歌羅西書1章筆記

Background

1. Today we also live in this world of syncretism. There are JW, there are many rumours. There are buddism. Or should we mix it together? 一貫道？

2. Colossians syncretism… many theories, human traditions，rules, and practices, worship angels….

3. Paul deals with not what they should do or should not do. Paul deals with the position of Christ in their lives. He deals with the big question of who Christ is.

4. People drawn to these because they don’t know the supremity of Jesus. They don’t know the reality.

5. Ben Hur. The director does not put Jesus the main character in the film but he is the centre even though he does not appear much. He is in the background. Do we see the world as the director sees it?

6. Is Jesus one of the representations of God that shows up, like Mohamad for Isalm? Buda for buddism?

What did Paul say

1. Jesus is God – supremacy over all creation [first creation]

a. Jesus is the image of God – revealing the true nature of God. . 表明出來。 是本體嘅真像，榮耀所發嘅光輝。

b. Firstborn over all creation – not first created. But first born. First in rank and honor. 中國人長子嫡孫。.

c. All things are created through Jesus (visible and invisible) [agent for first creation] 藉他創造諸世界。

i. It seems there are some signs that the Colossians worship the angels （2：18）. Those Colossians who claim to have seen visions (2:18). Christ is above all this. All the ranks refering to Angels.

d. All things are created for Jesus, [purpose for first creation] 承受萬有。（hebrew 1:2）

i. the angels are for worshipping him.

ii. The creature are created so that they show his glory.

iii. Men are created to glorify God A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy him forever.[2] Westminister shorter catechism…

iv. One day all nations all things will give glory to him. (, Rev ).

e. “因為萬有都是本於他， 倚靠他，歸於他。 願榮耀歸給他，直到永遠。阿們！” (, RCUV)

f. Jesus is before everything (v17a)

2. In Jesus all things are held [have been held] together (v17b) – without him everything breaks down [put things together]

a. Christ is the one who sustains all creation.

b. Without him all things will disintegrate….

c. 以他的話語托住萬有。

d. Scientist within a molecule there is vast space between protons and electrons… just like our solar system…. he built in the law of gravity (he says so) so that things are held together…

3. Jesus is the head of the church – supremacy over the community of believers [new creation]

a. The church is created through Jesus – through his death on the cross [agent for new creation]

b. The church is created for Jesus – to reconcile to God; to make peace through the blood of his cross, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Implications

1. In Christ everything were held together. He sustains things. Left to itself, there will be chaos… but there is order in creation. If it is not through him, He use his death on the cross to reconcile all things to himself.

2. This reconciliation including ourselves. Through his sacrifice on the cross, we become acceptable to God.

3. Christ reconcile us to God through his death and created a community of people

4. The church holds a crucial position in the redemption plan of God for the creation (he identified the head of the church as the one who is also supreme over all creation).

5. The church has a mediating role through which one can approach God. (Since Christ is the head of the church)

6. What we need to do as a church is to stay faithful in our faith and do not move by other theories.

Application

1. We should not leave our hope. We do not need other. We have Christ. Our hope is certain. Difference from hope and wish. It is not a wish. It is a hope that is given by God. We should not doubt it. If we have this hope that all creations would be reconciled and restored. We should live accordingly. This is Paul’s way of addressing the problem of Colossians. We should stay in hope so that we live in the reality! We should live a life that is worthy of the Lord. This does not mean we wont suffer, but we endure through the strengthening of God, we also live a life full of joy and thanksgiving.

2. This gospel is to be preached to all the creation in the world. We as his body has this role to share the gospel to people. We are to bear fruits together. What can you do in the church to help sharing the gospel? You can ask people to come to Alpha course. You can