God’s Hidden Treasure

Pastor Chang kim

Colossians 2:1-5

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, 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Introduction 

The Bible is God’s Word to the world, God’s treasure chest.

Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. God’s truths must be sought earnestly

I.          Christ is the knowledge of God’s mystery v1-2

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, 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

John MacArthur writes: People often express doubts about their salvation, even though they have been to church regularly. Their primary problem is not a lack of knowledge, but a failure to apply the truths they know. Truth that finds solid footing in a strong heart and works itself out to fellow believers in love results in deep conviction. That is the basis for assurance.

This rich understanding is Christ-centered. Christ is the mystery of God, who reveals God to man. 

II.        Christ is God’s treasure v3

3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Reality of God is revealed in Jesus Christ. The true treasure, eternal treasure, is found only in Christ. The word “treasure” is the Greek word “thesaurus,” from which we get our word thesaurus which refers to a treasury of words. The original meaning of the word referred to a treasure chest of a storehouse where a great treasure was kept.

Well, I’m telling you, all those things are traps. Why because unless Jesus is in the center of all things, it’s meaningless, utterly meaningless. The world applauds our success, well done, but God says, depart from Me, I never knew you.

III.      Christ keeps our faith firm vv4-5

4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Paul writes in a few verses later in v8 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

Conclusion: In this section Paul contends that the mystery of life is in a person, not in philosophy. His argument is against all those who would “deceive you with persuasive words” (v. 4). The mystery of life is in the person of Jesus Christ. True treasure, eternal treasure, is found only in Christ.