Colossians Inductive-Deductive Sermon Outline Ideas
The following notes reflect the homiletics recommended in "Preach with No Pants" (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/preach-with-no-pants-john-allen-sermon-on-inductive-250167). It proposes an inductive-deductive five-point outline: Trip, Tension, Twist, Truth, Triumph. In practice, you would need to add to this outline illustrations and subpoints relevant to your heart and audience.
Colossians Overview
EXEGETICAL IDEA
Christ himself is the supreme goal of the Christian life not empty philosophies, religious traditions, or elemental spirits.
This is based primarily on Paul's:
- Magnificent exaltation of Christ (1:15-20).
- Goal in ministry (1:2:3).
- Warnings against philosophy, traditions, and spirits (2:4, 8, 16-23).
- Summary command to contiue growing in Christ (2:6-7).
The Colossians were being urged by false teachers to attain spiritual maturity through mystical philosophies, (Jewish) religious traditions, and false spirits. Paul was saying you gain spiritual maturity by gaining more of the person of Jesus Christ.
HOMILETICAL IDEA
Jesus is the secret to the abundant life.
The most accurate homiletical subject for the book might be "Christ" himself or "spiritual maturity" instead of "abundant life." However, spiritual maturity may be too abstract and not enough of a felt need for most Christians. So, I have chosen "abundant life" as the expression of the rich blessings of Christ gained through spiritual maturity.
TWIST
To me the most startling idea in the book is the contrast between the formulas of the false teachers and the simple truth of knowing, loving, and obeying Christ. First of all, it is hard to believe that Christ-like attitudes and behavior day after day will in fact move us forward in the Christian life. Secondly, it is counter-intuitive to think we can have more or less of the person of Christ.
OUTLINE
Trip (Upset)
Reference the thousands of unhelpful self-help books in the world. Or use some relevant spiritual "secret of success."
Tension (Provoking the Questions, Opposites of the Truth)
- We want abundant life (John 10:10).
- Intellectual, even deeply spiritual books or videos may not deliver it.
- Spiritual disciplines don't work for you.
- Extraordinary emotional, spiritual experiences evaporate.
- Dutiful (performance-based) obedience is unsatisfying.
Twist (The Most Startling Idea)
Gimmicks aren't good. God presents Jesus. (See above.)
Truth (Preaching the Bible's Solution)
Weave the usual background information through the following points if possible.
We also want some special formula: some new, unusual idea, a surefire spiritual discipline, or an extraordinary experience (2:4, 8, 16-23).
Our goal in life should be as simple as Paul's goal in ministry, Christ (1:2:3). Just keep growing in Christ (2:6-7). Get more of Jesus to have more of that abundant life.
Triumph (The Nugget of Truth)
Jesus is the secret to the abundant life. Know him. Love him. Live him.
