Colossians 1:1-7 The Preeminent Christ - It's about Christ

Evidence of preeminence

Wrong worship video

It’s funny because too often it’s true

The sad part is that it extends to every part of our lives.

When will we get it right.

Over the next weeks we will work through a book of the Bible that seeks to change our thoughts about our lives.

Paul seeks to declare that it should be about Him – About Christ.

Paul writes a letter to the church at Colossae

In it Paul declares that Christ is preeminent

He is preeminent over all things.

He needs to be preeminent in our lives.

Our lives should be about Him, Christ.

Today we will begin a study of the letter to the Colossians, exploring chapter 1:1-7

Let us seek to make it all about Him.

I. It’s about Christ: A message from God to the church

A. Through Paul and his team Col 1:1

(ESV) Colossians 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

1. Paul – an apostle – speaking with authority – especially against false teaching (apostle - been with Christ – special calling by Christ – spoke the words of God with absolute accuracy) --- one of several gifts no longer applicable once the scriptures became captured and distributed

Team ministry – never a personality cult – always joined with and used others – even Paul’s ministry demonstrated the need for a body of believers – the church

2. In prison – likely in Rome – wrote Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon --- ministry in the midst of personal trouble --- God’s usefulness is not limited by our circumstances, but rather is enhanced as we are forced to trust in Him --- Date: around 60-62

B. To the church Col 1:2a

(ESV) Colossians 1 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christat Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

1. To a group of believers – a church

a. Foundation is the church – commands to the church (and individuals)

Church likely founded by Epaphrus – perhaps while Paul was at Ephesus and a great church planting movement went out from there to all ‘Asia’ (Turkey) – went to his home city first / and the neighboring cities as well

b. Can’t separate the spiritual walk from the body of believers – it’s a spiritual community thing not just a personal experience

2. To the saints – set apart ones

a. Set apart to God and for God – intended to be distinctive for God’s use

3. Especially identify as faithful – lessor of the surrounding cities – but it was to this one Paul writes – faithful

In Christ

a. A new reality and existence in Christ

Christ encompasses the entire life of the believer.

b. Exclusively joined to Christ and to no other.

Christ determines the behavior of believers.

c. Inseparably joined to Christ.

Joined to a new family where the dividing lines that separate and categorize persons have been erased because of their new existence in Christ

C. To the local church Col 1:2b

(ESV) Colossians 1 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

1. At a given place – the visible part of Christ’s full body

Located 100 miles inland from Ephesus which was on the coast in the Lycus valley – In a mountainous region – below was Laodacea – at the other side of the valley Hieropolis (hot springs) --- Wish you were hot or cold to Laodacea (hot springs water of Hieropolis or cold refreshing water from Colossea – not the water sent to Laodacea that was lukewarm and sickening)

2. East meets west / major trade route – mixture of beliefs / tendency of syncretism / mix stuff together / ecumentical lack of focus / error and truth together – never just says use the name of Jesus and everything else is unimportant - teaches truth / doctrine – what it means to be in Christ

D. Intended for their prosperity Col 1:2d

(ESV) Colossians 1 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Modifies the Greek format of a letter “greetings” and the Hebrew greeting of Shalom ‘peace’

Paul emphasizes God’s intention for our lives “Grace and peace”

1. Rest in His grace – unmerited favor – His work / our response to it

Find peace – inner and life peace independent upon circumstances – a peace that only God can give – harmony, wholeness, serenity

2. Sourced only in God / our Father --- in no one else

a. Written to encourage and correct from false doctrine (enemies of grace and peace) – a tendency to mix theology – move away from the central nature of Christ --- turn the worship of Christ and a basis on His work in the gospel into works or a mixing in of other spirits / spiritual things other than Christ / mediation through other means except Christ

"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced … more true than truth itself—" Irenaeus, Against Heresies –

b. False religion offers everything and delivers nothing

Peace is only achieved through the grace that is offered through Christ

Isaac’s response to the question of a six grader who asked ‘there are many religions, how do we know this is the true one’ – “This one is the only one where its God died for us’

II. It’s about Christ: Living like He is preeminent

A. A spirit of gratitude Col 1:3

(ESV) Colossians 1 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

1. Not self consumed with his own problems

Not consumed with criticism or sin sniffing – can find it if look

2. Sees God at work in others – rejoices, thankful, expressive of thanks to them – at atmosphere of encouragement rather than criticism

Responds with thanks to God

3. Responds with appreciation to people

Responds with intercession on behalf of these people – crying out to God for them

B. Faith in Christ Col 1:4a

(ESV) Colossians 1 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

1. Faith – foundation of our lives – what we believe – only as good as the object of that faith

Focused on a person / not just faith nebulous

2. Based on the Word of God – scripture – from God / trustworthy

Faith in Christ for salvation

3. Faith in Christ to follow Him regardless – trust what He says

Believe He is / that He rewards those who trust in Him (on His own terms)

In the midst of life people could see a faith in Christ that transcended their circumstances (like Paul as well)

C. Sacrificial love within the church Col 1:4b

(ESV) Colossians 1 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

1. More than emotion

Giving of self

2. Meeting needs

Focused on others rather than self

3. Placing others in priority

D. Trusting God’s promises Col 1:5a

(ESV) Colossians 1 5 because of the hope laid upfor you in heaven.

Paul says this faith and love “spring from the hope” that is stored up for them (1:5). Living with eternity in view vitalizes faith and calls forth love.

1. Live life based on what is yet ahead not based on the circumstances of today

Everyone (even without Christ) can get along when everything is good – but what happens when life is turned upside down?

2. If my desires for this life become unresolved / if my hopes for today are dashed / if what I want in this life will never come true --- where is then is my hope?

Live life with an unshakable foundation – it is about what Christ has ultimately promised – the eternal rather than the temporal – trusting in His promises, even when they are delayed

E. A continuing impact Col 1:5b-7

(ESV) Colossians 1 5 … Of this you have heardbefore in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

1. Someone told them / they heard

They heard and understood and responded

2. The truth of the gospel – Jesus died in our place / we can trust in Him and what He did and find forgiveness and redemption and salvation

Still responding – it’s about Him / It’s in response to what He did / keeps bearing fruit /growing in Christ

3. Parts of the world they touched

Beyond them – the gospel is unchained

4. About more than them – they are a part / but only a part

The gospel impacts on who respond to it / Bearing fruit – ever increasing its impact

F. Modeling other Christ-focused people

(ESV) Colossians 1 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

1. A personal model that transfers to others – discipleship

Walk in Christ to show others what it looks like / the walk the same