September 26, 2021

COLOSSIANS

September 26, 2021

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Commitment to a hobby or vocation often succeeds only because of the self-discipline involved. How did you achieve a victory at something you wanted?

Paul, writing from prison around 60 a.d., penned a letter to the believers at Colossae (in the southwestern part of modern-day Turkey) with the same fervent passion he had used as he wrote to many other churches. Though Paul had never met the Colossian Christians, he had heard that heresy was infiltrating their faith, thus causing him to write and warn them of the danger of believing false doctrine. The letter is both an encouragement to stay the course of their original salvation experience, and an admonition against turning from the pure gospel available through Jesus Christ. It is a letter exceedingly applicable today, as there are many religions now preaching Christianity to be “Jesus PLUS something else.” Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life.

Focal Passage: The Book of Colossians

Walking in His will

  • Read Colossians 1:9. During Paul’s greeting and opening remarks, he assures these Christians of his unfailing prayers made on their behalf. Looking back, we know Paul had learned false doctrine had permeated the faith of these dear souls. How would he then be praying? When you have a crushing matter, how does it usually impact your prayer life?
  • What is the most important thing he prays for them? Why is it important for Christians to know God’s will? If you do not know His will, how can you do it? How will an apathetic believer seek to follow God’s will?
  • If you are sold out to Christ, how will that translate into a desire to be filled with wisdom and spiritual understanding of His will?
  • Read verse 10. What did Paul pray the result would be? Apply this to your life: are these four phrases descriptive of your current spiritual growth?

Growing in His power

  • Read Col. 1:11. Which type of believer is more likely to be targeted for Satan’s purposes, (weak or strong)? Why? Which one’s destruction would ultimately cause the greatest impact to the church?
  • How does a Christian gain their greatest strength to overcome?
  • Read verses 12-14. What did Paul remind them? Why is it not as likely to get side-tracked from these great truths if one is seeking God’s face daily in prayer?
  • Reflecting on today’s global troubles, how are great patience, joy, and giving thanks able to help us be strengthened in the “inner man”?

Standing in awe of His presence

  • Read Col. 1:15-20. In verse 15, what does Paul say of Jesus? Read John 1:18. How does John confirm Paul’s statement? How do Paul and John support each other in Col. 1:16, and John 1:3?
  • What do verses 19-20 mean to you? What are they saying about Jesus Christ?
  • What does the cross mean to you personally?

  Living strong in His truth

  • Read Col. 2:4. What are some of the arguments that we hear today that could deceive believers who have not sought to know God deeply? How does Hebrews 5:14 tell us to prepare ourselves to be victorious?
  • Read Col. 2:6-10. Paul is full of encouragement for these believers. What does he tell them to focus on?
  • Are these admonitions just as important for us today?

Being committed to His plan

  • Read Col. 3:1-4. What are some steps we can take to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things? How can we be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” in the world?
  • When you find Satan trying to steal your joy, what are some steps you take to get your mind back onto Christ? 

Close

This letter from Paul to the church at Colossae becomes so much more appreciated when we understand he was not writing to a group of believers he knew, but to a church that was being heavily attacked doctrinally by Satan. Paul was trying to pray them through it in his own life, and encourage them by his words to strengthen themselves in God.

As you read the letter to the Colossians, you feel as though this could be written to nearly any country in our world, and be just as pertinent as it was when Paul wrote it. We are inundated on every side by Jesus plus certain clothes, Jesus plus certain music, or (as we know), the Bible plus another book—or even a certain translation of the Bible.

As we have spent this year of 2021 reading the entire Bible through, and now re-reading the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, we find Revelation 22 ending thus: 18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. May we always live so committed to being filled with the deepest knowledge of God’s will, imbued with His power, that we will be strong enough to withstand the fiery darts Satan sends our way.

 

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