COULD I BE CALLED A CHRISTIAN?
Notes
Transcript
Colossians 1:1-8
Steve Camp, the Christian Artist once sang a song which said in part:
“Could I be called a Christian
If everybody knew
The secret thoughts and feelings
Of everything I do
Could they see the likeness
Of Christ in me each day
Or could they hear him speaking
In every word I say”
Today we are going to begin a study on the Letter to the Colossians. We are also going to see 7 attributes found in the Christians of the church of Colosse.
I. Intro 1:1-2
- Paul establishes himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, not of a man or organization
Paul knows what God’s will is.
John Gills puts it this way “Not by the will of men, for he derived no authority and power, nor recieved any doctrine from men; nor by his own will... he did not take this office upon him of himself, but was invested with it, according to the secret will and purpose of God…and according to his will of command made known to him in time, when he told him what he should do, and openly separated , and sent him forth do do the work he had call him to and which arose not from any merits or worthiness of the apostle, but from the sovereign good will and pleasure, free grace, and favor of God”
Timothy, was never called an apostle, yet he knew his calling as well. Not all people are called to be in charge!
Timothy was called a brother, speaking of the close relationship he had with Paul and the church of God
It is likely Paul never visited Colossi (2:1) but he wrote the letter because of a visit from Epaphras who was from the area and had shared the gospel with them. Epaphras probably heard the gospel from Paul in Ephesus for he spent 2 years there and at the school of Tyranus
This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
Paul calls all the Colossians saints. Do you consider yourself a saint? This is a common them in Paul’s epistles.
Saint (GK )sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing),
Paul also calls them “faithful brethren”
Faithful (GK) trustworthy; subjectively trustful: , sure, true.
It is one thing to be separated, holy, blameless, it is another thing to be trustworthy
Grace to you...
Grace (GK) graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.
Peace from God our Father.
Peace (GK) by implication prosperity: - one, quietness, rest.
In Paul’s letters, he uses this phrase a lot. But he always starts with Grace because you can’t have peace without having grace first.
Paul also acknowledges that this all comes from God the Father. It is a gift, you can’t buy grace and peace.
II. Thanksgiving 1:3-8
We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Notice the order of authority. Jesus is equal with the Father but as to authority, he is submissive to the Father.
Later, in chapter 4 when Paul talks about relationships with family and work, it is reflected in the same way.
Praying always. I’m sure there were some people that needed it more than others, but Paul was concerned about the body as a whole here.
Paul is giving thanks to God because of 7 attributes he found in their lives
A. Because of their faith (4)
Colossians 1:4 (NASB95)
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus ...
The foundation of all Christians is found in there faith. That is their conviction. The Bible teaches you must believe in the Finished work of Christ at Calvary in order to be saved. If you believe wrong, you cannot be called a Christian. It is also demonstrated by there actions. If you don’t act like a Christian, you cannot be called a Christian.
Faith has three main elements
1. A firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgment of God’s revelation or truth
2. A personal surrender to Him
3. A conduct inspired by such surrender
Example: Employee working at McDonald's — If he doesn’t show up or do his job, is he still an employee or just a hypocrite?
B. Because of their love for all the saints (4)
Colossians 1:4 (NASB95)
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
Love GK Agape that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.
Love for all the saints - even those who are hard to get along with. There reputation was love for all
Agape love can also be seen as a “Love Feast” where everybody is welcome, everybody is involved, and everybody is of one mind and Spirit
C. Because of their hope (5)
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
Hope GK - to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence.
Notice that hope is also laid up in heaven, where it is safe. This gives us confidence.
Notice they recieved hope because they heard the Word of God, the Truth, the gospel, being preached
Hopelessness is a debilitating mindset. IF one has no hope, they won’t eat, they won’t sleep, they won’t work, they won’t want to do anything.
Hope for the believer is related to our future. It’s related to who we are, who we will become and what is in store.
We have hope Jesus will keep his Word
We have hope that God has a purpose for us
We have hope he will provide for us
We have hope he will protect us
We have hope we will get new bodies
We have hope he will answer our prayers
We have hope he has defeated the enemy
We have hope Jesus will come back again
D. Because their bearing fruit (6)
Notice that bearing fruit was a result of hearing the word of God and understanding the grace of God in Truth
Colossians 1:6 (NASB95)
... just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;
Notice we see the importance of the Word and understanding it.
Constantly bearing fruit (GK) to be fertile (literally or figuratively) bear, bring forth
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
In order to be fruitful, the plant must be grounded in something.
This requires two things:
-You must have complete confidence and trust in Jesus
-You must permit the Holy Spirit to work within your life
What does it mean to abide? It means to dwell within, to meditate on, to be absorbed by.
And when the Christian does this, he bears fruit such as that which is found in Galatians
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
So not only was Faith, Love, Hope evident in there lives but fruit was being produced as well. And this was so evident, that Paul heard of it without even meeting them in person!
E. Because they understood grace (6)
Grace: “charis” this is the same Greek word used in verse 2. “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.”
Walking in the grace of God is not a hard thing but it is not easy. It requires an understanding of what Jesus did for you at the cross, an understanding of God’s great love for you and others, and a simplistic belief that what He did for you is complete.
Because of our inability to grasp these things in there fullest meaning, God gives us the Holy Spirit to work in us to conform us into the image of this grace. We are to be a reflection of Christ, an instrument if you will, used by God to make beautify music which is a life reflective of God’s Divine influence.
Grace is unmerited favor, God’s goodness to undeserved man
As God gives grace to us, we in return show grace to others.
A Very Beautiful Hand
John Wesley and a preacher of his acquaintance were once invited to lunch with a gentleman after the service. Wesley's preacher friend was a man of very blunt speech. This well-meaning man, while talking with their host's beautiful daughter, who had been profoundly impressed by Wesley's preaching, noticed that she wore a number of rings. During a pause in the meal he took hold of the young lady's hand and raising it, called Wesley's attention to the sparkling gems. "What do you think of this, sir," he asked, "for a Methodist hand?" The girl turned crimson. The question was extremely awkward for Wesley whose aversion to all display of jewelry was well known. With a quiet, benevolent smile he looked up and simply said, "The hand is very beautiful." He had not denied the implied rebuke but had taken the sting out of it. The young lady appeared at evening worship without her jewels and became a firm and dedicated Christian.
The Colossians understood that grace and it’s reflection was evident all around them.
F. Because of their faithfulness (7)
Epaphras was considered a faithful servant of Christ
Faithfulness speaks of diligence, dependency, submission and trustworthiness.
I have two dogs, Jeffrey and Molly. They are always playing together in the yard, usually kind of rough. But one thing I notice that when I have food, they come to me. They sit at my feet, they lick their mouths in anticipation as to a possible treat. No matter what time of day, or what I’m eating, they are faithful to come to me. That is faithfulness. Perhaps for selfish reasons, but faithfulness non the less.
Our faithfulness to God should be no different. Perhaps its just to listen, perhaps its to obey, perhaps its to give, whatever the reason, we should be faithful to our Master, faithful to our God, faithful to our Lord.
G. Because of their love in the Spirit (8)
This is the same Agape love mentioned when speaking of love for the saints yet is applied in a more general sense, to all people and with a positive attitude
Agape love speaks of the love that comes from the Holy Spirit
Agape love speaks of a love that cannot be reproduced naturally
Agape love speaks of a love that is totally from God
Its a love that gives when one does not deserve to be loved.
Its a love that puts other people first, other needs first and our own interests last.
Agape love is seasoned with grace. Knowing that we didn’t deserve to be loved, forgiven, given peace with God but He gave it to us anyway because He loves us.
So we see that even though Paul had never met the church of Colosse, there reputation preceded them These 7 attributes shsould be reflected in our life as well.
A. Because of their faith (4)
B. Because of their love for the saints (4)
C. Because of their hope (5)
D. Because their bearing fruit (6)
E. Because they understood grace (6)
F. Because of their faithfulness (7)
G. Because of their love in the Spirit (8)
I conclude with the words of Steve Camp
Could I be called a Christian
If everybody knew
The secret thoughts and feelings
Of everything I do
Could they see the likeness
Of Christ in me each day
Or could they hear him speaking
In every word I say