Colossians 2:6-7

Colossians 2:6-7

These two verses are considered the crux and the turning point in this book. They connect the first large section to the second and final one, and sum up the entire letter.

Since this morning is more of a sermonette, I want to do things a bit differently and just walk through these verses together.

THEREFORE

Indicative (Stating Facts) to Imperative (Commands)

Here is the indicative:

THAT JESUS – Image of the invisible God, Firstborn of all Creation, Preeminent One, All things made By Him and For Him, Head of the Church, All the fullness of God dwelling, Reconciled all things including you, presenting you holy and blameless, Mystery of God revealed, All treasures found in Christ

Here is the first imperative in the entire book:

So walk in Him.

HUGE CHRISTOLOGY àThe Practical Teaching that is based on that Christology, the “So what?”

AS YOU HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS AS LORD

This means more than just the modern ethereal idea of accepting Jesus, having a warm feeling, letting Him in. Often the modern idea of receiving Jesus is like inviting a friend over, the friend comes, is cordial, makes sure not to make a mess or offend you in any way . . . this receiving is more like civil war scorched earth, this is a new general coming in that declares war on the old heart that used to be driving you. To receive Jesus is not simply to make a new friend, its to yield to a new general.

Receiving here is believing in these things about Jesus that Paul has been talking about, and it also contains a commitment and even a declaration about it

Declared instead of Kaiser Kyrios

Phil 2:11, Rom 10:9, 1 Cor 12:3, 2 Cor 4:5

New Converts would Say this at their Baptism

Saying Jesus is Lord is the succinct way of saying all that Paul has said about Jesus already!

SO WALK IN HIM

Standard Hebrew word about ethical living

You’ve said he is Lord, act like He is Lord

Savior but not Lord?

“You’re a Zeringue”

Adopted

In Him – Tremendous emphasis on this phrase In Him in this section, this is what will be the focus of the next sermon, we aint got time for that today

The rest of this passage contains 4 participles that explain the command to walk in him, the first 3 are metaphors, picture words.

Rooted and Being Built up in Him and Being established in the Faith

Paul commonly mixes and connects these two metaphors together – agricultural and architectural

Rooted – Jeremiah 17:8

Built Up – To progress toward completion

Established – Confirm, Sustain – Anchored, Secure

Maturity Goal

Ties back to Payton’s sermon – only built up if you are rooted

Abounding in Thanksgiving

Abounding is continuing the metaphor – fruit is abounding – walk = abound, abound in what? Gratitude.

The Christian Life, The Christian Response – All of those verbs rooted built up established are passive

Thanksgiving is a statement of dependence on another – the antidote to being the Pharisee

Central, as we have seen already – 1:3, 12-13 (3:15, 17, 4:2) – Here’s why you should be Thankful, and he isn’t done!

“Important offensive measure against false teaching”

“The main characteristic of God’s people”