Colossians 1:1-8 - Love for the Fellowship

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Introduction:
What are some reasons that we might write a letter?
A letter of greeting and introduction?
A letter of encouragement?
A letter of thanks?
A letter of joy?
Maybe even a letter of rebuke and warning?
Today we are going to start studying through a letter that Paul wrote to a church that, by all of our understanding, he didn’t even get to visit. This letter was written for all of the above reasons we just mentioned! This letter is written to a church that he has gotten news about by a beloved brother and minister and church planter named Epaphras. After receiving news from this beloved brother, he writes this letter as an encouragement and admonishment to this new and growing church. Let’s jump right in to Colossians 1:1-8.
Colossians 1:1–8 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 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.
Let us pray.
Prayer
Although this letter will go into many of the heresies that were present in this early church, today we will see Paul’s greeting and prayers of thanksgiving for this new church. And through his warm greeting and prayer for this church we are given three ways that Paul teaches us that we can love and serve serve the church fellowship. The first is:

I. As Christ Followers, We Should Love and Serve the Church Fellowship With… Thankful Hearts (1-3)

Colossians 1:1–3 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Obviously we see that this letter is written by Paul with the help of Timothy. It should be noted that Paul is most certainly the letter writer and that Timothy is being mentioned here because of his closeness to Paul and possibly because of some help scribing for Paul. We see this because much of this letter is written in first person singular after this first section ,
Paul calls himself an apostle - he is one who is sent out - a messenger. He is also a special one who is sent out. He is a ‘big A’ Apostle that was chosen by Jesus Christ personally as a witness of His resurrected state (You can read more about Paul’s conversion as Jesus appears to him on the road to Damascus in Acts 9:1-19).
We, today are little ‘a’ apostles. We are ones who are sent out to tell the good news of the Gospel. However, we have not been given the same abilities and privileges as these initial Big ‘A’ Apostles who were sent out to start the church.
He writes this by the will of God and he is an Apostle by the will of God.
How important is this to know. Paul isn’t writing this letter to prove his own points but instead, he is writing according to the will of God.
2 Peter 1:20–21 ESV
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Words we read in this letter are the words of God Himself! As we approach the teachings in this letter remember that fact.
Colossians 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Next we are introduced to Timothy. Timothy is a wonderful example of someone who is being mentored and discipled by Paul. We talk about mentoring and discipleship a lot here at CrossPointe. This is because it is the best way to grow. When you do life with people by engaging in active discipleship it helps you grow closer to the Lord and equips you to continue discipling others. Timothy is called brother here meaning that he is a fellow believer in Christ. We, as believers, are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
Colossians 1:2 ESV
2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
In verse 2 we are told who this letter is addressed to. We have just seen who it is from and now we get the greeting to the church in Colossae. Saints and faithful brothers. The word saint here is the Greek word hagios (ha-ee-ose) - and means holy one or sacred or even sanctuary. It means that to be set apart as believers.
Who were these set apart believers in Colossae and where were they located?
Colossae was one of three cities within sight of one another - the other two being Hierapolis and Laodicea. Colossae was the furthermost away from those two being around 12 miles away while only 6 miles separated the other two. Colossae was also notably the smallest and least important of the three.
It was actually a prominent city in the fifth century BC and was known for black wools and dyes. Yet the main road was diverted from Colossae to Laodicea which made Colossae fairly irrelevant in Paul’s day.
This city wasn’t the most renowned city as we can see. As my friend, Pastor Josh Bailey put it, it was a little like where live in West Virginia. We have many rural towns and even our cities don’t usually meet the criteria to be considered a city! Frankly, we can even relate to the diversion of roads because we see that many out of state motorists try to avoid our mountainous and difficult to navigate interstates if at all possible!
I love that Paul writes a letter to this rural church. It shows that God cares about the Church universally. He isn’t just concerned about the big and populous areas. He is concerned about a humble church plant in Teays Valley, WV called CrossPointe. He is concerned about the church down the street and He is concerned about churches in even more rural areas. God is concerned and loves all believers, no matter what continent, country, or city they are in.
Colossians 1:3 ESV
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Many versions put the word always before the phrase ‘praying for you’ instead of with the phrase ‘we thank God.’ The ESV is more accurate to put the word always before the phrase ‘thank God’ instead. We do not always pray for someone - especially someone we have never met like Paul and the church in Colossae. Yet we should always be thanking God for what we have been given and thanking God for other believers. We should be giving thanks in all circumstances: 1 Thess 5:16-18
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Colossians 1:3 ESV
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
Paul is going to be hitting Christology - the study of Christ - in great detail in this letter - especially these first two chapters. He goes right into it in verse 3 with showing that God is the Father of our Lord Christ Jesus.
He is clear which God is he talking about. He isn’t talking about any esoteric God. He is talking about the Father of Jesus Christ.
I want us to focus in on Paul here for a moment.
It is important to realize that the book of Colossians is one of the “Prison Epistles.” Meaning that it is one of the letters that he wrote while he was in prison. If you were with us as we went through the book of Philippians we discussed the fact that Paul had three different imprisonments:
Paul’s Imprisonments
Caeserea (AD 58-61)
Rome (AD 61-63) - During this imprisonment he likely wrote Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians. (See Acts 28:16-31)
Rome (AD 65-67)
As we can see here, this letter was written along with Philippians among other others.
Note Paul’s thankfulness here. Paul is in prison. It seems very counter-intuitive that he starts off his letter with thanks.
We can learn a lot about how we should be giving thanks to God even in difficult circumstances from Paul here.
Thankfulness removes our mind from being on ourselves and changes our focus to being on the Lord.
Paul could be depressed and self-focused right now. But instead he is expressing his thankfulness and even moving forward to lift up intercessory prayer on behalf of this church that he does not even personally know.
We have a lot to learn here. I have a lot to learn here. It is so easy for us to get caught up in our own lives, desires, wants, and needs and miss out on the joy that comes from a thankful heart. When we pray and give thanks for others, we are freed from the bondage of selfishness. We are able to see the Lord magnified and are blessed in many ways through this prayer on behalf of others.
I pray that we learn from Paul here that giving thanks and focusing on others more than ourselves frees us from the confines of our difficult circumstances. Paul shows us here that the best cure for self-loathing is focusing on the goodness and greatness of God in thankfulness and then focusing on the needs of others.
Next we see that...
Scripture References: Acts 9:1-19, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Acts 28:16-31

II. As Christ Followers, We Should Love and Serve the Church Fellowship With… Faithful Hope (4-6)

Colossians 1:4–6 ESV
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,
Paul starts this off with the beginning of their faith in the Gospel and moves toward what fruit the Gospel is growing in their lives. This is a great example of what a true saving faith is. A true saving faith produces fruit through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are some key elements of the Gospel given here by Paul in these few verses. We will break them down one by one and then get the big picture view.
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(This is for handout only - skip over for now)
The Gospel...
Col 1:4 - Starts With Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (John 14:6),
Col 1:5 - Which Leads to Hope (Hebrews 11:1)
Col 1:5 - Founded on the Word of Truth (the Bible - Jesus is also referred to as the Word (John 1)
Col 1:6 - Which Bears Fruit (Col 1:10)
Col 1:6 - And Results in Grace-filled Living (2 Cor 8:7)
--------------------
The Gospel…Starts with Faith in Jesus Christ alone. (Colossians 1:4, John 14:6)
Colossians 1:4 ESV
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
Let’s start with the first element of the Gospel which is faith. The Greek for faith is pistis (peas-tees). This word means to be persuaded that something is true and trust in it. A true saving faith is marked by obedience. It isn’t an intellectual climb to a higher understanding. It isn’t a blind leap of faith that people discuss in today’s world. It is founded on the One in Whom salvation comes - Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
As we have said time and time again. Jesus is the only basis for a true saving faith. No one escapes the flames of Hell without faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Christ who took on human flesh and lived a perfect life some 2000 years ago, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead - is the only way we can have eternal life with God in heaven.
The Gospel…Starts with Faith in Jesus Christ alone which leads to Hope. (Col 1:5, Hebrews 11:1)
Colossians 1:5 ESV
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,
This faith is based on a definitive hope. Faith and hope actually go hand in hand. This isn’t a hope like we use today. I hope it doesn’t rain. Or I hope that I get out of school early. Or I hope I get that bonus at work.
This is an assured hope.
Hebrews 11:1 ESV
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The Gospel…Starts with Faith in Jesus Christ alone which leads to Hope founded on the Word of Truth. (Colossians 1:5, John 1)
Colossians 1:5 ESV
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,
Biblical faith and hope are founded on the Gospel - the Word of Truth - the Bible - and ultimately Jesus Christ. Again - it isn’t a blind faith or a blind hope. It is a hope that is built on the solid foundation of the Word of God - the Bible and the One who is the Word - Jesus (John 1).
John 1:1 ESV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Gospel…Starts with Faith in Jesus Christ alone which leads to Hope founded on the Word of Truth which bears Fruit. (Col 1:6, 10, John 3)
Colossians 1:6 ESV
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,
The Gospel bears fruit in the lives of believers. Here we see that the Gospel reaches throughout the world and has even reached these believers in Colossae. We see Paul expound upon this idea of the Gospel bearing fruit in our message for next week:
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;
True saving faith in the Gospel results in fruit bearing. There is a change that occurs in one who has been saved. They have been born again (John 3).
The Gospel…Starts with Faith in Jesus Christ alone which leads to Hope founded on the Word of Truth which bears Fruit and results in Grace-filled living. (Col 1:6, 2 Cor 8:7)
Colossians 1:6 ESV
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,
Finally at the end of verse 6 we see that the Gospel results in grace-filled living. This is clearly spelled out in another one of Paul’s letters: 2 Corinthians 8:7
2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV
7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
As we grow as believers, we should continue to bear fruit. One of these fruits is grace-filled living. This particular reference in 2 Corinthians is actually contextually grace-filled living through generosity. Grace is unmerited favor. It is what we have recieved from God. We have been saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because we have been shown such grace from God, we should extend grace to others. When we truly understand the grace that we have been shown despite our sinfulness, it is easier to extend that grace on to others. It becomes easier to be generous with forgiveness, with our finances, and with our lives.
So what do we do with these five fundamental elements of the Gospel? I think it leaves us with a few questions that need answered.
1. Where is your faith and hope placed?
Charles Spurgeon illustrated the importance of faith’s object by telling of two men in a boat. Caught in severe rapids, they were being swept toward a waterfall. Some men on shore tried to save them by throwing them a rope. One man caught hold of it and was pulled to safety on the shore. The other, in the panic of the moment, grabbed hold of a seemingly more substantial log that was floating by. That man was carried downstream, over the rapids, and was never seen again. Faith, represented by the rope linked to the shore, connects us to Jesus Christ and safety. Good works apart from true faith, represented in the story by the log, leads only to ruin.
The object of our faith is of utmost importance. Sadly, many in our world today don’t believe this. Many today believe it is not the object of your faith that matters but the sincerity of your faith. This works-based belief is nothing more than a lie from the enemy of our souls - Satan. Nothing is more important than the object of your faith. All other seemingly sturdy logs floating in the rapids of our lives are nothing more than smoke and mirrors. They lead to destruction and eternal Hell. They fail to deliver what they promise.
But my friend, Christ will never fail. The things of this world will always fail you. Even more bluntly - you will always fail you. The difficult thing is that floating log looks rather sturdy. It seems more tangible than the rope that leads somewhere that you can’t fully appreciate or understand. Brothers and sisters, that log might look sturdy but it leads to eternal Hell. Self-righteous works, money, pleasures, power, worldly philosophies - are all headed for destruction over the waterfall. This world will be destroyed one day. Don’t grasp on to what we know will not last. Only Christ has the power to save you.
2. What is your life founded upon?
It must be founded upon the Word of God - the Bible - and the God of the Bible - Jesus Christ. Like we just discussed - nothing else will last.
3. Are you bearing fruit and living a grace-filled life?
Do you exude love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)? The fruit of the Spirit? These are qualities that should mark the lives of believers who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Do you extend grace to others and assume the best? Or do you always assume the worst about someone?
A saving faith produces fruit. It causes one to be humble. When we realize the weight of our sin and what we truly deserve - we should be quick to forgive and show grace to others.
Brothers and sisters - As Christ Followers - We should Love and Serve the Church Fellowship with Thankful Hearts, Faithful Hope, and...
Scripture References: John 14:6, Hebrews 11:1, John 1, Colossians 1:10, 2 Corinthians 8:7, John 3, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 5:22-23

III. As Christ Followers, We Should Love and Serve the Church Fellowship With… Helping Hands (7-8)

Colossians 1:7–8 ESV
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.
In this final section we see an early church pastor introduced to us.
Pastor Epaphras has been a faithful minister of Christ. He has worked hard to equip this church with the right understanding of Christ and salvation. He has obviously reached out to Paul and let him know what was going on in Colossae. Both good and bad as we will see as we move through this letter. He has a heart for this church and lovingly ministers to them.
We can learn a lot from Epaphras’ ministry. It is likely that he became a convert while Paul was ministering in Ephesus for three years (Acts 19). He didn’t just take the good news of the Gospel and tuck it away. He went and started preaching it and spreading the good news of the Gospel throughout the area of Colossae and beyond. As God sovereignly would direct, this man would pastor the church that was in the home of another one of Paul’s converts - Philemon - in which the book of the Bible bearing his name refers.
Epaphras served the church of Colossae with helping hands as a faithful minister.
He was faithful to Christ. He was faithful to Paul and Timothy. He was faithful to the Colossians.
Friends, the best way we can love and serve the church fellowship - as well as the Lord - is through faithful living.
But what exactly does it mean to be faithful:
Faithful:
Being faithful means to be loyal, steadfast, and have perseverance.
It means to not stray from the truth and keep the faith.
It means to be trustworthy. It means to have steady and unchanging character.
As we come to a close - may we strive for the kind of faithfulness we see from Paul and Epaphras in this introductory section of this letter to the Colossian church.
Scripture References: Acts 19, Philemon 1:23
Conclusion:
We have been blessed to see Paul and Epaphras’ heart for the church of Colossae. We have seen the hard work that was put in by Epaphras who has given of himself for this church time and time again. These men spent their lives encouraging the people of God to continue the race. In times of persecution - as both were imprisoned in their lives as seen in Philemon 1:23 for Epaphras and numerous references and accounts in Scripture for Paul’s imprisonments - they pointed to the one who was worthy of enduring such shame - Christ. When in poverty, they were reminded of the riches they had in Christ Jesus.
I pray that we are people like these two men. I pray that we are encouraging to the fellowship of believers. I pray that we show our brothers and sisters in Christ our love by our thankful hearts, our faithful hope, and our helping hands. May we do this faithfully as we work with the power of Christ in us and give Him all of the glory.
Let us pray.
Prayer
If you would like to learn more about salvation through Jesus Christ or want to obey Jesus by obeying the first commandment of a believer in going through the waters of baptism - please let me know.
Have a blessed week.
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