The life of the new man, Colossians 3:12-17

Today we continue in our study of the epistle to the Colossians. And as a matter of context, I would remind you that Paul, in chapter three, began by speaking to those who have been saved, to those who have received new life in Christ, saying “since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” So from that we determined that since we have a new life in Christ as our representative,

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Dying to the old nature, Colossians 3:1-11

In chapters one and two, Paul has expressed a litany of doctrinal principles that we have in Christ. He has shared his concerns about false doctrines that were permeating the church. But now in chapter three we see a change in his approach. His concern now is not so much doctrinal as it is practical. Not that doctrine isn’t practical. It is very much so. But it’s the application of doctrine which is what we mean by practical. Now as we look at this first verse, we notice that it begins with the word “if.” In this case that word

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False spirituality, Colossians 2:16-23

Last week in the previous passage we looked at what Paul describes as the fullness of our salvation.  We said that in Christ we have all the benefits of our salvation complete.  There is no need to seek some sort of higher knowledge, or add some philosophy or experience in order to have all that need.  We are made completely saved in Christ. This week, we’re looking at the remainder of this chapter in which Paul continues with that line of thought, but he now is going to counter specific false doctrines which were being circulated in the church of

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The fullness of our salvation, Colossians 2:9-15

As you know I just got back from vacation on Friday night.  And one of the interesting things you do when you come back from a trip like that is unpack your suitcases and unpack the car.  It can be an interesting experience to relive the trip through what you find in your suitcase.  Especially the smells.  I’m not sure I should explain all that though this morning. But I’m talking about the things you find there which bring back memories of what you did while you were away.  Some things are souvenirs, things you want to keep.  Other things

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Thanksgiving, Colossians 2:6-8

It is very unusual for me, as those who have been with us awhile are probably very aware, for me to ever attempt to preach a sermon that ties in to whatever holiday that happens to coincide with our Sunday service.  Today might be the exception.  If you read in the KJV or the NKJV, then you will notice that at the end of verse 7, Paul says we are to be overflowing with thanksgiving. So for those of you who expected a message today on Thanksgiving, then that reference is going to be as close as I am going

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True Knowledge and wisdom, Colossians 2:1-5

Most Bible scholars agree that there was a dangerous heresy which had begun to surface in the Colossians church which had been reported by Epaphras to Paul, and was thus the reason for Paul writing this epistle.  Though Paul had not ever visited Colossae that we know of, yet as the apostle to the Gentiles he was nevertheless concerned about them, and no doubt felt a certain responsibility for them. Theologians may agree that there was a dangerous heresy in the church, but they are not in agreement as to exactly what it was.  Last time, I used the term

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Paul’s ministry to the church, Colossians 1:24-29

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous English preacher of the late 1800’s, said, and I quote; “It is the duty of Christian preachers to expose error even when it was held by saintly believers.” I agree with that statement. Error comes in many forms, and the most deceitful means is when it comes from the lips of people who you think you can trust.  Spurgeon went on to say that he wouldn’t preach error if the whole world should be converted by it.  That may be a shocking statement, but what he was trying to say was that he would never

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The Ministry of Reconciliation, Colossians 1:19-23

Twice in this passage we see a form of the word reconcile.  Reconcile, or reconciled, is one of those Christian words that we hear so often in the church in regards to salvation and yet perhaps we really aren’t exactly sure what it means.  However, it’s a word that you may have also heard outside of the church. It’s used for instance, in divorce proceedings.  There usually is some sort of effort to reconcile both parties, the husband and wife.  And what that means is that they come to an agreement, they make up, they resolve their differences that had

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The prayer for the church, Colossians 1:3-12

In preaching through Romans and now beginning the epistle to the Colossians, I have somehow stumbled upon a series of sorts that has come out of my usual verse by verse exposition.  This series doesn’t have a title, but it has to do with the life of the church.  Perhaps this emphasis was brought to my mind as a result of the pandemic, and the ensuing restrictions that were placed upon the church.  It made me examine why we go to church, the reason for the church, and whether or not church was essential.  It seemed at the time that

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The Head of the Church, Colossians 1:13-20

Today we are beginning a new book of the New Testament, which normally we study verse by verse, and chapter by chapter.  But I am going to break tradition with this one, and start in the middle of chapter one.  I may end up circling back to the beginning material at some later date.  But I am doing it this way because I want to continue in a series of sorts that was begun in our study of Romans which we finished last week.   As you will remember, starting with chapter 12 of Romans we began to look at

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