Colossians 1:21-23: "Reconciled, Blameless, and Hopeful"

Intro:

Outline:

P: “Reconciled” (vs. 21-22)

P: “Stable and Steadfast” (v. 23)

Summary:

Prayer:

P1: “Reconciled, holy, and blameless” (vs. 21-22)

You (v. 21)

And you (pl)-

who once were- their past before coming to know Jesus.

alienated- “ap-eh-llotri-ow-menous”, perf, pass, part, acc, mas, pl, to be considered alien

hostile in mind- “echthrous” enemy (personal) in “dianoia” mind disposition (noun not a verb)

doing evil deeds- noun not a verb

He (v. 22a)

He has now- at the present moment in which Paul was writing to the people of Colosse.

Reconciled- “apokat-eh-llag-eh-te” verb, aor, pass, ind, 2nd, pl, to reconcile back, the restoration of the previously harmonious relationship.

in his body of flesh- Not just anyone’s body, this was not just theoretical, there was a physical sacrific, there was…Death of a specific person

by his death- by this means.

In order to (vs. 22b)

In order- Paul moves to purpose

To present you- action, by the way, the “you” is plural, speaking to all the people hearin this

holy- “hagious”, adjective, acc, plural masc, holy pure, having the characteristics of moral or ritual purity; context often emphasizes one over the other.

blamess- “amomous”, adj, acc, pl, masc, unblemished, free from physical or moral defects

abover reproach- “ane-eh-kl-eh-tous”, adj, acc, pl, masc unaccusable, not subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing

before Him- Who is the “Him”? it is genitive, and so is “flesh” and “body”. Jesus is the one reconciling us by His death, so it could be to Himself or it could be God the Father. He is the audience that is most important.

Application/Implications:

Death of a physical body is what led to reconciliation. Reconciliation requires death on both fronts, physically there had to be a death for sin. This also means that we need to die to our own desires in order to be reconciled to God and others.

Good Theology is meant to lead to right living. Deep Theology is meant to be expremely practical.

Jesus death has very practical application to our lives today- reconciliation and the confidence of being described as holy, blameless, and above reproach before the one that matters the most. The question is, who is it that matters the most in our life today? Who are we seeking to present ourselves to in the best light?

Jesus was worthy to die for sin in order to make us capable of no longer living in it.

Transitional phrase: Christianity does not start with a big “DO” but with a big “DONE”, and we need a lot to be done for us amen?! Jesus died for a reason, to accomplish something

P2: “Stable and Steadfast” (v. 23)

Positive (vs. -)

If indeed- emphatic conditional subordinate clause

You continue (verb)- “epimenete”, pres, act ind, 2nd, pl, finite to continue a certain state, condition, or activity, remain, or stay

in- preposition

the faith (noun)- trust in the gospel, trust in Jesus as contained in the content of the Gospel. This is not just “keep faith” or “faith” in general, it is “the faith” specific.

stable (participle)- “tethemeliomenoi” perf, pass, part, pl, nom, masc, to be strenthened, be foundation-laid.

Eph 3:17 “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,”

Steadfast (adjective)- not subject to change or variation; especially in behaviour

Negative (vs. -)

Not shifting (participle)- “metakinoumenoi” pres, pass, part, pl, nom, masc, to shift, to move from one setting or context to another, remove

from the hope (noun)

of the gospel (noun)- good news concerning the now present instantiation of Jesus’ divine dominion and way of salvation by His death and resurrection.

that you heard (verb)- “eh-kousate” aor, act, ind, 2nd, pl, to learn, hear, to learn or become aware of something, conceived of as hearing about it.

Which has been proclaimed (participle)- “k-eh-ruchthentos” aor, pass, par, sg, gen, neut, to be heralded, to be or become known publicly and loudly (as of important news announced by a herald)

in all creation

under heaven

p3 (vs. - )

Of which- the gospel that has been loudly proclaimed,

I Paul

became a minister- “diakonos” servant, a person working in the service of another, a deacon.

Application/Implications:

According to Paul, the gospel of Jesus was to be the foundation-laid part of life that we are never to move off from. Everything else builds from there. The stability of the home rests, quite litterally, on the quality of the foundation. And you might say, we yeah Pastor Jeremy, but what is the quality of the foundation is not good, “they don’t make them like they used to” or inivitably, all foundations will get old and decay. You are right, this will always happen to man made foundations, but the gospel is not a man made foundation that is subject to mistakes and decay!

Transitional phrase:

Summary

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. According to verse 21, how does Paul describe those in Colosse before they came to Christ?

3. What did Jesus achieve in his body of flesh by His death?

4. How does Paul define “continuing in the faith” in verse 23?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

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