Letter to Colossae

Letter to Colossae

Let Someone Else do the Work

Intro: Do you think you have the good enough taste buds to be an Ice cream taster? How about a dog food tester/taster? Is your hearing exceptional enough to be a Parmesan cheese listener? Or maybe you have a way with words, you can become a professional apologizer, to calm down angry customers on the phone.

How do you get qualified for a Job? Is it school, experience, luck, knowing the right person? Athletic ability?

How confident would you feel about your doctor if he said he became a doctor because someone walked by and said you are now qualified to be a doctor. You’d think he was crazy right and probably leave his office.

So how do we know we are qualified for a job or that our doctor or plumber is qualified to do the job we are paying them for?

Paul is reassuring the Colossians that they are indeed qualified to be Christians. And it is not because of what they have done or are owing, but because of who Christ is and His work on the cross.

Read Verses: 1:11-23

Main Point: God Has already done all the work to bring you to Him and give you a new life in Him.

I. God Qualifies You through Christ (1:12)

Because of its Location and multicultural background of Rome and Greece empires allowed the people they took over to keep their religions there were multiple gods or goddesses and beliefs , the region had numerous gods they worshipped. Add in the Jewish population that settle in the area and you have a hodgepodge of Jewish and pagan religions and festivals and belief systems.

From the report of Epahpras who may have been the pastor or at least some ind of missionary in the Lycus Valley region that holds Colossae and Laodicea,

Paul is writing to the church, because he has never visited the church in Colossae at this time in order to have Christ Rise above all the noise of the culture. But he had not been able to visit Colossae. Paul is battling the culture of how the people grew up and also as usual, he has to refute the Judaizers that were telling half truths or trying to glue the Jewish Law onto God’s grace.

But in Paul’s prayer for the Colossians, he says something in chapter one, verse 12 that sets up the rest of the letter. “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

Looking for a job is stressful. You have to figure out wat you are qualified for. Do i have the hearing to be a cheese listener? Or do my taste buds work so well that i can pick up on the subtle flavors for ice real or wine or dog food?

But see in verse 12, Paul explains as Christians we should be thankful because God has qualified us to this life.

For us, we are qualified by having a good credit score or or some kind of education which for me can be either school or experience. In our world a lot of times we meet criteria so we essentially qualify ourselves. The bank or employer says yes you meet the requirements.

But with God, And the idea that Paul is saying here in the original language is that God makes us sufficient to be in His presence . He performs the action on us and for us.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”--------2 Cor. 3:5-6 the word for Adequacy is the same we translated as qualified in Col 1:12.

In Col 1:12, the verb for qualify is used in connection with the concept of inheritance, a connection for which there is no parallel in the LXX. The translation “qualify” comes close to the sense of the Greek word, since it is used in a legal comparison.

So this is a done deal. God already achieved this status for us. He has qualified us to partake or be a part of the inheritance of God’s promises and more importantly God’s covenant. There are not two covenants; one for us, one for Israel. It is for all of His people. The group of which we are now a part of, no matter how much people, during the first century or now, want to say otherwise. Paul is very clear in almost all of his letters we are now one people.

So we bring hope to the people who are on the outside, that God brings them to the inside.

Imagine this news to the Colossians ears. How does that sound to us. they we’re getting news that seems they had to keep doing things to earn Christ’s gift. That’s not Grace. That’s quid pro quo. And that Not how God works. That hives me hope because I don’t have to keep trying to earn my way into God’s Grace. I don’t have to keep following the law to be perfect.

In Colossians 2:18, Paul tells the Colossians do not let people disqualify them with false teachings to either completely falsify the true God or try to combine Christianity with other religions or strange beliefs. Don’t let people talk you out of what you believe. You Have learned the truth.

In verse 13 Paul explains Jesus has delivered us from darkness and transferred us to the light and the kingdom. Just like In the prologue John 1:4-5 light and darkness are conceived as opposing principles (1:4–5) with darkness in John illustrating the negative aspects such as the realm of Satan, error, evil, doubt, and unbelief.’ So we see these parallels between Paul and John’s teachings.

There is no need to have the wind blow you over because you should be firmly rooted in Christ

II. God Roots You in Christ (2:7)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. - Colossians 2:6-7

What do we have to be rooted in? Well that is where chapter 1 verses 15-23 come into play.

We are rooted in what Christ did and more importantly who He is. He is not just a good teacher or a martyr who died for his movement or His Philosophy.

Look at what he does. and we have freedom and redemption.

The images of the Exodus and the deliverance of Jews from Egypt can be heard in the language. The Jews would have keyed in on this.

“Redemption, deliverance of the exiles, their departure from Babylon and return into the homeland, accompanied by Yahweh himself, this theme has eschatological overtones in Isaiah, and it promises that the time will come for a conclusive, worldwide revelation of the glory of Yahweh. According to Col 1:14, this proclamation has been fulfilled, because the redemption has occurred”. Put simply Jesus fulfilled the Prophecy, especially the one in Isaiah.

Paul explains both to the Jews who are in The church and the gentiles as well because both groups have different to ideas on who Jesus is. He is the first born. So this statement is used to give him the equivalent status so we can understand. It is not saying that Jesus was created or born in a way that we understand how the world works. Jesus always was and is. There is never a time when the son isn’t.

The firstborn word is used to give him the status. So people understand his place. The term first-born” designates a position of preference or predominance. The concept then carries the meaning of “chosen” or “beloved.” Firstborns got more of the inheritance. It is all about birthright.

Birthright—(1.) This word denotes the special privileges and advantages belonging to the first-born son among the Jews. He became the priest of the family. Thus Reuben was the first-born of the patriarchs, and so the priesthood of the tribes belonged to him. That honour was, however, transferred by God from Reuben to Levi (Num. 3:12, 13; 8:18).

(2.) The first-born son had allotted to him also a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:15–17). Reuben was, because of his undutiful conduct, deprived of his birth-right (Gen. 49:4; 1 Chr. 5:1). Esau transferred his birth-right to Jacob (Gen. 25:33).

(3.) The first-born inherited the judicial authority of his father, whatever it might be (2 Chr. 21:3). By divine appointment, however, David excluded Adonijah in favour of Solomon.

(4.) The Jews attached a sacred importance to the rank of “first-born” and “first-begotten” as applied to the Messiah (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18; Heb. 1:4–6). As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest.

Paul is saying that Jesus hold the premier place of power and Jesus was fully God and fully man in verse 19. And Jesus Made all things. He is the rightful ruler of the world, and everyone and everything in it. Including the Colossians.

And he is the one who reconciled us, the elect, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach for God.

If we are looking at the employment aspect, God owns the company, and he called you, gave you a new job, and told you to be here tomorrow morning at 9AM sharp to start. At 850 Monday Morning, God meets you in the parking lot and walks you into the building and to your office. office to sit down and start your work.

Jesus went tot he Cross, and he died and rose again.

You are raised with Christ in your new life. And so your new life begins when you die to yourself and are raised with Jesus.

III. God Raises You With Christ (3:1)

If you have an awesome new job, why would you want to go back to the old one.

Listen to what Paul says in 3:1-5.” If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.”

John Owens said kill sin or it be killing you.

But Paul gives us the good news. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ. You are born again in spirit. But yet, here you are alive. This is what Jesus and Nicodemus was talking about in John 3. And Nicodemus could not grasp the concept. But Jesus was explaining the concept of being renewed by the Holy Spirit. You are resurrected. You have been raised with Christ. So don’t think about the worldly things. But think about all of the things in your new job.

Think Godly things. Look at life truth God’s Perspective. Each Job has a company standard, a dress code, rules, expectations. When I joined the Air Force I didn’t wear civilian clothes outside for like four months. You could only wear your uniform.

You get immersed in the Air Force. And God is the same way. Paul wants us to Realize that as we grow up in our new life

In this new life there are different things to do than the society of Paul’s day. Now we talked about this last week but it is worth bringing up again. Christianity greatly impacted our western society and much of the world in how people think they should treat each other and everything else. But the world has cut itself off of from the root for making the new life possible. and they only see and give merit to the actions described In 3:11-4:6

And what happens when you cut the root off the tree or plant? the plant or tree will die. And that seems to explain what is going on in our world.

But you see, even with everything going on today, the church was the first one call for inclusion and diversity. This is not a Western Idea, it’s is God’s Idea, because we are all God’s people.

There are new people who are all the same even though they are different. And we are all made in God’s image. This is the same message that Paul gave Philemon ; its just to a larger audience.

You are all chosen, or qualified.

We act differently. We now have compassion, kindness, humility, and patience. Showing your wife love and your husband respect. There is no, “I will show you love if you show me respect.” To properly act in a Christlike manner, It is I will show you love regardless how you treat me.

Chapters three and four are the expectations of Right living that Paul explains after we have the right belief of Who Jesus is and what he did for His people.

What do we do with this information though.

Application:

1. Focus on your new life with Christ.

You are a new creation In Christ. Act accordingly. John quotes Jesus saying “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” So ho do you love your spouse? Your kids, your neighbor and the stranger.

Rosario Butterfield who is a Christian author and former unbeliever says “And here is the edge: Christians are called to live in the world but not live like the world. Christians are called to dine with sinners but not sin with sinners. But either way, when Christians throw their lot in with Jesus, we lose the rights to protect our own reputation.”

2. Focus on Christ, who made the New Life Possible

We talked about this a little last week, but it is worth always returning to. It is God who makes your life possible. The Father sent the Son, the Son obediently provided the sacrifice to reconcile the world and the Holy Spirit worked to convict you of your sins and that you are saved. The Triune God all fulfilling their distinct roles because they are distinct people. Three in One.

Puritan Richard Sibbes says there is more height and depth and breadth, there are greater dimensions in love and mercy in Christ, than there are in our sin and miseries. And all of this is gloriously revealed in the Gospel. Ad the gospel is what we need to focus on.

3. Focus on the True Biblical Jesus.

Paul says Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. That means you have to know the words. And Paul loves the church enough to want to help them and warn them against false religion, half truths and when people want to slide in the favor it parts of their old religion.

People always want to bring their problems with them. Because all of a sudden, they forget why they left their old job and they want to make the new job a lot like their old job.

Conclusion

We Are Qualified by God. We are rooted and planted in the foundation of Christ’s work, so that no one can move us because he is eternal and in Him and your belief in Him, we have a new life

Paul cares enough about the church, even though he never met them, that they know the truth and also live the truth.

We share in this incredible gift with others, from the past that heard this letter for the first time and to the future as long as it goes on, serving the risen Lord and creator of all things.

So even if we do not do a great job at our new job and new life, we are forgiven. This dozens mean we get to slack off, but it means that we do not need to be so hard on ourselves. We are perfect in our father’s eyes.