Colossians 1:9-14
- Filled with the knowledge of His Will
NLT – ‘To give you complete knowledge’….
Knowledge – epignosis = precise and correct knowledge. Knowledge of things ethical and spiritual.
- The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more; it is their privilege to be filled with it.
Difference between ‘understanding’ and ‘wisdom.’
Understanding – comes from the Greek – epistemon which focuses on intellect and factual knowledge.
Wisdom – Sophos – more related to the practical, real-life use of moral reasoning.
- With worldly wisdom, we may become educated, street-smart, and have “common sense” that enables us to play the world’s game successfully.
- With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values
(1 John 2:15–16). Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world– the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life– is not of the Father but is of the world. (1John 2:15-16 NKJ)
- Having godly wisdom means we strive to see life from God’s perspective and act accordingly.
In all Wisdom – Sophia = broad and full of intelligence; spiritual acuteness and experience.
Application: Book of Proverbs
‘Spiritual Understanding’ – a ‘flowing together with ‘
Application: 2 +2 = 4. 4+4 = 8. 8+8 = 16!
‘Spiritual Understanding’ – a ‘flowing together with
Verse 10,
- ‘Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and
- ‘your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better’. (NLT)
Transition: Question? What other colossal truths do we find here in Chapter 1?
Pray that you might be:
- Strength – with/by His glorious power.
‘And that you have all’
2. Endurance –
3. Patience
Resulting In:
- Joyous / joyfulness – gladness
- Gratitude
Application/Question: Have you ever said, ‘Lord thank you, for your ways, wisdom, correction and direction which turned out to be the better/right way.’

Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…

Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…

Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…

Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…

But The Greatest of These
1 Corinthians 13 Introduction: Valentines Weekend. There is nothing wrong with dinners, chocolates, cards or flowers. When it come to Love, there are all kinds of things uses and pointed to as objects or illustrations: • Books – Romeo & Juliet; Gone with the Wind, etc. • Music / Songs – ‘Endless Love’, Diana…

Champions
1 Corinthians 1:25-26 Introduction: Superbowl Sunday. Champion – noun– a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion. Anything that takes first place in competition. One definition that I found that I like about what it means to be a…

Flood or The Blood
Psalm 32:1-7 Psalm 32:6, ‘Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment’. (Psa. 32:6 NLT) Introduction: Let’s look at a ‘communion text’ as we are contemplating the beauty of celebrating around the Lords Table. NKJ Psalm 32:1 <A Psalm of…

God In The House
NKJ – Psalm 127:1 <A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.> Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of psalms in the Bible, Psalms 120–134, that were sung by Jewish pilgrims…

But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance…