Study through Colossians lesson 3

Introduction

What was Paul combatting when he wrote this letter?

The Colossian Heresy (gnosticism)

Who does Paul state is the head of the church?

Jesus Christ

What is the unit called that consists of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

The Trinity

As we dig into tonights study may we pause to consider the most important bit of information we will ever find. The face that we have been reconciled. What does this mean? How is it available. We will discuss the miracle of salvation tonight. What it is and what it’s not. As we dig into the lesson consider the question, “do I know what it means to be saved?” If you are saved what is your obligation as a member of the body of Christ? As we close chapter one we will look more into, what does it mean to be a minister.

Reconciled

Colossians 1:19–23 ESV

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Reconciled

Through Christ we have been reconciled to God the father. What does this term reconciled mean?

rec•on•cile \ˈre-kən-ˌsī(-ə)l\ verb

-ciled; -cil•ing [Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reconciler, from Latin reconciliare, from re- + conciliare to conciliate] verb transitive 14th century

1 a: to restore to friendship or harmony

b: settle, resolve 〈reconcile differences〉

2: to make consistent or congruous 〈reconcile an ideal with reality〉

3: to cause to submit to or accept something unpleasant 〈was reconciled to hardship〉

4 a: to check (a financial account) against another for accuracy

b: to account for verb intransitive: to become reconciled synonym see

Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).

What scriptures can we correlate with

friendship being restored with God?

Romans 5:10 ESV

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

to restore a financial debt that we could not pay?

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Consider the fact that hanging in the eternal balances of time is the debt of sin you cannot repay. No matter how hard you work, no matter how good you aspire and accomplish to be, this debt is impossible to be paid.

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

This is the ever important piece of information that the church carries. Not a building fund, a pot luck dinner, or teen camp.

Are all of these things enjoyable…yes

Do they build comrade and a healthy family feel for church…yes

Are these types of activities important to be in the church…yes

Are these the things a church is to be known by…no

What was Christ self proclamation of what he was sent here for?

Luke 19:10

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Furthermore the final word Christ left us with, was not what to do when when we meet. But what to do with the lost, and how to grow people.

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Building upon the fact that we are reconciled what are we to continue in according to verse 23

Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel. The goal of the church is not simply to get people saved and on their way to heaven. Is this important? MOST CERTAINLY!! But the goal of the church does not stop there. We are to continue in the faith. We should be stable and steadfast in our salvation. We should also be stable and steadfast in our role. Whether that is pastor, parent, child, sibling, or worker we should remain steady.

A minister

Colossians 1:24–29 ESV

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

How did Paul describe what a minister is and does?

suffering for their sakes

to make the word of God fully known

Him (Jesus) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom.

How are members of the church to be presented to Christ? Mature

Whose energy does paul struggle and toil with? Christ’s

Application

Have you been reconciled and do you understand what it means?

Are you confident in your salvation?

Are you remaining steadfast in the role God has placed you in?

When you are going through a struggle whose energy are you using?