Colossians 1 | Christ's Supremacy and Our Own Spiritual Growth

Why did Paul write the letter to the Colossians?
What false teachings were present in the Colossian church?

Colossians 1 introduces the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Colossae, a small city in Asia Minor. In this chapter, Paul opens by commending the Colossians for their faith and love in Jesus Christ and their ongoing commitment to the Gospel. He emphasizes that even though he has not personally met them, he continually prays for their spiritual growth and maturity. Paul highlights the importance of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will, walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, and bearing fruit in every good work. These teachings remain relevant to believers today, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their faith amidst challenges.

The chapter addresses false teachings that were prevalent in the Colossian church, particularly those that questioned the deity and sufficiency of Christ. Paul counters these errors by presenting a profound theological portrait of Jesus, declaring Him to be the image of the invisible God, the creator of all things, and the head of the Church. 

Paul also draws connections between his own sufferings and the struggles faced by the Colossian church. He encourages them to stay rooted in the truth of the Gospel and not be swayed by deceptive philosophies or religious pluralism. He reminds the Colossians of the cosmic significance of Jesus' redemptive work and urges them to continue in their faith, grounded and steadfast. His words serve as both an encouragement and a caution, underscoring the importance of vigilance against false teachings.

Additionally, Paul emphasizes the significance of prayer in his ministry and in the lives of all believers. He prays that the Colossians would grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding, thereby living lives that reflect God’s glory. Prayer is portrayed as an essential practice that should be integrated into the daily life of every Christian, highlighting its power to foster spiritual growth and sustain faith in difficult times.

The chapter concludes with a call to spiritual maturity. Paul explains that his goal is to present everyone mature in Christ, which requires continual growth in understanding and living out the truths of the Gospel. He exhorts the Colossians to remain focused on Jesus, who reconciles all things to Himself, and to maintain a deep commitment to the faith. This message challenges modern readers to examine their own spiritual journeys and to remain steadfast in their pursuit of knowing an

Transcript

 Colossians 1

Colossians 1

[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's Plan, your part, year two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament, one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. Today we are starting the book of Colossians. We just wrapped up Philippians.

Now we're moving into Colossians. This is a short book. It has only four chapters, I believe. Uh, so we'll be through here pretty quickly just to give you a little bit of background on the Book of Colossians. Uh, this was written around the same time as Ephesians, uh, most likely around the same time as Philippians around AD 62, give or take.

They're actually kind of close to each other too. Like geographically speaking, they're like sort of in the same region. This letter is unique in that most likely, uh, Paul is writing to a church that he heard about, and I think you can kind of feel that in the letter. Uh, most likely Paul was not the primary identity, like the primary teacher, speaker, person who delivered the gospel to Colossae.

It was probably Epaphras who he talks about. Uh, [00:01:00] in the letter, this is actually really interesting in that most likely Ariss was going back and forth, uh, from Colossae to Paul in, uh, prison. And what this letter was, what, what was supposed to be done with this letter is that Paul wrote it, gave it to Ariss.

Ariss was supposed to take it and represent Paul's words in the Colossian church and give encouragement to this Colossian church. And then he was supposed to also take it to Laia and read it to the Laan Church. And they, they were pretty close together. And the, the. The problem that was happening, the issue that Paul is trying to address is that there is some false teaching that was happening, uh, in the Colossian church.

And we, we think by extension also the Laodicean church. And there is some debate about what this false teaching was, and there's a lot of opinions on that. Um, it looks like there were people that were questioning, uh, the authority of Jesus, the, um, the deity of Jesus, whether he was God or not. And it. I think because of like these challenges that they were [00:02:00] facing and what Paul speaks to them, I think it's very applicable to us today because it's very likely that people were teaching you don't need Jesus for salvation.

It's very likely that people were teaching Jesus is just a good person and we can respect him as a good person, but we don't need him to be our savior. It's also very possible that they were trying to teach some kind of like, well, Worship Jesus, but keep doing what you were doing. So like, just welcome Jesus, um, into your own personal pantheon of gods and continue trying to follow whatever you think is right.

And that, that all three of those pieces, I think are very applicable to our world today, because there are still many people that believe variations of those things. So, I think what's interesting is that, like, before we started reading, there was this little note in our Bible that said Colossus, it was most likely the smallest city to receive a letter from Paul.

So they, to me, that even is interesting, too. Like, Paul is interested in believers, period. The significance of, like, that. The size of the Church of Believers does not faze him. [00:03:00] Um, it's like just as worthy of his time to write a letter to these people to make sure that they are on track. So much so that he's aware of this church that he did not even start himself and truly cares for the work that, um, Epaphras was doing or had started in this area.

So I just think that's really cool. It's also another example of how Paul can or has worked with other people. And is not thinking of his own interests. Like he's actually excited to encourage and help what is being started in Colossae. So I thought that was kind of cool too. It's also evidence that, that pastors were seeking him out for his authority on situations, like Epaphras was interested in getting Paul's take on these problems.

Um, the other thing I mentioned at this time. Is that this letter was expected to be read to the Laodicean church of the Laodicean church is mentioned in the book of revelation. It's pretty famously one of those seven churches that get a word from the Lord. And it's [00:04:00] specifically, I mean, it's referenced in revelation one.

It's also referenced in revelation three. Um, but in revelation three 15, the Laodicean church is told, I know your works. You are neither hot nor cold. Would that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and either hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth for you say, I am rich, I have prospered and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, uh, pitiable, poor, blind and naked.

So this is, I think, powerful context because like the, the speaker in revelation is Jesus himself saying, Hey, um, You guys don't even care about me anymore because you've become so rich that you are distracted from me, which again, I think is wildly applicable to many of us today, uh, that we have been blessed financially in many ways.

We have been blessed with many things and it can distract us from how much we need Jesus. So I think like kind of going back though, to what he is [00:05:00] saying, like in his initial opening, it's really interesting to me too, that Paul kind of seems like this proud. Dad, almost like he tells them in the, in verse nine, from the day we heard, like, so essentially I would assume this is like from the day that we even heard that you guys are just as on fire and excited about what Christ is doing in your lives and the area around you, we have not stopped praying for you.

So I can imagine like, again, I always go to this, like a missionary mindset. Where, if I'm going off, I've decided, well not I, our family has decided to go off into a place where Christians are not like super popular or they're not everywhere you look like it seems like it can be here. It would be so refreshing and so exciting to be like, oh my word, did you know that like the next couple towns over there's another church that's doing the exact same thing that we are.

And that would be just so exciting to me. And I think Paul is. [00:06:00] Also, like, just really excited for this church, but at the same time, you're going to see, and you're almost, I think you're kind of seeing this in this chapter too, but it will be more prominent throughout the other chapters, that, hey, this is so great.

We've been praying for you. This is so exciting that God is doing a work in you as well. Be careful. Like, there's some things that are going to come up. There are things that are going to be Like, even happening right now, you've got to really be careful of, uh, because he's like, God has clearly called you to this mission, and we're so excited for that, and we want to keep praying for that.

But at the same time, there's going to be some things that I'm going to like, essentially give you warning about, help you to see before it overcomes you, because there were problems that faced many of the different churches, and he's almost like giving a, a fair warning. Beforehand, I think, I mean, you're quoting verse nine and so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

I think it is very powerful to note that that [00:07:00] Paul in all of his letters and I can say this confidently as we're walking through his letters. Prayer is an essential piece to what he's doing. And I think that that short little verse here in Colossians one, nine is a powerful reminder to all of us that, that prayer is really meant to be a central part of who we are.

Uh, it should be a central piece of how we support each other. And, and many times it's just like, it's just not, um, when I, when I was in Seminary. Um, I remember having a professor that made it like constantly made a joke about how Christians love to lie about praying. And I mean, he was speaking to like a group of aspiring pastors and his encouragement was basically like, Hey guys, don't ever, yes, if you're, if you tell someone you're going to pray for them.

Make sure you actually pray for them. It's so easy to say just to be like, okay, you feel like you're being supported by me, I feel like I'm supporting you, but if you don't actually put legs to it, like, yeah, don't just use it as a, like a nice sounding salutation. His, his point [00:08:00] was like, if you tell someone you're gonna be praying for them, just stop what you're doing and pray for them, like, Don't, don't give him this empty assertion that you'll be praying.

Just start praying. And I do think, I mean, granted, I think we're like mining this out of here a little bit, but I think it's a very good encouragement for all of us to keep prayer central to who we are. Uh, and in Paul's day, it would have been very normal for Christians to understand that prayer is meant to be three times a day.

Um, I think that is a positive. Thing for us to continue to follow, not in a legalistic sense, but just in a way to remember like, Hey, start your day with prayer. Um, go back to God in prayer in the middle of the day and end your day with prayer, because that is like key to who we are and what we're called to do.

So let's continue to support each other with our prayers. And it's not time for the, your part yet, but I think that's an excellent, your part. Well, the next part is, is literally, in our Bible says it's like this praise to Christ. So, I see it as him initially starting out saying, I'm so thankful for you, like, it's exciting to be a part of the same [00:09:00] body.

And then, He almost flips it to Christ is so amazing. This is what he's done for us. So awesome. Just like praise, praise, praise. And what he is talking about, how powerful, how incredible, how preeminent Jesus is. Um, even more than just saying like, Hey, Jesus is great. He's, he's giving them like a theological understanding of who Jesus is and why he's important to everything that we're doing, because that is the, that is, that is the, What was under fire in that church.

And so like, yes, he's saying like incredible things about Jesus, but it's also a unifying thing to unifying them, like the churches themselves with what he is also doing and others are doing as well. And remember the context is most likely that people were saying, well, you know, like Jesus was nice, but you don't have to have Jesus.

There, there are other ways to honor God. And he's saying, no, there are. Isn't because Jesus is God and Jesus was around, um, before the very beginning. And just to make sure that you hear the Bible saying that, [00:10:00] um, he's talking in verse 15, he is the image talking about Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation for by him, all things were created in heaven and on earth.

Visible and invisible. And then he just goes on, uh, in this incredible, uh, work and, and statement about who Jesus is. This is important because even today, uh, there is a false teaching out there that the early church kind of developed this idea. That Jesus was God. And that came much later. Sometimes people even say like in the second or third century, uh, that is clearly not true because this is a very early teaching about Christ.

And Paul is clearly teaching that Jesus is God and was around before there was time and space and creation. Um, this was not something that was developed later on. This is something that Christians believed from the very beginning. And then I guess to kind of move forward to the end, he's talking to them about how, um, he is referring to his sufferings for their sake.

So I'm wondering too if he does [00:11:00] feel this little bit of urgency of need for them in hopes that they will continue to mature. Verse 28. Eight. It says him. We proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ for this. I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

So again, he is not new to this. This is not like a, a new problem for churches, but his desire ultimately sounds like discipleship and maturity. So I'm so thankful for you. I'm so glad Christ is doing this work in you. He's done so many good things. Don't stay stagnant, like continue to grow and continue to be, um, I guess a light that is worthy of shining into the darkness.

So I think it's really cool that he emphasizes that discipleship piece and maturity piece again, maybe not so in your face. But he's addressing it. So I think a very clear your part one, uh, make prayer central to [00:12:00] who you are and what you do and how you do it. Um, two, this is not a cliche thing. Like we need to be regularly reminded about who Jesus is, uh, for us, what he's done for us, uh, who, and, and who he is, like, he was not just some good guy.

He is not someone that you can just like hang out with, but not worship. Like he is God and we cannot have right relationship. with God outside of him. And unfortunately, and I can say this personally, like sometimes you just forget or, or like you just, I don't know, like it just seems like you don't get distracted and you just don't think about Jesus that much.

Uh, but just in our previous episode from Philippians four, we talked about like Jesus needs to be central to everything we do. And I love that the book of Colossians kicks off with that. That basic reminder that like, keep Jesus at the center. Um, you cannot do your life the way you've been designed to do your life.

If you don't have Jesus at the center. So my encouragement to you is one, continue to pray for, um, [00:13:00] everyone. Actually, if you would like to, please pray for us. We have, we have a baby coming soon. We just talked about that in our previous episode, but we would, we would love your prayers. We appreciate them very much.

Um, and let's, let's continue to support each other in prayer. And let's not forget that Jesus is at the center Of our lives. Uh, he is why we do what we do. He is how we do what we do. And it is important never to take our eyes off of him. So we'll be back again tomorrow with Colossians chapter two. We'll see you then.

Give us a rating and review for our podcast. We would really appreciate that. And second, tell your friends, tell all your people that you rub shoulders with every day, uh, to listen to the podcast and also give us ratings and reviews as well. That being said, here is the reading for today. Colossians chapter one.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God and Timothy, our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae, grace to you and peace from God our Father. [00:14:00] We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

Of this you have heard before in the Word of Truth, the Gospel, which has come to you as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing, as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood it, the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant.

He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so, from the day we heard we have not seen You may you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened by God's grace.

With all power according to his glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy giving thanks to [00:15:00] the father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light, he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, in whom we have redemption.

the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent, for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in [00:16:00] mind, doing evil deeds, he is now reconciled in the body of flesh by his death. In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body. That is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of the mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him, we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present [00:17:00] everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy, that he powerfully works within me.

Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan, Your Part. Don't forget, you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode. And if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpartatgmail.

com. As always, if you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use a reach out to us via email, and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.