The Colossian Example
Notes
Transcript
Our culture as a whole is constantly seeking to telling us who Jesus is, and yet doing it from their own made up view of what Jesus would do.
This month especially, I have seen a repeated statements concerning how Jesus would respond to certain political perspectives. Even things like “Jesus was an illegal immigrant.” (He wasn’t, at any point. Egypt was part of Roman rule at the time he family fled to Egypt.) Also that Jesus would be inside of churches with a whip because of their politics. And yet all of this misunderstands, who Jesus is.
People love to use Jesus as a way to hi-jack social and political conversations when they do not actually believe in Jesus, or read the Bible.
A useful metric to understand whether you should entertain anyone’s thoughts about what Jesus would have done in any given situation is to first ask them:
Do you believe that Jesus is God?
Do you believe that Jesus is alive today?
Any time anyone starts a sentence with “If Jesus were alive today…” you have permission to ignore EVERYTHING else that comes after it. OR better yet change the conversation to focus on the importance of Jesus’ resurrection, and his divinity.
The issue that we have today is that people love to use Jesus to prove a point, and yet do not actually understand who he is.
While it seems the intentions of the church in Colossae were better than that - they misunderstood the person of Jesus. And that’s the core of Paul’s letter, correcting their wrong views of Jesus, and from there demonstrating how the gospel changes everything.
As we begin our study though the book of Colossians, I want to make a few comments concerning the overall goal of the book. Paul is essentially addressing three topics:
Who Jesus is.
What Jesus has done.
How that changes everything.
The book of Colossians ends up being masterclass in Christology and it’s application.
The Church in Colossae is a model church in action, but not in doctrine.
Paul celebrates them for their faith and the love they have for all the saints. This is where the Colossian church excels. This is what is exemplary about the church. However, the core of the book is Paul correcting an unknown heresy in the Colossian church. We don’t know exactly what the Colossian heresy was, but we know that it was a deficient view of Jesus.
But first, Paul before he correct’s their doctrine, he begins with:
Paul’s Credentials v. 1-2
The Church’s Character 3-12
Paul’s Confession 13-14
Paul’s Credentials
Paul’s Credentials
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Paul begins this letter with his qualifications, as he does in many of his letters. And this introduction is identical to his introduction in 2 Corinthians. And differs only slightly from his introduction in 1st Corinthians, Ephesians and 2nd Timothy.
The main theme that Paul emphasizes across all of introductions in these letters is that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.
The Colossian church is generally believed to have been planted by Epaphras. Epaphras who is mentioned in verses 7-8, is believed to have been a student of Paul. And Epaphras has reported back to Paul concerning the state of the church here in Colossae. So Paul’s introduction does not need to be long. So he simply begins by telling them that his ministry finds it credibility in his sender. It is Jesus Christ who called and sent the apostle Paul to proclaim the gospel to the gentiles, as we see reported in Acts 9 and 22.
The simplicity of Paul’s listed résumé here is significant because at one time he would have boasted in the flesh.
He was circumcised on the 8th day, born of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of hebrews, a pharisee of pharisees, so zealous that he persecuted the church, so righteous that he might be thought blameless - Paul isn’t boasting about going to Jerusalem’s top academy and having an elite mentorship under Gamaliel- but rather as he states in Philippians 3 - he considers it all loss - Christ is of infinitely more value to him. His resume simply reads “Jesus sent me.” His only boast is Jesus.
And there’s significant application to be found from this. If Paul who had significant worldly accolades, wrote the largest number of books in the New Testament, planted close to 20 churches, embarked on three significant missionary journeys, traveling over 10,000 miles spreading the gospel of Jesus - sees no reason to boast in any of that, but is satisfied to repeatedly only introduce himself as one sent by Jesus Christ. Then why would any of us see reason to boast?
This for one shows us the overwhelming significance of being in Christ compared to any other accolade.
The Church’s Character
The Church’s Character
Paul’s letter is not without celebration though, he celebrates, not himself or his accolades, but he celebrates the example of the Colossian Church.
In his introduction, he begins by addressing them as Saints and Faithful brothers.
These are titles that are true of all who are in Christ Jesus. You are saints. This is a phrase that appears in several of Paul’s letters to describe the church. Saints is a word that literally means Holy Ones. Today, we often first thing of those who have achieved sainthood in the Catholic Church, however, in this text, we read of a church whose theology is far from perfect but they are made holy in Christ.
Followers of Jesus, are the holy ones of God. So again this looks at another aspect in how the Christian ought to view themselves. Like Paul view himself, and his ministry sent from Jesus. The church here ought to view themselves as the Holy Ones of God, those set apart for for God’s purposes, and to glorify God with their lives.
And the second part of this address is that he calls them faithful brothers. Another exemplary trait. Demonstrates a familial sense within the church. They belong to one another, and they are united by their faith. They together confess faith in Christ Jesus.
Then Paul moves to conclude his introduction with another common phrase, one that is in all of Paul’s letters “grace and peace.”
From Paul’s introduction we can observe that Paul deeply cares for this church. He did not plant this church, and he had also never visited them. Yet, he feels a deep kinship for his brothers in the Colossian church.
He rejoices in their successes, and loves them enough to correct their errors.
First, we see in verses 3-12, how Paul celebrates their successes.
Paul isn’t envious of their growth, their programs, or their attendance numbers. But rather he prays for them, and rejoices with them.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…
That is incredibly encouraging… and yet it also should serve as a reminder to us how we ought to pray for others in ministry.
Certainly, pray for me. Please. Pray for our church.
But also pray for other like minded churches.
It is a good thing for us to pray for other churches and other pastors. Remember Dan and Trinity Baptist Church in your Prayers. Remember John and Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in your prayers. Remember Rob and Central Heights Baptist Church in your Prayers. Remember Nick and Providence Bible Fellowship in your prayers. Add others and you see appropriate: Remember Kyle at Land O Lakes Bible Church in your prayers.
In verse 4, Paul gives two exemplary characteristics of this church.
Their Faith in Christ
Their Love for the saints
And if there is anything that a church should be known for it is hard to do better than those two things. I would much rather be at a church that is celebrated for their faith in Jesus, and their love for the saints than almost anything else. Who cares if your church worship band is packed out with professional musicians, or if your Awana program has 300 kids, or if your food bank is the talk of the town or whatever other extra biblical metric people use for church success - if your church doesn’t have faith in Christ and does not love the saints - it’s a worthless social club.
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
Then as we look to verse 5, we see the reason that they have such a great faith in Christ, and are abounding in love for one another. it is because of what await them. Their faith and their love are downstream of the hope that is guarded for them in heaven. Their hope of redemption. The Hope of eternal life with Christ. That was purchased through his death on the cross, and insured by his resurrection.
It is their redemption that gives them their drive.
If we place our hope in our positions, in our networks, our retirement, our homes, our heritage, or legacy - all of those things will fade at some point or another. If our hope is laid up in heaven it does not waiver with the fluctuations of the economy, or stock market, or whatever may be happening in the news. The hope of the Christian is laid up in heaven.
Paul here describes the gospel as the word of truth. This isn’t Paul’s truth, but rather the very word of truth.
One of my least favorite phrases in modern vernacular is “speak your truth”, or even “that’s my truth.” Truth isn’t relative to anyone on person. This isn’t just Paul’s truth, this isn’t just the Colossian Truth.
Paul is asserting that the gospel is truth. Done. Settled. It is not relative. It is not opinion. It is not up for debate.
It is THE Word of Truth. Elsewhere, Paul use the words Truth and Gospel synonymously. To Paul, there is nothing more true than the Gospel message.
And this truth, this message is bearing fruit and increasing among the Colossians.
They are being faithful in their evangelism. With how Paul celebrates them in these first few verses it is almost hard to think that he would have anything to correct.
Paul is not simply rejoicing that the gospel is bearing fruit and increasing in Colossae though - but in all of the world. We see the fruit of that even today. Though the entire earth has not yet heard the gospel - it has advanced quite significantly from being 11 disciples hiding in a room.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Then moving down to verse 9, again Paul tells them that he has not ceased to pray for them. In verse 3, he said that he always thanks God for them, now, he states that he has not ceased to pray for them. I would ask that you pray for me with that same fervor. And I hope to pray for each of you with that same intensity.
But Paul continues by stating specifically what he is praying.
That they may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
And this prayer of his ushers in the theme of the rest of book.
As he is writing to correct their inadequate view of Jesus (Col 1-2). And then flowing out of that he writes to instruct how their walk is influenced by a correct view of Jesus. Paul is demonstrating that proper Christology, or a correct theology of Jesus, is instrumental in walking in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Right belief influences right action.
The modern church often misses this. Every pastor I know has heard something to the extent of “Pastor, I don’t know why you talk about theology so much, I just want to know how to follow Jesus.” or something similar like “Pastor, I don’t need theology, I just need Jesus.” Whenever I’ve hear anything similar to that my answer will always be “And who is Jesus?” And whatever answer they have is them doing theology.
You cannot love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength… if you never use your mind to know him better. And you cannot know God if you are not reading, searching, and studying the word that he has left for us. The primary way in which God has left behind for us to know him is through his Word.
To add on to that, if your study of the Scriptures is not challenging the manner in which you walk, how you live your life, then then are reading it wrong.
That is what Paul is praying for the church here. He is praying that they would love God with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind and all their strength. As they grow in faith, in wisdom, in knowledge and in action they will do that.
And in that last phrase in verse 10, he uses language that he used above to describe the gospel in verse 6. As the gospel bore fruit and increased among you, so also may that Gospel lead to you bearing fruit in every good work and increasing you knowledge of God.
Verses 9-10 are even further supported by the following verses, and Paul further demonstrates what he means in verses 11-12.
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Paul is further praying that God Almighty would strengthen them in their faith. He is exalting God for His glorious might. He also prays for their endurance. That they would continue on growing in faith, that they would also abound in thanksgiving.
Christians should be people who are marked by thanksgiving.
Especially since we know our salvation is all grace. It is not of our own doing, but the free gift of God. That God has chosen his people and redeemed them - not because of their own works but because of his goodness. Knowing that our salvation is not of us should lead us as God’s people to be thankful in all things…
Knowing that everything we have in grace, all we have a gift from the Giver of all good gifts should lead us to be thankful to God in all things.
Moreover, though Paul is emphasizing that our thanksgiving should be because God has qualified his saints to share in the inheritance off the saints of light.
This inheritance being salvation, eternal life and our presence in the kingdom.
As Paul brings this section to a close he switches from a celebration of the example of the Colossian church to a confession of Christ’s goodness.
Paul’s Confession
Paul’s Confession
And in the final two verses of this introductory section, we have the beginning of Paul’s lengthy explanation of our savior. Flowing out of the statement concerning the Father qualifying believers for inheritance of the saints in light… we have the grounds for that qualification. It is the work of Christ. And thus Paul celebrates that…
HE (still referring to the Father)
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Father has transferred from the dark domain of sinfulness, deserving condemnation where we once resided and are brought into the kingdom of his beloved Son. Before Paul even gets into the meat of who Jesus is he makes the declaration that Jesus is King. And Jesus as King has brought us into his kingdom. He has brought ragamuffins off the street and welcomed them into his kingdom - but he didn’t welcome us simply to make us servants - though we certainly are that - but he has also given them an inheritance. And to make it even better through him we have redemption. We have forgiveness of sins - the sins that once created a separation between us and our God have been wiped away because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We have a wonderful redemption in Christ Jesus. If you are in Christ, your sins are forgiven. There’s nothing left to condemn - you have been transferred away from the domain where condemnation would lay upon you.
This wonderful salvation that we experience in Jesus leads us to love Christ and love the church.
Application:
In this text we are given several great examples.
First we are given the Example of Paul:
Paul’s love for the church
Paul loves them enough to pray for them.
Paul loves them enough to correct them.
Love does not allow someone to willingly live in error. If you love someone and they are going to get hit by a bus you will do whatever you can to stop them from getting hit by a bus. If you love someone and they are doing things that are going to lead them to death you will do whatever you can to stop them. If you love someone and they are headed on a path towards hell you will do what you can to point them to the redeem who provides forgiveness of sins.
Paul’s love for the church should drive us to love the church as well. Consider Paul’s prayer for the church? Do we pray for those in other churches like this? Do we pray daily for other ministries and churches? Do we pray that they “may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:”
2. The Colossian Example given to us is of their faith in Jesus and of their love for the saints.
But also to grow in the areas where they needed to grow. Paul is writing to them that they may abound in wisdom, in godliness, in good works, and in knowledge of God. That you continue to bear fruit and increase in evangelism. That you faith flourishes and through you it spreads throuh all of the world.
And that is my prayer for each of you as well.
While most of this letter is oriented in the form of a correction concerning the doctrine of the Colossian Church. It is not written with the same tone as Paul’s letter to the Galatian Church or the Corinthian letters. Both of those are stern rebukes with strong language, to correct grave errors. The Colossian letter however, is a loving correction for a church whose action is exemplary, but their doctrine is faulty. But as their doctrine is corrected, Paul’s hope and desire is that it would augment their exemplary action - that as they know Christ more, they would be even better servants of him.
(PRAY THE TEXT OVER THE CONGREGATION. PRAY WHAT PAUL PRAYS.)
That the church sets an example by their faith in Jesus Christ.
and their love for the saints as a result of the eternal hope that is laid up for us in heaven. And imperishable hope. in Christ our living hope.
That the gospel would bear fruit and increase in the whole world.
That we might be filled with:
The knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Fully pleasing to God
That we would bear fruit and increase in the knowledge of God
That God would strengthen us.
That he would give us endurance, patience and joy.
That we would abound in thanksgiving.
Rejoice - that Jesus has brought us redemption, the forgiveness of sins. That those who have faith in Jesus are brought from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
