For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 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,]  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in Him, having been firmly rooted [and now] being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, [and] overflowing with gratitude. ~Colossians 2:1-7, NASB

Paul cared deeply for the believers in Colossae. Though he was never able to minister to them in person, he loved them and had set for them very lofty goals. As you read through this review ask yourelf two questions: 1. How intense is my love for my church? 2. Are these the goals that I have for my church?

The first thing to notice is whom Paul loved:  For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face. (Col. 2:1)
The Colossians and Laodiceans lived in the same region of the Lycus Valley. Their communities were only about 12 miles apart. Each church had received a personal letter from Paul (Col. 4:16).
 
Do you love the church you belong to? Do you love the other churches in our community? Do you love the other churches in Thousand Hills Baptist Association? Paul cherished each local church, even the ones he never visited, and so should we. 

The second thing to notice is how Paul loved: I want you to know how great a struggle I have (Col. 2:1a). 
Paul says that he struggled on behalf of the Colossians. He agonized over them and contended for them through praying and writing (Col. 1:3, 9). 

You may not be called to write for the church, but you can pray. One of the most loving and selfless things you can do is go to God on behalf of someone else. I encourage you to set aside regular time to pray for the members of Atlanta Baptist. I would also encourage you to say "YES" if you are asked to write an article for the Altanta Baptist Beacon. I know this might be a struggle, but struggling on behalf of the church is the example Paul set for us to follow. 

Because Paul loved the church, he had goals for them. In verses 2-7 Paul desribes six goals he has for the Colossian church and Atlanta Baptist.
1. Encouraged hearts: that their hearts may be encouraged (Col. 2:2a)
2. Knit together in love: having been knit together in love (Col. 2:2b)
3. Full assurance: 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:2c-3)
4. Protected from deceitful arguments:  I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (Col. 2:4-5)
5. Walking in Christ: Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him (Col. 2:6)
6. Overflowing Gratitude: having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Col. 2:7). 

Every church should have goals, and it should comfort us to know that we never need to create our own goals. God has given us His goals for our church through His word. We should pray and labor for these loving goals to become a reality in our church. 

HOW CAN YOU USE THIS SERMON REVIEW?
1. Pray that Paul's goals for the Colossians would become a reality in our church.
2. Spend time praying for your church and the other churches in our community.
3. Call up another member from our church and ask how you can pray for them, or ask if there is anything you can help them with this week. 
4. If you're not praying or serving the church currently, ask God to refresh your love and commitment to our church.