I.     Colossians 1:1-2

A.  Verse 2. Saints and Faithful Brethren

1.    Within the church there are always two groups of believers. There were always be those that are carnal and there will be the faithful followers of the Lord.

a)   I'm not sure if Paul meant to distinguish the 2 in this verse or not, however the truth does still remain.

2.    When a person 1st comes to Christ they have just begun a journey with Him. If the person continues in their journey it will bring them to a much higher level of spiritual growth.

a)   Those that are faithful and loyal to him are the ones who continue to walk in victory. But there needs to be continual growth, growth in faithfulness growth in the Word growth in obedience to Christ growth in your relationship with Him, even growth in service

(1)  Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

(2)  Starting in Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus says that the man that hears the sayings of mine and does them is like the man that built his house upon the rock.

(a)   His house stood no matter what the test, trial, tribulation was.

(3)  The man that wouldn't obey the Word of God had a great fall and it was disastrous. (cf. Matthew 12:50, John 14:21, John 14:23, John 15:10,14).

3.    Paul continues in verse 2 by saying Grace be unto you, and Peace.

a)   This is a familiar greeting from Paul. However, in referring to the grace of God, if we're alive it's for the grace of God.

(1)  I like the way Peter puts it in 1 Peter 1:2, "Grace unto you and peace, be multiplied." We can grow in the grace of God.”

(2)  Turned to 2 Peter 3:16.

(3)  Look at Phil 4:13. If you possess the grace and peace of God you possess the inner strength and confidence that you need to be, that overcome her in this life. It will be a walk of joy and victory regardless of your circumstances.

B.  Colossians 1:3-8 The giving of thanks, Thanksgiving.

1.    Look at Ephesians 1:15-16.

a)   I just wanted you to see the similarity between the two books. And also that these two churches may have been the most spiritually mature churches at that time. Paul mentions he never ceases to pray for them.

b)  It's important to pray for the baby Christians, but as they grow it's important to continue to pray for them. Paul said in (Galatians 4:19), "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you."

c)   Paul says in Ephesians 6:18, "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

2.    Verse 4 (read)

a)   In this verse he brings out the believers faith and love.

b)  This is really the basic foundational qualities for every true Christian.

(1)  Turned to 1 John 3:23.

c)   Faith is one of the most important and essential truths for the Christian.

(1)  It's no wonder that Satan wants to come against the teachings on faith. The more people stay true to the Word of God the more they are seeing the importance of faith.

(2)  People cannot even be saved without faith. Ephesians 2:8-9

d)  Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it's through faith and patience that we'll inherit the promises of God.

e)   I just wanted to see something that Paul says in verse 4 and that is the phrase "Faith in Christ Jesus."

(1)  Our faith must be in Him.

3.    The second great foundational truth is found in love.

a)   The Word of God continuously tells us that we are to walk in love. Jesus told us in John 13:34-35 that we are to love one another (his commandment).

(1)  We are even told to love our enemies.

(2)  Look at Matthew 22:36-40.

(3)  Now Jesus said if you love me you we keep my commandments.

4.    If we have faith in the Lord and truly walking in God's love then there is no room within the church or among believers for division, cliques, grumbling, envy, criticism, arguments, strife, or hard feelings.

C.  Colossians 1:5

1.    In this verse we talk about hope, the believers hope.

a)   This is why we have surrendered our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in love towards one another.

b)  This is the hope of some great promise--- the hope of some great reward.

2.    This hope he says in verse 5 is "laid up for you in heaven."

3.    What is this hope?

a)   It is the hope of being raised from the dead and been given a new and perfect and glorious body, a body just like Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Phil. 3:20-21.

b)  It is the hope of the Lord's return and of being with the Lord himself forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

c)   It is the hope of entering the veil of heaven and of living there forever. Hebrews 6:18-20.

d)  It is the glorious inheritance we are to receive from God as sons and daughters of His. Romans 8:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:8.

WOLCC Thursday, January 23, 2003