SUBJ: Thanksgiving as an essential in the believing life as that which promotes awareness of what we have in Christ and confirms the same in our hearts as true believers.

AIM: That we might know, and practice true Spirit inspired through Christ and for Christ and our salvation.

INTR: Paul’s relationship with the Colossian church was different in that the thought is he never personally visited them. But, it is certain that he had a Spirit entranced vision of identity with them.
1. It is possible that he passed through on one of his journeys or that he may have met some of them in a different place. He had a genuine affection for them.
2. He did have the testimony of those who had been there and knew of their faith which he commended.
3. Paul’s aim in writing was to encourage and to inspire in them and in us a Christ-centered and therefore thankful way of life.

THESIS: As those having received Christ and being rooted, built, and established in Christ, thanksgiving is a necessary outcome in that such is produced in us as a work of grace – it is who we are to be.

I. The care of the Apostle (vv. 1-2)
1. That the issue was personal and not professional is evident as we read of his conflict (agony) for them and others. He knew of dangers that faced them and he would have them equipped. This for folks he did not know personally and yet felt intense kinship with them.
2. We consider the things that he desired for them knowing how profitable they are:
1) That their hearts be comforted (from the same term Christ used of the Holy Spirit) and so to be strengthened and
2) That their hearts would be literally welded together in love after the manner in which we are bound to Christ our Lord.
3) Further, he would have them to be assured through a wonderful revelation and the knowledge that came with of the mystery of salvation which is Christ. See To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27. Christ is the mystery!

II. Concerning that Treasure (vv. 3-5)
1. That it is termed a treasure reveals much and should arrest our attention as to the value placed on it by the Spirit.
2. That it is hidden indicates that it is to be discovered and not that it cannot be found out.
1) It is hidden from the world but will be
2) Eternally revealed to those who seek after Him.
3. William Hendricksen: “But in Christ knowledge is never separated from wisdom, as it often is with men. Now wisdom is the ability, in concrete situations, to apply knowledge to the best advantage. It uses the most effective means to achieve the highest goal.” He went on to say that “The New Testament magnifies the wisdom of God revealed in the foolishness of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-25), in the church (Ephesians 3:10), and in the work of God’s providence in behalf of Israel and the Gentiles (Romans 11:33)
4. Thus, to see the wisdom of God in
1) Reconciling Jews and Gentiles
2) And to reconcile the justice of God, which demands the death of the sinners, with the love of God, which demands their salvation. Psalm 85:10

III. The abounding walk (vv. 6-7ff)
1. Having received Christ:
1) That is having by faith and according to the mercy and grace of God and by the empowering of the Spirit so embraced Him and
2) Entered into a way of life in which He is trusted as having accomplished our salvation and so to joyfully obey Him in the way.
2. Thus, to walk – to live in Him and with Him in all ways
1) Rooted – the vine and the branches and so to be found fully partaking of His life
2) Built up – 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:4-7 – equipped for the journey.
3) Established – made firm in fact and experience, confident in all that is revealed in Him.
3. And so, abounding (super abounding) so as to exceed the normal thought of measure – My cup runneth over!
4. Paul would have them to know that this was his objective and should be theirs and that the enemy would endeavor to rob them of all treasures revealed in Christ our Lord including by not limited to our assurance.
5. May our thanksgiving be after this model.