Sermon or Lesson:  Colossians 2:5 (NIV based)
[Lesson Questions included]

TITLE:  Dynamics That Can Thwart The Adopting Of False Doctrines

INTRODUCTION:  Have you ever been involved in a project in which you could have averted failure if you had known about and used a particular tool or technique that would have prevented or remedied the problem that ultimately caused the project to fail?  In our study in Colossians now, we are going to discover dynamics that can be used to effectively prevent us believers from derailing our faith.
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READ:  Colossians 2:5, with vv.1-4 for context

BACKGROUND:
- - Following the example of Paul, the approach used in churches should be to knowledgably proclaim, admonish, and teach Christ and the Word of God, in order to facilitate the achieving of spiritual maturity in the life of every believer.  (v.28)
- - Churches and believers should take on the same perspective, mission, and ministry approach that Paul has - even if corresponding challenges, struggles, labor, suffering, and afflictions arise for them.  (vv.2:1; 1:29,24)
- - Local churches and home groups should actively facilitate new believers and immature believers in adjusting, continuing, and growing in the faith, and in drawing on the indwelling power from God.
- - There are people in our churches who use "fine-sounding arguments" to effectively persuade undiscerning believers into believing and adopting false doctrines, that are deceptive, contrary to Scriptures, and destructive to their spiritual well-being.  (v.4)
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v.5 - READ

[Lesson Question:  Describe how each of the three aspects listed in verse 5 relate to the problem that is cited in verse 4.]

SECTION POINT:  Being unable to talk with them in person, Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians in order to assist them in defending themselves from being deceived into believing false doctrines.

"For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit"
- - In previous verse 4, Paul is stating that he wants the Colossian believers not to be deceived by false teaching that they are hearing.
- - Here in verse 5, Paul is stating that he cannot personally be there with the Colossian believers to guard and critique the doctrinal teaching they are hearing, nor from this distance can he protect them from the perhaps countless exposures to false doctrines.
- - Being a new church comprised of new converts, apparently the Colossians have no spiritually-mature leader among them who has sufficient doctrinal knowledge to be able to defend against false doctrines.
- - So, the Colossian believers will have to guard their doctrines themselves, which will be a huge uphill battle for them because they are not sufficiently equipped to successfully defend themselves against the allure and seeming reasonableness of "fine-sounding arguments" that are being utilized to promote false doctrines.  (v.4)
- - Paul knows this vulnerable situation they are in and he is contending for the Colossian believers against the teaching of false doctrines among them, even though he is not physically with them at their location.
- - This concern and care for the plight of the Colossian believers has incited Paul to write this letter to them, in an effort to provide them with the assistance they need through written instructions, warnings, teachings, and exhortations that Paul is giving them in this letter.

APPLICATIONS:
- - Does our church have a spiritually-mature leader among us who has sufficient doctrinal knowledge to be able to defend against false doctrines?  Whom?  Is that person actively monitoring and guarding the soundness of doctrines that are being taught or promoted in this church or ministry?  If not, why not?
- - Do you actively monitor and guard the soundness of doctrines that you are hearing and/or teaching in this church or ministry?  If not, why not?
- - Are the Scriptures used when refuting "fine-sounding arguments" that promote false doctrines?  If not, why not?
- - Are the Scriptures taught extensively in this church or ministry, which will serve as a hindrance to the sprouting and growing of false doctrines in the lives of individual believers in this church or ministry?  If not, why not?
- - Are the Scriptures being taught extensively at all levels within this church or ministry?  If not, why not?
- - Do you have significant concern and care for the plight of the believers in this church or ministry, that they will not be deceived into believing false doctrines?  Is that a priority for you?  Should that be a priority for this church or ministry?
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SECTION POINT:  The proliferation of false doctrines thrives on disorder among believers, so "orderliness" serves to help deter or hinder the establishing of false doctrines in churches and ministries.

"and delight to see how orderly you are"
- - Paul is "delighted" and "rejoicing" that currently the Colossians have two qualities that give them a foundation to their faith from which they can resist the teaching of false doctrines among them.  (Strong's #5463)
- - Firstly, the Colossian believers have "orderliness" - they are conducting themselves in a proper manner, maintaining respectfulness to each other, and submitting to the authority persons and structure in their church.
-- 'Orderliness' is important in resisting the teaching of false doctrines because:
- - - - disorder can lead to factions forming and disunity, in which segment groups want to follow their own way and doctrines;
- - - - disorder leads to lack of accountability, which false doctrines thrive on;
- - - - disorder leads to a termination of proper oversight and guarding of doctrines;
- - - - disorder allows those persons who are deviant to run wild and promote their false doctrines and individual agendas virtually unnoticed and unchecked.
- - Apparently, disorder has not developed yet among the Colossian believers, even though the teaching and promoting of false doctrines has been occurring among them.
- - But disorder is a natural byproduct of false doctrines being believed in churches and ministries.
- - So, "orderliness" among believers like the Colossians is good in serving as one deterrent that helps to resist the persuasion of and the teaching of false doctrines.
- - Paul is "delighted" for the Colossian believers because their "orderliness" indicates that the adopting of false doctrines has not gained a substantial or growing foothold among them even though "fine-sounding arguments" are being presented among them and pose a credible threat.

APPLICATIONS:
- - In this church or ministry, are all of the people conducting themselves in a proper manner, maintaining respectfulness to each other, and submitting to the authority persons and structure in their church?
- - Are all of the people submitting to the teaching of sound doctrines, which are properly interpreted from the Scriptures?
- - When one or more persons in this church or ministry start behaving in a disorderly manner, are they confronted about their disorderliness and any false doctrines they hold that fuel their disorderliness?  Or instead, are their disorderly behaviors and corresponding false doctrines tolerated or ignored?
- - Do the leaders in this church or ministry regard disorderliness as a serious problem, a serious threat, and potentially a symptom of the infestation of false doctrines?  If not, why not?
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SECTION POINT:  The teaching of doctrines in the Scriptures intrinsically contains the power and the ability to sufficiently help believers successfully resist and thwart the adopting of false doctrines.

"and how firm your faith in Christ is."
- - A second quality that the Colossian believers have is the "firmness" of their "faith in Christ".
- - Their faith in Christ is anchored, "established, and stable".  (Strong's #4733)
- - By implication, the Colossian believers have a good basic understanding of what "faith in Christ" is, probably because someone (perhaps Epaphras) has thoroughly explained the "gospel" to them - all of the doctrines relating to how God provided a way for humans to be reconciled to Himself through the suffering and death of Christ Jesus on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of those humans who believe in Him.  (vv.1:4-7,21-23)
- - The Colossian believers have a good basic understanding of these doctrines relating to them placing their faith in Christ Jesus for salvation, and moreover they hold these doctrines with "firmness", solidly "established" in their minds - without doubts, confusion, discontinuity, wavering, and etc.  (Strong's #4733)
- - By implication, they regard these doctrines as being true, valid, authentic, and applicable to them personally.
- - They are firmly convinced, perhaps even to the extent of 'knowing' that God has therein actually "rescued [them] from the dominion of darkness and brought [them] into the kingdom of the Son he loves".  (v.1:13)
- - They have determined that their salvation is real, so correspondingly their faith in Christ is "firm".
- - This good basic understanding of the doctrines relating to salvation can provide some additional defense that helps to resist the persuasion of and the teaching of false doctrines.
- - But obviously, maintaining a defense that successfully resists the persuasion of and the teaching of false doctrines requires more than merely possessing a good basic understanding about one's salvation and what "faith in Christ" is.
- - "Firmness" in your faith is good, but there further needs to be depth in the understanding of doctrines - comprehensive understanding of the numerous doctrines that are essential to the faith.
- - This lack of depth in the understanding of doctrines is another reason why the intervention of Paul was needed by the Colossian believers.
- - Paul is "delighted" for the Colossian believers because not only their "orderliness" but also their "firmness" in faith in Christ likewise indicates that the adopting of false doctrines has not gained a substantial or growing foothold among them even though "fine-sounding arguments" are being presented among them and pose a credible threat.
- - Thereby, Paul believes that his intervention through this written letter contains the needed additional depth of teaching of doctrines that will be sufficient for helping the Colossian believers successfully thwart the adopting of false doctrines in their church.
- - For us believers today, we too have this written letter and other teaching of doctrines in the Scriptures that are sufficient for helping us thwart the adopting of false doctrines.

APPLICATIONS:
- - Do you have this kind of faith in Christ, that is described in verses 1:19-23?  If not, why not?
- - If you have this kind of faith in Christ, is your faith in Christ firm, anchored, established, and stable?
- - How firm is your faith in Christ in regard to your holding of sound doctrines?
- - Is your commitment to hearing and believing and living sound doctrine so upright that other people can readily see how "firmly established" your faith is (Strong's #4733)?  Or instead, are you open to hearing 'new' doctrines, contemplating deviant doctrines, or entertaining the hearing of "fine-sounding arguments" that promote false doctrines?
- - Do you have a good basic understanding of what "faith in Christ" is?  If not, why not?
- - Have all of the doctrines relating to how God provided a way for humans to be reconciled to Himself been thoroughly explained to you?  If not, then you can ask your pastor, ministry leader, or a spiritually-mature believer with sound doctrines to help you in this regard.
- - After having placed your faith in Christ and having all of the doctrines relating to salvation explained to you, do you nevertheless experience any doubts, confusion, discontinuity, wavering, and etc. about your salvation?  If so, then you can ask your pastor, ministry leader, or a spiritually-mature believer with sound doctrines to further help you in this regard also.
- - For those of you who have "firmness" in your faith in Christ, do you have depth in the understanding of doctrines - comprehensive understanding of the numerous doctrines that are essential to the faith?  If not, why not?  Maybe you should find or start a Bible study group for advanced learning of doctrines of the faith.
- - For those of you who have depth in the understanding of doctrines, do you know of anyone whom you could disciple in becoming "firm" in the faith, "firm" in believing and adhering to sound doctrines, and "firm" in resisting and rejecting false doctrines with their supporting "fine-sounding arguments"?  (v.2:4)
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BIG IDEA:  Believers have the Scriptures to help them thwart the adopting of false doctrines, which can be assisted by them being orderly and being firm in their faith in Christ.

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[Additional Lesson Questions to ponder (optional, if time allows):
- - Have you ever watched a believer or a group of believers who held sound doctrines but then they succumbed to being deceived by "fine-sounding arguments" through which they adopted one or more false doctrines?  If so, analyze and describe the conditions that contributed to their doctrinal downfall, without disclosing names or identities.]
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Works Cited:
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.

“Strong's Greek Dictionary.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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Copyright © 2017, 2018 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
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