Just Jesus

Just

Jesus

A study on the book of Colossia

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Chapter 1 Gospel FruitinessChapter 2 100% ChristChapter 3 Fruitful LivingChapter 4 Trusted partners

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100% Christ

Gospel

Colossians is a letter Paul wrote to Christians he had never met before. You can’t really blame the guy, since he was in prison at the time. He had heard about them though. In fact, word had gotten round about the Colossian church’s faith and love (Chapter 1, verse 4).

Being locked far away in Rome, hasn’t stopped Paul from thinking about these believers in Jesus Christ. More than that, he has been praying for them.

How would you pray for Christians in a different country? What would say if you got a chance to send them an facebook message?

Well, Paul’s prayer in Chapter 1 says a whole lot about what the apostle thinks is important for the Colossians to know.

Paul thanks God for them. Their faith and love are •signs of their true hope in heaven, none other than Jesus Christ.This hope came to them through the gospel, which •they heard, learnt, and understood from the teaching of Epaphras, their pastor.Paul prays that they will continue to bear fruit through •their knowledge of God.To do this, they will need God’s power! Power not •just to do great things, but God’s strength through endurance and patience.Through this powerful gospel, the Colossians have •come to know the God and Father of the Lord Jesus.God has taken them out of darkness and given them •entry into the kingdom of Christ, the Son he loves.

Faith & Love

Hope in Heaven

The Gospel

Spring fromHeard in

100% LordIn Chapter 1 of Colossians, we find some of the most Christ-exalting verses in all the bible:

Jesus is the author, agent and purpose of all creation (2:16) •

Jesus is the true reflection of the image of God (2:15) •

Through Jesus, believers fulfil •God’s commandment to be fruitful. The Colossians are now displaying faith and love, fruitfulness that comes from the gospel.

Jesus ultimately reconciles •fallen creation to God through his sacrifice on the cross (1:19)

Having been reconciled to •God, Christians are to remain faithful in Christ by staying true to the gospel of Christ (1:23)

100% (Just the real thing)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Chapter 2, verses 6 and 7

How are we to grow as Christians? These

central verses in the entire letter remind us to always trust in Christ, and Christ alone.

The source of life and salvation is Jesus. As we grow deeper in our knowledge of who he is (as Lord), we will be strengthened in our assurance (rooted) and empowered to live in obedience to God’s will (built up in him).

No artificial additives

Paul writes to warn the Colossian Christians of the danger of adding to Christ. False teachers within the church

were telling believers that their trust in Jesus in Lord needed to be supplemented with religious

practices and experiences.

Such false teaching can appear wise or humble at times, but is essentially driven by pride (2:18).

They can look and sound religious, such as prescribed festival celebrations and worship regulations (2:16, 21, 23), but are built on worldly principles rather than on Christ (2:8, 20).

Ultimately, such teachings that emphasise religion over trust in Christ alone is

dangerously demonic (2:15), threatening to deceive believers away from their assurance and

faith in Jesus (2:6).

Fruitful LivingA matter of life and death

Life in Christ means living for ChristSince, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Life in Christ means death to sinPut to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5

Life in Christ means unity in ChristDo not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.Colossians 3:9-11

Life in Christ means submission to ChristWives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ... Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.Colossians 3:18-22, 4:1

Trusted PartnersUnited in the gospel

Tychicus: The one sent to evangelize the world, returns to encourage the church (4:7-9)

The few Jews (Aristarchus, Mark, Justus): The remaining chosen few become the few choosing to remain (4:10-11)

Epaphras: The one who teaches the gospel faithfully, prays for faithfulness to the gospel (4:12-13, 1:7)

Luke: The one who uses his profession to support the gospel, is known for his profession in proclaiming the gospel (4:14)

Paul: The one who proclaims the sufferings of Christ, suffers for the propagation of Christ (4:18, 1:24-27)

7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

1. The r_______________missionary

2. The fellow p____________

3. The r___________ pastor

4. The p___________ pastor

5. The g__________ doctor

6. The s_________ apostle

(see also 1:24-27)

Partners in the gospel Colossians 4:7-18: Sermon passage & outline

Just Jesus

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