I. Introduction
A. There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and was stuck in almost total darkness for over a week, no food, no water. He cried out every day, "Help me!" hoping that somebody would hear his voice and figure out that he was down there.
? Sure enough a guy came along and heard this faint sound and looked around and found the hole. They dug him out and that’s how they found this giant cavern. They asked him, "How did you hold on to hope day after day after day in the dark without giving up?"?
He said, "There was one little pinhole ray of light that was coming through and I just kept focused on that ray of light."
B. What we think about the sufficiency of Christ and His ability to rescue us from our own darkness will often directly affect our willingness to live lives that He can use to rescue others
C. Paul’s letter to the Colossians is about hope—hope that is eternal, because it is rooted in Christ’s nature, and hope that produces godly living in a culture that is in constant conflict with us and Him
II. Greeting (vv.1-2)
A. Background
1. About 100 mi. east of Ephesus, Colossae was a thriving textile source; Gentile, but home to a large Jewish settlement since around 200 BC
2. Church began during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus; founded by Epaphras, who likely became a believer in Ephesus and started this church when he came home; after some years, was plagued by heresy of gnosticism
B. Authorship (v.1)
1. Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome, where he also wrote to the Philippians, Ephesians, and to Philemon
2. “Co-written” by Timothy; probably not really an author, but was with Paul when the letter was written
C. Audience (v.2a)
1. “Saints”—born-again believers in Colossae
2. “faithful brothers”—in the NT, used solely for believers
D. Greeting (v.2b)
– “Grace…peace”—Paul’s intro in all 13 epistles
II. Thanksgiving (vv.3-4)
A. Remembering others in prayer (v.3)
1. “God…Jesus Christ”—Paul often includes this kind of phrase to reinforce the deity of Christ and His unified essence with the Father (what comes from a father is the same as the father)
2. Just like in Philippians, Paul remembers this body of believers in prayer—and is thankful for them
B. Remembering their testimony (v.4)
1. “heard of your faith”
a. The faith (belief) of the Colossians had made it to Paul before he’d ever even come to their town, which likely prompted his desire to visit
b. This is a reference to saving faith, not mere knowledge of facts—is our saving faith famous in any way? Are we known to others as not just cultural Christians, but as born-again believers?
2. “love…for all the saints”—love for other believers is a clear indication of authentic belief. Do we show love that indicates authentic belief?
IV. Hoping (vv.5-8)
A. Security of hope (vv.5-6)
1. If Philippians is the book of joy, Colossians is the book of hope; and hope is inseparable from faith (Romans 5:1-5, esp vv. 3, 5)
2. “the word of truth”—God’s Word (Rom. 10:17)
3. “the gospel”—the good news, as of a victory in battle
4. “has come to you”—we must remember, the Gospel is a product of Jesus—and Jesus does all the work! We don’t go “get” the Gospel; it comes to us. We are dead in our sins, and dead people can’t do anything, much less look for life
5. “in the whole world”—by “world” Paul refers to “all creation under heaven,” which he says in v.23
6. “bearing fruit and increasing”—the result of hearing and incorporating gospel preaching
7. “understood the grace”—more than just comprehending what the word means, Paul is talking about having a personal grasp on what grace has rescued us from
– Also a reference to the Gnostic heresy
8. “in truth”—rooted in the Word, not in ideas or superstition
B. Security of ministry (v.7)
1. Epaphras—pastor and likely founder of this church
2. “faithful minister… on your behalf”—never forget what a minister does. They are not just the preacher or leader, but advocate for their congregations before God
3. “your love in the Spirit”—when Paul says this, he’s referring to their advocacy for his ministry before God (Rom. 15:30)
V. Conclusion
A. Remember what was done for you to bring you to Christ—not just Jesus’ sacrifice, but also His grace to use other believers to draw you to Himself… and then evaluate whether your life indicates that this is even true of you
B. Remember that hope is a treasure laid up for you in heaven, where you can never lose it—moth and rust can’t corrupt it, and thieves can’t break in and steal. It is the fruit of the Gospel, born in our hearts by His Word and purposed to grow in good works
C. Remember your leaders—just as they advocate for you before God, so you should advocate for them as they serve you and Him
