4. Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine (2)

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Hymns: RHC 522 Jesus Bids Us Shine 206 Christ Arose 203 He Lives

Colossians 1:9-14

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

Jesus Bids Us Shine (2)

OUTLINE

In Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine (Col. 1:9-23)

  • Glowing For Jesus (v9-14)
    • In Knowledge (v9 cf. 15-23)
    • In Fruitfulness (v10)
    • In Testimony (v11)
    • In Gratitude (v12-14)
  • Grounded in Him (v15-23)
    • He is God (v15)
    • He is Creator (v16-17)
    • He is the Head of the Church – The Pre-eminence (v18)
    • He is Saviour (v19-22)
    • He is the Good News (v23)

Continue…

  • Glowing For Jesus (v9-14)
    • In True (Precise and Correct Knowledge – knowledge of things ethical and divine) Knowledge (v9 cf. 15-23)

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 

The Apostle Paul teaches us that “being filled with the knowledge of His will and in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” marks a glowing Christ – that’s primarily the way you’re going to find God’s will: by wisdom and spiritual understanding.[1]

In verse 10, the Apostle Paul speaks of a worthy walk that bears forth a fruitful life.

Rogers observed well, “You cannot walk worthy of the Lord until you know the will of the Lord. A worthy walk is a walk in His will. And that’s what pleases God. Nothing outside of His will pleases Him. And if you please God, it doesn’t matter whom you displease. And if you displease God, it doesn’t matter whom you please. And the way to please God is to walk in His will, a worthy walk; and then, that will make you fruitful: “Being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)”[2]

  1. In Fruitfulness (v10)

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

The process of Christian sanctification the Apostle Paul describes is by the Scriptures undergirded by the Spirit of God through prayer – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We can be “furnished” or “equipped” by the Scripture showing us the principles of life (doctrine) and showing us where we have gone wrong (reproof) and showing us how we can make right (correct) and finally to walk in the path of righteousness (God’s holy will). To be fruitful in every good work, the Lord will enable us to put off what is not in His will and put on what is His goodwill for our life. This sanctification process will come through circumstances in life that God will orchestrate to bring about of change to conform more and more to His will. This comes in the form of trials and temptations.

To bear fruit, we need to separate ourselves from ungodly company and take time to know God’s Word – Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Fruit will come in its season. In other words, growth toward fruitfulness takes time as we cultivate our souls to conform to God’s will by the yielding of our hearts and minds to Him.

It requires us to have a process where we categorically study God’s Word and apply it in our daily life.

The increase of God comes with experience as we walk with Him. The process of molding us to be fruitful is well described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:1-5 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  

As we walk with God by putting away sin, the spirit bears its fruit in our lives – Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • In Testimony (v11)

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 

The fruitfulness of the Christian is the manifestation of spiritual virtues. Fruit comes in its season through cultivation. And “life”, through “circumstances of life” God molds us to conform to His will.

The work of the Spirit of God in our lives mightily enables us to endure harsh environment and people by giving us joy in the midst of our trials.

The Aposte Peter concurs here observing that same process by which the believers glow for the Lord.

1 Peter 1:6-8 (KJV) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

The Christian testimony is formed through suffering whether it comes in the form of losses like Job’s case or through other men listed in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11, the testimony of God’s people shines forth as we forsake the world, crucify the self and resist the devil! (Follow our series on Faith of Our Fathers – Hebrews 11). 

  • In Gratitude (v12-14)

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

God’s people are a happy throng, a blessed lot, full of thanksgiving for this divine life that He has so mercifully accorded us.

Mary Magdelene who was delivered from seven devils was most grateful. She was first at the sepulchre on resurrection morning. She understood what it meant to be delivered from the power of darkness and to be translated into the kingdom of his dear son. We are speaking of principalities and dominion of the evil one and Christ’s kingdom where there is true peace and joy.

The word “translate” literally means “remove from one place to another”. This is in effect through Christ’s shed blood that gives forgiveness to the repentant sinner.

Matthew 26:27-29 (KJV) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.  

Acts 5:30-31 (KJV) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Matthew 28:5-9 (KJV) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

The excitement of the new life that God has given us is an exuberate life that manifest itself with the Spirit bearing its fruit in our lives that enables us to witness for Christ.

To be continued… 

[1] Rogers, A. (2017). How to Know the Will of God. In Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (Col 1:3–10). Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust.

[2] Ibid.