“AO DNA – Part 2” Colossians 1:9-14
Colossians 1:9-14 – “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, [10] so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. [13] He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
I. People increasing in revelation of who God is (10b) – “…and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
“knowledge” translates to the Greek word, epignosis. This word goes beyond an academic type of knowing. It defines an experiential, deeper, fuller, personal type of knowing. It is a highly relational type of knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 – “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
- 2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.”
II. People operating in Holy Spirit power (11a) – “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might…”
- Hebrews 1:3 – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power…”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – “…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
- Ephesians 6:10 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
- Ephesians 1:19 – “…and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might…”
- Ephesians 3:16 – “…that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being.”
- Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
III. People who patiently, joyfully endure (11b) – “…for all endurance and patience with joy.” • Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
- Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- James 5:8-11- “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand…[10] As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [11] Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
- Romans 5:3-5 – “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, [18] as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
IV. People living in grateful sonship (12) – “…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
- John 1:12-13 – “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
- Galatians 3:26 – “…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.”
- Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
- 1 John 3:1 – “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are…”
- James 2:5 – “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which he has promised to those who love Him?”
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”