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#September 26, 2010
Morning Worship
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
Subject: God’s Plan for the Church
Title: What God Wants
There was a movie out not too many years ago with Mel Gibson called, “What Women Want”. In the movie Gibson plays a chauvinistic executive who, after an accident, receives the ability to hear everything that women are thinking. In the process of this experience he uses his new - found gift as a tool to develop ad campaigns geared toward women. He saves his job because of his ability, and then confesses to a co-worker to whom he has become attracted and has lost her job because of him. He gets her job back. He loses his gift then he loses his job and they live happily ever after. That is the movie the way I remember it. One of the key catch phrases for the movie ad was, “Finally, a man is listening.”
In a culture where it seems that everything must be done at the speed of light communication has reached an all time low and we wonder if anyone is really listening or are they just talking?
The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."
I suppose the main point I want to make here, the question I would like to pose to you, is “Do you know what God wants”? The bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ. It tells us that God is revealing His mysteries to us by His Spirit. God is speaking to the church today, but is anyone listening?
Today I want to begin a short series with an overview of Colossians 1:9-14 to show you what it really is that God wants from you and for you.
Would you take the time to listen to the word of God very carefully today and determine in your hearts that you will walk away changed?
Read Colossians 1:9-14
Lord, open our eyes to see and our ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
I. GOD WANTS TO FILL YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL… 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. God wants to fill you… The Greek word translated “filled” literally means, to fully, completely fill 2. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow) 3. (figuratively) to fully supply, satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction)… The Amplified Bible reads this way - …that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will… God does not want the church to have less knowledge than the world. Turn back to Ephesians 1. For those who were not here last Sunday evening I challenged those who were here to meditate on just part of a verse found in Ephesians 1 verse 22-23, 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. God wants to fill you this way as the body of Christ … the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. You understand don’t you that this is not knowledge that comes from the natural man. It is not understanding in your head. It is spiritual knowledge. The word knowledge means, recognition, or full discernment. … The knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding… How does that happen? Well, since this is spiritual wisdom and understanding that means that it must come from the Spirit. So in order for us to gain that spiritual wisdom and understanding we must need to acquire it through spiritual means. Turn over to Romans 8. Let’s start in verse 13. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God… Everybody say… those who are led by the Spirit of God… are sons of God… Now there is a great misunderstanding of what verse 13 means and I think that many in old time Pentecostal/holiness churches have been taught this. Living according to the sinful nature does not mean sin – as in giving in to the lusts of the flesh. It is referring to those who try to obtain righteousness with God through the flesh. In other words, they want to be saved by works. If you live according to what you do and expect that to save you then you will die (spiritual death). … but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live… Now jump down to verse 16. 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. This is connected to being led by the Spirit. We listen to the Spirit. We seek to gain understanding by the Spirit. We want to walk in the Spirit. I shared with you a few weeks back that the primary way to hear from God is through what? His word! The secondary way that we hear is through the inner witness in our spirits. Where does that inner witness come from? 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit… We will take this a little deeper next week as we move to part 2 of our series. But for today I want you to know that God wants to fill you with the knowledge of His will and that comes from His word and His Spirit.
II. GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE A LIFE THAT IS PLEASING TO HIM… . 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God… there is a theological term that we use in the church world. You know it well. That word is “sanctification”. What does it mean? The Greek word translated as sanctify means, to be made holy, purified or consecrated. That is what happens when you are born again. But sanctification carries an extended meaning. It is a continually occurring experience in your Christian life. It is walking and growing in the Spirit. It is getting to be more like Jesus as you mature. Writer Steve Morrison writes, The Australian coat of arms pictures two creatures--the emu, a flightless bird, and the kangaroo. The animals were chosen because they share a characteristic that appealed to the Australian citizens. Both the emu and kangaroo can move only forward, not back. The emu's three-toed foot causes it to fall if it tries to go backwards, and the kangaroo is prevented from moving in reverse by its large tail. Those who truly choose to follow Jesus become like the emu and kangaroo, moving only forward, never back. Luke 9:62, Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." So with this view of sanctification in mind we realize that in order to live a life pleasing to God we must continually move forward in our relationship with Him. John 15:4-7 explains a little more, 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. How do we do that? By doing what verse 10 says, …bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
III. GOD WANTS YOU TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER… 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… The primary hope of all Christianity is that Jesus is returning for His church. He isn’t here yet, but He is coming. Now, again, one of the misconceptions that the church has been encumbered with over the centuries is that Christianity is all about eternity and has nothing to do with this temporal life. If that is the case then why do we need to be strengthened? If that is the case then why were the disciples told to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high? If that is the case then why did Paul write to the church in Ephesus saying in chapter 6, 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Is it just so that we can hold on till eternity gets here? Is it just strength to endure the hardships lf life until we see Jesus face to face? If that is the only kind of power that we have what kind of power is it? Let’s look at several of the words in verse 11. Strengthened = the Greek verb dunamoo which means, to enable… strengthened with what? all power! The word power is the noun dunamis. It means1. force 2. (specially) miraculous power 3. (usually by implication) a miracle itself… according to his glorious might… Might is the Greek word kratos and it means great vigor… Webster’s dictionary says that vigor is “physical power”. So this verse is saying that God wants us to be enabled or empowered with miraculous power, often resulting in the miracle itself, according to His physical power. One little word we didn’t mention. He wants us strengthened with all power. He’s not satisfied with our having just a little taste of His power at work in us. He wants us to have it all. Why? … so that you may have great endurance and patience… Jesus is coming back. But until He does He wants us to be empowered for the work He has given us to do. John 16:5-7, 5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Luke 24:49, 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.
IV. GOD WANTS YOU TO RECEIVE YOUR SHARE OF THE INHERITANCE… and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Look at the things Paul says about your inheritance. 1) You should joyfully give thanks to the Father because He has adopted you into His family. 2) He has qualified you to share in the inheritance… Without Jesus in your life you are disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24, 24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. If you are disqualified you don’t even get to run. 3) You have been rescued from the dominion of darkness… You have been set free from condemnation that leads to death. But again, if you look at this in reference to what God has for you right here right now, and you are rescued from the dominion of darkness, then doesn’t that also refer to sickness, oppression, demonic influences in your life, addictions, and imperfections that He wants to correct in you? You have redemption and forgiveness of sins – both past sins and future sin. You are no longer bound by the forces of your enemy but are rescued. Many don’t even know that God has rescued them that way. Several years ago an eastern paper reported this story: One evening a woman was driving home when she noticed a huge truck behind her that was driving uncomfortably close. She stepped on the gas to gain some distance from the truck, but when she sped up, the truck did too. The faster she drive, the faster the truck did. Now scared, she exited the freeway. But the truck stayed with her. The woman then turned up a main street, hoping to lose her pursuer in traffic. But the truck ran a red light and continued the chase. Reaching the point of panic, the woman whipped her car into a service station and bolted out of her auto screaming for help. The truck driver sprang from his truck and ran toward her car. Yanking the back door open, the driver pulled out a man hidden in the back seat. The woman was running from the wrong person. From his high vantage point, the truck driver had spotted a would-be rapist in the woman's car. The chase was not his effort to harm her but to save her even at the cost of his own safety. Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells us about how God wants to rescue us, 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
What does God want from you? That isn’t really the appropriate question to ask. What we should be asking is what God wants for you.
1. He wants you to have knowledge of His will. Romans 12:2, 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2. He wants you to live a life that pleases Him… Romans 14:17-18, 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
3. He wants you to be strengthened in His power… Ephesians 3:20, 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
4. He wants us to receive our inheritance… Ephesians 1:18-23, 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way
His will is that you be saved.
His will is that you be filled.
His will is that you act like His church.
Amen and amen!
