INTRODUCTION
Today I want to begin a new series of messages based on the Book of Colossians. Colossians is a letter written by Paul to Christians in Colosse. It is the 7th letter of Paul placed in the middle of his 14 letters to churches and church leaders. Colosse was located in Asia minor which would be in modern day Turkey. It was an area that Paul, the Missionary, would travel heavily through. Most of his ministry in the region was based out of Ephesus, 100 miles west of Colosse. Paul ministered there for more than 3 years and had tremendous impact:
Acts 19:10
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Colosse was not mentioned in the Book of Acts. So far as we know Paul never traveled there. The same is true of two other neighboring cities: Laodicea and Hierapolis. Churches were planted and grew strong in these places. Laodicea is mentioned in Revelation, chapter two as a church that had become rich but lukewarm. Jesus would write, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth.” And, later, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.” (Rev.3:16,20)
If Paul never traveled there, how did the church at Colosse get started? Good question. Read 1:4,7-8. It seems that one of Paul’s Gentile converts, Epaphras (4:12), was the one who planted the church at Colosse.
Another key leader in the church at Colosse was Philemon. The church at Colosse may have been started in his house (Phil.2). Look at Col. 4:8-9 and note the name of Onesimus, “who is one of you.” Onesimus was a slave in the house of Philemon.
The letter to the Colossians was written about AD 60 while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. It was probably requested by Epaphras to help with some problems that had cropped up in the church. This might surprise you – every church has problems! Why? Because every church has people. One pastor said, “This would be a great church if it wasn’t for the people!” The people probably are saying, “This would be a great church if it wasn’t for the pastor!”
Wouldn’t it be great if life came with a manual? I mean, when a problem came up you could open the manual to page so-and-so and wow, there’s the solution! Well, that’s what the Bible is, a manual for living. That’s why so much of the New Testament was recorded, to help us with our problems. Paul was one of God’s great problem solvers and he wrote down solutions for the churches to follow.
Colossians breaks down the problems apparent in their church and gives solutions. That it was preserved and placed in the Bible means that God recognized we would experience problems like these and could benefit from these words of Paul, too.
We will spend several weeks studying Colossians. Please read it carefully each week. Other excellent sources I will draw from are Warren Wiersbe’s book, Be Complete and Charles Trentham’s book, The Shepherd of the Stars. I recommend reading these if you can find them.
This morning’s message will overview the whole book and get us ready to begin an in depth study of the 95 verses of Colossians. In a broad way, Paul says three things to the church at Colosse:
The Savior is Supreme
Your Salvation is Simple
You are Saved for Service
I. THE SAVIOR IS SUPREME (Chapter 1)
Paul states emphatically that Jesus is preeminent in all things. Look at verse 17 and later part of verse 18.
A. Jesus is the Head of Creation (15-17)
Creation should give to everyone a respect for God and a desire to know him. Listen to Romans 1:20:
Romans 1:20
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, NKJV
Two of our astronauts said it well:
“I don’t think you can be up here and look out the window as I did the first day and see the earth from this vantage point, to look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God. To me, it’s impossible - it just strengthens my faith. I wish there were words to describe what it’s like. Truly awesome!” – John Glenn
“The earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile that if you should touch it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.” – James Irwin
B. Jesus is Head of the Church (18)
That Jesus is head of creation should give everyone a respect for God and a desire to know Him. But, how can we know Him personally? Through the Church which He established.
Ephesians 1:22-23
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
The Savior is supreme as head of creation and reveals Himself through the church as head of the church.
II. YOUR SALVATION IS SIMPLE (Chapter 2)
A. Don’t Worry about Philosophies (2:4,8)
Colosse was located at a major crossroads for travel from east to west. They were between Europe and Asia. They were in the middle of where ideas and philosophies would intersect.
One of the major philosophies that prevailed there was finding its way into the church: Gnosticism. It comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Our word knowledge comes from this. “Agnostic” means one who does not know. A major application of gnosticism in those days said that you know God intellectually, not physically or emotionally. Therefore if you develop your mind toward God you can do anything you want to with your body. Carnality was not a problem.
Beware of philosophies creeping into your faith today. There will always be someone seeking to add something to what you believe. This is how cults start.
Illus.- I’m reading a best selling novel now entitled “The Da Vinci Code.” It is fiction but is full of philosophies that can invade the church.
B. Don’t Worry About Principalities (2:9-10,15,18)
Angel worship was growing in those days. This is true today. Angels are exalted. TV programs magnify angels. Also, there is a fixation on demons. Some Christians go to extremes about demons.
C. Don’t Worry About Perfection (2:16,20-23)
Often this is called legalism or ritualism. But, we are free in Christ!
A key verse is 2:6. Live by it!
The Savior is supreme. Your salvation is simple. And:
III. YOU ARE SAVED TO SERVE (Chapters 3-4)
A. Serve God (3:1-3,17)
B. Serve One Another
1. In your family (3:18-21)
2. At work (3:22-23, 4:1) Employees to employers and vice-versa
3. In the church (4:2-4)
4. Outside the church (4:5-6)
CLOSING
The Bible is a manual on how to live. Everything you need is here. Maybe you have been confused. Maybe you need to return to the Lord today. Colossians says we are complete in Him. If you are feeling incomplete that’s what the invitation is for. Come.
