:sermons:
What can make our church what it needs to be? Side note: Paul was under house arrest when he wrote this letter. Pay special attention to verse 9, because it reveals who Christ is.
Colossians 2: 1-10

1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and F5 of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

1. We should have an encouraging fellowship:cultivate an attitude of edifying, helping and building one another up.

2. We should live by faith *and* be faithful: just as a bush has a root system, and the roots give rise to the fruit, so our faith and faithfulness should give rise to Christian fruit in our lives.

3. We should hold fast to the truth and guard against falsehood: cheat comes from the Greek word meaning captured or led away, and deceit comes from the word that means fish hook. The picture is that of one trapped painfully and being pulled into a direction he does not want to go because of his own actions (greed for the worm).

Pastor also delivered this nugget. I’ll not explain it, but simply let you mull it over. We should not apply our knowledge to the Bible. Instead we should apply the Bible to our knowledge.