SEPTEMBER 15

Jesus Knows All

Bible Reading: Colossians 2:1-7

Colossians 2:3-4, “In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.”

In 1986 Robert Fulghum published his best-selling book, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten.”  Amongst the lessons he says he learned are things like this: share everything, play fair, don’t hit people, put things back where you found them, clean up your own mess, don’t take things that aren’t yours, say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody, wash your hands before you eat, flush, warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.  I like that list, especially the warm cookies and milk part.  It reminds me of the simplicity of my younger days, when distinctions between right vs. wrong were far clearer (Isaiah 5:20).  Where do you go to know the things you need to know?

How are we to navigate the precarious days in which we live?  Things are changing fast in the world and in our country–you sense that!  You’ve read your Bible and know that God is in control, and has a plan, and that He triumphs in the end.  Yet, it’s left to you to walk in wisdom in this present day, responding to the myriad of societal pressures and changes in a God-honoring way. How is anyone to possess the wisdom necessary?

Things started simple enough for the believers in Colossae.  Epaphras brought the gospel message to the folks there.  They heard and believed in Jesus and were saved.  But the Devil is always at work, and he worked to infiltrate the newly birthed church with some false teachers who were espousing various falsehoods.  They, like the elitists of our day, were pridefully asserting that they alone were privy to a superior knowledge that the Colossian believers desperately needed.  

Time and time again in this epistle, Paul directed his readers back to the sufficiency of Christ.  He was writing that “no one would delude” them with “plausible arguments” (Colossians 2:4).  In so doing, he directed them to Jesus Himself, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).  Jesus knows all!  And all any of us ever really need to know with respect to life we must learn from Him!  It makes perfect sense. We’ve already seen that He’s the One who created all things, the One who holds all things together.  All things will one day be summed up in Him!  He is the One who saved you!  Your life is now hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3).  He is now in you (Colossians 1:27).  There is nothing that Jesus does not know about anything or anybody, including you.

Enough then of listening to elitists who tout their superior knowledge regarding some new esoteric knowledge about this thing or that!  To Christ and the book, we must flee if we are to find our way in this evil day.  He has availed access to His knowledge and wisdom through His book (Colossians 3:16).  Our passage speaks of “treasures” to be found.  Let us then treasure the treasure which is “able to make (us) wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)!

John Piper well summarized this thought, “Therefore let us bow down and worship Jesus Christ. If we are impressed with the scholarship of man and the achievements of scientific knowledge, then let us not play the fool by trumpeting a tiny chirp and ignoring the thunder clap of omniscience. Jesus alone is worthy of our highest admiration. Jesus alone is worthy of our trust. He can show us the Father (Matthew 11:27). He can give us irresistible wisdom (Luke 21:15). He can see how to make all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28). None of his judgments about anything is ever mistaken (John 8:16). He teaches the way of God with infallible truthfulness (Matthew 22:16). Trust him. Admire him. Follow him.”

SPEAK, O LORD

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness

That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory

Teach us Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity

Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity

And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend
Speak, O Lord lyrics © Thank You Music Ltd.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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