How have your goals changed over the years? Are there goals you no longer desire to pursue? Are there new goals that have become more important? Paul had some goals regarding the gospel that will be examined in the Explore The Bible Study: The Gospel's Goal. As you walk through this study, record one goal for developing your own spiritual maturity as well as the name of one person who you may also encourage in that direction.

Paul’s goal was to serve the church because of the gospel, no matter the difficulties - Colossians 1:24-27

In this passage Paul declared that he rejoiced in the suffering because of the fact that he desired to see people transformed by the gospel. He called himself a servant who was commissioned to reveal the mystery and hope of the gospel to all people, including the Gentiles.

Next, Paul’s goal was to passionately invest in all who would respond to the gospel – Colossians 1:28-29

Investing in others' spiritual transformation and sharing the gospel with others should not be part of a checklist one accomplishes. It should originate out of a passion to see individuals, not only respond to the gospel, but grow up in their faith. This is the personal investment believers should embrace.

Notice the actions Paul took to invest in the spiritual transformation of others. He proclaimed Christ, warned them, and he taught them. Paul desired to perform these actions with all wisdom that could only come from his own personal walk with the Lord. Finally, notice his greatest desire: To present everyone mature in Christ!

• Think of those who have invested in your spiritual transformation. Imagine them presenting you to Christ as one who is mature. Do you feel that, at this point, in your walk with the Lord that this is possible for them to do? What needs to change?
• Think of those who God has entrusted to you. Perhaps it’s your children, a spouse, a close friend, a co-worker, or an individual or individuals at church. What actions demonstrate that you are passionately trying to present them as mature in Christ? How are you doing at proclaiming Christ to them, warning them, and teaching them with all wisdom? What needs to change?

Paul’s goal was to encourage others to be united because of the gospel – Colossians 2:1-3

Paul feared the Colossian believers would allow themselves to be caught in a web of deception, cleverly spun by people promoting false doctrine. Struggling reveals the nature of Paul’s concern. The Greek word means “anxiety or concern.” His is an intense inner struggle on behalf of believers in Colosse, Laodicea, and for all who have not met [him] personally.

Paul desired believers to be (1) encouraged in heart which happens as they are (2) united in love, (3) and as they are settled in their understanding of the truth.

A loving, learning community will produce believers who are settled in their understanding of the truth. Believers who link themselves with fellow believers, who care for one another, and who grow in their understanding of Jesus Christ will stand a good chance of remaining stable and confident.

What About Your Goals?

We examined three goals Paul had because of the gospel: (1) To serve the church because of the gospel no matter the difficulties; (2) To passionately invest in all who would respond to the gospel; (3) To encourage others to be united because of the gospel. Which of these goals are you striving to live by as a believer? Which do you feel you need to focus upon improving?

Consider your own walk with the Lord. Do you believe others see evidence of spiritual maturity that Paul describes in these passages? If so, great! If not, what needs to change?

As you consider the study this week record one goal for developing your own spiritual maturity as well as the name of one person whom you may also encourage in that direction.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.

The good news of Jesus breaks us free from the power of sin and Satan’s control. Ironically, from a prison cell in the year a.d. 60, a man who wore the shackles of a prisoner, yet was free from the power of sin, wrote a letter to a group of believers he had never met regarding the power of the gospel. That letter is the Book of Colossians. The Explore the Bible Study: The Gospels Power, begins an examination of this letter and the power of the gospel as described by Paul in Colossians 1:9-23.

Epaphras, one of his most faithful coworkers, visited Paul in prison and brought him a report on the congregation at Colosse.  In many ways the report was good. However, it becomes evident in the letter that the Colossian believers might become the victims of false teaching. The heresy running rampant in Colosse attacked and undermined the identity and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Paul desired to set the record straight.

The phrase, for this reason, refers back to the report given to him from Epaphras. He was thankful but wanted them to know, too, that he was praying because of some concerns that had come to his attention.

First, He prayed God would fill them with “the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

Paul uses the word "filled," meaning to be under its controlling influence. We are to be controlled by the knowledge of God’s will which comes through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is more than simple intelligence. "Wisdom" refers to the comprehension of truth, while "understanding" refers to the application of truth. Being controlled by God’s will means believers comprehend the principles of Scripture and then put them into practice. Paul desired for the Colossians to understand the times and to know what they should do as God’s people, the Issacharites, did in 1 Chronicles 12:32.

Paul then describes the goal of one who is filled (controlled) by the knowledge of His will in verse 10 -- Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. Paul goes on to describe in verses 10-12 four results of one who walks worthy and lives a fully pleasing life before God:

1. Bear fruit in every good work – What kind of fruit is he describing? (It could include all or one of these: the fruit of the Spirit, bringing people to Jesus, or good deeds, acts of kindness.) What’s most important is that we bear fruit that makes a positive gospel impact on our world.
2. Grow in the knowledge of God – A life which pleases God is a life which is constantly exposed to the nourishment of God’s Word by which we grow in the knowledge of God.
3. Endurance and Patience – How can we have that kind of endurance and persistence in our lives? There is a marvelous promise in our text. We can be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. We can stand immovable, not because of our power, but because of God’s power. Endurance means to keep our faith when facing frightening obstacles. Patience means to keep our cool when facing frightful opponents.
4. Gratitude – Because He loves us as a father loves his children, because we are a part of the family of God, we know He will supply our needs. The assurance of those provisions should create within us a spirit of gratitude.

Paul wants us to know the truth about pleasing God so that we won’t be victims of the well-disguised lies of those who might lead us astray or weigh us down with the burdens of false doctrine or ideologies that cause us to forget the power of Christ’s pardon. Next Paul reminds his readers that Jesus and God are One.

Christ’s pardon is only possible because He is God - Colossians 1:15-20

When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he was countering a clever company of false teachers who sought to replace the Colossians’ enthusiastic devotion to Christ with only a mild approval of Him. They didn’t encourage anyone to forget Jesus altogether; they just said he wasn’t the only show in town. According to these false teachers, Jesus got equal billing with a vast number of emanating spirits flowing out of God. They said Jesus could be prominent, but He certainly wasn’t preeminent. In contrast, Paul—along with telling believers the truth about the gospel and pleasing God—tells them the truth about Jesus:

• Jesus is the image of the invisible God: Hebrews 1:3 tells us that the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.
• Jesus is the firstborn over all creation: Firstborn is a term of rank more than it is a word of time. The right of the firstborn was the right of privilege, priority, and rank.
• Everything was created by Him: There is nothing in the created order that Jesus did not create (see John 1:3).
• He is before all things: Jesus is eternally existent (an attribute that can only be true of God) because He is before all things.
• He holds all things together: His power guarantees that the universe is under control and not chaotic.
• He is head of the body, the church: Jesus began His church, and He is its source of life and vitality. Jesus is also sovereign over His church. The church takes its direction from Jesus and is under His authority.
• He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead: He arose from the grave as we will arise from the grave at His return. Again, firstborn here has nothing to do with time but rank. Others preceded Jesus in rising from the dead. Lazarus is one example (John 11:38–44). Others were raised only to die again. Jesus was the first person to rise, never to die again. He is the first person to conquer death, and all other resurrections are based on His. The glorious truth for us is this: because of his resurrection, we are assured of our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).
• God's fullness dwells in Him. Everything is reconciled through Him and His blood atoning sacrifice: Through Jesus, God reconciles to Himself all things. Reconciliation is the removal of hostility and the restoring of friendly relations to parties who have been at war. Paul also calls reconciliation making peace through His blood, which He shed on the cross.

Consider what can happen if you are unsure about any of these statements regarding Jesus. What does your doubt communicate regarding the gospel?

Christ’s pardon makes it possible for people to be reconciled to God - Colossians 1:21-23

Before the miracle of reconciliation, the Colossians, and all unbelievers, were at odds with God. They and we were alienated, that is separated and estranged. We were alone, outsiders, exiled, shut out, cut off, locked out. We were enemies in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Our entire thinking was, and our actions were hostile toward God.

• What can happen if we forget that we were once enemies to God?
• Do you think the church has forgotten that one who is lost is alienated and hostile toward God?

The greatest two words in this passage are found in verse 22: But now! 

The outcome of Christ’s reconciliation is a present peace and a future presentation of ourselves before God. The slate of sin has been wiped clean, and we look forward to the day we will stand before God, holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Imagine Jesus presenting you holy, faultless, and blameless before Himself. How does this picture make you feel about the power of the gospel? How does it make you feel about your own personal relationship with the Lord?

What Now?

The truth about the gospel and Christ is that the gospel changes lives all over the world, and Christ has supremacy over all of creation. We can’t be deceived or led to doubt because of what others might say about Jesus.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.

How would you define contentment? One dictionary defines contentment as “the state of being mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are.” Based upon this definition, do you believe people today are content? Most of us have either struggled with contentment or have observed others who are struggling. This is why the Explore the Bible Study: Joy and Contentment, is an important study for the current times in which we live.

It’s rare that we find anyone who is truly content with his or her condition in life. Many times, it’s because we don’t have a clear understanding of what it means to be content. In Philippians 4:10-20, Paul defines contentment and provides some ways we can learn how to guard against the thieves that would attempt to steal it away.

Paul reminds us that true contentment isn’t found in what others do for us or in what we have - Philippians 4:10-14

Notice that Paul was grateful for how the Philippian church had responded to him. They cared for him (v. 10); they were concerned about him (v. 10); they partnered with him (v. 14). Paul was certainly grateful and thankful for the expressions of love from the church at Philippi, but his contentment was not dependent on anything they provided or in the way they cared for him in the past or in the future. We all appreciate the kind words or expressions of love from friends, especially during tough times but this shouldn’t drive or dictate to us our level of contentment.

Experiencing contentment solely because of our relationship with Christ does not come naturally. Yet we see from Paul’s words that contentment in Christ alone can be found. We should strive to learn how to be content in Christ alone so that our feelings of contentment aren’t driven by what we have or by the friends who care for us.

• What things do people in our culture consider necessities? What happens when circumstances take away some of these necessities? How do people respond?
• How can social media sites cause one to become discontent? What needs to change if someone determines their level of contentment based upon their number of friends on social media or the number of likes of a certain post or picture?
• Are you relying on your physical circumstances or expressions of love from friends to determine your level of contentment?

Being content produces gratefulness - Philippians 4:15-18

The Philippians had given gifts to Paul in the past and he was very grateful; yet we must remember that he has already stated that his contentment was not dependent on their past gifts or future gifts. This church had supported Paul in his early days of ministry (Acts 16:12-17:1) like no other church had. He desired to acknowledge their support by expressing his gratefulness. He wanted them to realize that their deeds would not go unnoticed by God either. He used accounting terminology in verse 17, referring to their giving as a credit on their account. Paul noted that what might appear to be a loss was really a gain.

Notice that Paul expressed his gratefulness for their gifts by stating that he had received everything, had an abundance, and was fully supplied. Additionally Paul stated that God viewed their gifts as a fragrant offering, acceptable sacrifice, and pleasing to God.

• If someone is content in Christ alone, how should that change the way they view gifts or expressions of kindness given to them by others? 
• If one is content in Christ, how does that impact their giving to others?

Contentment is found in knowing Who provides it - Philippians 4:19-20

Paul was content in whatever state he might be found because he knew WHO was supplying all his needs – God through Jesus Christ. There was no need Paul had that couldn’t be supplied because God’s riches are limitless. He desired for the Philippian believers and us to understand this as well. It’s not about what we receive or what we give, but it is because of Jesus Christ that we can be content.

Are You Struggling With or Striving To Be Content?

Notice I asked if you were striving and not, “Are you content?” We will all have times, especially when we face certain challenges in life, where contentment seems to elude us. This is where we must remember Paul’s wisdom regarding contentment from our passage today.

Consider your own state of contentment and the actions you need to take to become more content.

1. Are you basing your contentment on what you have or on how others feel about you in knowing Christ and Christ alone?
2. Are you grateful for what you have been given, or are you always desiring more?
3. Are you constantly aware that all your needs are provided by Christ?

I recently did a search on the internet for “finding peace during covid” and discovered about 751 million results! It’s obvious by the articles and studies that people are struggling with finding peace at this time. And the lack of peace robs people of their joy. The Explore the Bible Study: Joy Through Peace, will examine Paul's advice in Philippians 4:1-9 regarding how one can find joy through peace.

As believers, we know that God is present in both the still moments and the storms, but we are tempted to forget due to the external and internal pressures we experience. Paul reminded the Philippians that peace was found in God’s presence regardless of the circumstances. The advice given to him from God to convey to the believers in Philippi and to us include the following:

We experience joy through the peace that comes when standing firm together – Philippians 4:1

Paul uses the phrase, so then, to point back to the preceding verses in which he explains that the church’s great hope is anticipation of the Lord’s return. Christ’s return will initiate our final and full transformation into His likeness, including a glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). Because of this Paul desired for the believers to be at peace with one another so they could stand firm together, thus experiencing the joy that comes through unity. Paul’s use of the phrase "stand firm" reminded his readers of the way Roman soldiers would stand firm and remain in place during an assault. If all the soldiers would stand firm together, they knew they had a better chance at surviving the onslaught of the enemy.

We should learn how to stand firm together in the Lord (not compromising the gospel) even when we might not agree on certain issues that aren’t violating biblical truth. If we don’t, we will find it difficult to experience the joy and peace that comes when believers stand together.

• What obstacles today keep you from standing firm with other believers? How does this impact the peace that you experience? How does it impact the peace that should exist in the body of Christ? 
• Can you stand firm together while not agreeing on certain topics? If not, why? If so, how?

We can experience joy when we make peace with one another – Philippians 4:2-3

This passage discusses a conflict between two ladies in the church; however, we don’t know the circumstances of their conflict. It’s obvious that the rift between Euodia and Syntyche must have been causing ripples in the church because it captured Paul’s attention and prompted him to respond.

Paul urged both of the women to seek reconciliation from one another. They were both to agree in the Lord. He also appealed to a third party, referred to as a true partner, to help bring about their reconciliation.  He reminded all of the parties involved, the dissidents and the peacemakers, that their names were in the book of life. One must wonder how individuals who profess Christ can create such conflict with those with whom they will be residing in Heaven! There is great irony in conflict between believers who both profess Christ and claim to be going to Heaven. 

The message and ministry of a church are sorely impaired when dissension exists between members. Believers must stand firm together against the external pressure that might rob us of our joy and peace, and we must equally strive to resolve conflict between one another within the church so that church can be a place of joy and peace as well.

• Are there believers with whom you need to make peace so that you and the church can experience the joy that comes through making peace?

Protect your joy that comes through peace by having the right attitudes – Philippians 4:4-7

These verses describe two attitudes that protect our peace in Christ:

1. Attitude of REJOICING.
2. Attitude of THANKSGIVING.

These two attitudes are not only evidence of peace but an expression of one who has peace. This kind of peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It enables us to look at people or our circumstances through the lens of peace that comes from knowing Christ.

Recollecting that God has already supplied many thanksworthy gifts or benefits gives added faith to approach Him for current needs. To live with anxiety is to live with a robber of joy lurking in our hearts. The antidote to anxiety and the prelude to peace is the practice of thanksgiving and prayer. To be frequently asking but seldom thanking is unbecoming for children of a loving and generous Father.

When we possess these two attitudes – rejoicing and thanksgiving – we will have peace and joy! It will change how we view life, treat others, and pray to God. Through faith in Christ and His atoning death we have peace with God. When we have joyful and thankful hearts, God’s peace is ever active, giving us joy despite our circumstances.

The secret to experiencing joy through peace is to dwell on the right things – Philippians 4:8-9

Notice what Paul says believers should dwell on and how dwelling on these gives you peace and joy. We should dwell on things that are:

• True: Anxiety results when false ideas and unreal or imaginary circumstances occupy one’s mind; therefore, you should focus on what is true. 
• Honorable: The word honorable speaks of what is noble and worthy of respect. Majestic thoughts lift the mind above the ordinary or even sinful things that compose the world’s lusts and scandals. 
• Just: Describes behavior that is upright in that it conforms to God’s standards or expectations.
• Pure: Means that which is chaste and moral as opposed to what is shameful and sinful.
• Lovely: Refers to what is attractive and pleasing. This results in togetherness in place of separation, fellowship instead of feuding, and peace rather than contention.
• Commendable: Describes what garners people’s admiration, approval, and praise. 

What would happen if most believers quit dwelling on the social, moral, political upheaval or their personal temptations and focused solely on their relationship with Jesus Christ for a season? How would that bring peace? How would that restore the joy one should have from knowing Christ? How would it impact the lost world?

How would you complete this statement: Knowing Jesus is more important than . . .? There are so many things in life that keep us from completing this statement accurately and honestly. You will discover in this Explore the Bible Study: Joy In Knowing Jesus, that Paul gave up everything so that he could know Jesus. Perhaps his conversation in Scriptures will remind you of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus!

In Philippians 3, Paul desired to help the brothers and sisters in Philippi (Philippians 3:1) to rejoice in the Lord and not get drawn away from the Lord by evil workers (Philippians3:2). He begins by reminding them of his ancestral heritage and background to make a point. He states in Philippians 3:3-6 that if anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 

If anyone had bragging rights about their status and achievement, Paul did. Yet Paul tells us in Philippians 3:7 that, everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. How did Paul come to this reality? Why did he consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ? You will discover the answer in a study of Philippians 3. Hopefully it will lead you to the same conclusion.

Knowing Jesus should be more valuable than anything else – Philippians 3:8-11.

Not only did Paul consider everything that was a gain to him to be a loss because of Christ, but he states that the value of what he lost compared to the value of knowing Christ was incomparable. When Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, Jesus gave him the very thing he desired—to be declared acceptable before God. Paul now had the assurance of a right standing with God and this made everything that he once valued as dung compared to knowing Christ.

There are a lot of ways in which one can know Christ. You can know Him from a historical perspective. You can know Him from a distance as you discover new facts regarding Jesus. You can know Jesus on a surface level much like you might know a co-worker or a store clerk. Or, you can know Christ experientially. This type of "knowing" only comes through a deep understanding that is based upon ongoing personal experience and intimate communion with Christ.

The Greek word used here, gnosis from ginosko, means knowledge gained through personal experience and intimate companionship. Knowing Christ experientially was Paul’s quest: to know Christ’s thoughts, His ways, His works, His will. This was Paul’s desire because He had come to love Christ above anything this world could offer.

Paul wanted the closest possible personal relationship with Christ. It’s a relationship pictured in baptism—buried to the old life of sin and raised to a new life of righteousness as Christ was resurrected. To know Christ in this way meant he was ready to share in Christ’s sufferings, even if that meant sharing His death. Knowing Jesus in this way meant Paul was willing to follow the path of Christ, no matter where it might lead, because he had a promised and sure hope in a future with God in Christ.

Knowing Jesus should be a lifelong pursuit – Philippians 3:12-14.

17-year-old Lydia Jacoby is a swimmer from Seward, Alaska (population: 2, 773) and the first Olympic swimmer from Alaska. Jacoby joined a local swim team at age 6 and before long was swimming faster than everyone else her age. She broke her first state record at age 12. When her local pool closed because of COVID-19 she was forced to train at a pool 2 ½ hours away. Jacoby kept training, knocking off time, until she qualified in the 100 breast, claiming the second spot on the team, and then pulled off an amazing gold medal win in the 100-meter breaststroke. Jacoby could have settled for just being a swimmer, but her dream was to be on the Olympic team. She could have been satisfied with making the team, but she desired to compete for the prize. With all the odds against her, she worked hard for the prize. By the way, her hometown doesn’t even have an Olympic size swimming pool, yet she competed for the prize and won! 

By stating in verse 12 that Paul hasn’t reached his goal or become perfect in knowing Jesus, Paul is looking back at what he has just described in Philippians 3:10-11.  Those things he described in verses 10-11 are still not realized in his life. It is like Jacoby’s hard work in competing for the Olympic gold. She kept working hard even though she was already known as a talented swimmer in Alaska. 

The “it” Paul referred to in verses 12 and 13 was the wreath given at the end of the race, like the gold medal given to Jacoby. So what Paul was saying was this, “I know that the race is not over yet. Even though I have a relationship with Christ because of my experience with Him on the Damascus Road, I’ve not yet done all God has for me to do. I’m going to keep working, training, serving, learning, and striving to know more about Jesus.”

• What might cause a believer to stop the pursuit of knowing Jesus more? Perhaps the answer to this question is found in Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:13. 
• Are you laser focused daily on knowing Jesus? Is it the one thing you do more than anything else? Or are your time, energy, money, and interests diverted in a hundred different directions? Are you so involved in a hundred and one good things that your commitment to Christ just gets lost in the shuffle?
• Notice the two things Paul said you should do to be laser focused on knowing Jesus -- Forget the past; Reach for the Future. How can you apply this to your life?

Someone once said, “Millions in the church today feel like they have done their part, run their race, and finished their course, when, in reality, they have not even made it through the first lap.” Imagine the difference that would be made in our church and in the world if we who profess Christ face each day with the awareness that led Paul to say in verse 12, I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Knowing Jesus should produce maturity – Philippians 3:15-19.

Paul believed that all spiritually mature Christians would agree with his thinking, and if they didn’t, God would reveal more to them if they would continue to pursue knowing Jesus. As they pursued knowing Jesus more they were to live up to whatever truth they already knew. 

Don’t use not knowing as an excuse to stop knowing Jesus!

In our Christian walk, we are to keep our eyes on the goal of maturity and be ever pressing toward it. If we can’t see the goal, we need to keep our eye on someone who knows the way to the goal and follow him.

Knowing Jesus means we should live as citizens of Heaven – Philippians 3:20-21. 

If you profess to believe in Christ, you should remember, while on this earth, that you are a foreigner or alien away from your true home. Your Christian citizenship is in Heaven where you will be fully transformed because Jesus is Lord of all and able to accomplish the work that He started in you.

Moving Forward

Write this down in the margin of your Bible or study guide, “Knowing Jesus is more important than . . .” Then consider the things that keep you from knowing Jesus based on Paul’s words. Write those things down beside the statement. Spend time this week praying for God to help you overcome those things that keep you from knowing Jesus as you should.

In 1993 Graham Kendrick penned the words to the song, Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear). Check out the words on the video below and make this your prayer today.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.