Month: October 2020

There is nothing you can do to cause you to be saved, not one thing, it is total grace. Not one performance, not one sin-free day, not one commandment or act of purity or sacrificial giving, nothing. Get rid of the whole notion.

The Apostle begins to reveal what the problem was with the Colossian Church. They were being threatened with the devaluing of who Christ is and what He has done.

In our next couple of verses Paul writes, ^“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the fleshwas put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2: 11-12)

Circumcision is so important to the Jew. In fact it is the rite of passage. It is easy to imagine Jewish teachers imposing this requirement on a fledgling Church of new believers.

In short Paul is saying, “You were once spiritually dead but now you have been made alive by Christ who has performed a circumcision without hands on your hearts which were sinful. That has happened through the passage of your faith in Him and it is expressed through baptism to the world.”

Baptism hasn’t replaced circumcision. It is not the outward sign of belonging to God nor is the Lord’s Supper or witnessing or church attendance etc. These are never enough. There is always more things that are needed. Don’t be friends with Pharisees because you will lose the one thing that is of all importance, grace.

Moses called for people to circumcise their hearts. Jeremiah called for people to circumcise their hearts before the Lord. Paul would later say that circumcision is one done by the Spirit (Romans 2).

I have found the cut of my heart continually happen throughout my life and so have you. Sometimes the pain of circumstances are used to make the cut and sometimes it is the pain of conviction.

It will mark a new day, a new journey, a new direction, this is a moment of change, you will never be the same again and all that sounds wonderfully exciting, but it begins with a cut. It hurts.

I don’t have to do one thing to prove to anyone what Christ has done for me or who I am in Him. He has my heart and He continues to circumcise it.

There are many mornings when I don’t jump out of bed with a spring in my step ready to face the world. I get my coffee, shuffle to my desk and am a perfect illustration of a rainy day. I open the Bible and I hope something is going to change in me before the day truly begins.

The battle can begin even before I have met anyone. The battle inside me.

I remember Rick Warren’s 4 setbacks that can cause discouragement: Fatigue caused by things taking longer to happen; Frustration caused by things being more complex than you first thought; Failure caused by doubting who I am; Fear caused by what is opposing you. When all the F’s collide then you know it’s going to be a bad day!

That is my testimony this morning. I share it because it might help someone. Here is what I then discovered as I continue to blog through Colossians.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2 v 9-10)

The letter to the Colossians is one of helping them stand against heresy. In the verses we will read in the coming days we will see more of these heresies. Though it is difficult to know fully who these heretical infiltrators were what we do know is that they were not trying to pull them away from church. They were not denying the existence of Christ but they were denying the adequacy of Christ. Christians needed more to be saved than what Christ has done and given.

I must remember who Christ is.

The battle in our lives is lost when my eyes are on me.

I must remember who Jesus is. That is where I win the battle.

God is not in Christ. Christ doesn’t just look like God. Christ isn’t God’s agent on earth.

Christ is God. Deity in humanity. In utter completeness. With total authority over anything.

I don’t need to go anyway else than to Christ for anything that I need in life.

I can know that everything I face and whatever causes it comes underneath the authority of Christ.

I must remember who I am.

I have been brought to fullness. The Message says “When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too.”

That’s my position. I am complete in Him! I can relax in that truth instead of being disturbed by feelings.

This is the central truth: I don’t need anything more, I am complete in Christ!

I don’t need to go through a mediator I go straight to Him.

He gives me everything I need. His Word, the opportunity of praying to Him and the desire to be like Him in laying my life down for my friend.

The love of wisdom (philosophy) may not be the thing you first think about on a Monday morning! The study of knowledge; questions on how we live and how we think; the essential natures of things; how we exist and why we do what we do; pursuing truth if that is possible. Some insist that Christians should not study philosophy and they use what the Apostle said to the Colossians to back up their argument, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2 v 8)

I read an article by a Christian preacher who stated that ‘Christians should stay away from philosophy’. The whole of the article was centred on his many arguments to back up his statement and therefore reasoning philosophically against what he was against!

Was Paul really attacking philosophy?

In his writings Paul seems to use philosophical vocabulary and concepts to further the gospel quoting Stoic writers in Acts 17: 28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring’.” He is not against philosophy but he uses it.

The reason why I don’t think Paul was attacking philosophy was in the second part of the verse.

The Colossian problem was not philosophy. It was based on ‘human traditions’ of which when we get to it from verse 16 onwards we will see Paul speak against. Things including the Sabbath, angelology, visions and abstinence. The key few words are, “rather than on Christ.” It is key because though there is nothing wrong in studying the wisdom of this world in fact it helps us as we engage with our world’s views but we must make sure our eyes remain on Christ.

The problem was the Colossians were under threat from believing and following religious rules that were undermining Christ and the gospel Paul preached.

Today make sure nothing waters down Christ whether in your thinking or your speaking. He is enough. Paul will continue to tell us. The centre of your life is Christ and who He is. Make sure that stays that way.

Have you ever returned to a Church that several years ago you used to be a member of?

Do you know the feeling of looking around and not recognising anyone? You want to know where the familiar faces are. Did they die? Have they left and joined another Church? Did they leave Christ?

The Apostle has complimented the Colossians on their firm faith and now, “So then, just as you 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 thankfulness.” (Colossians 2: 6-7) He knows they are being tempted away from the truth of Christ that they received to some other satisfaction that is being offered to them by false teachers.

This pandemic is a purifying season. When we fully return to our buildings we will look around and wonder where such a person may be? They left during Covid-19 and they are not coming back. Decisions are being made in this season. Seasoned disciples are walking away from their pulpits and from the pews. Church may well look very different in 2021.

So is there anything we can do? Paul says there is.

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him…”

Paul is saying focus your lives right now on Christ Jesus as Lord. He is Christ, the Messiah, the Chosen One of God. He is Jesus our salvation for that is His name and there is no other name. He is Lord, supreme and therefore has total authority over our lives in all we do. If Christians did this daily then even if they changed churches they would not change their Christ for some other lifestyle choice.

The Apostle then says, “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

We are to be rooted. We are the planting of the Lord for Him. We can withstand the storms of life. We are dependent on Christ not because we are immature but because we are mature disciples. Discipleship doesn’t lead us to being able to stand on our own in this life. It leads to more dependence on Jesus. We never grow out of a discipleship class.

We are to be built up. We are part of a building programme for Him. Not one of those buildings that doesn’t get built and stands by the side of the road with no development at all. It can be seen. I was lost and now am found etc.

We are to be strengthened in the faith. We are not flaky disciples pushed from one idea to the next. We are confident in the promises of God.

We are to be overflowing with thanks. We are to be looking to Him with praise. This is our responsibility not Christ’s. We choose to be a grateful person. May Christ’s disciples survive the storms of life. May they not leave Him or His Church. 

We are about to see why Paul has been struggling in prayer as he is suffering for the Church, preparing his messages to pass on for Tychicus and Onesimus to deliver. “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.” (Colossians 2: 4-5)

“Fine-sounding arguments” have the appeal to cause people to believe and follow them but for the Apostle they will lead to false teaching.

In contrast Paul encourages them because of their discipline and their firm faith.

Firmness of faith would perhaps suggest a lack of pizzazz and flavour. The x factor, the WOW moment and the exciting experience of Church stand in contrast to order, discipline, habit and obedience.

But maybe the Colossians had something that the Church needs today?

Lives based around Scripture.

Daily prayers.

Living out our lives which reveal Christ is dwelling in us.

Being obedient to the doctrines of the faith.

Reliable and resilient so that the Church may grow.

Not self-centred and not given to self-promotion.

Not swayed by persecution or pandemics.

Firmness of faith.

A disciple has a routine of the above. It is why discipleship is the number 1 need for the Church today. It is not to get the Church back into their buildings but it is to get the Church rooted and mature in Christ.

In the late 90’s Christian TV programmes started broadcasting and made available in the UK. I remember one member of my church who was hooked on these programmes so much so that it was all he watched on television. His attendance at church was sporadic, he didn’t need it because he was being ‘fed’ by the Christian channels. I am not being critical of the Christian programmes as I am fully aware of those who have for many years been housebound who have relied so much on them. They are a blessing to so many.

But I do remember preaching and saying that Christian TV can only help you in a certain way. It cannot replace the fellowship of the Church, of being together with others with the benefits of such.

I say all this because the one task the Church has had to face during this pandemic is connectivity. It will continue to be so even as next year (we pray!) we come out of the pandemic and the Church continues its digital presence.

But why is connectivity so important? Is it because we get lonely? Is it because there is nothing quite like gathered worship? Is it because we have empty buildings? Those things and more are genuine reasons.

Look what the Apostle says, “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 v 1-3)

Paul is working hard but he is in prison so he is not going anywhere. It must be that he is struggling in prayer for the Colossians and the Laodiceans. He must be struggling with processing his thoughts and preparing Tychicus and Onesimus (4:7-9) as they get ready to represent him.

But he is keen for them to connect together. Why?

If you want guidance for your life.

If you want to gain understanding of a situation.

If you want to know Christ who knows everything there is to know about anything!

Then be united in love with other believers. Be knitted together is what it means. Don’t be absent from Church. Be in it. Be known and know. Don’t go it alone. The digital presence in your life of a Christian programme from your Church is not the same as being present yourself. Whether this be a gathered service or a small group of believers journeying together or both. Of course, the point Paul is making is not just to turn up and be with others but far more than that. You can be the most faithful member and be the most complaining negative member the Church has ever had, perhaps you should be a digital member! But Paul says if you want to know Christ then be united in love.

The Church needs to continue to find its connectivity with one another in love in order to find and truly know Christ.

How would you sum up what you do in life?

If you were speaking to someone you had never met and they said what do you do, what would you say? I guess you would talk about what you do the most. Let’s see what the Apostle says (from the Message translation), “We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.” (Colossians 1 v 28-29) This is the focus of Paul’s life.

Paul was not lazy nor was he worried about offending the Church by admonishing it (NIV). He didn’t concern himself with entertaining them. He did worked tirelessly to do his best to make them like Christ. A friend posted on social media yesterday saying how he can preach the gospel with no preparation and yet because he wants to do his best he had already worked 20 hours on a message he was giving soon. The point being he was still giving his best for the gospel.

Next time your Pastor preaches do please give your attention to that message. They have probably worked tirelessly to bring out the truths of the Scripture and to present them in such a way that can be clearly understood and applied. Sometimes the Pastor has to be brave. They know their people and what they are going through can be often a huge variety of circumstances. Do they try and tip-toe through that obstacle course in order not to make any reference that would suggest they are speaking into at least one person’s situation? If they do then you will have such a watered down message it will be worth nothing. How many get offended because ‘Pastor was talking to me!’? Pastor was actually very brave to apply Scripture in such a way that it spoke to the heart of their church so that the members become more like Christ. That’s what happened!

If we are going to grow and mature in Christ then it is going to hurt. Hebrews 4 v 12 says that the Word of God is sharper than a double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. That sounds painful doesn’t it?!

Recently I have been having lots of conversations with Pastors regarding blind-spots. The AA says, “Failure to adequately check your blind spots while driving increases the risk of road accidents.” But what of the blind-spots in our own lives?

I have found people who have friends all their lives but who never ask them to show them where their blind-spot is. Isn’t that crazy? They would rather risk accidents, mistakes and hurt than ask their friend to tell them the truth because they would not want to hear they are not perfect, even though they are not.

If you have found a church or friends who take the responsibility for the growth and maturity of every believer seriously enough to be honest enough, then you have found gold.

The Apostle throughout his letters speaks of Christ’s message as a mystery. The word has a different meaning to what we perhaps understand. It is something that was previously hidden or not fully revealed in the Old Testament.

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1 v 25-27)

What is that mystery?

It is about prejudice and racism being ejected and inclusivity and diversity being embraced in the Church Christ is building.

For Paul’s day it was clearly seen in the Jews and the Gentiles.

What does Paul say of the mystery?

1. No one knew that all along God intended to dwell with all people not just the Jews.
2. The Gentiles would never have the same benefits as the Jew.
3. The Gentiles could never win the Jews to God; it was always the other way round.
4. God’s presence could only truly be experienced in its fullness by the Jewish High Priest.
5. The inheritance from God was a double portion for the Jew; they will always be the better people in the future, even if there is room for the Gentile.
6. The Glory of God can be seen in all people as Christ dwells in their lives.

Now who said these things? A leading Jew, the Apostle.

This was not a Gentile with a placard demanding to be heard.

This was a Jew doing all he could to bring about change, to disturb the status quo, risking offence in order to speak the message of Christ, the mystery, that was hidden but isn’t anymore.

Today, social media, Christian websites, books and magazines and in every possible media along with conversations in coffee shops and wherever possible people will be speaking their views on their world from their perspective. Division through ethnicity, culture and religion, deep generational racism, condescending economic differences revealing who is truly blessed will be suggested.

We need more than every the men and women of God to step out of their comfort zones and to speak well of those people who are different to them. To say and to demonstrate through words and decisions how God has a plan for all mankind and that is to dwell in each one of them through the presence of Christ and for Him to be seen in all people.

There will be a price to pay.

Who is God calling you to share this message with?

Over the last few days I have been sitting with 2 Church leadership teams discussing the role of Elders and Deacons within the Church denomination I am part of. The conversation can usually be summed up as, “The Elders are the shepherds of the church and the deacons are the workers.” In fact I think and honour 2 female deacons of a church in the North East who work so hard for the Church, they are the only members of the leadership team and though they have their own jobs and families serve tirelessly for the Church.

There I said it. That word. Serve.

Who also used the word? The Apostle!

What a title! Apostle – sent one. Look how important Paul is to the church. But where is he? In prison. Maybe his critics were saying he cannot be a blessed man of God in that circumstance. Unlike them perhaps in their comfortable and luxurious lifestyles.

Yet what does the Apostle call himself? A servant of the Church. A deacon which is what the word means. Throughout his letters Paul calls himself a servant of the Gentiles; a servant of the gospel; a servant of Christ Jesus; a servant of the Jews; we get the picture Apostle.

Last Sunday at the Church I spoke at they presented a retiring Elder (who had also been a Pastor all his life nearly) with a gift. I was moved simply by the fact that this man had given the majority of his life to the Church.

I then also saw after the service a group of volunteers on their knees disinfecting the chairs that people had sat on. Servants.

I recently had to tell a leadership team that their Pastor was not their servant so that they could master him and tell him what he can and cannot do. But that he was a servant of the Church by the calling of God on his life. Along with all the volunteer workers of the church the Pastor also serves on behalf of Christ.

Look around your church from the pulpit to the pew and be thankful for Christ’s deacons wherever they serve.

The apostle is in prison, in chains, but he is still contending for the spread of the gospel and the building of the Church and yet he doesn’t hide the fact that he is suffering.

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Colossians 1 v 24)

Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian minister of the gospel would often ask people, “If suffering were offered to you as a gift, would you accept it?” During his long imprisonment in a Communist prison he was beaten and tortured including mutilation, burning and being locked in a large frozen icebox. Up until he died in 2001 his body bore the scars of physical torture.

The Apostle accepted the suffering in fact he rejoiced in it. It was meaningful to him. This was not something that he would denounce but embrace. Yet what he said in verse 24 is something that is quite shocking and not easy to understand.

Is Christ’s suffering not enough?

Why did Paul say it was lacking?

Firstly, this does not take away the sufficiency of Christ for redemption. In fact there is only one redeemer and to suggest anything else is an anathema.

In a recent conflict situation I looked around the room and wondered where the cross was, I couldn’t see it.

There is a suffering for the sake of Christ’s body, His church. That is what Paul is speaking about. It is not lacking in terms of it is not powerful enough but the Church and indeed the world need to see the cross. They need to see the embodiment of the cross in daily life. That is what Paul has been called to and what he understands.

Do people see the cross in your life?

Sickness? Disappointment? Bereavement? Pandemic restrictions? Persecution? Every situation and more can be turned into presenting the powerful suffering of the cross. Your life in these circumstances can become a piece of theatre that demonstrates Christ and the cross of redemption. In doing so the Church continue to rise.