Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians “Praise & Prayer”

Today we begin a new journey through a new book of God’s word. Let me be clear that we should preach God’s word in expository form the majority of the time.

So what is expository preaching & why do we need preaching this way?

John MacArthur: The message is extracted from Scripture through careful exegesis. The message preparation correctly interprets Scripture in its normal sense and its context. The message clearly explains the original God-intended meaning of Scripture. The message applies the Scriptural meaning for today. (Preaching)

Bryan Chappell: The main idea of an expository sermon the topic, the divisions of that idea, main points, and the development of those divisions, all come from truths the text itself contains. No significant portions of the text is ignored. In other words, expositors willingly stay within the boundaries of the text and do not leave until they have surveyed its entirety with its hearers. (Christ-Centered Preaching)

John Stott: Exposition refers to the content of the sermon (biblical truth) rather than its style (a running commentary). To expound Scripture is to bring out of the text what is there and expose it to view. The expositor opens what appears to be closed, makes plain what is obscure, unravels what is knotted, and unfolds what is tightly packed. (Between Two Worlds)

Alistair Begg: Unfolding the text of Scripture in such a way that makes contact with the listeners world while exalting Christ and confronting them with the need for action. (Preaching for God’s Glory)

Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire and that the chief end of preaching is to give men and women a sense of God and his presence. (Preaching and Preachers)

Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire and that the chief end of preaching is to give men and women a sense of God and his presence. (Preaching and Preachers)

David Helm: Expositional preaching is empowered preaching that rightfully submits the shape and emphasis of the sermon to the shape and emphasis of a biblical text. (Expositional Preaching)

Over the summer we will seek to preach in this way… which means...

We won’t skip any main points from the passages He has before us...

we will become well acquainted with Colossians over the next several months

(side note) we will have a few breaks in between, but let us know what God has said to the Colossians and to us today here at His church that meets in the Renfrew community when we are through!

Background/Intro for Colossians:

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae

His purpose in writing this letter was 4 major things:

To Strengthen the church against false teachers who might try to impose strict rules about eating and drinking and religious festivals.

He was concerned with them Reverting back to the old ways/ Human traditions and Philosophies

Huge concern was the Heresy of Gnosticism= two main thoughts from Gnostic belief...

The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians The Gnostic Heresy

God was not the creator of the world. He put out a series of emanations, each of which was a little more distant from God, until at the end of the series there was an emanation so distant that it could handle matter; and it was this emanation which created the world. The Gnostics went further. Since each emanation was more distant from God, it was also more ignorant of him. As the series went on, that ignorance turned to hostility. So the emanations most distant from God were both ignorant of him and hostile to him.

The spirit alone was good and the matter was evil

Therefore Jesus was a lesser version of God...

They also believe that matter is eternal

These beliefs spring into many problems for the early church…such as....

The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians The Gnostic Heresy

God was not the creator of the world. He put out a series of emanations, each of which was a little more distant from God, until at the end of the series there was an emanation so distant that it could handle matter; and it was this emanation which created the world. The Gnostics went further. Since each emanation was more distant from God, it was also more ignorant of him. As the series went on, that ignorance turned to hostility. So the emanations most distant from God were both ignorant of him and hostile to him.

Paul also covers...

the superiority of Christ over all human philosophies and traditions.

He writes of Christ’s deity (“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” [1:15]) and of the reconciliation he accomplished with his blood. He explains that the right way of living in this world is to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things. God’s chosen people must leave their sinful lives behind and live in a godly way, looking to Christ as the head of the church (1:18). Paul wrote while in prison, probably about the same time as he wrote to the Ephesians.

He writes of Christ’s deity and of the reconciliation he accomplished with his blood.

He explains that the right way of living in this world is to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things.

These are the main themes we will be talking about as we go through this wonderful book of Colossians...

(also noted) Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably about the same time as he wrote to the book of Ephesians…and Colossians is a sister book of Philemon

Turn with us to ....

Prelude: (read verses 1-2)

(read verses 1-2) Paul had never personally been to Colosse and he wanted Paul begins, as normal and introduces himself and then identifies his role as an apostle of Jesus Christ… Paul also makes it known that God has called him to be an apostle/ it was His will alone that made Him an apostle…(an apostle is…)

Paul had never personally been to Colosse

and he wanted the church there to know his great love and concern for them

Paul begins, as normal and introduces himself

and then identifies his role as an apostle of Jesus Christ…

Paul makes it known by what authority that he writes this letter to the church...God has called him to be an apostle/ it was His will alone that made Him an apostle…(an apostle is…)

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Apostle, Apostleship

apostolos (ἀπόστολος, 652) is, lit., “one sent forth”

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Apostle, Apostleship

apostolos

NOW THAT THE BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTIONS ARE OVER

Today we will focus on verses (3-14)…

please make sure you have the AM notes... as there is a ton of helpful study notes for this week in there for this text today...AS time will not allow us to deal with it all here...

Please Stand with me in honor of the reading of God’s word as we turn to ...

Colossians 1:3–14 ESV

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, 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, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 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; 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. 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.

Prayer (Have someone pray over service and message)

Our 2 main themes today are Praise & Prayer

So let’s begin with the Pauls Praise…beginning in verses 3-4

v3 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,”

(Again)- Paul had never been to Colosse

But Paul loved them and felt connected to these followers of Christ...

There should be a connection with other believers & others in need...

Paul’s connection was through Epaphras, a man who had been changed by the gospel in the Ephesian church and had become the pastor in Colosse...

Epaphras had brought news to Paul of trouble with in the sister church of Colosse and Paul’s heart was with them and he began to get involved immediately by letter and instruction...

But Paul recognized What God had already done in them

He recognized the power of the Gospel being spread further and further in the world…as evidenced by Epaphras himself

Paul understood that The Gospel/ Biblical instruction was the same tool that would be used to correct false doctrine in the church

How many times do we see christians & even churches turning to something other than the word of God to solve problems… (programs/worldly philosophy/tradition/psychology)

How many times do we hesitate to give biblical hope and even biblical correction to other believers?

You see Paul knew his duty as a minister of the Gospel… (in which every believer is a minister of the Gospel)

But he goes on ...

v4 “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

“Faith” comes from above (Paul was praising God for the faith of the Colossians)

If God does not give faith- people perish

So Praise to God who through Grace extended and extends today- Faith! (Same as today)

God’s means of Faith is His Word ()

The word could not be neglected nor took for granted in the Colossians church...

“He [Jesus] is the living environment within which their faith is exercised...as men and women who are ‘in Christ’” (F.F. Bruce, 1984, pg. 41).

Faith that is connected to our new identity in Christ… & brings a new norm of faithful actions (2 Cor. 5:17)

Paul is thankful & praising God for the Faith of the Colossians & their Identity in Christ...

Yes, faith is an identification with Jesus when in us-comes out through us...

This Faith moves mountains Church

This faith is anchored in a Savior

who is not a created being

or a lowerated/emanation god of some kind (as the Gnostic faith would have it taught)

But Faith in Christ has a connectedness to The Love for all the the saint…

=when Love is in us Love will come out of us)

=When Faithful Love is in us... Faithful Love will come out of us...

so connecting these verses together...

v4 “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

=How many times do we not get involved with other believers if they are not part of this immediate family?

=How many times do we hesitate to give biblical hope and even biblical correction to other believers?

=Again Paul heard of this love for one another & He displayed his love by reaching out to them...

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,”

He anchors their love for one another in the hope they have laid up...

V5 “The Hope laid up for you in heaven ‘cannot well be anything other than Christ Himself’…” (Bruce, 1984, 41).

He is Love

& He is our eternal Hope

Our Hope that is in Heaven & in His people through the person Holy Spirit

6 “which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,”

English Standard Version Chapter 1

6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

Paul is praising God that His word is not returning void in the church of Colosse

Paul is praising God that His word is spreading and going forward into new areas… from Ephesus to Colosse to __________>

His word was growing in the individual members of the Body… (Do we see individual growth in men and women here)

we should be praising God for the work of His word as Paul was doing...

When we shift to Pauls 2nd main theme of v1-14… Prayer we see a very pointed prayer...

Paul was praying for...

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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,

Colossians 1:9 ESV

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,

It is only through the Spirit of God that we understand

the word of God

therefore the will of God

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

romasn 12:2

Paul was praying for...

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Introduction (1:1–14)

He prayed for spiritual insight, genuine obedience, and moral excellence. The prayer went right to the heart of the false teaching invading the church.

Holman Concise Bible Commentary Introduction (1:1–14)

The false teachers promised a special insight and a superior spirituality.

We don’t need a man, a priest, or a pastor…or even someone who deems themselves spiritual to pray for us if we are In Christ/Know Him personally...

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Colossians 1:10 ESV

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;

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;”

There was no growth… no Spiritual understand apart from the breath of God= Through the Spirit of God

You cannot be Spiritual apart from the genuine move of God’s word in your heart...

=Don’t be fooled today if you are in the word, you are not growing in knowledge and understanding

A Promise

=but if you are in the word you will know His will

=If you are filled with the right knowledge of His true word... you will bear fruit

we have to guard our heart to only take counsel from His word...

We have to guard our heart to only take counsel from others who rightly divide His word...

=The divine seed of the Spirit placed in our hearts cannot help but produce fruit (Godly character/witness/fruit of the spirit)

=Is the seed in you?

=Are you watering the seed of the gospel in your heart with His word?

Colossians 1:11 ESV

11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

Colossians 1:11–13 ESV

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. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Colossians 1:11–12 ESV

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 prayed for God’s ...

Power (That was imparted to believers when Jesus arose from the grave)

His power will stand against the Trials & the Enemies that come against us…which this church had

Endurance & Patience

Joy

to be evident in them

-Roman Stoic Philosophy of the day believed and taught self sufficiency … but for a true child of God they know...

They (a Child of God) can do nothing apart from Christ- we are called to be self sacrificing...

(Slide)

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

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.

v 13 Christ has delivered us from the “domain of darkness”-

“Domain”= exousia (ἐξουσία, 1849) denotes “authority” (from the impersonal verb exesti, “it is lawful”). From the meaning of “leave or permission,” or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of “the ability or strength with which one is endued,” then to that of the “power of authority,” the right to exercise power,

“Transferred”  μεθίστημι (methistēmi), μεθιστάνω (methistanō), μεθίσταμαι (methistamai): vb.; ≡ Str 3179—1. LN 15.9 cause to move from one place to another (; ; +); 2. LN 13.64 cause change, implying loss

In closing today:

We have a lot to be thankful & praising God for…(v13-14)

Have you stopped lately to thank Him for the blessing of His Spirit in You?

Do you have evidence of the Spirit in you?

Your Hope is in Christ alone…Heaven is about Him…Do you have Hope in your heart today?

Today is the day of salvation… Now is the appropriate time to repent & surrender to the Spirit.