Sermon 1: From Paul With Love Series

Introduction:

A. Today, we are starting a new sermon series that I am calling “Colossians: Complete in Christ/Worthy in Walk.”

B. Let’s start today’s sermon with a riddle: What’s the difference between astrology and astronomy? Answer: About 50 IQ points.

1. You might be wondering why I would start today’s sermon with a riddle about astrology, right?

2. The reason is twofold:

a. First, because there is a resurgence of people reading horoscopes.

b. And second, because Paul had something to say about mixing Christianity with other beliefs in his letter to the Colossians.

C. Believe it or not, people in the 21st century still read horoscopes, and their popularity has surged, especially among younger generations.

1. The practice has evolved from traditional newspaper columns and magazines to a vast digital landscape of apps, websites, and social media content.

2. The rise of smartphones and social media has made astrology more accessible than ever.

a. Apps like Co-Star and Sanctuary offer personalized horoscopes and birth chart analysis, and astrological memes are common on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

3. Millennials and Gen Z are the primary drivers of astrology's resurgence.

4. Surveys reveal that a significant percentage of young people believe in astrological guidance for decisions about dating and careers.

a. Comparing zodiac signs is seen by some as a modern equivalent of other personality indicators, like Myers-Briggs types or the True Colors personality inventory.

5. Others look to horoscopes for amusement or as a tool for self-understanding and identity formation.

6. The ongoing popularity of astrology can be attributed to a desire for meaning and a sense of control in a stressful and uncertain world, particularly amplified by events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Astrology has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry.

a. In 2024, the global psychic services industry, which includes astrology, was estimated to have generated $2.3 billion in revenue in the U.S. alone.

D. I wanted to begin our exploration of the letter here, because Paul was concerned about some kind of false teaching that was affecting the Colossians and we will get into it a little more in this sermon and certainly a lot more throughout our study of this letter.

1. The challenges they were facing in that time are not too different from the challenges facing us today.

2. As we study this letter from the apostle Paul, we will learn, or be reminded of, powerful principles that will help us grow in Christ, making us more complete in Christ and helping us to be able to walk worthy of our calling.

3. In our sermon today, I will introduce us to the city of Colosse, the church in Colosse, the conflict facing the church in Colossae, and Paul’s correspondence with the church.

4. Look again at the opening words of the letter: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother: To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Col. 1:1-2)

I. The City

A. Allow me to give you a brief introduction to the city of Colossae.

1. Colossae was one of three cities located about 100 miles inland from Ephesus.

2. The other two cities were Laodicea and Hierapolis.

3. This area was a meeting point between the East and the West, because it was on an important trade route.

4. At one time, all three cities were growing and prospering, but gradually Colossae slipped into a lesser position.

5. Later, Colossae was hit by a devastating earthquake around AD 60 and today the city is uninhabited.

B. All kinds of philosophies mingled in this cosmopolitan area and religious hucksters abounded.

1. There was a large Jewish population, although the city was predominantly Gentile.

2. It was fertile ground for religious speculation and heresies, because of the constant influx of new ideas and doctrines from the East.

3. With that brief introduction in mind, let’s turn our attention to the church.

II. The Church

A. Colossae probably would never have been mentioned in the New Testament had there not been a church there.

1. The city is not mentioned in the book of Acts, because Paul did not start the church, nor did he visit there during his missionary journeys recorded in Acts.

2. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he mentions that he had heard of their faith (1:4, 9) and that he had never seen them personally (2:1).

3. But isn’t this something!...Here was a church of unknown people, in a small town, who received an inspired letter from the Apostle Paul that became part of the Bible!

B. So, if Paul didn’t start the church, then who did? How did it get planted?

1. It appears that the church began as an outgrowth of Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19; 20:17-38)