Colossians 1:1-8

Colossians 1:1-8

Col 1 – Paul called to be an apostle by Jesus, Acts 26:16; Paul became an servant Eph 3:7

He is then commissioned and empowered to be a messenger of God to the Gentiles. Rom. 11:13.

Paul needs to call attention to this because this letter is going to an environment where the teachers who claimed to be from the Lord were spreading deception and false teachings in the church. Paul is in a way saying “You’ve heard all of them, now listen to me.”

2 – Paul then identifies whom it is he is speaking to. The “holy”. We have today seen how this word has been twisted to become a put down. “Holy Rollers” “Holier than Thou” We sometimes forget that to be holy means to be consecrated to God. We have been set apart for God call for his purposes. We are to be holy and faithful to Him not only in Colosse we are to be holy and faithful right here in North Kingstown too.

3 – 4 In verse 3 Paul begins by complementing them because he has heard of their faith in Christ Jesus. What are people saying about your faith? Can people miles and miles away comment about your faith? What about people across the street? Paul goes on to further complement them for their love for all the saints.

Jesus told us in the Gospel of John that love would distinguish us from the rest of the world.

Jn. 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

5 –“The faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven”

Have you ever watched a child a Christmas? Have you seen the excitement build, the joy increase? They come into the living room and stare at the Christmas tree. Pick up the packages and shake them, try to guess what it is. They see in part; they get a taste of what will be on that early morning.

Rom. 8:23-24 “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

For in this hope we were saved.

1 Cor. 13:12 “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

5-6 “All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing…”

Does the gospel do what it says it will do? The test of any religion is not whether or not it makes you feel comfortable or feel good but is it true?

Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled for I am with you.”

Right now, whatever we are facing, in our moment of weakness or hopelessness, Jesus is available to us. His strength can be imparted to us, His wisdom given to steady us, strengthen and make us to stand. The great thing about the Gospel is that it is true. It really works and delivers people.

7 - 8 Epaphras simply told the people who came the truth about Jesus: the meaning of His death, the glory of His resurrection and His accessibility to them by means of the Spirit. That began to awaken those who were in a hopeless condition. They found faith, hope and love through his teaching. A healed community of beautiful people came into being, and caught the attention of many in those pagan cities. That is God’s favorite way of evangelism.

Lafayette Advent Christian Church

714 Ten Rod Road

North Kingstown, RI 02853

Pastor Arthur Potter

Preached on January 7, 2001