The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Colossians 2:4-7 (we have added verse 7)
Trinity IX
1. At Colossians 2:1-7 Paul counteracts the threatening false teaching at
Colosse. In verses 1-3 Paul prays earnestly that his hearers abide in the
Gospel which they have been taught. Verses 4-7 are our text. In verses 4-5
Paul warns: "Let no one deceive you." Even when absent Paul was convinced
of the Colossians' steadfastness. In verses 6-7 he urges them to continue
to abound in the faith and thanksgiving.
2. A vicious false teaching was threatening the congregation at Colosse. It
was a combination of pagan philosophy and the Jewish ceremonial law. The
false teachers concocted a theology which was a combination of
heathenism, Judaism and Christ.
3. The Epistle to the Colossians is one of the richest storehouses of our
knowledge of the person, Word and work of Jesus Christ. Paul says again
and again that in Christ, true God and man, you have the full knowledge of
the mystery about Christ, you have all the treasures of God's wisdom and
knowledge. This is still important for us today. In our Bibles and the
Lutheran Confessions we have the full doctrine about the person, Word and
work of Jesus Christ. Seek no farther.
4. In verses 1-3 Paul assures the Colossian Christians that, like an
athlete, he has contended strenuously to establish the hearts of the
Colossians in the Gospel of Jesus which gives them a wealth of
understanding and the full knowledge of God, revealed in the man Jesus
Christ. In Christ they know God. Nothing is hidden. And this Christ is a
storehouse of the treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge. In this Christ
they have found the pearl of great price, Matthew 13:45-46. Once a
Christian has found the Gospel he abandons all else and clings only to this.
The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Colossians 2:4-7 (we have added verse 7)
Trinity IX
1. At Colossians 2:1-7 Paul counteracts the threatening false teaching at
Colosse. In verses 1-3 Paul prays earnestly that his hearers abide in the
Gospel which they have been taught. Verses 4-7 are our text. In verses 4-5
Paul warns: "Let no one deceive you." Even when absent Paul was convinced
of the Colossians' steadfastness. In verses 6-7 he urges them to continue
to abound in the faith and thanksgiving.
2. A vicious false teaching was threatening the congregation at Colosse. It
was a combination of pagan philosophy and the Jewish ceremonial law. The
false teachers concocted a theology which was a combination of
heathenism, Judaism and Christ.
3. The Epistle to the Colossians is one of the richest storehouses of our
knowledge of the person, Word and work of Jesus Christ. Paul says again
and again that in Christ, true God and man, you have the full knowledge of
the mystery about Christ, you have all the treasures of God's wisdom and
knowledge. This is still important for us today. In our Bibles and the
Lutheran Confessions we have the full doctrine about the person, Word and
work of Jesus Christ. Seek no farther.
4. In verses 1-3 Paul assures the Colossian Christians that, like an
athlete, he has contended strenuously to establish the hearts of the
Colossians in the Gospel of Jesus which gives them a wealth of
understanding and the full knowledge of God, revealed in the man Jesus
Christ. In Christ they know God. Nothing is hidden. And this Christ is a
storehouse of the treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge. In this Christ
they have found the pearl of great price, Matthew 13:45-46. Once a
Christian has found the Gospel he abandons all else and clings only to this.
5. Now we come to a study of our text. First verses 4-5: The false
teachers were saying that faith in Christ is not enough. Something needs to
be added. But that spells death to true Christianity. It's like saying to a
married person: "Another person must be added to your marriage." That
would prove disastrous and would annihilate the marriage. Paul begins
verse 4: "This is my meaning." Then he says: "Do not let anyone mislead you
with fine-sounding arguments." False teaching often comes in charming and
eloquent utterances. That is Satan's way. But even though Paul is warning
them, he is confident that, like good soldiers, they are standing in orderly
lines and are firm in their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is saying: "I am
warning you but I have great confidence in you."
6. First Paul warned, then he encouraged and now he instructs in verses 6-
7. Paul tells them to continue to walk (live) in Christ precisely as they
have received Christ the Lord in the teaching of Paul. We know from Acts
19:26 that Paul's teaching was far-reaching in Asia Minor.
7. In verse 6 Paul told them that they should live as they have been taught,
as they came to faith in Christ. He mentions four items, the first two of
which are metaphors: a) They are to be rooted. Here we have the picture of
a tree. It reminds us of Psalm 1:3 "He shall be like a tree planted by the
rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season." b) They are to be
built up in Christ. Here we have the picture of a building. This reminds us
of Ephesians 2:20 ". . .being built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." c) They are
being strengthened in the faith just as they have been taught. This reminds
us of 2 Corinthians 12:8 "My strength is brought to its goal in our
weakness." d) They are abounding in thanksgiving. This is the believer's
reaction to what God is doing for him. He does not go about with a sad and
long face but with a cheerful, thankful disposition, rejoicing in the many
gifts which come to him by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
8. Paul is confident of the Colossians' stable faith but he warns them not
to be deceived but to continue in what they have learned.
The Sermon Outline of Harold Buls
On the Epistle Lessons of the Ingrian Lutheran Church of Russia
Text from Colossians 2:4-7 (we have added verse 7)
Trinity IX
THEME: Paul Warns, Encourages and Instructs the Colossians
INTRODUCTION
This letter is remarkable for several reasons. Paul had never met the
people in this church but he knew the pastor. The pastor came to Paul in
prison and reported to him. Secondly, a very peculiar form of false teaching
was bothering them. And thirdly, Paul's antidote for this false teaching is
one of the most beautiful letters on the person, Word and work of Jesus
Christ. And our text gives us a beautiful outline of a pastor's work with a
congregation.
I. PAUL WARNS THE COLOSSIANS, verse 4.
False teachers were smooth-talking the Colossians. For example they told
them that there were certain foods which they should not touch, 2:21. But
abstaining from foods does not make man better. Furthermore, the false
teachers were teaching a form of Judaistic ceremonial law, 2:16.But, Paul
says, these were only shadows, Christ fulfilled them. But, worst of all, the
false teachers told the people that the knowledge andwisdom of Christ was
not sufficient. To this Paul said that in Christ we find _all_ the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge. Paul adds at 2:10 "In Christ you are fulfilled. He
is the head of all principality and power." In Christ they have been raised
from the dead. He has wiped out the handwriting which was against them.
He has stripped Satan of his powers and triumphed publicly over him. Satan
is constantly sowing the seeds of false teaching, Matthew 11:39. There
will always be false teaching. Paul says: "Let no one deceive you with
smooth talk."
II. PAUL ENCOURAGES THE COLOSSIANS, verse 5.
Paul did not know the Colossians personally. Nor was he speaking to them
here in person. But he says: "Even though I am not with you in the flesh but
only in spirit I rejoice when I see the order and steadfastness of your faith
in Christ." This is, indeed, a very high compliment which Paul pays to these
Christians. He is using the metaphor of soldiers in an army. He pictures a
well-trained and thoroughly-prepared army. Paul says that he knows of
their "order." When soldiers are truly ready for battle they know how to
march and stand at attention in order. And Paul mentions their
steadfastness. A soldier who is well-trained stands his ground in battle.
He is steadfast. It is a beautiful picture of a Christian who is armed with
the panoply of Christ and carries the shield of faith, Ephesians 6. But note
that Paul warned them before he encouraged them. Even though soldiers are
well-trained their commanding officer does not hide danger from them. We
are in constant danger of false teachers and false teaching. let us listen to
Paul.
III. PAUL INSTRUCTS THE COLOSSIANS, verses 6-7.
"As you have received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk in Him." Their
instruction and faith should give evidence in their living. Faith in Christ is
always a living thing. It is more than a mathematical principle or a bit of
memory work. Faith is like Christ, alive and productive. Then in verse 7,
which we've added to our text, Paul mentions four items in the life of the
Christian: 1) They are rooted in Christ. This is the metaphor of a tree. We
are reminded of thedescription of a godly man at Psalm 1:3 "He shall be
like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its
season. Whose leaf also shall not wither And whatsoever he does shall
prosper." 2)They are built up in Christ. Here we have the metaphor of a
building.This reminds us of Ephesians 2:20 "You are built on the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief
cornerstone." 3) They are being strengthened in their faith just as they
were taught. "The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone
who believes," Romans 1:16. 4) They abound in thanksgiving toward God for
all His blessings in soul and body. They rejoice in the Lord alway. They
rejoice for great is their reward in heaven. They are people of true
blessedness. They are like the hosts of heaven pictured in the book of
Revelation. Salva Borgu!
__________________________________________________________________
This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
by Marilyn F. Gardner and is in the public domain by permission
of Dr. Buls. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text.
Please direct any comments or suggestions to:
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
Concordia Theological Seminary
E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (219) 452-2148 Fax: (219) 452-2126
___________________________________________________________________