Author: scottjacobsen

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Charles Simeon Preaching Workshop (Colossiahs 2:2-15

Below is the first of my two presentation assisgments for the Simeon course today:

Small Group Preparation Worksheet

Workshop on Biblical Exposition

1. What is the skeletal structure of your Biblical text (grammatical, etc.)? How does that

structure shape the emphasis of your sermon?

Colossians 2:5–15 (ESV)

Introduction & Context

 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see

your good order

 and the
firmness of your faith in Christ.

I.                   6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord,

A.    so walk in him, (imperative)

1.      7 rooted (participle) Stability

2.      and built up in him (participle) Increase

3.      and established in the faith, just as you were taught, (participle) Consistency

4.      abounding in thanksgiving. (participle) Giving Glory & Credit to God 

B.     8 See to it (imperative) that no one takes you captive

1.      by philosophy

2.      and empty deceit,

a.       according to human tradition,

b.      according to the elemental spirits of the world,

c.       and not according to Christ.  

II.                9 For in him

A.    the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

B.      10 and you have been filled in him,

1.      who is the head of all rule and authority.

C.     11 In him also (new circumcision)

1.      you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands,

a.       by putting off the body of the flesh,

b.      by the circumcision of Christ,

                                                                                                  i.       12 having been buried with him in baptism,

1.      in which you were also raised with him

a.       through faith in the powerful working of God,

                                                                                                                                                                          i.      who raised him from the dead.  

2.       13 And you,

a.       who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

b.      God made alive together with him,

                                                                                                  i.      having forgiven us all our trespasses,

1.      14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands.

a.       This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

b.      15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

2. How does your text fit within the immediate context and the message of the book?

2.1-4 Paul transitions from speaking of himself and his ministry to the immediate knowledge needs of the Colossians.

Vss 16-23 show the freedom from philosophy that Paul successfully argues for.

3. What is the theme of the passage? (The theme is one sentence stating the ‘big idea’ of this
particular passage.)

The Consequences of Being in Him is that we walk aright and are on guard against philosophy. Sermon title: “Watch Where You’re Going.”

4. What is the aim of the passage? (The aim is the author’s intended application for the
listener.)

The readers must understand that their requirement to live a godly life is both demanded by and provided for by Christ. It is both an implication of following Christ and the ability to do so.

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, Colossians 2:6 (ESV)

The Wittenberg Door
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Pastor, Test Yourself

This is a test one church uses for elders (pastors). Even if you are unable to accomplish the test, it can be used to outline your studies for the next few months!

Here’s another one. These are challenging, and are we somewhat tempted to think that such depth of knowledge is an impractical standard? Do we imagine that we have better things to do? How different would our churches be if we knew some of these things? Would we offer better counsel and teaching?

Just asking!

The Wittenberg Door
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Simeon Trust

I decided at the last minute to attend this year’s Simeon Trust workshop in Toronto. It’s not too late to sign up, if anyone is interested. Link to the info here.

Charles Simeon (1759-1836) established the trust to train and develop clergy within the Church of England. His model of preacher gatherings is much older, dating back at least to the English Puritans.

I haven’t attended since 2008, but wish that, at least informally, these kind of events would be more frequent, even monthly. Odd, that now we have so much in the way of time-savers, we have so little time to show for it.

The Wittenberg Door