Power Paradox: Strength to Submit (Colossians 1:11).

Class Outline:

Sunday August 9, 2026

 

Intro: 

Today we deal with a very common human concern: power or human strength.

 

The world’s idea of strength:

 

The contemporary secular idea of strength heavily emphasizes control, performance, and external impact. The main idea today changing the environment, culturally, politically, even physically. The glory is to win and the source is grit, self-reliance, and personal willpower.

 

This aligns with the false-teachers in Colossae.

 

COL 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

 

The elementary principles today are the same as then. The bottom line for the culture is winning by self-reliance and willpower.

 

All false doctrine has as its source and goal elevation of mankind.

 

COL 1:9-12

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 

 

The third of four participles that describe walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all things: 

 

Syntax of the phrase: 

 

Strengthened: dunamoo (present passive participle): to cause someone to be able to do something, enable. “All capability.” 

 

“power” - dunamis: Potential for functioning in some way, power, might, strength, force, capability.

 

“might” - kratos: ability to exhibit or express resident strength, might. 

[several times used for God’s “dominion.”]

 

We are to live in a manner worthy of the Lord by being strengthened in all strength in accordance with God’s glorious strength. 

 

How are we strengthened and for what? 

 

Patience / endurance in all trials (sanctification under pressure while waiting and trusting in God’s coming deliverance).

 

Longsuffering with all people (sanctification with the added spirit of helping, benefiting that other person who may be your friend or enemy).

 

All steadfastness (humpomone): the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty, patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, perseverance. 

 

All patience (makrothumia): state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome, patience, steadfastness, endurance (COL 1:11). 2) state of being able to bear up under provocation, forbearance, patience. a) human beings: COL 3:12; EPH 4:2.  

 

What kind of strength endures in all situations and is patient with all people? 

 

The source is the kratos [might or dominion] of God.

 

It is used not for ending my ordeal or beating my opponent, but for patiently doing good while the ordeal is allowed to continue and loving my enemy. How is this power? 

 

We meet another paradox. God’s power and gentleness.

 

Christ changed us.

 

COL 3:10

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

 

This is the first requirement for God’s power to be flowing into you and through you - you must be born again.

 

The strength of Christ:

 

Wilderness temptation (all three temptations were displays of power - but of the wrong sort). Challenge to show a sign from heaven (He was the sign - He wasn’t a better prophet, but the Prophet). Gethsemane.

 

MAT 26:38-42

“My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

 

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."  40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?  41 "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." [no strength from His friends]

 

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."

 

Christ’s greatest power was faith in His Father when in weakness so empty that there was nothing He could do but submit. [let that sink in]

 

Application:

 

COL 3:10

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.

 

Then use the power of God to live like Christ.

 

COL 3:12-17

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

 

While modern culture views strength as the power to change our circumstances, the biblical text defines supreme strength as the power to endure them with joy.

 

How? God strengthens you. 

How does God strengthen you? Faith and obedience. 

 

The weak obey by faith. 

 

EPH 3:16-17

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

 

The obstacle for us all is pride.

 

You have an enemy within, always lurking just under the soil of your soul - pride.

 

How you should live in a manner worthy of the Lord is like Christ. Daily praying, “Your will be done.”

 

The cross, Paul wrote, is the power of God. Submission, death, sacrifice, love, giving … a life of patience, endurance, and longsuffering, even when it seems you are losing. But you’re not.

 

Can you put your faith in that and see what happens? Or will pride make you fear and fight for self?