1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 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 the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 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, 10 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; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. —Colossians 1:1-14
Intro: Imagine looking at our solar system on a clear night or through a telescope, the vastness of its beauty stretching out before you. The sheer magnitude of this natural wonder leaves you in awe, reminding you of the greatness and majesty of God. Similarly, the book of Colossians is a spiritual galaxy, revealing the breathtaking supremacy of Christ over all other philosophies the world has to offer. As we embark on this journey through Colossians, we will explore the depths of its teachings and uncover the unparalleled significance of Jesus in our lives.
Paul writes this letter to the Church at Colossae as a response to a report given to him from Epaphras (“Fellow servant,” “Faithful minister”) as an encouragement for their faith and an admonishment to mature in their walk-in order that they may reject the false teachers that threatened their committed worshiping community. Our church faces the same issues that the saints in Colossae did: false teaching, rejecting God’s authority, and failing to embrace the sufficiency of the Gospel in our daily lives. Like the believers in Colossae, we feel the double threat of Legalism and Gnosticism.
Big Idea: Jesus is
Three responses to Jesus being over all
1. Celebrate (Colossians 1:1-8)
- a. A Celebration of faith and the fruit of the Gospel (v.3-8)
- Faith, Hope, & Love
The gospel is this: We are more
in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope. —Tim Keller
- b. Faith rests on the unshakeable foundation of God’s grace and peace.
- c. The Colossians were an example of the transformative power of the gospel.
- d. Paul felt a profound sense of gratitude for the undeserved love they have received.
How are you reflecting on the
2. Pray (Colossians 1:9-12)
- a. Pray for a worthy walk (v.10)
- b. Pray for a knowledgeable walk (v.9-10)
c. Pray for a powerful walk (v.11, Prov 25:28)
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. –Proverbs 25:28
d. Pray for a thankful walk (v.12)
A church that
3. Live as one who is Redeemed (Colossians 1:13-14)
Embrace your
- a. Delivered from Darkness (v.13)
- b. Transferred (Rescued)to the Kingdom of His beloved Son (v.13)
- c. Inherit (v.12,14)
You
Jesus is
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
How does the truth that “Jesus is Above all things” serve as an anchor in times of doubt, uncertainty, or amidst worldly distractions?
In what ways have you personally experienced deliverance from darkness through your relationship with Jesus?
As a small group, brainstorm practical ways to live out the three responses to Jesus being over all (Celebrate, Pray, and Live as one who is redeemed). How can these be incorporated into our individual and collective Christian walk?