usually enter the church.
· This is the conflict spoken of in 2:1
· This is the burden Paul bore for all churches
· Isa 21:6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
· Isa 62:6 ¶ I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make
The word watchman or watchmen are not seen in Paul’s epistles to the churches.
· Local churches are given pastors (shepherds, elders, bishops)
· (Eph 4:11-12; Heb 13:17)
· Our pastor must constantly watch for false teachers and warn the congregation about popular, charismatic men and women who teach error. 1,000,000 followers of YouTube channel does not guarantee the truth is being proclaimed.
V2:5-8 Even though Paul had never visited the church in Colosse they were to walk in Christ.
Paul does not leave us wondering what he meant by walking in Him
· V7 Being rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Col 3:15,17)
· V8 being aware of that which is not after Christ.
V2:8 Paul placed the responsibility to watch for false teachers on all Christians not just their pastors.
· Eph 5:15-16 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
******* Seventh Characteristic: Walking in Christ watching for the spoilers.