Center of Everything

February 5

Think About It …

• Consider a road sign that reads, “Center of the World.” If you were to erect a sign with this title based on your life, where would it be? Why?

• Today we look at where Christ should be in relation to the center of our lives … in relation to our life’s “city limits.”– inside or outside?– at the center or on the periphery

Listen for what Paul requests in his prayer.

Col. 1:9-12 (NIV) For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped

praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of

the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work,

Listen for what Paul requests in his prayer.

growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his

glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to

share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Why Beliefs Matter

• According to verse 9, what was Paul’s primary prayer for these Christians?

• What do you think it means to be “filled with the knowledge of His will”?

• What would be some qualities of believers who truly know what they believe?

• Then in verse 10, what results did Paul hope to see for his friends in Colosse?

Why Beliefs Matter

• How would you expect to see the results the gospel bearing fruit in our church?

• Paul talks about endurance and patience in verse 11. What situations do you know about where believers need endurance to face opposition for believing biblical Truth about Jesus?

Why Beliefs Matter

• Based on verses 11 and 12, how does God enable believers to share in His inheritance?

• Why do you think Paul praised a group of Christians he had never met?

Think about your life … would you have the type of reputation that you would want to proceed you?

Listen for titles or descriptions of Jesus.

Col. 1:15-20 (NIV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16]

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,

whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him

all things hold together. [18] And he is the head

Listen for titles or descriptions of Jesus.of the body, the church; he is the beginning and

the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19]

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his

blood, shed on the cross.

Who Christ Is

• Some Bible scholars think these verses represent words of an early Christian hymn. Why do you think Paul used a song to express these truths about Jesus?

• What is Christ’s relationship to Creation? • How is Jesus the “image of the invisible God”?

Who Christ Is

• What is Christ’s relationship to the church? • How do your beliefs about Jesus – who He

is/was – affect your daily life?

Listen for a definition of salvation.

Col. 1:13-14 (NIV) For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. … [21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled

you by Christ's physical

Listen for a definition of salvation.

body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from

accusation-- [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope

held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to

every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

What Christ Has Done

• How does God enable believers to share in His inheritance?

• What is the analogy behind the concept of “redemption” mentioned in verse 14?

• Why was reconciliation necessary?

What Christ Has Done

• What is the primary action on our part that makes what Christ has done for us become effective in our lives?

• How can we demonstrate that we have been redeemed and reconciled to God?

Application

• Believers should pray for one another– Pray for yourself, for others around you to know

and do God’s will– Tell God you trust Him for the power to be fruitful

(to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit)– Daily time with God … reading His Word, careful

consideration of His Truth … these must be a priority in your life

Application

• Christ is the preexistent son of God, the exact image of God.– He created, He sustains all things– He rose victorious over death– He is the Head of the church, the body of

believers– Allow Him to be in charge of your life

Application

• Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has transferred believers from darkness to the kingdom of light.– Christ’s death was the price paid for our

redemption– The Gospel is the Good News of what Christ has

done for us– Share that Good News with someone this week

Center of Everything

February 5