002 The beliefs of a Christian Colossians 1:1-2

002 The beliefs of a Christian

Intro: Some would Bible doctrine is boring.

But it is taught throughout the epistles and it is the foundation of what we believe.

Paul begins His letter to Colosse with doctrine. He heard that false teacher in the Church and was combating it with what we would call basic Bible doctrine.

At the time the church did not have the New Testament, all they had was the Apostles.

Verses 1-2 hold 4 major truths about the beliefs of a Christian.

I. The profession of a Believer 1:1 The will of God two things are important here

A. What Paul did was by the will of God. that is his work that he was doing was exactly what God wanted him to do.

This isn’t a message on how to know God’s will, the point is that what we should seek.

Doing God’s will was important to Paul and it should be important to us.

His desire was to please God and not himself

His desire was to live for Christ and not Himself.

a. There is only one profession for any believer: the work God wants him to do. God has put every believer upon earth for a specific task. If the believer chooses some profession or job other than the work God wants him to do, then he is out of the will of God. He is not fulfilling his purpose for being upon earth.

Hebrews 13:21 KJV 1900

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

for a specific task. If the believer chooses some profession or job other than the work God wants him to do, then he is out of the will of God. He is not fulfilling his purpose for being upon earth.

Heb.

B. The profession God chose for Paul was to be a Apostle

A meassneger for God

God chose it not Paul

Romans 1:1 KJV 1900

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

It was God’s meassage he was proclaiming not his own

His message was to glorify God and not himself

II. Second important truth a Christian has one essential relationship-brotherhood.

A. Paul mentions Timothy, a young disciple or student of his. Timothy had joined Paul to learn all he could about the ministry and to serve right along the side of Paul.

* The basic relationship between Timothy and Paul was that of being a brother.

* Even though Timothy was under his teachings he treated him as a equal.

Paul mentions Timothy, a young disciple or student of his. Timothy had joined Paul to learn all he could about the ministry and to serve right along the side of Paul. But note that the relationship mentioned by Paul was not that of a student or disciple. It was not even that of a fellow preacher, teacher, or administrator. It was that of being a brother in Christ. And note the word “our.” The basic relationship between Timothy and the believers at Colosse was that of being a brother. Note also that he calls the Colossians brothers (v. 2). This stresses a significant fact: there are many different relationships in life. There are relationships such as …

* Note also that he calls the Colossians brothers (v. 2). This stresses a significant fact: there are many different relationships in life. There are relationships such as …

• employer and employee • neighbor and neighbor

• neighbor and neighbor • teacher and student

• teacher and student • friend and friend

• teacher and student

• friend and friend

• worker and worker • merchant and customer

• merchant and customer

• preacher and church memeber

B. All the relationships of life are important and have their place in the welfare of society, but there is one relationship that is essential: that of brotherhood. A man does not walk as a lone figure upon this earth. He walks among people Brotherly relationships are essential. Paul knew this: he calls Timothy brother and the Colossians brothers (v. 2).

All the relationships of life are important and have their place in the welfare of society, but there is one relationship that is essential: that of brotherhood. A man does not walk as a solitary figure upon this earth. He walks among people

he calls Timothy brother and the Colossians brothers (v. 2). One of the most cherished abilities in all the world is knowing how to properly relate to people.

Brotherly relationships are essential. Paul knew this: wherever he

Even though Timothy was under his teachings he treated him as a equal.

C. An important truth for a believer is to walk as brothers to other believers.

Within the church there is not to be any sense of superiority

III. v. 1:2 Third important truth is the Christian life has two levels of spiritual maturity

A. Paul calls the Colosse Chruch saints

A saint is one that has believed upon the Lord Jesus

A saint means a holy person, one that is set apart from sin

The things men do, does not make a person a saint or holy in God’s eyes

It is only through the Lord Jesus that we can stand holy before God

Therefore when a person believes in the Lord Jesus, they become a saint

B. Paul addresses the Colosse Church as faithful believers

Those saints that are continuing on

a. They were loyal and steadfast in their allegiance and they held firm against the attacks of worldliness and false teaching.

b. They were not shaken by the temptations of the devil nor by the urges of the flesh. They were faithful against all foes.

C. The point is this once a person has become a saint, that is, set his life apart to follow Christ, he is to be faithful. And he is to grow in his faithfulness. In fact, the highest level of spiritual maturity is that of faithfulness.

A believer that falls away from following Christ is carnal in his walk with the Lord.

once a person has become a saint, that is, set his life apart to follow Christ, he is to be faithful. And he is to grow in his faithfulness. In fact, the highest level of spiritual maturity is that of faithfulness.

IV. Forth important truth about the beliefs of Christians is the Christian has two basic spiritual needs. grace and peace.

A person may think the only thing he needs in life is wealth, pleasure, fame and health, but those things are only physical and worldly, and if gained will still leave a person empty. ILL. Solomon

A. Grace means the favor of God showered upon men—men who did not deserve His favor.

Grace means the favor of God showered upon men—men who did not deserve His favor. When the early Christians looked at what God had done for men, they had to add a deeper and much richer meaning to the word grace.

We are sinners who had no strenght to help ourselves

We are sinners who were ungodly and had no desire to follow God

we are sinners standing gulity before God

we are enemies of God

v. But God showered His favor upon us and forgave us and restored a broken relationship

vi. It is not something we can earn by working for it it is free. Grace.

B. Peace means: freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility: a mental calm, freedom from or the cessation of war or violence:

1. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility: a mental calm, freedom from or the cessation of war or violence:

God give the believer a peace because he is no longer a enemy of God

• mental calm; serenity: the peace of mind this insurance gives you.

God gives the believer peace with the assurance that He is in control

2 freedom from or the cessation of war or violence:

God gives the believer peace with assurance that this world is not the end.

With God peace we can walk with joy and inner strenght and confidence in this world.