FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST
Colossians 1:1-7
INTRODUCTION:
A. This morning we will begin our look at the book of Colossians
1. It s main purpose is to lift up the preeminence of Christ.
2. Paul declares 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: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And 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. Col. 1:16-18
3. This is a message the church needs to hear today!
B. Paul is writing this letter because a man from the church, named Epaphras (named in verse 7) came to him for some advice on how to handle a problem that was beginning to grow in the church.
1. Epaphras had traveled to Paul who was in prison in Rome and explained the problem which we will look at more in depth later, but here is a quick look:
a. It was a mixture of different things coming into the church
1) Eastern Philosophy – matter is evil, spirit is good – spiritualism and astrology
2) Jewish legalism – rules and regulations (legalism may be the big one today)
3) And Gnosticism - the idea that there is a religious “elite” within the church who had higher knowledge, than others.
b. Each of these individually, and collectively, demeaned the status of Jesus Christ – do you see the applicability, we have this today!
2. This, of course, would weaken the church and its power to spread the gospel and so Paul writes this letter to proclaim the truth and set things straight!
3. Paul then sends this letter to Colosse by the hand of Tychicus
C. Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with the greeting, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse:…. Col. 1:1-2
1. This is a letter that is addressed to believers – the New Living Translation puts it this way, This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. Notice the two descriptions:
a. Saints – holy people
b. And faithful – those trying to live for Christ.
3. This is what the church is to be holy and faithful, and that is why this letter is so important to us and why we are going to go through it verse by verse.
4. This morning I want us to see three tings as we look at Col 1:1-7
a. Paul’s Blessing
b. Paul’s Recognition
c. Paul’s Appreciation
5. But first, lets pray and ask God to make this trek through Colossians a time of growth and personal application.
PRAY
We will begin by looking at
I. PAUL’S BLESSING TO THE CHURCH, Col. 1:2-3 …Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,… The blessing is three fold
A. Though Epaphras had come with the desire for wisdom in handling a possible problem, he also brought good news – the church was doing well and Paul begins the letter with a blessing expressed to the church – it began with “Grace be unto you.”
1. According to Thayer’s Greek dictionary the word “grace” could mean, the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
2. It by His grace that we receive what we do not deserve
3. First in salvation, and then in providing for us in this world!
B. The second part of the blessing is found in the word “peace” unto you
1. Peace - the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
2. Kent Hughes, in his commentary on Colossians, states that this peace is more than the simple absence of trouble, but well-being which springs from a sense of the presence of God.
3. Having peace with God that comes from his grace the believer can have the peace of God – that which is full assurance that He is with them and looking out for them!
C. And the third part of the blessing – prayer
1. If Paul had kept the tradition of a Jew he would have prayed three times a day.
2. That would mean he prayed for the church at Colosse at least three times a day, 21 times a week.
3. And those prayers were of thanksgiving to God for the church – for their salvation, for their work and for their fruitfulness.
D. All this is well and good – but what about us?
1. Have we experienced the grace of God
a. Have you come to the point in your life that you know that you need a Savior who is full of mercy and grace?
b. Do you have a personal relationship with the God?
c. Salvation is not just a word – it is a location, “In Christ”
2. If you have experienced the grace of God do you know the peace of God?
a. Are you always worried? – you don’t have too.
b. Fighting depression at every turn? – you don’t have too.
c. Can’t put your finger on it , but you just don’t feel at ease? – you don’t have too!
3. Jesus is real, salvation is real – thank God for it!
- A thankful heart is more likely to be a content and joyful heart!
4. Paul’s blessing for the church is for you!
This brings us to
II. PAUL’S RECOGNITION OF THE CHURCH, Col. 1:4-5 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
A. As Paul wrote the letter he recognized the spiritual depth of the church and wanted them to know he recognized it. He had heard three things in particular. First he recognizes their faith, he writes Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…
1. The Greek word translated “faith” means to be persuaded something is true and trusting in it
2. This is the essence of Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
3. But the word carries more with it, true faith not only trusts but obeys because of the trust.
4. Thus far they had been obedient to the Lord and His gospel – Paul wanted it to stay that way: how about us?
B. Secondly, Paul recognizes their love - and of the love which ye have to all the saints
1. How important is love in the church?
2. John said God is love – and those who are of God love those who are His: 1 John 3:14-15 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
3. Further more we are told to love our enemies – how important is love? Tremendously!
4. And our love is not to be with partiality or with prejudice – we are to love as Christ loved: Do we?
C. Thirdly, Paul recognizes their hope, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven
1. Listen to John’s message found in 1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2. This is our hope in Christ – one day we will be like Him: resurrected, in heaven and destined for eternal life with God!
D. Could Paul recognize our church for these things: faith, love and hope?
1. Could he recognize us? Do we exhibit these things as Christians?
2. Does our faith in Christ lead us to obey Him?
3. Does our Faith lead us to works of love?
- James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
4. Do we have hope – does it show to the world?
5. If these are not prevalent in our lives we need to renew our relationship with our Savior
6. If they are we need to raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord!
Having seen Paul’s Blessing to the Church and His Recognition of the Church, we come to
III. PAUL’S APPRECIATION FOR THE CHURCH, Col. 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
A. Paul’s appreciation of this church arises from the news that they are a fruitful church
1. The idea of fruitfulness is seen though out the scriptures
a. One obvious place is in the Gospel of John
b. In John 15:7-8 he speaks of it clearly If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
2. And the means of the fruit production is clear as well – abiding in Christ
3. In our passage we see this in
a. Verse 5, heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel
b. Verse 6. heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth
4. In simple terms – fruit is produced by Christians – those who have been born again – those who are saved
5. It is as natural for a Christian to produce godly fruit as it is for a apple tree to produce apples.
B. What type of fruit was Paul appreciative about
1. Their faithfulness to the gospel, verse 4
2. Their love, verse 4
3. Their lives of hope, verse 5
4. Very possibly he had heard of their joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness and self-control
5. All these are listed as “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23
6. One other fruit that was obvious was the salvation of souls – people were getting saved and the church was growing!
C. Do you see this fruit in your own lives? I’m talking about love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control
1. Or do you see the lusts of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, rivalry, jealously, outbursts of anger, quarrels, conflicts, factions, envy, murder, drunkenness, wild partying, and things like that. Gal 5:19-21 (International Standard Version)
2. Paul, God’s ordained servant, appreciated the church at Colosse for loving God and serving Him in the power of the Holy Spirit, all because of their relationship to Jesus Christ!
3. Could Paul write these words of appreciation to us: individually and corporately as the church? I hope so!
CONCLUSION: In closing
A. Lets take the opportunity this morning to examine our own lives
1. Do we see the blessings of God: grace and peace?
2. Do we exhibit the mainstay of our salvation in Christ: faith, love and hope?
3. Could God express His joy (appreciation) for the fruit He sees in this church?
B. If we cannot answer yes to these questions we need to go to the Lord and ask Him to forgive us of our sin and give us the power of the Spirit to love and live for Him!
C. All of this FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST!
