Message Notes Colossians Part One

Transcription

1 Loving God! Loving People! Loving Life! Message Notes Colossians Part One Life Church Smyrna Wednesday, September 6, pm Pastor Christian Salzillo Part 1: Background & Colossians 1:1-14 Author: Paul & Timothy (as secretary) Date: Probably around AD 62 (30 years after Pentecost), while Paul is in Rome under house arrest Recipient: Christians at a church in Colossae, a church founded by Epaphras (1:7), who was most likely a convert of Paul s ministry Paul begins by establishing two things: his credibility and his authority. Q: Why does a 2000 year old letter still have authority and credibility in our lives to guide our faith and conduct? Paul acknowledges the good things he hears: Their faith in Jesus is strong; they have love for all of God s people, and they have hope which is stored up in heaven. Paul then calls them to return to the gospel which has come to you 1. The Truthfulness of the Gospel (Vv. 5b-6a) Paul is calling them back to the true gospel! The gospel they believed at the beginning. A gospel of power, where Christ is sufficient. 1 John 2:24 NASB 24 As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 2. The Fruitfulness of the Gospel (Vs. 6) We re 30 years past Pentecost, and for 30 years the Gospel has gone from a small group in Jerusalem to Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, Italy and probably at this point to parts of Egypt, North Africa and Persia. Acts 5:34-39 NIV if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. 3. The Transformation of the Gospel (Vs. 6b) This transforming gospel (which has the power to resolve this challenge/heresy to the faith), has the following effects: A. It fills us with the knowledge of his will and understanding Paul is counting on the fact that this heresy in the church will be dispelled once these Christians tap into the knowledge of God s will and the spiritual understanding that comes from the Spirit. B. It enables us to live a life that pleases the Lord by: I. Bearing fruit II. Growing in knowledge III. Being strengthened in God s power which results in patience and endurance IV. Giving joyful thanks to the Father for the inheritance we share What is this inheritance that we share? What is this truth of the gospel which has the power to transform the world and our lives? Colossians 1:13-14 NASB 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins..

2 A VERSE BY VERSE STUDY SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 LIFE CHURCH SMYRNA NASB Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 1

3 NASB 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel 6 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; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. NASB 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. 2

4 NASB 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. BACKGROUND INFO - COLOSSIANS Author: Paul & Timothy (as secretary) Date: Probably around AD 62 (30 years after Pentecost), while Paul is in Rome under house arrest Recipient: Christians at a church in Colossae, a church founded by Epaphras (1:7), who was most likely a convert of Paul s ministry Reason: A challenge or heresy had entered the church 3

5 BACKGROUND INFO - COLOSSIANS Paul begins the letter by establishing two things: his credibility and his authority. 4

6 BACKGROUND INFO - COLOSSIANS Paul begins the letter by establishing two things: his credibility and his authority. Q: Why does a 2000 year old letter still have authority and credibility in our lives to guide our faith and conduct? Paul acknowledges the good things he hears: Their faith in Jesus is strong; they have love for all of God s people, and they have hope which is stored up in heaven. 5

7 The gospel which has come to you 1. The Truthfulness of the Gospel (Vv. 5b-6a) 1 JOHN 2:24 NASB As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 6

8 The gospel which has come to you 1. The Truthfulness of the Gospel (Vv. 5b-6a) 2. The Fruitfulness of the Gospel (Vs. 6) ACTS 5:34-39 NIV if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. 7

9 The gospel which has come to you 1. The Truthfulness of the Gospel (Vv. 5b-6a) 2. The Fruitfulness of the Gospel (Vs. 6) 3. The Transformation of the Gospel (Vs. 6b) This gospel has the following effects: A. It fills us with the knowledge of his will and understanding 8

10 This gospel has the following effects: A. It fills us with the knowledge of his will and understanding B. It enables us to live a life that pleases the Lord by: i. Bearing fruit WE PLEASE THE LORD BY ii. Growing in knowledge iii. Being strengthened in God s power which results in patience and endurance iv. Giving joyful thanks to the Father for the inheritance we share 9

11 What is this inheritance that we share? What is this truth of the gospel which has the power to transform the world and our lives? COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 NASB 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 10