1

BEHINDTHEBOOKConnectingtotheBible

(Observation)

COLOSSIANS(SELECTEDTEXTS)

(READVARIOUSTRANSLATIONS)JUNE7TH,2017

Friends, VBS is this week so we will not meet on Wednesday night. This Sunday I will begin a 13-week study in Colossians. The study will be titled, “Complete in Christ” and its theme will be Colossians 2:10 which reads KJV – ye are complete in him ESV – you have been filled in him NIV - in Christ you have been brought to fullness. I will divide the book into 3 sections and preach three aspects of that theme:

I. Doctrine: Jesus’ Preeminence Declared 1 II. Danger: Jesus’ Preeminence Defended 2 III. Duty: Jesus’ Preeminence Demonstrated 3-4

The point is that we are complete in Jesus but, to be so, we must acknowledge and live out the reality of Jesus as the Scriptures present him. Just as Mark intended to present the real Jesus to his audience, so Paul wants the Colossians to know the real Jesus. If they do, they will be ‘complete’ in him. What a life that can be!!! Another great and simple outline is:

I. Personal Matters (1:1–14)

A. Paul’s Greeting (1:1, 2) B. Paul’s Thankfulness (1:3–8) C. Paul’s Prayer (1:9–14)

2

II. Doctrinal Instruction (1:15–2:23)

A. About Christ’s Deity (1:15–23) B. About Paul’s Ministry (1:24–2:7) C. About False Philosophy (2:8–23)

III. Practical Exhortations (3:1–4:18)

A. Christian Conduct (3:1–17) B. Christian Households (3:18–4:1) C. Christian Speech (4:2–6) D. Christian Friends (4:7–18)

As you can see from that outline, the book is constructed very neatly, intentionally strategic in its presentation. For the study, I am using these resources: Be Complete by Warren Wiersbe (my 3-point preaching outline comes from this book) The Complete Christian by Matthias Media Colossians by John MacArthur (MacArthur series of commentaries) Colossians by Peter O’Brien (Word Biblical Commentary) Colossians by Douglas Moo (Pillar New Testament Commentary Series) Colossians by FF. Bruce (New International Commentary on the New Testament) Colossians by David E. Garland (The NIV Application Commentary) The Message of Colossians by John Stott (The Bible Speaks Today Commentary Series) This Sunday is an overview of the book.

First: Date and Place of Writing When the Jewish leaders accused Paul of insurrection and he stood trial before Festus, the apostle employed his Roman citizenship and appealed to Caesar. Acts 25:11 - If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Once in Rome Paul lived in a rented house for two years Acts 28:30 – He lived there two whole years at his own expense,[a] and welcomed all who came to him, And entertained many guests

3

Acts 28:30b - and welcomed all who came to him, From there, Epaphras of Colossae visited Paul and in response, he wrote the Colossians in about 61 or 62. This letter is known as one of the "Prison Epistles,” along with Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians) The epistle to the Colossians was apparently written at the same time as that to Philemon, both being carried by Tychicus from Rome in connection with the return of Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus (see Colossians 4:7-9, 17; Philemon 2, 10). It is very likely that Tychicus also brought Paul's letter to the Ephesians on this trip. Paul was in house arrest at Rome (Acts 28:30) when all three of these epistles were written. This means Paul wrote Colossians in 61-62 A.D., approximately ten years after initially visiting Ephesians (where Epaphras heard the gospel). Second: The City of Colossae Colossae was located in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, now modern Turkey. It was close to Laodicea and Hierapolis, part of the Tri-Cities of the Lycus Valley, which narrowed to about two miles at Colossae. The city was about one hundred miles east of Ephesus. The population was primarily Gentile (2:13) with a sizeable Jewish community begun by Antiochus the Great (223-187) in a forced resettlement. It was located on the Lycus river and situated on the main trade routes running east from Ephesus and north to Pergamos. The city was famous for its wool and dyes. The Romans however, rerouted traffic through Laodicea, bypassing Colossae. In Paul’s day, Colossae was a small city of lesser importance than its neighbors. It was abandoned in the 8th century and destroyed in the 12th century. Archaeologists have found the remains of the acropolis, theater and church but the site is presently unoccupied. The Lycus Valley was prone to earthquakes and in A.D. 60, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis were devastated. Third: The Church at Colossae Luke writes in Acts 19:10 that while Paul was in Ephesus for two years, “all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.” This would imply that the gospel reached Colossae. Paul however, did not start the church in Colossae. The book of Acts does not mention Paul visiting Colossae or visiting the city.

4

Colossians 2:1 – For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, Colossians 1:5-7 informs us that Epaphras founded the church. …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.[a] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[b]behalf Epaphras was a native Colossian 4:12 - Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. It is probable that Epaphras heard the gospel in Ephesus while Paul was there and then returned to Colossae to share the good news. Fourth: The Colossian Heresy A heresy arose in Colossae that was of such magnitude that Epaphras made the 1,300-mile trip to Rome to visit Paul in his rented house. The Colossian church was comprised of Gentiles and Jews. The heresy that infected the church was comprised of paganism (Gentile) and Judaism: false Greek philosophy and Judaistic legalism and ceremonialism. Colossae’s religious cults worshipped Isis, Serapis, Helios, Demeter and Artemis.

Isis - Isis was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the patroness of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans and the downtrodden, but she also listened to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers. Isis is often depicted as the mother of Horus, the falcon-headed deity associated with king and kingship (although in some traditions Horus's mother was Hathor). Isis is also known as protector of the dead and goddess of children. The name Isis means "Throne". Her headdress is a throne. As the personification of the throne, she was an important representation of the pharaoh's power. The pharaoh was depicted as her child, who sat on the throne she provided.

Serapis - a Graeco-Egyptian god. The cult of Serapis was introduced during the 3rd century BC on the orders of Ptolemy I of Egypt as a means to unify the Greeks and Egyptians in his realm. Under Ptolemy Soter, efforts were made to integrate Egyptian religion with that of their Hellenic rulers. Ptolemy's policy was to find a deity that should win the reverence alike of both groups

5

Helios - the personification of the Sun in Greek mythology. He is the son of the Titan Hyperion and the Titaness Theia (according to Hesiod), also known as Euryphaessa (in Homeric Hymn 31) and brother of the goddesses Selene, the moon, and Eos, the dawn. Demeter is the goddess of the harvest and agriculture, who presided over grains and the fertility of the earth. Though Demeter is often described simply as the goddess of the harvest, she presided also over the sacred law, and the cycle of life and death. Artemis - was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. Her Roman equivalent is Diana. Artemis was often described as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo. She was the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young girls, bringing and relieving disease in women; she often was depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrows. The deer and the cypress were sacred to her. In later Hellenistic times, she even assumed the ancient role of Eileithyia in aiding childbirth. 1 – The first danger was a relapse into paganism and Greek philosophy 1:21-23 - And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation

under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 3:1-4 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. The Greeks loved knowledge and prided themselves on their sophisticated, philosophical systems 1 Corinthians 1:22-23 - For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles For the Greeks, salvation implied accepting Jesus plus knowledge gained by mysterious visions which gave the people superior knowledge Colossians 2:18 - Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind This sort of mysticism created Gnosticism in the 2nd century. Gnosis = GR/knowledge. This means that Christ alone is insufficient for salvation. Jesus plus knowledge saves. To counter this Paul wrote

6

Colossians 1:28 – Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 2:1-4 - For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. Colossians 2:10 - you have been filled in him, (also translated “you are complete in him”) who is the head of all rule and authority. According to the Colossian heresy, God was good but matter was evil. For this reason, Jesus could not have been incarnated in a physical body unless he was derived from a series of emanations from the ultimate, spiritual divine being. In other words, God had a son who had a son who had a son who had a son who had Jesus. This made Jesus only one of many emanations of the God. He was one of the good emanations, an angel, versus the evil ones, i.e., demons. This made angels the object of worship (2:18). Fundamentally then, the Colossian heresy denied the deity of Jesus. God could never become man. To counter this Paul writes Colossians 1:22 - he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death Colossians 2:9 - For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily 2 – The second danger was the influence of Judaistic legalism This taught that Jesus saved…. but circumcision was as necessary as Jesus. In effect, this denied the sufficiency of Christ’s cross. To counter this Paul argued Colossians 2:11 - In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, Nor was ritualistic bathing (baptism) essential Colossians 2:12 - having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

7

Legalists in Paul’s day required rigid asceticism: self-denial, even harsh treatment of the body, denying oneself certain pleasures and satisfactions. Paul replied Colossians 2:20-23 - If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. The Jewish calendar and dietary laws were also part of Jewish ceremonialism added to the gospel in Colossae Colossians 2:16-17 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Fifth: The Theme of Colossians All these false philosophies and religious practices conspired to limit the unique greatness and supreme authority of Jesus Christ, limiting the efficiency of redemption in him alone. It is no wonder then that the theme of Colossians is the singular sufficiency of Christ and our sufficiency in Him, summed up in 2:6-10. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Sixth: An Outline of the book of Colossians Colossians may be divided into two main parts. The first (Colossians 1:3-2:23 ) is a polemic against false teachings. The second (Colossians 3:1-4:17 ) is made up of exhortations to proper Christian living. IMPORTANT: As is Paul’s tradition, the first teaching is doctrinal, the second half of the book is practical. This is because: a) Christian theology is always practical and b) Christian practice is rooted in doctrine/theology, i.e., “Because Jesus did this, you can/should do this…” For instance, Because Jesus is

a) the God of Redemption

8

1:13-14 - He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

b) and Lord of creation 1:15-17 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[f] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

c) And Head of the church 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. We should:

a) Set our minds on Christ 3:1-4 b) Refrain from sin 3:5-11 c) Put on Christ, his attitude and actions 3:12-17 d) Live in our homes with Christ-likeness 3:18-22 e) Work for God’s reward 3:23-4:1 f) Pray 4:2-4 g) Live evangelistically 4:5-6

Your view of Jesus Christ will impact every area of your life. Many today want only practical instruction and helps for living, eschewing “esoteric” topics such as doctrine and theology because they seem to be out of touch with their day-to-day reality. Paul’s view was different. He saw that the Christological problems in the Colossian church had practical importance as well. Believers have died with Christ; therefore, we need to die to our sins. We have also been raised with Christ; therefore, we must live well in Him and put on qualities that are motivated by Christian love. And because He is Lord over all, the life of the Christian is a life of submission to Jesus. Are you following after Jesus as you should? Our faith in Jesus Christ should transform the relationships we have in every area of our lives—in our homes, our churches, and our world. If Jesus isn’t God, if he hasn’t saved us, if he isn’t Lord of everything, there is no reason to do any of this. But if Jesus is God, has saved us and is Lord of everything, there is every reason to do these things. Bottom line: Belief determines behavior.

The introduction (Colossians 1:1-2 ) is in the form of a Hellenistic, personal letter. The senders (Paul and Timothy) and the recipients (the Colossian church) are identified, and a greeting is expressed (the usual Pauline “grace and peace” replaced the usual secular “greeting”).

Typical of Paul, a lengthy thanksgiving (Colossians 1:3-8 ) and prayer (Colossians 1:9-14 ) lead into the body of the letter. Paul thanked God for the faith, hope, and love (Colossians 1:4-5 ) which the Colossians had by virtue of their positive response to the gospel. He prayed that they

9

might have a full knowledge and understanding of God's will and lead a life worthy of redeemed saints, citizens of the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:9-14 ).

The doctrinal section which follows begins with a description of the grandeur of the preeminent Christ (Colossians 1:15-20 ). Though the precise meaning of some words and phrases is uncertain, there is no doubt as to Paul's intent. He meant to present Jesus as fully God incarnate (Colossians 1:15 ,Colossians 1:15,1:19 ), as supreme Lord over all creation (Colossians 1:15-17 ), as supreme Lord of the church (Colossians 1:18 ), and as the only Source of reconciliation (Colossians 1:20 ).

The purpose of the first two chapters was to correct the false teaching which had infiltrated the church. The heresy is not identified, but several characteristics of the heresy are discernible: (1) An inferior view of Christ is combated in Colossians 1:15-20 . This Christological passage implies that the heretics did not consider Jesus to be fully divine or perhaps did not accept Him as the sole Source of redemption. (2) The Colossians were warned to beware of plausible sounding “philosophies” which were antichrist (Colossians 2:8 ). (3) The heresy apparently involved the legalistic observance of “traditions,” circumcision, and various dietary and festival laws (Colossians 2:8 ,Colossians 2:8,2:11 ,Colossians 2:11,2:16 ,Colossians 2:16,2:21 ; Colossians 3:11 ). (4) The worship of angels and lesser spirits was encouraged by the false teachers (Colossians 2:8 ,Colossians 2:8,2:18 ). (5)Asceticism, the deprivation or harsh treatment of one's “evil” fleshly body, was promoted (Colossians 2:20-23 ). Finally, (6) the false teachers claimed to possess special insight (perhaps special revelations) which made them (rather than the apostles or the Scriptures) the ultimate source of truth (Colossians 2:18-19 ).

Colossians 3:1-4 provides the link connecting the theology of Colossians 1:1 and Colossians 2:1 with the exhortations to live a Christian life in Colossians 3:1 and Colossians 4:1 . The command to “put to death” (Colossians 3:5 NIV) and to “rid yourselves of all such things” which will reap the wrath of God ( Colossians 3:5-11 ) is balanced by the command to “clothe yourselves with” (Colossians 3:12 NIV) those things characteristic of God's chosen people ( Colossians 3:12-17 ). The changes are far from superficial, however. They stem from the Christian's new nature and submission to the rule of Christ in every area of one's life (Colossians 3:9-10 ,Colossians 3:9-10,3:15-17 ).

Rules for the household appear in Colossians 3:18-4:1 . The typical first century household is assumed; the passage addresses wives and husbands, fathers and children, masters and slaves. Paul made no comment about the rightness or wrongness of the social structures; he accepted them as givens. Paul's concern was that the structures as they existed be governed by Christian principles. Submission to the Lord (Colossians 3:18 ,Colossians 3:18,3:20 ,Colossians 3:20,3:22 ; Colossians 4:1 ), Christian love (Colossians 3:19 ), and the prospect of divine judgment (Colossians 3:24-4:1 ) must determine the way people treat one another regardless of their social station. It is this Christian motivation which distinguishes these house rules from those that can be found in Jewish and pagan sources.

A final group of exhortations (Colossians 4:2-6 ) and an exchange of greetings (Colossians 4:7-17 ) bring the letter to a close. Notable in this final section are (1) the mention of Onesimus (Colossians 4:9 ), which links this letter with Philemon, (2) the mention of a letter at Laodicea

10

(Colossians 4:16 ), which may have been Ephesians, and (3) Paul's concluding signature which indicates that the letter was prepared by an amanuensis (secretary) (Colossians 4:18 ).

Find a chart outlining the book and map of Colossae can be found after the Small Group Interaction

Small Group Interaction: At first glance, it might appear Johnson City, Washington County and Tennessee have nothing to do with Colossae. But every culture incarnates the gospel according to or alongside its traditions. The ideal is to embrace the gospel as the Bible presents it but this is the task of a lifetime of careful exegesis; finding out what the Bible says and influencing our culture rather than the culture influencing the gospel. 1 – What is the Gospel? 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 - For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

2 – According to 1 Cor 1:3-4, what alone is necessary for salvation? Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. 3 - What cultural attachments has your family upbringing or church traditions attached to salvation? Baptism? Communion? Walking the aisle during a church service? Praying a certain prayer? Having a ‘young/old-earth’ perspective of creation? 4 – Why is it important to center our faith in Christ alone? a) Because every culture adds its own traditions to the gospel making it an unending, unnecessary list. b) Because Christ alone can save and trusting anything else diverts us from faith in Christ. 5. What were some aspects of the Colossian heresies? Salvation is by extra-knowledge received through visions or from angels; that circumcision or keeping the Jewish calendar concerning rituals, could save. 6. How has Christ made you ‘complete?’ How has he ‘filled in the gaps’ of your life to make you a more whole person?

11

12

BehindtheBookisonlyoneaspectofHeritage’steachingministrywhichseekstoemployourchurch’smissionstatement:ConnectingtoGod,GrowingwithOthersandImpactingtheworld:(CGI-a‘Christ-generatedimage’).OnWednesdayevenings,weconnecttoSundaymorning’sBiblepassageanddiscoverwhatitsaysthroughin-depthBiblestudy.Sundaymorningincorporateworship(9:30am)wegrowfromthepassagebylearningwhatitmeansforourdailyliving.InCommunityGroups(10:45am)wepracticallyapplythetext,beingimpactedbyitandlearningtoimpacttheworldwithit.CGIprovidesabalancedapproachtolifeandBiblestudy;anupwardlook(Connect),aninwardlook(Grow)andanoutwardlook(Impact)ensuringthatourmissionfulfilsourvisiontobeaGod-centered,GreatCommissioncongregation.It’sawell-knownandbeneficialwaytoapproachtheBible–Connect/Observation,Grow/Interpretation,Impact/Application.ThisapproachtoScripturealsoremindsusaboutwhoourGodisandhowheisuniqueamongallthereligionsoftheworldasweConnecttotheFather,GrowinChristandareimpactedandimpacttheworldbytheSpirit.