"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3NIV)

A twofold goal

This verse says the goal is twofold, first, to be encouraged of heart and secondly, to be united in love. Let's look at both of them.

1) To be encouraged of heart

To encourage, means to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident. To give support, to hearten, cheer, buoy up, uplift, inspire, motivate, spur on, stir up, stimulate, invigorate, vitalize, revitalize, embolden, or fortify.

2) To be united in love

This kind of love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Which produces great results!

“So that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2 NIV)

To recap

An encouraged heart, mixed with God’s kind of love, produces the following results.

• You will have full riches of complete understanding.
• You will know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.
• You will receive all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And that is very encouraging! 

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  (1 Cor. 3:1-5 ESV)

What lens are you looking through?

A man and his wife stopped to get gas at a full service gas station which included having their windshield cleaned. Afterwards, the man said to the attendant, “The windshield is still dirty, please clean it again!” The attendant dutifully cleaned the glass again as he was told. The man looked over the job and then said, “The windshield is still dirty! Clean it again!” At this point, the wife grabbed her husband’s glasses from his face and said, “Your glasses are dirty!” She cleaned them and handed them back to her husband. He put them on and exclaimed, “The windshield is clean!” The problem wasn't the windshield, but was the lens the man was looking through that affected how he saw things. In the same way, everyone sees the world through some kind of lens made up of their own world view, philosophy or paradigm. It may be worldly or Christ centered.

Don't be taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit!

“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.” (Col. 2:8 ESV)

Words not taught by human wisdom

“And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Cor. 2:13 ESV)

Avoid foolish controversies!

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.” (Titus 3:9-10 ESV)

Avoid irreverent babble!

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.” (1 Tim. 6:20 ESV)

The hidden wisdom of God

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Cor. 2:6-10 ESV)

It seems foolish to the unbeliever!

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

The world didn't know God through wisdom but He saved those who believed!

“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” (1 Cor. 1:21 ESV)

 “After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him.” (Luke 5:27 NIV)

In the gospels we read about how Jesus spoke to certain ones and told them to “follow me.” And, they did! You can see Levi’s immediate response, below.

“and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:28 NIV)

What was an invitation to Levi is also an invitation to “whosoever”.

Today, because Jesus has died on the cross for the sins of the world, His invitation “to follow me” is now available to “whosoever”. And, yes, it includes you along with everyone else!

The most famous “whosoever” verse is this one

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV)

“Whosoever” calls on Jesus Name!

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 KJV). That’s the gospel, and it's good news!

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Tim. 4:12 NASB)

The senior pastor at the church we attend is 24-years-old. He has experienced a bit of a pushback from some older folks in our congregation who believe he is not old enough to hold that position. But, to hear his Christ-centered, Bible-based messages, delivered with easy-to understand illustrations, conviction, passion and enthusiasm, there is no question that he is mature beyond his years and that God has placed an anointing on him! And, quite frankly, he is not the first to get this kind of criticism.

Timothy was also criticized for being youthful

The Apostle Paul met Timothy during his second missionary journey and he became his companion and co-worker. Paul told him, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness.” (1 Tim. 4:12 NIV).

All ages may serve Him! 

The truth is, God can and will use people of all ages, young or old. Moses served God to the age of 120 and Jesus “was going about his Father’s business” at age 12. (Luke 2:49). The apostle Paul told Timothy the important thing was, “in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (2 Tim. 4:12b)

In terms of ministry, the New Testament doesn't specify an age, per se, but qualifications for elders & deacons can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 & Titus 1:5-16. My young pastor does meet the qualifications. 

 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NIV)

In the above passage, Queen Esther had to decide whether to risk her life and do what God had positioned her to do, which was to trust Him for help in what looked like an impossible situation. Or, to fearfully do nothing in order to save herself. Thankfully, she trusted God, did the right things and therefore, experienced His victory and blessing. Not only for her people, but also for herself and her family. Esther understood the truth that God would accomplish His will, save His people through somebody, and If She didn't allow Him to use her, He would get somebody else to do it. Read the book of Esther for the full story. It is a wonderful picture of How God places people in the right place at the exactly the right time, to accomplish His will.

God has a plan for you!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11 NIV)

“The Lord of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isa. 14:24 ESV)

Commit your work to God

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.” (Prov. 16:3-4 NIV)

God establishes your steps

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 NIV)

He will not forget your work!

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Heb. 6:10 NIV)

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:13 NIV)

He carries you!

“And in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.” (Deut. 1:31 NIV)

He is the father of those without a father

“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” (Psalm 68:5 NIV)

He gives you that which is good!

“Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matt. 7:9-11 NIV)

All good and perfect gifts are from Him! 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)

He corrects you because He loves you!

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” (Prov. 3:11-12 NIV)

You are the work of His hand

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isa. 64:8 ESV)

“Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.” (Exo. 23:25 NIV)

Praise be to God and Father

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4 NIV)

Sing in praise of His Name

“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him — his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalms 68:4-5 NIV)

Praise Him for He is great!

“How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” ( 2 Sam. 7:22 NIV)

Everything is His! Exalt Him over all!

“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (1 Chron. 29:11 NIV)

To Him be the glory forever!

“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Rom. 11:36 NIV)

Proclaim His Name among the nations!

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” (Psalm 105:1 NIV)

 “Doth not all nature around me praise God? If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Doth not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Hath not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?” – Charles Spurgeon

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6 NIV)

The Bible warns about the consequences of pride

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Prov. 11:2 NIV)

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18 NIV)

“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” (Prov. 26:12 NIV)

“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.” (Prov. 13:10 NIV)

“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Prov. 18:12 NIV)

Don't boast about yourself!

“This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.” (Jer. 9:23 NIV)

Put others above yourself!

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3 NIV)

"For pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” C.S. Lewis

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)

Use your Gifts as though God Himself is working through you!

“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking g through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring Glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 NLT)