God’s Gospel Gifts

It is estimated that 2/3 of American Adults have at least 1 unspent gift card currently sitting in their wallet, purse, pocket, or desk waiting to be used. This same study found that if you were to take all of the unspent gift cards in our country and combine them, the total would be more than $21 billion. That’s a crazy number, isn’t it? Why would people not use gift cards? One economist shared that for some they won’t use the gift card because it’s to a store that they don’t like or can’t get to… for others it’s simply because they want to save the money for later… yet, holding onto a gift card means a higher likelihood that it will become lost or forgotten about, and that money then becomes wasted.

Just as it is foolish to waste away a gift card, it is also foolish to waste away other gifts that we receive each day. Our time, circumstances, possessions, and even our jobs and classes are gifts that we can either walk aimlessly through, or we can leverage and get something out of them. As we think about people who took advantage of their gifts in the Bible, especially in the New Testament, our minds quickly go to Paul. Paul was someone who was saved by grace through faith in Christ radically in Acts 9 as he went from persecuting churches to planting churches. Paul was saved by Jesus, but this gift of salvation cost him throughout his life. Paul was betrayed by former friends, not fully embraced by other Christians, and put in prison multiple times because of the Gospel message he preached. Yet through all of this, Paul used the gifts that God had given him to glorify God and tell others about the Gospel… Even while in prison!

This morning we begin a new series that will take us through Thanksgiving - the book of Colossians. This is book #1 in our time together and we have 66 to go through, we have a long ways to go but I’m excited to see what the Lord will teach us as we go through His Word together. In this short book we’ll be reminded of the glory of Jesus, the greatness of the Gospel, the gift of salvation, and the grave danger of adding to God’s Word. This morning we’re going to just be looking at the first 2 verses, some background about this ancient city, the overview of this book, and 3 truths for us to keep in mind some 2000 years later - let’s turn to Colossians 1, and begin this journey together

Colossians 1:1–2 CSB

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: 2 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Let’s go to our God in prayer together

Introducing Colossians

Does anyone else love God’s Word? One of the best things that we can do whenever we read God’s Word is to dive into the text and also see where our passage fits into the the Bible as a whole. We can do this by asking some basic questions that many of us learned whenever we were in school: Who, What, When, Where, and Why? Do you remember being in English class and being taught about the importance of these questions when it comes to writing? You need to address who is doing something. What they are doing. When they are doing it. Where it is being done. And why it is being done. If we can’t answer these questions, then we will probably be a little confused as we try to understand what the story or book is about. The same is also true with the Bible. This is God’s Word and it is certainly for us… but we have to understand what it is saying. One of the most helpful things that we can do whenever we come to study a new book of the Bible is to ask these crucial questions - so let’s look at some fast facts from Colossians

WHO is the Author? Paul

WHAT is Colossians about? The supremacy of Jesus

WHEN was Colossians Written? DEBATED! But likely in 62 AD

WHERE was Colossians Written? From a Roman Prison (just like Ephesians)

WHY was Colossians Written? To equip believers to confront dangerous false teachings about Jesus and to trust in Him alone for salvation

Think of where this book fits into the broader context of Scripture. We can think of the whole Bible in 4 acts: Creation | Fall | Redemption | Restoration. What do we see in the very beginning of Genesis? Creation and everything was good. Then what? The fall… sin enters the world and sin causes problems. But throughout the Old Testament we see a promise of redemption and salvation and this comes whenever Jesus arrives and dies for sins and conquers death with the resurrection. But we know that this isn’t the end of the story! God has a plan for humanity and this world and that plan is to restore all things, starting with His people, and culminating with the new heavens and the new earth.

So, where does Colossians fit in this big picture? Jesus dies on the cross, raises to life, and ascends in 33 AD and the book of Acts picks us up from there. In Acts, we read about a man named Saul of Tarsus who violently persecuted the church… but in God’s kindness and grace, we see that this man met Jesus and was saved and then he began planting churches throughout much of the Roman world, and was known by his Roman name, Paul.

Acts 13:9 CSB

9 But Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at Elymas

God did not change his name whenever he was saved… Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and went by his “Gentile” name rather than his Hebrew name (Saul). Paul continues to share the Gospel and one of the Paul’s biggest ministry concerns was planting Christ-Centered Churches. Paul traveled for thousands of miles in his life planting churches. Doing life with people. Getting to know them. Loving on them. And then equipping them with Godly men who served as elders, and then he would leave and do the same thing in another city. Rinse. Wash. Repeat! In fact, Paul’s associates began to do the same thing. Paul trained up men to take the Gospel into other cities, plant churches, raise up elders, and leave to do the same.

This is the background for Colossians. Paul never personally visited Colossians, but one of his dear friends, Epaphras, planted this church… and Paul loved the people of this church. He wanted to see this church thrive and grow and succeed… but there were problems in this church. Just like there are problems in every church!

As with most things, there are levels to problems in churches. Think of a level 1 problem in our sanctuary - the chair that I sit in is 1 inch away from where it should be because someone bumped it whenever they were getting to their seat. Y’all, that’s a level 1 problem… move the seat! Then there are level 2 problems - someone is sitting in that chair that I usually sit in! Move to a different seat! Then there are level 3 problems - the seat that I sit in has a damaged leg. Let someone know so we can fix it and give you a new seat! Then there are level 4 problems - the preacher is teaching heresy from the pulpit - so you get up and leave the seat! Most of our problems in church are level 1 or 2 problems, but in Colossians Paul is addressing a genuine level 4 problem as there are people teaching a false Gospel of adding to Jesus Christ. Of combining something to Jesus. We have to understand this clearly: If you get Jesus wrong, you get everything wrong!

In the months to come, we’ll see how Paul addresses this false teaching and he begins in the first 2 chapters by laying out the true teaching of Jesus. Who is Jesus? Colossians 1:15

Colossians 1:15 CSB

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Colossians 1:18 CSB

18 He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.

What has Jesus done?

Colossians 2:20 CSB

20 If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:

Colossians 3:1 CSB

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Paul counteracts false teaching by providing true teaching in this book. We live in a day and age where people want to add to Jesus and distort the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. It’s Jesus plus this. It’s the Gospel plus. In fact some want to say that the primary reason that Jesus came to the earth was to heal - and that’s a false teaching as we read in Mark 1:15 and Mark 1:38 that the primary reason that Jesus came was to preach the Gospel and call on sinners to repent and be saved from their sins. Into this strange new world, Colossians tells us WHO Jesus is and WHAT Jesus has done. Colossians addresses false teachings inside the church, but it also provides us with helpful reminders when talking with a world that hates authority - what does Colossians tell us? That God has a structure in place not only for the household but for the church and for the entire world and we must submit to His Word.

Colossians is God’s Word for God’s people and God’s Word is inspired, true, authoritative, and without error. It’s been said before that what we believe determines how we behave. Do you see how it’s important to believe rightly about God? Wrong doctrine will lead to wrong living… right doctrine will lead to right living! Colossians addresses wrong teaching because wrong teaching is extremely dangerous because it will lead to wrong living and possibly even confuse people into thinking that they are fine and even saved when in actuality they have believed a wrong teaching, not what the Bible actually says.

Have you ever heard someone say that it’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship? We’ve all heard this a time or two!

What does this person usually mean? That good works and doing things doesn’t save you but being in a relationship is what saves you. Is this true? YES! You must be saved by grace, through faith, in Christ and be adopted into God’s family in order to be saved… not just come to church or do nice things. But let me ask you this, Bible scholars, what is religion? A set of beliefs. Are there core beliefs that you must have in order to have a be a born again, child of God? Absolutely! There are many people who think they have a relationship with God and they love that relationship because their version of God thinks the same way they do, votes the same way they do, talks the same way they do, and looks the same way that they do… what have they done? They have created a God of their own hands as Romans 1 talks about. Of course people like that “god” and many have a relationship with that god… but that god will not save them! We must have right doctrine and believe rightly about God. See, we must believe rightly about God in order to have a right relationship with Him! Colossians sets the record straight in these 4 short chapters regarding who Jesus is, who we are, and how desperately we all need Him!

Colossians will show us several crucial things in the months to come

Jesus is Supreme and Lord over all things (1:15-20)

Jesus Redeems and Reconciles us to God (1:13-14, 20-22)

Jesus is the Truth (2:8-15)

Jesus Changes His People (3:1-17)

Jesus Restores Relationships (3:18-4:1)

In a world that hates authority, doesn’t believe that we need to be saved from sin, hates objective truth, and rejects our need for restoration and reconciliation, Colossians is a timely book. It is a critical book. Because at the center of Colossians stands the crucified and triumphant Christ. He made all things. He sustains all things. He will restore all things.

Are you ready for the sermon, now? 3 Gospel Gifts in these first 2 verses in Colossians!

God Gives Truth in Times of Skepticism (1)

We live in a sea of skepticism where people have trouble trusting in others and where we at times assume the worst instead of the best, especially of people that we don’t know all that well. A world where truth can be hard to find because it seems like everyone has a different truth that they believe in. There was a time when if someone, say a doctor, told you that you need to do “x, y, and z” in order to get better, what did the person usually do? X, Y, and Z! Why? Because their doctor is a professional, has a ton of knowledge, and wants them to get better. What happens today? The doctor gives the diagnosis and treatment, and what does the patient do? Disagrees. Now, everyone makes mistakes, pastors included, but the distrust towards others that continues to grow in our world is problematic. Doctors go to school for years, decades at times, and a 13 year old with WebMD pulled up thinks that they have everything figured out and that their doctor doesn’t know what they’re talking about. A sea of skepticism - this is our world. What does God provide in this world? Truth! Clarity. Purpose. In a world that loves to question authority - we know that God’s Word is not only good, but that it is truth.

2000 years ago as Paul is writing this letter, look at how he grounds Colossians. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.” What does this mean? Paul is not simply writing 4 chapters and 95 verses in this letter just to provide his opinions. No, he is an apostle who has been called by God for a specific task, look at Ephesians 3:8

Ephesians 3:8 CSB

8 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ,

This is what God saved Paul in order to do - to be the apostle to the Gentiles. This is God’s will for his life. Why does Paul mention this in Colossians 1? To verify the truth of what will be said in the verses and chapters that follow. There are false things being taught in this city and, sadly, in this church, and Paul is correcting those false teachings by providing these people with the truth, not his truth… but God’s truth. This is what God called Paul to do as an apostle.

Have you heard that word before, apostle? What does that mean? The word shows up 79 times in the New Testament and it means one who is sent out. There is a general way of understanding this to mean one who is sent out by God to share the Gospel and message of Jesus, and in this sense that is a positive thing for all believers even today! However, there are some people in our world who claim to be an “Apostle” not just a sent one generally, but they claim the title and office of apostle. This is especially prominent in Word of Faith, Prosperity Gospel, and New Apostolic Reformation churches. In fact, Light the Way Ministries is bringing in an “apostle” later this month for a revival in Ozark. This is a big deal and it’s a big claim because many of these people assume this title upon themselves in order to seek out authority. There are some fundamental problems with this argument that there are modern day apostles (office). For one, you had to be a witness of the resurrected Christ

1 Corinthians 9:1 CSB

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

For two, you have to be chosen by God for this role

Acts 9:15 CSB

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.

So, has anyone in our world been a witness of the resurrected Christ? No. Do we have the same authority as Jesus? No. Are there modern apostles? No - they don’t meet the Biblical criteria. To be an apostle, you had to have eye witness authority of Jesus Christ - which modern “apostles” do not have… but Paul did! Why would Paul mention this from the beginning of his letter? Because he was actually called by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles. To take the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire and tell people about Jesus Christ and this is what we see throughout the New Testament in letters just like Colossians. The Gospel provides truth in times of skepticism. This is what the Gospel continues to do today!

We are not apostles in terms of the office or title because they don’t exist - but we are sent ones in a different sense. Paul was an apostle by God’s will and we are missionaries by God’s will called and commissioned to go into our world and tell people of the truth of God’s Word. Just as we’ll read in Colossians about how Jesus Christ reconciled us to God by dying on the cross for our sins, we know that we are called by God to go into this world and implore people to be reconciled to God by trusting in Christ and finding hope, joy, peace, and salvation in Him alone! In a world of change, we don’t have to worry about the Gospel changing… it is truth. This is just one of the gifts that God gives us - truth in times of skepticism - as we can always trust in what the Bible says because it is given to us by God Himself.

God Gives Grace to Godless Sinners (2)

Not only does God provide us with truth as we look at the Bible, but we also see that God provides us with grace. What exactly is grace? We sing about grace. We talk about grace. Even people who don’t come to church know the song Amazing Grace! But what exactly is grace? I’ve heard it defined like this before

God’s

Rewards

Christ’s

Expense

In other words, God gives something to people who do not deserve what He gives. Is anyone else thankful that our God is gracious? How does God bring this about? Our world is somewhat familiar with the concept of grace as there are times where someone is blessed to have something and gives it to someone who does not deserve it or cannot pay for it - they are gracious. In fact, if you look at the United States Supreme Court, you can find some interesting definitions of grace or being pardoned

First, in 1833, Chief Justice John Marshall, in a landmark decision, described a pardon as “an act of grace … which exempts the individual on whom it is bestowed from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has committed.”

Second, in 1866, the Supreme Court gave another famous definition of a pardon: “a pardon releases the punishment and blots out of existence the guilt, so that in the eye of the law the offender is as innocent as if he had never committed the offense … A pardon removes the penalties and disabilities and restores him to all his civil rights; it makes him, as it were, a new man, and gives him a new credit and capacity.”

So what do we see in the Bible?

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

What is the key to receiving grace? 2 words: In Christ. We don’t deserve this gift of salvation - that’s why it’s called grace in the first place. Notice in verse 2, who are the recipients of this letter? Who receives God’s Gospel Gift of Grace? “The saints in Christ Jesus.” What does it mean to be a saint? The Catholics have a multi-step process for someone to become a saint but there’s a catch… you have to die first! What does it mean in the Bible to be a saint? To be set apart. To be changed.

Think about our physical building here at South Gate… made up of wood, metal, concrete, we would say normal materials… but these normal materials are set apart for God’s work through His people at this church.

Think about our physical Bible… we see normal paper, ink, leather… but these normal materials are set apart for God’s work.

Think about a Christian. What do we see? A normal person with flaws, shortcomings, imperfections… but one who is set apart by God for His glory.

This is what it means to be a saint - to be set apart for God’s glory. Paul had never personally met these Christians, but he could say under inspiration of the Holy Spirit that they were holy and faithful, not because of their actions… but because this is a declaration of fact as a result of what JESUS has done in and for these people. See, this letter is addressed to believers who were once walking in darkness as godless sinners, but who have received God’s Amazing Grace and have been set apart by Jesus Christ for Kingdom Work in Colossae - this remote, often forgotten town in the Lycus Valley next to powerful cities such as Laodicea and Hierapolis. This town might have been forgotten by some, but the believers were known by God and were saved by grace through faith in Christ, and this is true for us as well. Church, this is our story today in Christ! We are called a holy people - not because we are holy or worthy or faithful, in fact we’re often the opposite as a result of our sin… but we have this identity because of being IN CHRIST - “In Christ” Changes Everything!

We, as Christians, have been saved by God’s grace and as a result, we are set apart for service. That might mean going overseas as a missionary to the nations, but it might also mean going across the street to your neighbor and sharing with them the Gospel message of Jesus Christ as He saves sinners through His amazing grace.

Ask yourself this today: When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone? South Gate Baptist Church, we must be a people who tell others about Jesus - this is what we are set apart in order to do.

God Gives Peace in Periods of Suffering (2)

‌Often in Paul’s letters, his introduction includes this final sentence of grace and peace. This is his prayer of blessing over these believers that they would experience grace from God and peace not only with God through Christ, but also with one another. We live in a world that talks an awful lot about peace - world peace dominates headlines, co-exist signs are found often on bumper plates, for a people that talk a lot about peace, we don’t find that in our world. We find a world growing more and more divided and divisive by the day! How can we achieve true, lasting peace? Contrary to what some say, peace is not the absence of problems… but the presence of your Provider! Consider the story of the Gospel this morning - God created all things in the beginning and it was all good… but then mankind sinned against God and as a result we read in Scripture that we all are separated from God as His enemies - that is strong language, but it is Biblical language. That’s the bad news, what is the good news? God sent His Son, Jesus, to take our sins upon Himself and to give to us His perfect righteousness. See, Jesus Christ alone gives you peace with God and because of this newfound peace, we also suddenly experience peace with one another!

Ephesians and Colossians are written as Paul is in prison and we see so many similarities between both of these letters! Think about these letters of deep Gospel joy written from the hands of a man who was literally bound in chains. The Gospel gave Paul peace in prison. The Gospel gave Jews and Gentiles peace though just years before, they were opponents. The Gospel continues to provide peace today not only between ourselves and God, but also between Christians in the same congregation. The Gospel provides us with peace as we face difficult situations and circumstances. This peace is accomplished by the finished work of Jesus and this peace must not only be present but be pervasive in the church

Colossians 3:15 CSB

15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.

This is what the Gospel does. The Gospel provides the Christian with Truth, with Grace, and with Peace. We know that what is found in God’s Word is true. We can take it to the bank and build our life upon what we see in Scripture. We can experience God’s Great Grace. We can be people of peace in a world that loves to launch nukes at the other side of the aisle. How can you experience these Gospel Gifts today just like these believers some 2000 years ago?

You have to be in Christ! God’s Work of Grace must come before your New Identity of Peace. So many people in our world are searching for purpose, meaning, and truth but without Christ we have no hope of finding lasting peace. The citizens of Colossae 2000 years ago were surrounded by fear. They offered sacrifices, paid great sums of money, and purchased objects called amulets to protect them from evil powers and destruction. Today people do much of the same - sacrifice morality and principle on the altar of comfort, pay great sums of money for happiness, and purchase objects that promise more than they can ever provide… and what is the result? Emptiness. Hopelessness. What is the answer? Paul, in Colossians, shows us that in Christ there is hope that this world can’t touch. There is peace that surpasses all fear. There is grace that still saves. As we begin this study, let’s ask ourselves a couple of diagnostic questions

Application Questions to Ask

Do I trust in God’s Word or try to update God’s Word?

Many want a fresh “word” from the Lord but often neglect the WORD of the Lord. God’s Word is sufficient. It is authoritative. It is inspired. It is inerrant. It doesn’t need an update. Honestly, it doesn’t even need our approval. We are commanded to trust in God’s Word - while many want to add to Scripture with extra-biblical revelations, we must be a people of the Book.

Do I rest in God’s Grace or run from God’s Grace?

As humans we often wrestle with grace because we think that we have to earn our own way so that we can take some credit. We do work as believers, but we don’t work for our salvation. We rest in God’s finished work on the cross and the grace that Jesus gives to us. We work FROM Victory… not FOR Victory. Don’t run away from God’s grace in search of personal credit, rest in God’s grace today.

Do I extend peace to others as God has for me?

If we have received peace with God, we must extend peace with others. This doesn’t mean that we let people stomp over us as if we are a doormat… but whenever we remember that we used to be enemies of the cross but now we are adopted as sons and daughters, we realize that our ministry is that of reconciliation and that starts with extending peace to people.

These are gifts that God has given to His people - truth, grace, and peace. These are gifts that we can’t let sit collecting dust on our spiritual shelves, though! These gifts must change our lives and impact the way that we minister to those in our community, just as they did for Paul and for the Colossians. South Gate, let’s be a church that uses all the gifts that God has given us, especially in the Gospel, for His glory, the health of the body, and the good of our community!

The Big Idea of Colossians: Christ Plus Nothing Equals Everything - Jesus Is ALL! Come to Jesus and rest in Him.

Lord’s Supper

As Baptists, we believe that the Lord’s Supper is one of the 2 ordinances of the Church along with Baptism and something that we are blessed to take part in throughout the year as we pause and take time to remember what Jesus Christ has done for us. The Bible provides some strong words regarding how we are to partake in the Lord’s Supper and this is why we have taken time in our service to examine our hearts and make sure that we have repented of any unconfessed sin in our lives and asked Christ to forgive us and help us in this time.

The Lord’s Supper is something that the local church did together - meaning that this was something that believers did. Some churches “fence” the table in different ways - some say that you have to be a member of their church, others say that you have to be a member of a church and there is great wisdom with these provisions because of the danger of not taking this seriously. Today, as we get ready for this special time, my question for you is this: Are you a born again, blood bought believer? If your answer is yes, if you are born again, even if you’re not a member of this body, I’m going to invite you to open the elements as we participate in this as a body and remember what our Savior has done for us.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Paul shares

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 CSB

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Immediately after this, in verse 25 we find

1 Corinthians 11:25 CSB

25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Thank you, Jesus! For taking our place and shedding your blood to forgive us of our sins.

Related Media

Related Sermons