2. Marks of a True Church

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Hymns: RHC 207 Gold Harps Are Sounding 382 I Would Be True 385 May the Mind of Christ, My Saviour

Colossians 1:1-8

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Marks of a True Church

OUTLINE

  • Faith in Jesus Christ (v4 cf. 5b)
  • Hope in Heaven (v5)
  • Love in the Spirit (v4,8)

INTRODUCTION

The Lord established the church in Colosse. How did the Lord establish it? What is the character of God’s people that describes a vibrant and fruitful witness? It is faith, hope and love. Matthew Henry observed well, “Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian life, and proper matter of our prayer and thanksgiving.”

These are spiritual virtues that distinguishes them as a body of God’s people. The Apostle Paul rightly pointed out that spiritual fruit is summed up in these three words combined! There is so much joy to see a thriving church. He says “We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying for you.”

The church in Thessalonica was commended for these spiritual virtues too when the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

And he also went on to highlight how these spiritual virtues are to be cultivated so that the church continues to thrive with a shade of difference in emphasis – 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (KJV) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Here he described the outworking of faith that has begun when they first put their faith in Jesus Christ and continues to good works wrought in faith and faith as a shield so that they will continue to be courageous following Christ. 

Love in the Spirit

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, … 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

And the manifestation of God’s love is in their love one for another. It takes effort to love one another. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. And love is a shield against coldness as was the church in Ephesians when Jesus commended – “Thou hast lost thy first love” and the lukewarm church in Laodicea.

Revelation 2:4 (KJV) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

Revelation 3:16 (KJV) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

When we have an ailment, and we are experiencing some bodily discomfort we should go and consult a doctor to have our bodies examined so that we may know what has gone wrong with our health. You may have a family physician who has all your medical records and is able to look back at the medical records and make an assess of your current ailment with the support of your past medical history. In this way, you would perhaps be able to know what has gone wrong. 

However, you may also go for an annual medical check-up whereby you would be thoroughly checked from head to toe, with blood tests, X-rays and a medical report would be given to assess your physical health.

Our Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, the Great Physician, was doing just that when He made a complete health check for the spiritual state of the church at Ephesus and this text is the medical report that He has asked the messenger, the angel (that is how it can be understood for the word angel here, literally “a messenger”, an envoy sent to carry a message) to deliver a diagnosis report and give recommendations for the treatment of the spiritual health of the church at Ephesus. There are a total of 7 patients that will be assessed by our Lord, and we shall be together with our Lord at His clinic as we hear the assessment of the patient right up to the end of this year. With a thorough health check, we start the year with a clear understanding where we are spiritual speaking and from there, to take steps to improve our spiritual health.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

In one statement, Christ isolates a critical problem in the church. It is in spiritual decline.[1] There is an ailment, a trouble of the heart that is diagnosed here. They have been busy doing but they have forgotten why they are doing it.

The word “left” is the verb “to let go, leave, forsake, depart”. It is the technical term for divorce. It can be translated “forsaken”. 

What is this “first love”? It is the love that first brought you to God. Remember at the gate Beautiful in Acts 3, when Peter and John gave to gospel to the man who was lame from his mother’s womb? 

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

You would see that the love that characterized the church in earlier times was now entirely missing, leaving no proof in their lives of their faith. The recipients of the message needed to examine their own lives whether their faith is genuine or not.[2] Somehow, they have been caught up with the old life of going back to love the world – love for money, possessions, position, entertainment, learning, family etc.  These idols choke their hearts.

Jesus warns us that the world, ruled by Satan is always on the prowl to win our affections.

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

These are the (1) cares of the world (2) deceitfulness of riches and (3) lust of other things. The repeated use (4 times) of the conjunction “and” in Mark 4:19 emphasizes the constant bombardment of these ungodly pursuits that prevent the hearer from receiving the Word of God and bearing fruit.

These are literally the worries, anxieties and distractions of this present life that hold captive the hearts and minds of the hearers to the extent that there is no room for God in their lives; no room to consider, ponder, receive and give priority to things eternal. We see here the weariness from the energy-sapping effect of the cares of the world. They drain the heart of strength so much so that it cannot find true hope and life. To these, Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

It is interesting such a physical imagery was used to describe the spiritual hypocrisy of the Laodicean church. They were blind to their own needs and unwilling to face the truth. Jesus says, I “know” you speak of intimate, complete and infallible knowledge that our Lord has concerning who we really are:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There is no hiding with Him. He reads us through and through. Man cannot see through our motives but Jesus does and He is exposing this church for her good!

When we were visiting the 7 churches, the guide explained that this city was located near Hierpolis, 10 km north, the city famous for hot springs and Colossae, about 20 km to the east, the city known for its pure, cold, refreshing supply of water. Laodicea did not have her own source of water supply and to survive, this city has to pipe water through stone aqua-ducts to the city from their nearest neighbours. The hot water from Hierpolis would become lukewarm by the time it reaches Laodicea and the cold water from Colossae would also be lukewarm by the time it reaches Laodicea. And so, it was a most striking illustration that our Lord used by the domestic life of the city to describe, diagnose their spiritual condition.  

These are those who are not zealous and fervent nor cold. This lukewarm state is so sickening and obnoxious it caused our Lord to spue, literally the word means “vomit”. Who are these? They are professing Christians who go to church, claim to know the Lord, but are not saved. No spiritual fruit can be seen, like the barren fig tree that our Lord speaks about.

Luke 13:6-9 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

John Bunyan in his book, “The Barren Fig Tree” calls “it the fruitless professor that standeth in the vineyard of God.” A picture of fruitless Israel![3] What was the cause of their barrenness?

In the book of Colossians, Paul’s prison epistle written in A.D. 61-63 and the writing of Revelation in A.D. 90 is a lapse of 26-29 years. 

Paul wrote to the church in Colossae and to Laodicea concerning false teachers threatening the Colossian Christians who claimed to possess secret wisdom and transcendent knowledge available only to the spiritual elite. Paul said that all spiritual richness is found in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:1-3 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…Colossians 2:8-9 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

And so, we see that this slighting of the gospel attacking the Deity of Christ could possibly have affected also the church in Laodicea for Paul addressed the Laodicean Christians specifically also in his letter. It is the Greek philosophy that teaches that matter is evil, spirit is good. And so, it is unthinkable that God would ever take on a human body. Paul refutes the false teaching by emphasizing the reality of Christ’s incarnation. Jesus is not only fully God but fully man as well. There was no doctrinal dispute mentioned by Christ. It seemed that the church might have been exposed to this false gospel for a prolonged period, leading to Jesus present indictment on this church. Without the true gospel the people are still lost in their sins.

We acknowledge that it is God who brings the fruit as the church abides in Christ.

John 15:4-5 (KJV) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

John 15:7-8 (KJV) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:10-11 (KJV) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 15:12 (KJV) This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

By abiding in Christ, in obedience to His Word and the keeping of His commandments is the expression of true love.

Faith in Jesus Christ (v4 cf. 5b)

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, … 5 … whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

The true doctrine of Jesus Christ is crucial to the faith. A false understand of the Christ of the Bible can lead us to believe a false gospel.

Reformed View of Saving Faith:

Saving Faith (fides salvifica) consists of these three factors:

  1. The knowing (noticia) of the Word of God.
    1. The agreeing (assensus) of the Word of God.
    1. The willingness (fiducia) to obey the Word of God.

Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus (that is, SAVIOUR), and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Saving faith is not only intellectual (that is, of the mind), it must also be volitional (that is) of the heart).

Therefore, the salvation equation is:

Not [Faith + Works = Salvation]

Not [Faith = Salvation – Works]

But [Faith = Salvation + Works]

The doctrine of Christ’s nature simply is that our Lord as the Eternal Son of God always and under all circumstances conducted Himself in a manner perfectly consistent with His divine attributes. At the same time, without confusion or contradiction, He took a complete complex of essential human attributes, and during “the days of the flesh” (Hebrews 5:7) always and under all circumstances conducted Himself in a manner perfectly consistent with sinless human nature. His divine nature was a perfect and consistent complex of the attributes which are essential to deity. “In Him dwelt all the fullness of deity, theotes, in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). His human nature was His perfect and consistent complex of human attributes. He took to Himself flesh and blood like the rest of us. He was tried in all points like as we are tried, apart from sin (Hebrews 2:14-16; 4:15). [4]

Who is Jesus Christ? 100% GOD AND 100% MAN (John 1:1-14, Hebrews 1:1-3)

In the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD), the historic Christian and Biblical view was finally stated: Christ is one person with a fully divine nature and a fully human nature, and His natures are without mix, without change, without division, without separation.

The pure gospel was preached and the souls were saved and established in the faith.

Hope in Heaven (v5)

5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, … 

The hope that is laid up for you in the heaven, the place of God’s abode, the place where the departed in Christ so rest with Christ in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

There is a strength of knowing our future, where we are goinh after we die. There is a transition to the presence of God in glory!

Jesus speaks of heaven as the place that the beggar Lazarus went after he died. So did Jesus tells us there was a certain rich man who went to hell. And He made the contrast of the bliss of heaven and the torment of hell.

Luke 16:19-26 (KJV) There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Jesus described heaven to be the place of the Father’s abode and He will go to Him and will come again and receive His disciples after He has completed the heavenly mansion for each of His own! What a joy and glorious hope for the people of God.

John 14:1-3 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Christians in Colosse knew where they were going. They have the hope of eternal life when they took hold of the promises of God’s Word.

CONCLUSION

Alas, the spiritual virtues of faith, hope and love is kept alive by the grace of God. The true church will never perish but kept by the Holy Spirit of God to bear its fruit in its season. Let us pray the Lord to kindle and keep these alive in our hearts and life by which we are identified truly as the people of God. Amen.

[1] Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7, Moody Press, 1992, 139. 

[2] Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7, Moody Press, 1992, 140.

[3] John Bunyan, The Barren Fig Tree, Reiner Publications, 1974, 5.

[4] J. O. Buswell, A Systematic Theology of the Christian Religionm 1994, Part III – soteriology, 54-55.