Sermon Tone Analysis

*Scripture Reading:  Colossians 3:1-4*

* *

*Text: Colossians 1:1-8*

* *

*Introduction:*  Years ago Lisa and I were driving to my parents cabin and had taken a road that I have never been down before.

The road had several places that just dropped off, hundreds of feet to the bottom.

The road turned and twisted its way along the side of the canyon.

The road could end at a cliff with a 500 foot drop off.

I didn’t know the people who had built the road.

However, we all know enough about how roads are built to have confidence in the road.

Likewise, I sometimes eat at a restaurant I have never been to before.

I trust that the food is all right because I have confidence in the inspection and preparation procedures.

We trust that highways and restaurants are safe based on the evidence.

And that is precisely the case with our faith in God.

It is supported by convincing evidence, both from Scripture and from the testimony of those Christians who have gone before.

Biblical faith is not a “leap in the dark.”

It is based on fact and grounded in evidence.

* *

*Central Idea:  Paul’s letter to the Colossians provides a powerful foundation for our faith today.

*

* *

Main Transition:  We begin a new series this morning as we continue to answer the call we received last week to consider it a privilege to serve our Lord.

The entire book of Colossians reveals to us exactly why it is such an honor that we get to serve the Lord.

The church in Colossae was similar to us in many ways and the influence on them were very much the same as well.

So Paul, urges them to remain firm in their faith.

So much of the book addresses pragmatism, which asks the question does it work?

Instead of asking is it true?

This is why we must study this book.

So we begin with the author and recipients of Colossians, we then explore some of the aspects of the new faith of the Colossians and finally we see the continuing work of the Gospel.

* *

*I.

The author and recipients of Colossians (1:1-2)*

* *

A.     Paul’s intent to those in Colossae

 

1.

Paul is the author of this book, this is somewhat debated in modern times but never was in the early church.

The book of Philemon is never debated and it is written in the same manner as this book.

2.

Paul has three areas of importance that he seeks to give to the church at Colossae

 

a.

First, he has some personal information that he will share, most of this we will study today.

b.

Then, he dives into some doctrinal issues, especially concerning Christ, this begins in verse 15 of chapter 1, where He says…

 

c.

Finally, Paul relates this for practical use in the last two chapters of the book beginning with these words from 3:1

 

B.

The readers of the letter

 

1.

This church is one of the few early churches that didn’t see Paul 2:1

 

2.

The church began because of the Gospel shared in Ephesus and then transported to Colossae by Epaphras 1:7 as he shared his new faith with his home town.

3.

The population of Colossae was predominately Gentile, but there was a sizable population of Jews living there, these two groups combined together caused a problem in the church that ascribed to Jewish tradition and Pagan deities

 

C.

The struggles of the Colossian Church

 

1.

It is into this mix that the church began its development.

2.

The church had managed to stay out of the mess, but the heresy was so great that Epaphras traveled 1000 miles to visit Paul in Prison, who then warned the church against the dangers of the heresy.

3.

The members of the church surely felt the pull to return to the old lifestyle, so Paul writes in 1:23 and in 2:6 and in 3:2 each time reminding them of what they believe and what they need to do about it.

* *

Transition:  This is exactly where we are at.

The world today has its many idols, they are appealing and for a short time enjoyable, yet their way leads to separation from God.  Then there are the religious traditions where the religious of the world say you must do these to be saved.

The sad reality is that their way also leads to separation from God.

So you and I are not that different than these Colossians, and we must be firm in what we believe, and then commit that to practical use.

* *

*II.

The new faith of the Colossians (1:3-5)*

* *

*            *A.

Paul praises the Lord for the church (3)

 

                        1.

Paul begins most of his letters with this greeting,

 

a.

So many times it seems as if Paul were constantly in prayer for every church that he knew about.

b.

However, if we understand this a little better Paul’s prayer life was consistent and He always praised the Lord, giving thanks to God, as he was doing so he would be mindful of the churches and pray for them as well.

c.

So we would understand this to say, We always give thanks to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying also for you.

2.

Paul was most assuredly a man of prayer, and the most important aspect He prayed for was thanksgiving to God and for His Son which has provided us with Salvation.

a.

Paul’s prayer life was founded on his faith and Salvation.

Paul never accepts credit for the growth of church

 

b.

The heart of a true servant of God is humble to the point of continually praising God.

B.

The active faith of the saints in Colossae (4)

 

                        1.

Paul gives thanks to the Lord for the faith of the Colossians.

a.

there are some distinctive characteristics about their faith, first it is placed where it should be, in Christ

 

b.

Second it is active, Genuine faith does not live in a vacuum, it will inevitably lead to a changed life

 

c.

Which is the love, this is one of the strongest and most visible evidence of saving faith.

2.

Paul showcases the aspect of love for the rest of us, revealing that this is foundational to the Christian, but also that it is the practical side of our faith, as he is about to address the pragmatics in Colossae and in our culture we realize that we must be seen by our love.

a.

Our faith is the only one that has lasting results, yet so often we a sucking into the worlds view of selfishness and selfish ambition.

b.

So being from a practical world, does your faith reveal itself by love?

Are you willing to show compassion?

This is Biblical faith, that we show it each one, especially to other saints.

This is often the hardest group to show love to.

C.

The Colossians new hope (5)

 

1.

This new hope we are already well aware of, because we have spent the last few weeks discussing it, it is heaven

 

2.

The practical, pragmatic faith of the biblical believer gives hope, not in the sense that we hope this will happen, but rather in the truth that this will indeed happen and we can find rest assured of it.

3.

All of this comes from the hearing of and the responding to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

* *

Transition:  Before Paul even dives into the problems facing this church he has already established that our faith is an active, living faith that truly works.

Paul’s example of prayer ought to drive us to our knees.

Here is a man that had reason to boast, yet he refuses, spending time rather on his knees thanking the Lord that he has the privilege of being His servant.

May we each have a heart like Paul, and an active living faith like the Colossians.

* *

*III.

The continuing work of the Gospel (1:6-8)*

* *

*            *A.

The lasting power of the Gospel (6)

 

1.

Paul’s words of encouragement and strength to the church includes a powerful statement about the power of the Gospel.

a.

As Paul looks over the years of ministry and the effect that the Gospel has had He concludes that it constantly is working.