Chico Alliance Church
“A Letter to Live By”
Introduction
We have been studying Paul’s letter to the Colossians for nearly a year now. Paul wrote to this local church family to communicate God’s truth and his heart. He wanted them to know that Jesus Christ is supreme over all and sufficient for all so that they would, by faith, live pleasing to the Lord and proclaim the excellencies of Him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Greetings 1:1-2
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
I. Paul exhibits powerful prayer 1:3-12
A. Paul offers sincere thanksgiving to the Father 3-8
1. Focus of thanksgiving – the Father
“We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
2. Frequency of thanksgiving – continual
“praying always for you”
3. Factor of Thanksgiving – the Colossian’s belief
a) Epaphras shared the Gospel
“just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant,
who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf.”
b) The Colossians received the Gospel
Paul prayed “since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth”
c) The Colossians responded in faith in Christ and love for each other
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing,
even as it has been doing in you also
d) Epaphras shared their fruitful response with Paul
“ and he(Epaphras) also informed us of your love in the Spirit”
e) Paul responded with prayer and thanksgiving
“We give thanks to God praying always for you”
B. Paul offers specific petitions to the Father 9-12
1. The petition – that they be controlled by a knowledge of God’s will
“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 (controlled by, energized, directed) by the knowledge of His will
in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”
Our life operates by a belief system. What we really believe dictates how we live. Paul prays that the lives of these believers be driven by an experiential knowledge of God’s will. He wants them to be so filled with a knowledge of the person and purposes and pleasure of God that it affects everything they do. He even specifies the desired product of this life-directing knowledge.
2. The desired product – a worthy walk
“so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord”
a) Please God in all respects
“to please Him in all respects”
b) Bear fruit in EVERY good work
“bearing fruit in every good work”
c) Increase in the knowledge of God
“and increasing in the knowledge of God”
3. The power – “his glorious might”
“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might”
By whose power are we seeking to live the Christian live? We are in an age of powerlessness. We are not experiencing what it means to be energized by the supernatural power of the indwelling Spirit. Paul prays that these believers be strengthened according to his glorious might. This is the same power and energy that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. It is this strength and power and energy that God provides and is available to every believer for a particular purpose. Paul also prays for the purpose in this powerful prayer.
4. The ultimate purpose
a) “Attain unto All steadfastness”
“for the attaining of all steadfastness”
b) “Attain unto All long-suffering”
“for the attaining of all patience”
Paul prays for strength to hang in there for the long haul. Paul prays for this supernatural strength to enable these believers to suffer long in the midst of all kinds of trial and tribulation.
5. The motivation – deep gratitude for God’s work
“joyously giving thanks to the Father,
who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
The motivation for this kind of worthy walk is based in the wonderful work that the loving father accomplished on our behalf. The basis of our walk should not be terror, guilt or any desire to earn God's favor. Our motivation to walk worthy and please God should arise out of a deep gratitude for allowing us to be included in his wonderful kingdom.
II. Paul exalts God’s terrific transfer program 1:13-23
A. He rescued from darkness 13
“For He delivered us from the domain of darkness”
The thoughts of the fathers work on our behalf launches Paul into a whole discussion concerning the father’s wonderful work on our behalf. The word for delivered here is just what it means the means to rescue out of a desperate situation. We were hopelessly enslaved in a kingdom of desperate darkness. Our loving father to the initiative to rescue us.
B. He transferred to the Kingdom of Christ 13
“and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”
It was not enough that the Father rescued as out of a dark kingdom but he lovingly and supernatural the transferred us into a new kingdom, a kingdom whose King is none other than the Lord Jesus himself.
C. He redeemed and forgave us our sins 14
“in whom we have redemption the forgiveness of sins”
D. He anointed a wonderful new King 15-23
1. He is the image of the invisible God 15
“And He is the image of the invisible God”
2. He is the firstborn and creator of all creation 15-16
“the first-born (preeminent focus) of all creation For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--
all things have been created by Him and for Him.”
3. He is before all things 17
“And He is before all things”
4. He holds all things together 17
“and in Him all things hold together.”
5. He is the head of the Church 18
“He is also head of the body, the church”
6. He is the beginning – first born from the dead 18
“and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead
so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything”
7. All of God’s fullness dwells in Him in bodily form 1:19
“For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him”
8. He is the means of reconciliation to the Father 1:20-23
“and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if(since) indeed you continue in the faith firmly established (and still established) and steadfast (and still steadfast), and not moved away ( and still not moved away) from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven,
and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
III. Paul explains his personal ministry 1:24-2:5
A. The heart of the minister
1. He rejoiced to suffer for their sake 24a
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake”
2. He took up the challenge of suffering for Christ
“and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church)
in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.”
3. He received ministry of preaching and teaching from God
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints”
4. He labored to proclaim Christ by Christ’s power
“And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”
5. He admonished and taught to bring all to maturity
“that we may present every man complete in Christ.”
6. He agonized to encourage hearts everywhere
“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.”
7. He sought to protect them from false thinking
“I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.”
8. He established a spiritual bond with Colossians
“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit,
9. He rejoiced over any progress
“rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.”
B. The heart of the ministry
1. Christ indwells us 1:27-29
“to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
2. Christ unites us 2:2
“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.”
IV. Paul encourages proper living based on proper thinking 2:6-4:6
A. The principle of the Christian’s daily walk 2:6-7
1. Christ instructed us to walk in Him just as we received Him
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him… just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
2. Christ firmly rooted us in Him
“having been firmly rooted”
3. Christ continually builds us up in Him
“being continually built up in Him”
4. Christ continually builds our faith in Him
“and being constantly established in your faith”
B. The basis of the Christian’s daily walk (life) 2:8-15
“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.”
1. All fullness of deity dwells in Christ in bodily form
For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form.
2. You have been made complete in Christ
“and in Him you have been made complete”
3. Christ is the head over ALL rule and authority
“ and He is the head over all rule and authority”
4. You were also circumcised in Christ
“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands,
in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”
a) Having been buried with Christ in baptism
“having been buried with Him in baptism”
b) You were raised up with Christ
“in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead.”
5. Christ made you alive together with Him
“And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
He made you alive together with Him”
a) Having forgiven us our transgressions
“having forgiven us all our transgressions,”
b) Having canceled the certificate of debt
“having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us
6. Christ took the certificate of debt out of the way
“and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
7. Christ disarmed the rulers and powers
“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them,
having triumphed over them through Him.”
a) Having exposed them
b) Having triumphed over them
C. The specifics of the Christian’s daily walk 2:16-4:6
“Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body,
but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”
1. Hold fast to the head 2:16-23
a) Let no one act as judge
b) Do not live under law but grace
2. Pursue the eternal 3:1
“If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
3. Contemplate the eternal 3:2-4
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,
then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
4. Sling off (mortify, put away)the old ways embedded in our members 3:5-11
“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices”
5. Slip into (put on) the ways of the New Kingdom embedded in your spirit 3:12-4:6
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 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
6. Let the peace of Christ rule you heart with thanksgiving
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.”
7. Let the Word of Christ dwell richly 16
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,”
8. Teach and Admonish one another 16
“with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God”
9. Do all as representatives of Christ 17
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks through Him to God the Father”
10. Maintain Effective family and work relationships 3:18-4:6
a) Wives to husbands 18 “be subject”
“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord”
b) Husbands to wives 19 “love and don’t be embittered”
“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be embittered against them”
c) Children to parents 20 “obey”
“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord”.
d) Fathers to children 21 “Stop exasperating”
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart.”
e) Slaves to masters 22-25 “obey and work hard as for the Lord”
“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”
f) Masters to slaves 4:1 “grant justice and fairness”
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”
11. Devote yourselves to prayer 4:2-4
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word,
so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.”
12. Witness wisely and effectively 4:5-6
a) Let you walk be wise
(1) A wise walk
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders”
(2) An urgent walk
“making the most of the opportunity”
b) Let your words be winning
(1) Salty words
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt”
(2) Suitable Words
“so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”
V. Paul expresses personal greetings and instruction 4:7-18
A. General Personal Greetings 7-14
1. Information from and about Tychicus and Onesiumus 7-9
“As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.”
2. Greetings from various brothers 10-11
“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”
3. Greetings from and commendation concerning Epaphras 12-13
“Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you
and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.”
4. Greetings from Luke and Demas 14
“Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas"
B. General Personal Instructions 15-18
1. Greet individuals 15
“Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.”
2. Circulate the letter 16
“And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”
3. Exhort Archippus 17
“And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it”
4. Remember my imprisonment 18
“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you.”
COLOSSIANS CHECK-LIST
? Consistent prayer for others enriches our own walk as well as for those we pray.
? Saturation with the knowledge of the will of God leads to a worthy walk for God.
? A worthy walk tries to please him in every aspect our life.
? A worthy walk continually bears fruit in every good work.
? A worthy walk continually increases in an experiential knowledge of God.
? The power for a worthy walk comes only from His supernatural strengthening.
? The objective of strengthening is steadfastness and long-suffering.
? God took the initiative to rescue us out of a miserable kingdom of darkness.
? God wonderfully transferred us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son.
? God dealt with all our offenses through Christ.
? We serve a wonderful king who reigns supreme over all creation.
? Through Christ we have been thoroughly reconciled to the Father.
? We are all called to ministry.
? A ministry heart rejoices for the opportunity to suffer for others.
? A ministry heart takes up the challenge to continue the sufferings of Christ.
? A ministry heart understands a divine call.
? A ministry heart labors at ministry with the power of God.
? A ministry heart admonishes and teaches toward maturity in Christ.
? A ministry heart agonizes to encourage hearts wherever there is need.
? A ministry heart seeks to protect the sheep from false thinking.
? A ministry heart looks to establish spiritual bonds with others.
? A ministry heart rejoices at any sign of progress.
? The heart of ministry focuses on the fact that Christ indwells and unites every believer.
? Walking with Christ is the same as receiving Christ – hearing with faith.
? Christ firmly rooted us in Him.
? Christ is continually building us up in Him.
? Christ continually builds our faith in Him.
? The Person and Work of Christ is the basis of our daily life in him.
? All the fullness of Deity dwells in him in a human body.
? We have been made complete because of our union with Him.
? Christ is head over ALL rule and authority
? We were spiritually circumcised by reason of relationship with him.
? Christ made us alive together with Him having forgiven us and canceled our debt.
? Christ took the certificate of debt out of the way.
? Christ disarmed the spiritual forces of wickedness bent on our destruction.
? God enables us to live differently through a changed heart and an indwelling Spirit.
? We are to hold fast to Christ not rules and regulations.
? We are to continually pursue the things that are eternal.
? We are to constantly contemplate the things eternal.
? We are to deny the desires of the flesh.
? We are to release the new desires of our reborn spirit.
? We are to let the peace of Christ umpire in our troubled heart.
? We are to let the Word of Christ richly live in every part of our confused heart.
? We are to teach and admonish one another through words and music.
? We are to live our lives as special agents on assignment from the king.
? We are to function according to God’s design regarding basic relationships.
? Wives be subject to husbands.
? Husbands love and don’t be embittered against wives.
? Children obey and honor parents.
? Fathers stop exasperating your children.
? Slaves obey and work hard as for the Lord.
? Masters grant justice and fairness
? We are to devote ourselves to continual prayer
? We are to witness wisely and effectively to those outside.
