"How do I walk in a manner worthy of the LORD?"

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9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Intro:

In a few days you are going to have to make a decision about who you will vote for.
Story about (Sophia and) the election
How do you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord?
Context: Paul wrote this letter to the Colossian church. This was not one of the churches that he planted personally, but he had heard news of them. He heard a good report about their faith in Christ and their love for one another, but he also heard about some trials they were going through. The Colossian church was being faced with challenges to their faith. It seems that there were people coming in and saying that they didn't know the truth. It appears that some were saying that the Colossians needed to do certain things in order to be pleasing to God and some who were saying that they could live however they wanted and indulge their fleshly desires. Now Paul is praying for the Colossian church so that they may be able to withstand this attack and remain steadfast in faith and walking in a manner worthy of the LORD.
Colossians 1:3-6 ,
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

Two prayers and a proclamation:

I. "That you may be filled......with the knowledge of His [God's] will

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

The Colossians needed to know what God's will really was. How could they distinguish between these contrary teachings? One of them was essentially saying that the Colossians needed to fill themselves, while the other denied that they really needed to have knowledge of God's will because they could live how they pleased? Which one was true?
passive: be filled
'be filled' (the emphasis here is not on a complete filling.

For the Colossians, who are faced with errorists, Paul asks the knowledge they need in order to see through these errorists; and again the wording fits the special need: that you may be filled with full knowledge (ἐπίγνωσις), with no gaps in this knowledge that may lay you open to deception. They are to know fully “his (God’s) will” so that no one may substitute something for what God has really willed.

Examples from today:
"what are some of the errors that are sneaking into our churches today?
We are being told that God did not make us 'male and female.' The objective truths are being flip flopped with subjective feelings. Now, they say, whatever you feel like is what you actually are.
"How about the lie that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe sincerely?
"Or that the Muslims believe in the same God as Christians?
How are you going to respond rightly to errors as they are put before you? Where are you going to find the truth? Whose words will you believe?

...in all spiritual wisdom

knowledge practically applied

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

In Paul's similar prayer to the Ephesian church he says,

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This knowledge and wisdom and understanding is Jesus Christ himself! Paul is praying that the Colossians not just be given intellectual abilities, but filled with the very person of Jesus Christ!

...in all spiritual understanding (insight)

knowing the differences between right and wrong, good and evil
able to refute any error with the truth of Scripture
OT understanding of knowledge
intimate; relational
this makes so much sense now that we know that true knowledge is Jesus Christ. To truly know is to be in a relationship with Jesus.
'so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord'
OT understanding of to walk = your way of life
walking with the LORD= living your whole life in the ways of the LORD
faith & right relationship
Adam walked with God in the garden of Eden before the fall into sin. He was in a right relationship. After he sinned, this was no longer possible. The relationship was broke. Adam was no longer walking in step with God, but was walking the opposite way in his sin.
once again, v.10 says, 'so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord'
Two important things to notice: 'so as to walk' or 'so that you will walk'
First, it says, 'so as to' or 'so that you will' = a result
NOT a cause. To walk in a manner worthy of the Lord does not cause you to be filled. To be filled with the knowledge of God's will results in a walk worthy of the Lord.
If the walking was the cause (instead of the result) your relationship with God, walking with Him, would be based on whether you could continually keep walking perfectly? Would you still be in a relationship with God? NO! Of course not!
Just as we saw above that the filling was complete, so to is the walking. When Jesus came to earth, put on flesh, and he walked with His Father in complete perfection. He fulfilled the Law on your behalf in all the ways that you have not and cannot. He walked the walk that you were supposed to walk, that Adam was supposed to walk. When God fills you it is complete and your walk with the LORD is considered complete in the eyes of God. For all of you who hear God's Word and believe it, you receive this fully. Now the walk of Jesus is your walk. Everything he accomplished is given to you. Your walk is now in perfect harmony with God.
'fully pleasing to him,' (complete result)
When God looks at you He sees the righteousness of His beloved Son Jesus, with whom He is well pleased. We will here more about this in our final verses today.
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
(Talk about bearing fruit and loving your neighbor (Leviticus-love your neighbor as yourself & Luke- Good Samaritan))
natural result of being filled with the knowledge of His will
not natural for us
We don't need to teach our children how to sin.
You were not able, but Christ was, and now that you are filled with him you are capable of this and you do this!!
Paul saw this happening in the Colossian church. This was and is happening all over the world!
If our walking worthily doesn't cause God to fill us, how do we get this filling? Just as the Colossians initially did, by hearing the proclamation of the Gospel (Colossians 1:5 , "in the Word of truth, the Gospel"). This knowledge, and wisdom, and understanding is revealed from heaven, God speaks to you through His Word, through the Good News of His Son. This Word that fills you comes through the proclamation of the Gospel as Christians announce it to you, as your Pastor preaches to you, as the Word in the Water of Baptism washes over you, as Word in the bread & wine of the Lord's Supper is put in your mouth. By this Word of God you are filled completely with the knowledge of God's will, and all spiritual wisdom, and all spiritual understanding. This results in you having a walk that is pleasing to the Lord.

II. May you be strengthened

11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Samson .................. was clinging to God's Word and was strengthened for the task at hand. This was Paul's prayer...

...with all power

...according to his glorious might

Just as he did with Samson. No army could overcome him.
Resurrection language: Paul uses here the same terms which describe the power of God that was used to resurrect Jesus from the dead! This is no accident!
Ephesians 1:19–23 ESV
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
...for all endurance (to remain under)
Romans 8:35–39 ESV
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
and
patience (longsuffering)

27  Why do you say, O Jacob,

and speak, O Israel,

“My way is hidden from the LORD,

and my right is disregarded by my God”?

28  Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

29  He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

30  Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

31  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

...with joy giving thanks

God has qualified you (made you fit/sufficient) to share in the lot/inheritance of the saint in light
When God fill you it results in joy and thankfulness
You GET TO share in the lot of the saints (what is in store for the Saints). Twofold sense: inheritance of the Saints is certainly heaven, but in this context it also seems to emphasize the lot of the Saints in THIS life to. What is it that the Saints inherit here on earth? They inherit all the blessings of God, but also suffering. Jesus told us that we will have trouble, but to take heart because He has overcome the world!
John 16:33 ESV
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The Saints have peace in the midst of tribulation. That is the lot for you and all the other Saints that the Word of the Gospel may continue to go forth and spread throughout the earth.
Paul starts the filling....

III. You are rescued, transferred, & redeemed (delivered)

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

rescue: 'to deliver and to keep in safety'
"IT IS FINISHED"

from the domain (authority) of darkness

the darkness no longer has authority over you!
DARKNESS:
LIGHT:

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son

According to one commentator, "'transferred' is used to describe a conqueror transplanting vanquished peoples from their ancestral homes to his own realm.'" He goes on to explain that it is clear in our passage that this is a good thing for the Colossians and for us because we are taken from an oppressive rule in the kingdom of darkness to a caring rule in the light with God's beloved Son!!!

in whom we have: redemption/ransom

What was the ransom price for you?

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

God's wrath is against all sin. God cannot tolerate sinfulness. Paul says in Colossians chapter 3,

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming

If you choose to remain standing in your own righteousness, you bear your own sins and the punishment for them. You face the full vent of God's wrath.
But do not despair! God has paid the ransom price for your sins. He paid with the precious blood of His beloved Son in your place. As Jesus bore your sins upon the Cross God poured out all of his anger against sin upon Jesus. He fully satisfied His anger. If you believe this good news, when God looks at you He has no anger toward you.
Our text says that for you believers this work of redemption, which is the forgiveness of your sins, is fully completed. Praise the LORD!

the forgiveness of our sins

YOU HAVE BEEN RESCUED, etc.!
Conclusion:
God is the source of true knowledge and wisdom. He provides them to you in His Son Jesus and it is the Holy Spirit of Jesus that God sends to dwell within you. Being filled with God's knowledge, with His Spirit is a complete filling that lacks nothing. You have everything you need. You have the full truth. I haven't told you who to vote for and you won't find the names of the candidates in the Bible, and I haven't told you the answer to every error that will come your way, but you have God's Word which tells you what is true, and right, and good. You have Christ's Spirit dwelling inside of you to guide your conscience.
God is the source of your strength. With God on your side nothing can crush you. You can endure all things. You and I don't know who will win the election but we do know that we will be preserved by God no matter who sits in that seat. The strength of God is greater than all the waves that crash against you.
Hear again this promise for you and I:
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul Tells of His Conversion

12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Children's Message:

Do any of you know who Samson was? What do you know about him? What made him so strong? Did he exercise and lift weights more than anybody ever? No. Was he just bigger than everybody else? No. God made him strong. God made him so strong that a whole army couldn't hurt him! Not even a lion could hurt him!
Why did God make him strong like that? Was it so that Samson could be famous? No. Was it so that he could travel with a circus and show everybody how strong he was? No. It was so that God could use Samson to protect people and save them from mean, evil people.
BUT after a while Samson stopped trusting God's Words and started trusting the words of a bad person. This bad person was one of his friends. Her name was Delilah. Samson really liked Delilah and he thought that she was the one who cared about him and told him the truth, BUT she was tricking him. And Samson lost his strength because he trusted her words instead of God's Words. The bad people came and captured him and he wasn't strong anymore. He was weak because he had turned his back on God and his strength came from God.
Now Samson was chained up and blind and weak and getting bullied by those mean people. He couldn't help anybody anymore and he couldn't even help himself.
What did Samson do next? He prayed to God and asked him to help him. He asked God to make him strong one more time. God heard his prayer and made him strong again!!! Samson was filled with strength from God and he broke down the whole building
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