Colossians 1:1-14- The Lordship of Christ

Grace Middle School
March 18, 2009
Colossians 1:1-14

Having spent quite literally months discussing and teaching through the concept of salvation we now move into the book of Colossians. Why Colossians you ask? Colossians is a letter to a church not started directly by Paul that was being haunted by false doctrine/teachers that were showing up and trying to destroy the Gospel. Paul’s main point in this book is to talk to the believers about the Lordship of Christ.

Colossians was written in 62 AD by Paul and Timothy. Timothy most likely acted as a secretary.

Col 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
• Apostle- One who is sent forth with a message
• By the will of God- Paul was NOT sent out by humans with a human message! He was sent only by the will of God.
• Timothy- a student of Paul

Col 1:2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
• Saints are believers… not dead, these people are those who have given their lives for the Glory of Christ.

Col 1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
• Lord is mentioned here due to the fact that these people are struggling with where Christ is at in all this. Paul is obviously emphasizing Christ as LORD of all.

Col 1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

Col 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
• 4,5- Faith Hope Love… a running theme in the New Testament.
• Faith is what we need to be saved
• Hope in the Glory that is to come
• And with that hope, we can love and serve people around us.

Col 1:6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
• 30 years has passed since Christ died and rose and the Pentecost happened and the Gospel had made its rounds around the known world.
• Bearing fruit- a believe in some way shape or form will bear fruit, both by leading others to the Christ and fruit in their lives… fruit of the Spirit?

Col 1:7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf

Col 1:8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Col 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Col 1:10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
• Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord- a reminder to the church and to us…what our the priorities in our life, what are our focuses…what motivates us? Psalms 1:1,3; I Thess 4:1
• Fully Pleasing to Him- Glorify GOD
• Bearing Fruit in every good work
• INCREASING IN KNOWLEDGE

Col 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

So much to say so little time to say it! This book is loaded with so many things that are applicable today. I look forward to next week.