Colossians Bible Study Week 2
College Study of Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsFor Antioch College-Aged Home Group. Based on the Knowing The Bible Series: Colossians and Philemon
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Read 15-16
Read 15-16
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Any initial thoughts?
What does it mean that He is the image of the invisible God?
He makes the Godhead visible to us.
Does Jesus being the firstborn of all creation mean He was created?
No, firstborn can mean literally first born, but it can also be meant as a position of authority like in Psalm 89:27
And I will make him the firstborn,
the highest of the kings of the earth.
Ephesians–Philemon Comment
to be made “firstborn” by God means to be exalted to the highest place. Such a reading of “firstborn” makes perfect sense in the context of Colossians 1.
What does it mean that by Him all things were created?
He is the literal creator of all things. cf. John 1:3
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
What do you think it means that all things were created for Him?
All of creation is for the glory of God?
I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Read 17-18
Read 17-18
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
What does it mean that Jesus holds all things together?
The universe including us are reliant on Him.
What does it mean that He is the head of the church?
What does that mean for us and how we interact with Him?
Read 19-20
Read 19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Why is Jesus’ goal reconciliation?
God desires eternal peace.
What is He reconciling
All things.
How did the blood of the cross make peace?
It was the sacrifice to end the enmity between man and God.
Read 21-23
Read 21-23
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 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, 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.
Who did the work of reconciliation? Us or God?
Why did He reconcile us?
To present us perfect.
Why is it necessary that we are presented holy and blameless and above reproach before Him?
So that we can be saved on judgment day.
Why can we not shift from the gospel?
It is our path to salvation.
What does it mean that the gospel has been proclaimed in all creation?
It is the thread of truth the universe is made with.
Read 24-25
Read 24-25
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, 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,
Why does Paul rejoice in his suffering?
Because it is for the church.
What was Paul’s job as a minister?
Make the Word of God known.
Read 26-27
Read 26-27
the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 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.
Why was the Word of God hidden?
So that God’s plan could come about.
Why is Christ in us our hope of glory?
He is our only path to glory.
What is the mystery?
The gospel.
Read 28-29
Read 28-29
Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
What does it mean to be mature in Christ and why is it important?
Who gives the energy and does the work in ministry?