October 7, 2022
DOES THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE YOUR HEART? Paul said that we are to let the peace of Christ “rule.” The Greek word translated “rule” is “brabeuetō.” It literally means to “umpire, arbitrate, to let make the call.” When difficult circumstances come that bring anxiety, we are to let the peace of Christ act as
October 6, 2022
IT’S ABOUT RELATIONSHIP NOT RULES Paul warned the believers in Colossae that asceticism, while it gives the appearance of wisdom, offers no help in conquering evil desires. In fact, following a list of rules might cause a deeper longing for the thing denied. At the very least, it can lead to a kind of spiritual
October 5, 2022
THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP IS CHRISTLIKENESS Paul’s goal for the Colossians and for everyone to whom he preached is here revealed: that he might present them to God as “perfect” (fully mature, finished, complete) in Christ. He did not stop at just introducing people to Christ. No, Paul used every faculty available to him, “warning
October 4, 2022
LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWERED Most philosophers would say that the most important question is an existential one: “What is the meaning of existence?” More specifically, “Who am I and what is my purpose?” Or as the French would say, what is the “raison d’être?” (“reason for being”). In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, this
October 8, 2021
DO YOU MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME WITH OTHERS? Live with godly wisdom toward those who are outside the faith. Let them see Christ in you. Remember that you were once an “outsider” too, but Christ has brought you near. Season your conversation with grace, asking the Spirit to give you wisdom on how
October 7, 2021
PUTTING ON GOD’S FORGIVENESS Paul told the believers in Colossae to put off their old ways of thinking and behaving and to put on their new life in Christ. He spoke of these old and new ways as if they were articles of clothing. Among the new articles of spiritual clothing that believers received was
October 5, 2021
STRUGGLING IN THOUGHT AND PRAYER FOR OTHERS Paul often “struggled” for the believers in towns and cities where he had been before, but had left behind in order to carry the gospel to other places. Colossae was one of these places. Located in the province of Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey), Colossae was the least
October 4, 2021
SPREADING THE GOSPEL ALL OVER THE WORLD Paul described the “gospel” (“good news”) as being like a plant “bearing fruit and growing” everywhere it went “all over the world.” And what was that fruit? “Changed lives!” In the next verse, Paul identified the one who had actually carried the Good News to Colossae as
November 15, 2020 | Colossians 3:9-16 |
This week, we will focus on the second quality, Heart for Each Other. We live in a time when it is easier to stay in touch, but people are starving for a in-person touch.
What’s the solution to our increasing loneliness and social isolation? A loving relationship with Jesus and through Him a loving relationship with one another. Jesus invites us to follow Him and belong to His family. In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he reminded them that as Christ-followers they were to show a heart for each other. As followers of Christ, we are to show a heart for each other.
October 8, 2020
DO YOU REDEEM THE TIME WITH THOSE OUTSIDE THE FAITH? Live with godly wisdom toward those who are outside the faith. Let them see Christ in you. Remember that you were once an “outsider” too, but Christ has brought you near. Season your conversation with grace, asking the Spirit to give you wisdom on how