"Watch your life and doctrine closely"
Colossians 2:2: …that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ… In the previous verse, Paul shared his pastoral longing for the Colossians and those in Laodicea. In this verse, he tells them what…
Colossians 2:1: For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face… In the previous passage, Paul shared the sufferings of his ministry and his willingness to continue suffering for the sake of the church….
Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a guest preacher in many churches all over the world. He typically did not preach in a theologically liberal church unless he felt they were looking for help. On one occasion he found himself in such a situation (for reasons unknown). Murray gives an account of what happened: After listening to a…
From the blog this week: A Different Kind of Easter Sunday The Scoundrels of Scripture: A 6-Day Video Devotional “Over and over again, Scripture shows us how Jesus interacted with people— people with hopes, dreams, hurts, and disappointments. We’ll hear what Jesus said to those who welcomed him and wanted him, as well as to…
Colossians 1:29: For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. As we saw in the last verse, we are to proclaim Christ to others. We are to warn them of the judgment to come and provide the hope of the gospel. Since this is so important, we are…
Colossians 1:28: Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Paul shows us the content of the message we are to preach: Christ. If the teaching of vv. 15-20 is true, then Christ is the all-powerful, loving savior. He is the answer to all…
Colossians 1:26-27: …the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. In the previous verse, Paul made it clear that his…
About 15 years ago, I spent some time in Russia doing mission work. While gathering with a Baptist church one Lord’s Day, I was speaking with a local who was fluent in English. We were discussing Easter Sunday and the difference in the way Russians and Americans celebrate. He informed me that due to the…
From the blog this week: 3 Dangers of an Over-Realized Eschatology Free to Stream: The Biggest Story Animated Short Film “During these stuck-at-home days, Crossway is offering free streaming access to The Biggest Story: The Animated Short Film through April 12, 2020.” Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper Another free resource you should check out!…
Colossians 1:24-25: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to…