Twelve Treasures Yet Realized (Col. 2:6-12)
"In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:6)
Song: Jesus is all the world to me. My life, my joy my all. He is my strength from day to day. Without Him I wouild fall. When I am sad to Him I go. No other one can cheer me so. When I am sad. He makes me glad. He’s my friend.
Jesus isa ll the world to me. My Friend in trials sore. I go to Him for blessings and He gives them o’er and o’er. He sends the sunshine and the rain. He sends the harvest’s golden grain. Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain. He’s my Friend.
So many people are looking for treasures in all the wrong places. Some are looking for it in the pursuit of wealth, riches or material possessions. Recently, we have seen an escalation of real estate prices as the country gets swept up in the mania of escalating housing prices. However, we all need to rmember that eventually Jesus warned all our human foundations will be shaken by the winds, waves and ravages of circumstances and only those who have built their house on the Rock will be able to stand the floods of adversity of life. (Matt 7:24-27)
Let’s look at twelve essential traits of the Treasures that are found in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him we find the solution to our problems, the source of life, love and liberty; and the keys to finding satisfaction, hope and the capability to cope with the challenges of our every moment’s difficulties.
1. TRUTH - The Lord Jesus taught, "If you continue in my word then you will know (ginosko - experiential know in an intimate communion) the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31,32) We can look to the Lord for our source of facts amidst all kinds of opinions about what are the answers to life’s perplexing problems. When so many are wondering about how to find their way in an ever increasingly complex world, Jesus still offers us the true way through the wilderness of life. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) The Lord Jesus not only helps us find salvation, but directs our paths as we trust in Him with all our heart and not try to rely on our own insights. But in all our ways acknowledge Him as Lord and He will direct our paths. (Prov. 3:5,6)
2. TRIUMPH GIVER - The Lord Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) We can be of good cheer despite the hardships of life knowing that every joy and trial falls from above, traced upon our dial by the Son of love. We can trust Him fully. All for us to do. They who trust Him wholly. Find Him wholly true. Let us be stayed upon Jehovah so our hearts can be fully blessed. Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. (Isa 26:3) He will keep you in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed upon Him. Because we trust in Him.
3. TEMPTATION ESCAPER - The Lord Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil in the wilderness through the power of the word of God. Jesus said, "You shall love the Lord God and serve Him only when the devil tried to beseech Him to fall down and worship Him. When the devil tried to get Him to turn stones in to bread, Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." When the devil said, "Throw yourself down from this temple, Jesus said, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." The Bible assures us that no temptation that is taken us but such as is common to man. But God will provide a way of escape so that we can be able to bear up under it." (I Cor 10:13)
4. THE GOD WHO HEALS - "I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15:26) We can praise the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who heals the broken hearted and sets the captive free. He makes the lame to walk again and causes the blind to see. He is able to do exceedingly abundant beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that is given to us. (Eph. 3:20) Let us ask the Lord to heal us emotionally, physically, mentally, culturally, relationally and spiritually. The Lord Jesus has a way of making the wounded whole if we will call on Him for restoration, renewal and recovery.
5. TRIAL ALLOWER - The Bible teaches us "Count it all joy when you encounter various trials knowing that the trial of your faith works patience. Let patience have its perfect work that you can be perfect, complete and whole, lacking nothing." (James 1:5) Let us praise God for the fact He allows adversity into our life to bring us to greater holiness, wholeness and maturity. He loves us too much to leave us immature, incomplete or full of impurities. Do not resent the various annoyances that come knowing that He is working a far greater work of glory in your life that is better than all the gold in the universe. (2 Pet 1:6,7)
6. TEACHER - "All scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness that the man of God could be equipped, thoroughly furnished for all good works." (2 Tim 3:16,17) Let us look to the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the word of God to teach us what we need to know to solve every problem, predicament and complexity that comes into our pathway. Only the Lord Jesus can teach us in a way that will provide the knowledcge, wisdom and insight that is necessary to carry out 100% of the will of God. It is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who keep His commandments. (Prov. 2:11)
7. TRUSTWORTHY - Although people, circumstances or ill health may disappoint us and cause deep distress, we can count on the Lord Jesus to deliver us from all difficulties. Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I can abase and abound. I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength and power." (Phil. 4:12,13) Jesus never fails, heaven and earth may pass away. But Jesus never fails. The person of the world, may let you down, but Jesus never fails. Paul wrote, "He who believes in Him will not be disappointed." (Rom 5:5)We can trust Him to complete the work He has begun in us all the way to the end. (Phil. 1:6)
8. TRANSCENDENT - Jesus is above all powers, kindgom and authorities that seek to work against God’s will, way and wonders. The Lord Jesus said, "All power and authority has been given to me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." (Matt 28:19,20) Let us utilize the transcendent power of the Lord Jesus Christ to take the gospel to all the 18,800 people groups of the world. It is not enough to simply keep the treasures of the Lord Jesus to ourselves. It is commanded that we share the treasures of the gospel, of our resources and our lives to help win the lost around the world. The Lord Jesus has an agenda that is transcendent above that of our own. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts. Let us give us our small and petty ambitions and relinquish all our controls to His planning.
9. TIRELESS - We can praise the Lord Jesus that He never gets weary, faint or discouraged. "Though young men grow weary and tired, yet they who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." (Isa 40:29-31) Are you weary and heavy burdened. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt 11:28-30) Let us reinvigorate through the power of the Lord Jesus, His word and a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit. Many grow weary, tired and discouraged because they have not taken time to be refreshed in sweet fellowship, communion and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus through His word, worship and working.
10. TESTIFIER - The Lord Jesus commanded us, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Let us praise the Lord Jesus that He gives the power, privilege and capabilities to testify of all the great things He has done, is doing and will do for people who will come to Him by faith and repentance and obedience. Jesus said, "When the Counselor comes, whom I will sned to you from the Fahter, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about me." (John 15:26) Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to testify of all the great truth, power and fruits of the the Spirit that you have experienced.
11. THE GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYER - Jesus said, "Up to now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and it will be given to you so that your joy may be full." (John 16:24) Jesus assured us when He said, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do will He do also and greater works than these will He do because I go to the Father and you can ask anything in my name and I will do it that the Son may be glorified in the Father." (John 14:12-14)
Let us make a regular habit of asking the Lord every morning to show us how He wants to use us to expand His church in greater quantity and quality. He wants to accomplish great things through us in bringing many out of the kingdom of darkness so they can be transferred into the kingdom of light. I thank God that He has used me to bring hundreds of thousands to Christ and beyond to a life of spiritual reproduction in Nigeria and now in teaching at a Christian College in the USA. He gives life meaning and a sense of eternal contribution by supporting thousands of front line church planters in India, China, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, and throughout the world. Let us ask the Lord Jesus to multiply us by being more effective testifiers of His word, His will and His wonders.
12. THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT - The scripture teaches us, "He comforts us in all our afflictions so that we can comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort we receive from God." (2 Cor 1:3,4) Let us praise and thank God for the comfort the Lord Jesus gives us each day. Jesus said, "I will send to another Comforter so that He can be with you." Let us rest, relax and recuperate with the remedies that the Comforting Holy Spirit and the word of God provides for us every day. Without His comfort we become stressed, distressed and burdened down by the cares of this world, the flesh and the devil. His comfort is supernatural in that He heals, restores, and refurbishes us with new strength, courage and confidence that alleviates pain and gives us hope for a solution to all our problems. There is a balm in Gilead that heals the sins sick soul and makes the wounded whole. His comfort sustains us when we are weary, weak and worn out. Let His comfort allow you to express greater kindness, care and comfort to others in their hurts as well.
Tower - The Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to Him and are safe
Trustworthy - Faithful is He who calls you and He also will bring it pass.
Trouble Deliverer - The poor man cried to the Lord for help and He heard him and delivered him from all his trouble. (Psa 34:17)
Trial Allower - Count it all joy when you encounter various trials knowing that the trial of your faith works patience. Let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect, complete and whole. Not lacking in any good thing. (James 1:5)
Trial Escaper - He knows how to deliver the godly from temptation
Tempted as we are - WE do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was tempted in all things like we yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Heb 4:15)
Treasury - "You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasury that I seek. You are my all in all. When I fall down you pick me up. When I am dry, you fill my cup. You are my all in all."
Trial Allower - Every joy or trial falls from above. TRaced upon our dial by the Son of love.
Tougher than any foe - Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world.
Testimony Giver - They overcame him because of the blood of the lamb, because of the word of their testimony and they did not love their life even to death.
Task Giver - He directs me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Transformer - We all with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed from one degree of glory to another, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18)
Tried, tested and yet without sin - Because He was tempted like as we are He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted and is able to provide succor. (Heb 2:18)
The Shelter in the time of storm - The Lord is my strength and shield. A very present help in the time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. There is a river that makes glad the city of our God. (Psa 46:1-4)
Trainer - The scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. We all have our personal trainer in the scripture and in the Spirit of God.
Tax Doctor - Thank God that as we pay our taxes to Caesar and the authorities designated, we will have nothing to fear.
Talks With Me - And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am HIs own. And the joy we share and the love He spares. None other can ever know
Thematic One - Praise God that His themes are consistent throughout scripture and the ages. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Talk to the Mountain Urger - Jesus said, "Say to this mountain, be removed and it will move and nothing will be impossible to you. (Matt 17:20)
The God of all the earth - The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.
The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting FAther, prince of peace.
Transcript Keeper - Praise God that we will all give account of ourselves to God. God is not one to forget your good works which you have done in HIs name. (HEb 6:10)
