HoHum:
There's a statue of Christ in Brazil that some of you know about. It's called "Christ the Redeemer" and looks out over the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue stands 120 ft tall, weighs 700 tons and sits on the peak of a mountain at 2300 feet. It's the tallest statute of its kind in the world. Coloring pages depict this statue.
We could say that this statue is colossal. Colossal= extraordinarily great in size, extent, or degree; gigantic; huge.
WBTU:
The book of Acts closed with Paul in Rome awaiting trial. Luke ended with the news that the Apostle was allowed to be “in his own rented house” and during the two years (AD 61-63) was allowed to tell Christ’s story to all who came to see him. “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31, NIV. What Luke does not tell us is that Paul wrote letters of instruction and encouragement to the churches and to Christian fellow workers.
While in Rome under house arrest, Paul wrote 4 letters. 3 of these were written at about the same time. The other was penned later. In Philippians we find Paul’s optimism that he will soon be released. Colossians, Philemon and Ephesians we date around AD 61 and Philippians AD 62.
Each letter show concern for the newly founded congregations and gives helpful advice to members who share the burden of the Great Commission. Must be reminded that the order of the 27 books of the NT are not based on chronology. Trying to follow in chronology.
When Paul was conducting his ministry on the 3rd missionary journey according to Acts, he based his outreach in Asia Minor from Ephesus. From this outreach in Ephesus some took the gospel 100 miles east to Colossae. Although these new Christians had not met Paul “personally” (2:1), they had, through Paul’s co worker, Epaphras, been informed of Paul’s state.
Colossae is a derivative of the word colossal. The word Colossae is rarely used as a noun… it is generally used as an adjective to describe something as colossal. Colossae, used as a noun, implies something spatial as in a large city or metropolis or a large, densely populated urban center. Ironically, it was not. Colossae was once a busy city in the Lycus River Valley. But not in Paul’s day. The city was dying. When the Romans took over the region they built a new road that bypassed Colossae. Meanwhile, Laodicea, 10 miles north of Colossae, benefitted from the new road and grew rich and prosperous. Colossae suffered. It was only a little while after Paul wrote this letter that the city of Colossae suffered an earthquake that demolished what was left of this city. Today, all that’s left of Colossae is a mound that archaeologists haven’t excavated.
Epaphras sought out Paul in Rome because of some troubling things he met with in his ministry in Colossae. From this Paul takes pen in hand and writes this Christ exalting letter that corrects the false teachings in Colossae and the surrounding area. The Colossian congregation is meeting in the home of Philemon, so it is appropriate that one letter should be written to the congregation and another personal letter to the host. Look at Philemon next week.
Tychicus delivered this letter to Colossae and delivered Onesimus back to Philemon. From Rome Tychicus and company would have to sail through Ephesus and then go by foot to Colossae. Tychicus dropped off the letter to the Ephesians while on his way. The many similarities between the Colossian and Ephesian letters are so apparent they cannot be missed.
Could call Colossians “The Glorious Christ of the Church”. Christ is all sufficient. There are no deficiencies in Christ’s gospel.
Thesis: Colossians let us know that we have a colossal Lord, colossal faith, and a colossal baptism
For instances:
Chapter 1, we have a colossal Lord
This is a standard way to begin a letter. Paul and Timothy are writing the letter. It is addressed to the Christians in Colossae. This letter was written at the request of Epaphras who was well known to the Christians in Colossae.
In Vs. 3-6 Paul praises the Christians in Colossae for the faith, love, hope and fruit.
Paul gives an opening prayer for them in vs. 9-12. He prays that they be understanding of God’s will, be worthy of their walk, be fruitful in their service, be increasing in their knowledge, be strengthened in their character, and have thankful hearts.
Christ is colossal in relation to redemption, vs. 13-14 (read this)
Christ is colossal in relation to God, vs. 15 (read this)
Christ is colossal in relation to the universe, vs. 16-17 (read this)
Christ is colossal in relation to the church, vs. 18-20 (read this)
Christ is colossal in relation to the Christian, vs. 21-29. Regarding God’s one saving message of Christ for the whole world, Paul says, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28, NIV. Through Epaphras Paul can boast, “This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:23, NIV. It thrills Paul to be a part of Christ’s glorious church, so he rejoices, “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness--” Colossians 1:25, NIV. Paul lets them know his purpose in writing, “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3, NIV.
Chapter 2, we have a colossal faith
There are dangers for the Christian, vs. 4-5
Our growth is a means of protecting us from the dangers, vs. 6-7.
We find that our colossal faith can overcome the most dangerous of heresies.
Greek philosophy Vs. 8-10- Greek ideas- such as those that teach eternal life but in a disembodied, impersonal state.
Jewish legalism vs. 16-17
Asian mysticism vs. 18-19- Christians and Jews evidently were calling upon angels to help them, much like some today pray to saints for help. Archaeologists have found many ancient protective amulets and other inscriptions from the region. Beware of the “tossed salads” being temptingly offered today in the name of broad-mindedness. Christ is all you need!
Ascetic regulations vs. 20-23. This is referring to practices that would become popular with Christians after the Apostles. These include fasting to the point of damaging the digestive system, carrying out self beatings, and sleeping in the cold without a blanket. Many in the history of Christendom did all of this in an attempt to express their devotion to God.
Chapters 3-4, we have a colossal baptism
Read 3:3- When did we die? Read 2:12-. Also, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” Romans 6:3, 6, 7
Read 3:1- When were we raised with Christ? Read 2:12
Because of this we should put to death what? Read 3:5
Because of this we must rid ourselves of what? Read 3:8-9
Because of this we should clothe ourselves with what? Read 3:12-14
Because of this there should be a great improvement in our relationships:
Husband and wives, 3:18-19
Parents and children, 3:20-21
Employee and employer, 3:22- 4:1
Because of this what should we devote ourselves to? Read 4:2- 4
Because of this what how should we view those outside of Christ? Read 4:5-6
Because of our colossal baptism we are able to do these things. Read 3:9-10. We are able because Christ has performed a spiritual surgery on us. Read 2:11 When we trusted Christ to save us and were baptized, the Spirit of God performed “spiritual surgery” that enables us to have victory over the desires of the old nature and the old life. Circumcision removes only a part of the body, but the true “spiritual circumcision” deals radically with the sin nature. The Christian’s circumcision is in contrast to that of the Jews. They had external physical surgery, while believers have internal “spiritual surgery” on their hearts. The Jews’ surgery involved only a part of the body; while for the believer, the whole “body of the sins of the flesh” (Col. 2:11) was removed. When we accept this fact and have faith in this, we have victory over sins of the flesh that would enslave we.
Real or Artificial?
1. I have three packets which most of you will recognize. The first is a packet of sugar, the second is called Red N’Joy Zero Calorie Sweetener (also known as Sweet’n Low), and the third is Blue N’Joy Zero Calorie Sweetener (also known as Nutrasweet). You all know about sugar. It is a natural product that comes from the sugar cane plant. We use sugar in cooking to make things sweet. It is used in cakes, cookies, sodas, Kool-Aid, and we often put it in our tea or coffee to make it sweet.
2. (Red) Sweet’n Low is an artificial sweetener that is used much the same way sugar is used. There is one problem with Sweet’n Low, it makes things sweet, but after you finish it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
3. (Blue) Nutrasweet is also an artificial sweetener. It makes things taste sweet, and leaves no bitter taste, but there is a problem with Nutrasweet. You can’t use it in cooking because when it gets hot, it loses its sweetness.
4. If you want cook something that is sweet, but doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste in your mouth, you have to use the real thing!
5. Some people are like Sweet’n Low. They claim to love Jesus and seem to be really sweet, but you can tell they aren’t real. There’s something about their phony sweetness that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
6. Some people are like Nutrasweet. They also claim to love Jesus and sometimes they can be very sweet, but when things aren’t going their way and things start to heat up, they lose their sweetness.
7. We need to make sure that our sweetness is the real thing.
I. 4:7-18- Paul gives personal greetings and a farewell.
