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COLOSSIANS
Introduction
AUTHOR: This letter was written by the Apostle Paul about the
same time as Ephesians and Philemon. Tradition says it was
written during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, recorded in Acts 28.
Paul never visited Colossae himself (2:1), and we believe the church
there was started with contact with Epaphras and possibly even
Philemon while Paul was preaching for two years at Ephesus, 90
mines west of Colossae.
PURPOSE: The main purpose for writing this letter was to correct
some wrong ideas about Christ that were being taught in the towns
of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (4:13). The teachers of these
false doctrines were usually called "Gnostics." The word "gnostic"
comes from a Greek word which means "to have a special knowledge
of God."
FALSE DOCTRINE: The Gnostics believed that everything material
was evil, and that a fixed gulf existed between mater and spirit.
Because of this false idea, they also held that the true God did not
create the universe. Some taught that Christ did not have a real
physical body, but that it only seemed to be real. Their emphasis
was on wisdom and knowledge and the abasement of the body.
To practice the Gnostics' teachings was suppose to give a person
a special "full knowledge" not possessed by others. The Gnostics
frequently used the word "fulness" in their teachings.
In Colossians Paul emphasizes Christ's pre-eminence. It is
interesting to note how often he uses the words "fulness" "complete"
and "filled."
KEY VERSE: The key verse is Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head
of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."
Another important verse in 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the
fulness of the Godhead bodily."
THEME: The Pre-eminence of Christ. RELEVANCE: The message of this book is greatly needed today.
In a time when Christ is scorned and his teaching rejected, we need
to hold forth the grand truth of this inspired letter penned by the
apostle Paul.
It was written when false teachers (the Gnostics) and Judiazers
were attacking the gospel, and Christians themselves were not
living up to principles it set forth.
Outline of Colossians
Theme: Christ is Preeminent
I. DOCTRINE -- Chapter 1
CHRIST'S PREEMINENCE DECLARED
1. In the Gospel message -- 1:1-12
2. In Redemption -- 1:13-14
3. In Creation -- 1:15-17
4. In the Church -- 1:18-23
5. In Paul's ministry -- 1:24-29
II. DANGER -- Chapter 2
CHRIST'S PREEMINENCE DEFENDED
1. Beware of empty philosophies -- 2:1-10
2. Beware of religious legalism -- 2:11-17
3. Beware of man-man disciplines -- 2:18-23
III. DUTY -- Chapter 3 & 4
CHRIST'S PREEMINENCE DEMONSTRATED
1. In personal purity -- 3:1-11
2. In Christian fellowship -- 3:12-17
3. In the home -- 3:18-21
4. In daily work -- 3:22 - 4:1
5. In Christian living -- 4:2-6
6. In Christian service -- 4:7-18
SERMON - - - - -
WHO IS JESUS?
Colossians 1:15-20
1. The article "One Solitary Life" by George Peck.
2. This passage helps us to see "Who Jesus Is."
3. One of the greatest controversies to range in early church
history occurred in the fourth century over this very passage.
A man named Arius argued that Jesus was the very first thing
that God created, and then Jesus created everything else. He
reasoned that, after all, the obvious meaning of "first-born" is
the one born first. That led to his conclusion that Jesus was not
divine like the Father, but just a created being.
a. A brilliant young man named Athanasius soundly rejected
that view and the "Arian" doctrine was branded as heresy.
The historic view has been that Jesus, because He is the
image of God, is eternal just as God the Father Himself is
eternal. He is "very God" as Athanasius put it.
b. Thought is has been sixteen hundred years since Arius and
Athanasius battled it out, the problem has not disappeared.
Some religious groups today do not believe that Jesus is God
or that He is eternal.
4. WHO IS JESUS?
I. JESUS IS THE IMAGE OF GOD (1:15)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature: (Colossians 1:15)
1. "He is the image of the invisible God" (1:15a)
One difficulty people have in believing God is that God cannot
be seen. Even as great a man as Moses had the longing to see
God. He pleaded with God to just give him a glimpse (See
Exodus 33:17-23).
2. The Greek word translated "image" in v. 15 is "eikon."
a. Notice the meaning of that word in religious circles.
b. Notice how that word is used today in computer circles.
c. What do you have on your driver's license?
d. Passports in Paul's day had a section called "Dis-tinguishing
Marks" that described something about the person that set
him apart from everyone else. The Greek word "eikon" was
used in that part of the passport.
3. TEV "Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God."
II. JESUS IS THE FULLNESS OF GOD (1:15, 19)
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness
dwell; (Colossians 1:19)
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."
(Colossians 2:9)
1. Jesus is not something "like" God, He is "everything" God IS!
2. Hebrews 1:3 "He is the radiance of His glory and the exact
representation of His nature..."
3. All of the attributes of divinity belong of Jesus, He IS God.
III. JESUS IS THE AGENT OF GOD (1:16)
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and
that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created
by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)
1. The word "for" means is in the sense "because." By Him, Jesus,
all things were created. HE was not created, He CREATED!
2. "Before Jesus the carpenter made stools, Jesus the Creator made
stars." He fashioned plows, He fashioned planets. Before He
made tables, He made trees from which those tables would be
made.
3. He also made all the invisible things of our universe.
IV. JESUS IS THE HEAD OF GOD'S CHURCH (1:18-23)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might
have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
1. From Jesus comes all the guidance and direction for the church.
a. The "doctrine" is "His doctrine" (Heb. 6:1; 2 John 1:9)
b. He is not just "first" but the "Source."
2. Jesus was the first to rise never to die again.
3. Over What was He to have the preeminence? All things!
Creation, powers, the church, death...
Why was he to have the preeminence? For in Him the sum total
of the powers and attributes of God dwell.
V. JESUS IS THE PEACE-MAKER BETWEEN MAN AND GOD
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by
him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether
they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled (Col. 1:20-21).
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