#90 -- Gospel and Spiritual Growth

Valley – June 29, 2003 p.m.

                                                                                                                              

THE PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM

This message concludes the sermon material on the world system and its secular education.  In this message we return to Colossians and Paul's admonitions concerning the subtlety of the world system in realms spiritual and emotional.  Throughout this section on the world system, I have emphasized that the education and religion of the world system are constantly at war with "in Christ" truth.  Col. 1:27-2:11 emphasizes this again.  The last thing elements of the world system want is for the believer to be appropriating the provisions of grace in Christ Jesus.  Maturing Christians are major enemies of the world system.  Because of this "in Christ" truth is treated in a variety of ways by those that are of the world system.  Often this involves direct mental assault on Christians who are maturing.

 

Much of the Letter to the Colossians involves these spiritual assaults.  The things of the world system (it's philosophy etc.) and the things above (one's position) are in open conflict and dealt with by Paul.  The mysteries in Scripture are given for saints who are maturing  (1 Cor. 2:6, 7).  Two mysteries surround the material on educational and religious threats coming from the world system.  These threats ultimately create problems for those who are maturing and learning the contents of the mysteries for grace believers.

 

The foundation for the encouragement of the saints for Christian living is the mystery concerning the indwelling Christ (1:27) – Christ in you the hope of glory.  Paul made a clean announcement by which he warned or admonished every believer teaching every believer in all wisdom (1:28).  His goal was to present each man mature in Christ.  Paul agonized concerning believers who didn't do the right thing (maturing).  This agony was a direct result of the energy from the power of God.  As a result Paul was very much concerned about being with the saints in Colosee and Laodicea.  Because of this he says "For I am desirously willing you to intuitively know how great an agony I have on behalf of you . . . (2:1)."  Paul refers to specific teaching that works in the hearts (rationale, emotionale and will) encouraging and having been joined together in love into all riches of the full assurance of understanding.  (Note: full assurance of faith [Heb. 10:22] and full assurance of hope [Heb. 6:11])  This involves the full experiential knowledge concerning the mystery concerning the God concerning Christ.  This mystery indicates a special relationship between the Father and Christ.  This line has at least 10 consequential textual problems that complicate things.  2:3 begins with "in whom" or "in Christ" are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and full experiential knowledge.  This is one of the reasons that the world system and its education oppose "in Christ" truth.  "In Christ" is where the wisdom and experiential knowledge of the God of the universe is found. 

 

Col. 1:4 addresses one of the mechanisms used by the world system to distract the believer from what God counts as important.  "And this I am saying, that no one should happen to beguile you by persuasive argument."  The word translated "beguile" is a compound word that means to come alongside to reason with someone."  The main verb is translated "reckon" in Romans 6:11.  Our word "logical" is derived from this Greek root.  These come alongside with a kind of reasoning that will cheat the believer with a false set of premises and arguments or reasoning that will delude the believer.  The mechanism is described as "enticing words."  This word is only found here in the Greek New Testament.  It means a persuasive word or argument or to talk so as to talk another person into something whether right or wrong.  Some have called this "lawyers' talk."  These are well-designed arguments that lead to conformity with the educational system of the world system.  Paul warns the saints that there are those who make great effort to dissuade a Christian from that which is important for Christian living.

 

III. covers verses 5-7.  "Into Christ" and "in him" are found three times in these verses.  Paul says that he is with them in spirit while rejoicing and while seeing their order and the firmness of their faith directed into Christ.  He goes on to make an interesting statement "As therefore you received the Christ Jesus the Lord, order the details of your life in Him (2:6)."  This is the one passage in grace revelation that refers to "receiving Christ."  Most plans of salvation invite unbelievers to receive or accept Christ as their Savior.  Few of these include the necessity of faith.  These plans of salvation have their basis on John 1:11, 12.  "But as many as received Him to them gave He authority to become children of God, to the ones believing into His name."  Grace believers become the children of God the moment they believe the Gospel concerning Christ (1 Cor. 15:3, 4).  This involves no authority.  John 1:12 refers to people who believed late in Christ's earthly ministry and who had to wait to get grace salvation after the work of Christ and its provisions.  Col. 2:6 is the only verse that says this.  The verb lambano is found in 15 different forms (14 in compound with prepositions).  Not one of these passages (100s) other than 2:6 refers to receiving Christ as an object for salvation.  If someone wants to use the term, it must be used with faith.  "Receive Christ by faith."  Simply saying "receive Christ or accept Christ" is but another form of works salvation.  Here it is important to observe the word order in the title "the Christ Jesus the Lord."  Think about it!  What is the normal title used when referring to initial salvation?  "In Him be walking" is an important link.  Be ordering the details of your life in Christ as you received Him. 

 

IV presents 2:8-10 and the details of what a believer should be looking for from the world system.  "Look out, lest anyone should be the one carrying you away as booty. . . ."  The AV translation communicates the idea of taking something from you which is totally inaccurate.  It means to take you.  How is this done?  Two concepts share the same common idea (G#).  "Through philosophy and empty out and out delusion after the tradition of men after the elements of the world system and not down from Christ."  The wisdom of the world is an empty non-reality devoid of divine facts.  The elements of the world system are perpetuated by the traditions of men.  They can easily turn the head of believers.  Verse nine says "For in Him settles down and feels at ease all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."  He shares all, all, of the fullness because He is complete God.  Verse 10 brings in our relationship to His fullness.  "Your are in Him in a state of being full, who is the Head of all rule and authority."  Too few believers understand what it means to be sharing in the fullness as complete in Christ.  The world system will deride a believer for even suggesting that he or she is complete in Christ.  The world presses for more and greater things while one who understands what it is to be complete in Christ is completely satisfied in his or her position in Christ.  They will laugh at you and say you are stupid or ignorant while trying to dissuade what they consider religious fanaticism.  Yet these same people can't figure out why we have peace.  The education of the world system appeals to the spirit or reason of the saint in an attempt to forcibly make him or her to think in their subjective way on all things.

 

THE PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM

 

1 John 2:15; Col. 1:27-2:11

 

Proposition:   To demonstrate the subversion of "in Christ" truth by the philosophy and empty deceit that are elements of the world system and how it approaches the thinking of the Christian.

 

        Introduction

              A. The Ongoing Attempt of the World System to Denigrate "in Christ" Truth

              B.   The Appropriation of the Provisions of Grace by Grace Believers

              C.  The Association of Spiritual Maturity with "in Christ" Truth

              D.  The Mental Assault on Christians by the Elements of the World System

 

TRANS:  The revelation of two mysteries provides a foundation or basis for the Christian's ongoing maturity in spite of the educational and intellectual approaches of the world system.

 

  I.     THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE SAINTS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING – THE PROVISION OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE – THE CENTRALITY OF TWO MYSTERIES FOR HEAVENLY EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM – Colossians 1:27-2:3

      A.  God the Father's Desire to Make Known the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery by the

            Gentiles – 1:27a

      B.   The Description of the Mystery – 1:27b

            1.   Christ in You

            2.   The Hope Concerning the Glory

      C.  Paul's Desire Concerning His Labor for the Maturation of Saints – 1:29-2:1

            1.   His Active Labor While Agonizing – 1:29

                  a.   According to the Energy of the One Energizing

                  b.   In Paul

                  c.  By Power

            2.   His Active Agony for the Saints in Colosee and Laodicea

      D.  The Doctrine with a Purpose That Produces a Specific Influence on Saints – 2:2

            1.   Hearts Being Encouraged

            2.         Hearts Being Joined Together

                  a.   In Love

                  b.   Into All Riches of the Full Assurance of the Understanding

                  c.   Into Full Experiential Knowledge

                        (1)  Concerning the Mystery

                        (2)  Concerning the God

                        (3)  Concerning Christ

      E.   The Disclosure of the Treasures in Christ – 2:3

            1.   Of Wisdom

 

            2.   Of Knowledge

 

TRANS:  The world system appeals to the human spirit with fancy and well-prepared words that distract him or her from who they are and what they have in Christ.

 

 II. THE PERSUASION OF THOSE IN THE WORLD SYSTEM WHO USE WORDS – THE PRESENTATION IN OPPOSITION TO "IN CHRIST" TRUTH AND HEAVENLY KNOWLEDGE – PAUL'S CONCERN THAT SAINTS MIGHT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEGUILING WORDS FROM THOSE IN THE WORLD SYSTEM – COLOSSIANS 2:4

      A.  The Purpose of Paul's Speaking

      B.   The Potential for Someone Coming

      C.  The Perversion of Proper Reckoning -- Delusion

      D.  The Persuasion by Words

 

TRANS:  Paul anticipates a particular kind of walk on the part of the believers in Colosee.  This is completely controlled by "in Christ" truth.  Paul expects the saints to order their Christian lives in Christ.

 

III. THE EXPECTATION CONCERNING THE BELIEVER'S WALK  "IN CHRIST" – THE PROGRESS OF THE SAINTS IN CHRIST VICTORIOUS OVER THEIR

      SPIRITUAL ENEMIES – THE CENTRALITY OF "IN CHRIST" TRUTH FOR THE GRACE BELIEVER – Colossians 2:5-7

      A.  The Presence of Paul with the Colossian Church in Spirit – 2:5

            1.   While Rejoicing

            2.   While Seeing

                  a.   The Steadfastness

                  b.   Of Your Faith Directed Toward Christ

      B.   The Receiving of Christ Jesus the Lord – 2:6a

      C.  The Ordering of One's Life in Him (Christ) – 2:6b, 7

            1.   Having Been Rooted and Having Been Built Up in Him

            2.   Having Been Established in the Faith as You Were Taught

            3.   While Abounding in Thanksgiving

 

TRANS:  The philosophy and vain deceit of the elements of the world system and its education openly confront and attempt to replace the fullness that the believer shares in Christ.

 

IV. THE CONFRONTATION OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD SYSTEM WITH ONE'S POSITION IN CHRIST – THE POSSESSION OF SAINTS AS BOOTY BY THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE FULNESS IN CHRIST AND THE PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – Colossians 2:8-10                

      A.  The Call for Mental Alertness – Look! – 2:8

      B.   The Character of One Who Exists to Rob

      C.  The Contents of the Word "Spoil"

            1.   To Rob, Strip

            2.   To Lead

 

      D.  The Confrontation with Agents Attempting to Make Victims

            1.   Through Philosophy

            2.   Through Empty Deceit

            3.   Down from the Tradition of Men

      4. Down from the Elements of the World System

            5.   Not Down from Christ

      E.   The Completeness in Him of All the Completeness of the Godhead – 2:9

            1.   Settle Down and Feel at Home

            2.   Bodily

      F.   The Condition of the Believer "in Christ"

            1.   You Are in Him

            2.   In a State of Having Been Filled (Made Complete)

            3.   Who Is the Head of the Rule and Authority

 

TRANS:  "In Christ" truth stands in juxtaposition to the philosophy and wisdom of the world system.  The world system always says that you can be better and get more while the believer in Christ is complete in Him with no need for more for now or eternity.  The philosophy of the world system often draws the believers mind from that fullness or completion.

 

© by David K. Spurbeck

Valley Baptist Church

P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119