Notes on a sermon from Colossians. www.flushingbiblechurch.com

1. Do Not Be Deceived
Colossians 2:1-5

2.  Written by Paul
 Written to believers in Colossae
 Written from Rome
 Written in 61 AD
 Written because of the Colossian heresy
 Written to show the supremacy of Christ

3.  The Doctrine of the Mystery, Col 2:2-3
 The Deceivers, Col 2:4
 The Discipline, Col 2:5

4. 1. Be encouraged with hearts knit together in love, vv 1-
2a
2. Have knowledge of God’s secret plan, or mystery, vv
2b-3
3. Guard against theological deception, vv 4-5
4. Continue to grow in the Lord, vv 6-7a
5. Rejoice and be thankful in the Lord, v 7b
The Outline Bible, Harold L. Willmington, electronic edition

5.  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on
your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for
all those who have not personally seen my face, that
their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit
together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that
comes from the full assurance of understanding,
resulting in a true knowledge of GOD’S MYSTERY,
that is, Christ Himself… (Col 2:1-3)
 The mystery of Christ

6.  Mysteries of the Kingdom (Matt 13:11, Mk 4:11, Luke 8:10)
 The Kingdom is delayed
 Mystery of the partial hardening of the Jews (Rom 11:25)
 Mystery of the Rapture (1 Cor 15:51)
 Mystery of the summation of all things in Christ (Eph 1:9)
 Mystery of the Gentiles being fellow heirs of the kingdom
with Jews (Eph 3:1-3)
 Mystery of the Dispensation of the Church (Eph 3:9, Rev
10:7)
 Mystery of the Church as the bride of Christ (Eph 5:28-33)

7.  Mystery of the Antichrist (2 Thess 2:7)
 Mystery of Babylon, and the false worship (Rev 17:5, 7)
 Mystery of Christ in believers (Col 1:26-27)
 Mystery of godliness through faith in Christ (Col 2:2-7,
1 Tim 3:16)
 We have godliness through who Christ is, 1 Tim 3:16
 Believers are permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit
 Psalm 51:11, this had never been the case before Christ
 Sanctified through faith
 OT saints sanctified through the Law, i.e. restored fellowship

8.  Mystery of godliness through faith in Christ
 Message of Chapter 1, summed up in vv 1:26-29
 1 Timothy 3:14-16
 We should act in accordance with Paul’s teaching
 His teaching is that godliness is found in Christ
 Christ is sufficient for our godliness, v 3
 … in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge. Colossians 2:3
 We have complete knowledge of godliness in Christ
 We have complete wisdom (knowledge put into
practice) in Christ.

9.  I say this so that no one will delude you with
persuasive argument. Colossians 2:4
 Delude παραλογιζηται (paralogizetai), passive voice, i.e.
do not let yourself be deluded, deceived, defrauded
 Persuasive argument πιθανολογια (pithanolgia)
 Deceive or lie to with flowery language
 Only time this word is used in NT
 Paul gives them the true gospel so they are not
deceived.
 Full gospel: justification, sanctification and glorification
 Here emphasizing sanctification

10.  False teachers never emphasize the sufficiency of
Christ, 2 Peter 2:1
 They are sensual and greedy, 2 Peter 2:2-3
 They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, Matt 7:15
 They pretend to be something they are not, 2 Cor 11:13
 They are full of fraud and deceit, and they make
straight paths crooked, Acts 13:9-10
 They bring people into bondage, Gal 2:4ff
 They are numerous, 1 John 4:1
 They divide the brethren, and they deceive the
unsuspecting Rom 16:17-18

11.  For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I
am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good
discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:5
 Good discipline ταξιν (taxin), military term, orderly
array, fixed order
 Stability στερεωμα (stereoma), military term,
steadfastness, commitment to duty
 It takes good discipline (1 Cor 9:25-26) and
commitment (1 Pt 5:8-9) to not be deceived.

12.  Study the Word, 2 Tim 2:15, 3:17
 Test ALL things, 1 Thess 5:21
 Renew your mind, Rom 12:2
 Put on the full armor of God, i.e. abide in Him, Eph
6:11
 Contend for the faith, Jude 3 and following