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Title: A Verse by
Verse Study of Colossians. Text: Col. 1:11 I. Introduction A. We have seen several things Paul prays for and demands of these Colossian believers. 1. “be filled with the knowledge of his will” V. 9 2. “in all wisdom” V. 9 3. “spiritual understanding;” V. 9 4. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” V. 10 5. “being fruitful in every good work” V. 10 6. “increasing in the knowledge of God;” V. 10 B. Paul lists these in this order because they must be in this order. 1. Knowledge of His will is having the knowledge of His word and that will give you the knowledge of God’s will for you. These are God’s will for you; 2. That you have the wisdom to follow through with the knowledge of His blessed word He has given to you. 3. That you have Spiritual Understanding, which is impossible without the first two. 4. In having knowledge, wisdom, (=) and spiritual understanding that you will have the ability to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” You cannot do this without all of the first three. 5. And in “walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” you will be “being fruitful in every good work” again you cannot have one without the other and they come to us in this order. 6. And as we go through life “walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,” and being “being fruitful in every good work” then we will keep “increasing in the knowledge of God;”
II. V. 11 “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” A. Paul continued his prayer that these Colossian believers “Strengthened with all might” 1. This is because this power is from God, there are no other sources, and it is not within us on our own. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 2. The results of this is Christian growth and maturity which is also the power of God and a gift to us. 3. If we lack this power then we should pray for it as Paul was praying for these believers. 4. We must obtain this power so we can carry through with what God expects of us in this life. (See point B) B. “unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” 1. The word “patience” means to “endurance when circumstances are difficult” 2. This is one of the single most important possessions for a maturing Christian. It comes with time and with much grace and power from God. 3. This is something a lot of Christians lacks. 5. When tribulations come it is our testing, and as we are tested more and more we grow stronger in patience. 6. Patience is endurance in action, which is remaining in the battle and never stopping. Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” 7. Patience is also perseverance and Charles Spurgeon once said “By perseverance the snail reached the ark” C. With patience we also need longsuffering. 1. Longsuffering means forbearance which means self-control or restraint. That is opposite of revenge which so many have today. 2. We need to remember the Lord’s longsuffering with us. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Has someone hurt your feelings or been ugly to you? How many times have you hurt God’s feelings? (so to speak) 3. It is also one of the fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” 4. It is also one of the garments every believer should wear, Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” D. Patience and longsuffering together. 1. It makes us a true Christian in action. 2. Paul practiced what he preached, 2 Timothy 3:10 “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” 3. We see this as an example of Job, James 5:10-11 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. (11.) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
We will began with “Joyfulness” next week
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