The Real Treasure Is in Christ (Colossians 2:1-5).Thursday November 5, 2026
Intro:
It’s clear in Paul’s letter that a Christian can be derailed from their walk with Christ. His theme is that walk and who the walk is with.
This ministry has but one purpose, not to promote the teacher, but vicarious for the benefit of others. And to what benefit for them?
So he does not want to hide his struggle, but he wants to reveal it even though they have never seen him. why?
Paul is able to see the real danger at hand. Paul uses a brilliant image: the image of a treasure.
Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
They are hidden in the sense that they are in Christ and so hidden away from those who reject Him. Such are the consequences of rejecting Christ even before judgment.
2Co 3:15-16 a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
“All the treasures” - like “all the riches” are surely a point being made by Paul in the face of false teachers promising all kinds of earthly ways to attain some special entrance into God’s life.
It is hard to convey to the materialist. (Mat 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”) Seeking:
What The false teacher said that was true was that treasure had to be sought for. There is joy in seeking and rest in finding.
Pro 2:1-8 My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
Old Testament wisdom tradition [based on the fear of the Lord – false teachers neglect].
With the fear of the Lord we would look only to the Lord [wait on Him] for the revelation of these vital commodities.
NT: the wisdom of God becomes incarnate.
1Co 2:7 we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;
In Jesus Christ wisdom becomes a paradox.
Mar 6:2-3 “what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? Is not this the carpenter,”
1Co 1-2, contrasted with the wisdom of the world; they crucified the son of God.
Wisdom of Incarnation:
Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge rightly to a situation. How about a huge problem?
God was able to solve this problem in a way that preserved love, saved man, and glorified himself.
All of the knowledge and wisdom of God is revealed in Jesus Christ and it is open to you. No greater treasure, infinite.
Col 2:2-3 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
All Gnosis.
Epignosis – Col 2:2 is the gnosis of Christ taken into your heart by faith and continued study, understanding, application.
Gnosis: the knowledge of Christ awaiting acquisition.
Caution: Continuous Journey.
Our Hope is that our peace and God's light will not only increase but will increase to Infinity.
Mat 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
The false teachers told the Colossians that hidden secrets were only revealed to the elite. Vulgar need not apply. All may come to God’s table.
The joy of seeking and the rest of finding.
Hidden only from those who reject Christ. It is hidden in Christ, not downloaded, that seeking Souls may have the joy of seeking and the rest of finding.
God knows that we need to seek. God knows as we will come to know that valuable things handed over to us easily are always taken with little value.
Character of seekers:
Mat 11:25-26 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
Children: who loves seeking; Fairy land is always in quest.
God's wisdom solves the problem of fallen man while preserving love and glorifying Himself.
Conclusion:
Wisdom in the Old Testament is the skill of living under the fear of the Lord. When Jesus came into the world the search was over.
Col 3:1 says that we are to seek the things above where Christ is.
Knowledge is a person. In the book, but alive book. Dynamic personality living in our unique lives.
Impact is virtue and goodness that is applied to situations that no one has ever faced but us.
Wisdom also participated in the creation in Proverbs chapter 8. Therefore wisdom is the Practical knowledge and expertise that corresponds to the world as God has made it.
The knowledge and the wisdom of Christ often sits as a paradox.
The true treasure is Christ the prophets foretold that they would divide his clothes in Psa 22:18, that they would give him sour wine Psa 69:21, that they would even use a hyssop branch to give it to him in Ex 12:22-23, and that they would pierce his side Zec 12:10.
The knowledge and wisdom in Him has always been, and in Him it is fulfilled. How unfathomable and unsearchable is the wisdom of God. |