Maturing in Christ: "Life Transformation" Colossians 1:1-2

Intro:

Welcome Back Sunday!

It is a good day to start off a new season of ministry, and what better way to start than with communion. Being in relationship with God and others.

I want you to take the next 2 minutes to tell the person next to you all that you know about the book of Colossians. Go!

Or, True or false quiz

When was it written, is it early middle or later letter

Colossae was not a prominent city at this time, so why send a letter there?

Paul never actually went to Colossae

Mainly a Gentile population (no reference to OT or any explicit reference to the Law)

What is the purpose of writing the book? False teaching, but is more restrained about it, “no one” or “anyone” that is teaching the fasle doctrine “Philosophy”

Which two books does Colossians share many connections with? Ephesians and Philemon.

Can you find it on one of the maps in the back of your bible or point out where it is? It is in the Lycus valley about 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor

Colossus- a large statue, unusual shape of stony deposits there

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Date and Place of Writing

The area was rich in mineral deposits and was also subject to frequent earthquakes. Rich pasturelands were nearby.

Written during Paul’s first impronment in Rome (60-62 A.D). Before Philippians

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Colossians, Letter to The

Colossians is one of four so-called Prison Letters, along with Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. Colossians is associated closely with Ephesians (due to overlapping content and structure) and Philemon (because Col 4:9 refers to Onesimus, Philemon’s slave).

Outline:

Persecuter to Apostle: “Paul” (v. 1)

Sinners to Saints: “The Saints” (v. 2)

Summary: Transformation begins with being in Jesus

Prayer:

Persecuter to Apostle: “Paul” (v. 1)

Paul (v1; Acts 8:1-3; Gal. 1:11-2:2; Phil. 3:2-11)

Paul- was not Paul before…Saul

Saul the Persecutor of the Church- “Up there talking to those down here”

Acts 8:1-3 “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

Galatians 1:11-2:2 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

Phil 3:2-11 “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Paul the Apostle to the Church- Coming from down there to build up those that are here”

Acts 9:1-9 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Galatians 1:11-2:2 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writi…”

Phil 3: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness f…”

An Apostle of Christ Jesus

An Apostle- big “A” Apostle.

He was taught personally by Jesus

and saw the resurrected Jesus.

Was sent by Jesus to be the Apostle to the Gentiles

Of Christ Jesus

The Will of God (vs. -)

By the will of God

This is the same greeting as in 2 Cor. 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:”

By the will of God

“By”- “through” or “because of”

“Will”-an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

“Of God”- not Paul, not Peter or James…not the men of commendation of that day, not the religious leaders...God. Paul records that he did not first confirm with the other Apostles.

Timothy (vs. - )

And Timothy our brother

Timothy- Gentile father, mother and grandmother were godly Jewesses. Comes from a home where one parent believed and the other did not. But look how God used his mother and grandmother...

Brother- sibling believer in God’s family

Acts 16- Paul picks up Timothy while in the region of Derbe and Lystra for the second time. He was spoken well of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium

As a side, do you remember what happened to Paul the first time he was in Iconium? That is right, he was stoned! Just like the stoning of Stephen had a profound affect on Paul, so too the stoning of Paul must have had an affect on Timothy and on the people in Iconium

Application/Implications:

Is there a Saul in your life or in the mirror? Are you marked more by being “up here and talking to people down there” or “Coming from down there to build up those that are here”

What is God’s will for you? How has He favourably created you to serve the body of Christ? How does God want you to steward the gifts, talents, and abilities He has given you?

Single parents, believing parents where you spouse is not a believer, be encouraged. If God was faithful in Timothy’s life, he can be faithful in your child, or grandchilds life. Whereas I encourage you to not intentionally put yourself in that possition, God is still faithful and can work just like he did in the life of Timothy, who became one of the leaders of the early church.

How many of us would acknowlegde that God’s will for you life at this moment involves a little bit of suffering. I encourage you, stand firm in the promises of Jesus. If God used suffering to soften Paul, influence Timothy, and transform people in Iconium He wants to use it in someone else’s life that is watching you!

Transitional phrase: The life transformation in Paul is striking. It is hard to comprehend. It is messy. It doesn’t happen in the sterile assignments of the classroom, it happens in the everyday influence that Jesus has in our lives. It hooks us into believing that this is possible in our lives. If God could do that in Paul’s life, why not mine?

Sinners to Saints: “The Saints” (v. 2)

The Saints (vs. -)

To the Saints

and faithful brothers

in Christ

at Colossae

Not the most influential city. (MAP)

120 miles east of Ephesus, located by the Lycus river at the foot of Mt. Cadmus (elevation of 8,435 feet)

Small agrarian town

In the 5th century BC it was thriving economy know for their textile industy, knowns for its dark red whool

Yet, the eventual demise of Colossae was linked to the construction of a trade route in the third century that went west of Colossae to Laodicea (Wilson, Biblical Turkey, 194). Eventually Laodicea became a prominent city, and Colossae turned into a rural community. Thus, in the first century Colossae was a rather insignificant city in the Roman world (Arnold, Colossian Syncretism, 4).

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Biblical Relevance

Colossae was a small town overshadowed by two nearby cities, Laodicea and Hierapolis.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Location and Archaeology

The first known reference to Colossae can be found in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who mentions that Xerxes stopped briefly at the great city of Colossae during the Persian wars (Herodotus, Histories, 7.30)

Grace and Peace (vs. -)

Grace to you

and peace

from God our Father

Application/Implications:

This is a specific letter, writen by a specific person, to a specific group of people. A local church filled with believers. Where is your specific group of people that you live among and gather together to hear God’s word. Is it Central? Great! If it is not, that is great to, but where is it. As good as a livestream is, it does not susbtitue being a specific part of a specific group of believers. Why you might ask, well stick around and we will answer that question from the text in the coming months.

It seems we have some things in common with Colossae. We are not located at the foot of a mountain but we are by a river. We are not Toronto, niagra, London, Windsor, or Sarnia, but in order to get to those places you have to come near or go through our city. We are a little of the main path, but non the less important.

Have you experienced the grace and peace that come from God our Father? In a couple of weeks we will be celebrating our 92 anniversary as a specific group of people in a specific location. The theme of our Anniversary Bible Conference or “ABC” is taking a look at “Because He Exists: God the Father”. I would encourage you to join us as Dr. Schmidt will be opening God’s Word for us.

Transitional phrase:

Summary: Transformation begins with being in Jesus

Song: I will follow

Prayer: Pray for the pizza