Pastor’s Post – Book of Colossians
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Sermon delivered at Bethany Pentecostal Chapel, Manitouwadge, Ontario, Canada by Reverend Gary Burt.
As we begin this series of sermons from the book of Colossians let me share briefly of the city of Colosse and the book of Colossians.
BACKGROUND:
City of Colosse:
Colosse was in the Lycus Valley, about 100 miles east of Ephesus in Asia Minor and was part of the Roman territory of Asia Minor. Its name is possibly derived from Colossus, a large statue in the area. The area was rich in mineral deposits and was also subject to frequent earthquakes.
Several references in Colossians indicate that Paul had not visited the city (Col 1:7; 2:1; 4:12).
Book of Colossians:
The Book of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul about A.D. 60-62, while he was imprisoned in Rome.
Purposes
Like some of his other epistles (e.g., those to Corinth), Colossians seems to have been written in consequence of information which had somehow been conveyed to him of the internal state of the church there. Its object was to counteract false teaching. Paul sought to show the deity and supremacy of Christ in the face of the Colossian heresy . He wanted to lead believers into spiritual maturity. He wanted to inform them about his state of affairs and request their prayers on his behalf.
INTRODUCTION:
Colossians 1: 1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”
Timothy was with Paul here as he often was . We see this in 2 Corinthians 1:1. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,. . .” Philippians 1:1. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, . . .” 2 Thessalonians 1:1 – “Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Paul was a mentor to Timothy and on his second missionary journey he poured himself into the life of this young man. Much of what Timothy would accomplish for the Kingdom of God could be attributed to this mentor relationship. Paul spent much time as a mentor to Timothy and wrote two of his last letters to him. (1st & 2nd Timothy)
Certainly an illustration of the importance and long term benefits of individuals being willing to pour their lives into the lives of others, to win them for Christ and see them mature in Him. ( see Matthew 28:19-20 )
Colossians 1: 2 “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”
To whom is Paul writing? This is important to understand.
“To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse. . .” He is writing to the body/group of believers at Colosse. So what follows in the next four chapters is Paul’s exhortation/direction/instruction to Christians.
Many people read the Bible as if every word applied to them. Especially the promises of God.
Some examples:
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
That’s a great verse. There’s a qualifier though.
Philippians 4:14-19
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
The qualifier was that they supported Paul in his ministry.
Here’s another example:
It’s exciting to be friends with Jesus Christ. Friends with God.
We sing it sometimes. I am a friend of God.
What about the qualifier though. John 15:13-14
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
What’s the qualifier? To obey His commands.
It’s extremely important to know to whom the Scriptures are written and to whom they apply. You wouldn’t pick up a love letter written to someone’s husband/wife other than your own and assume what was written applied to you, would you? So Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is writing to believers and it’s in this context that we read this letter.
Colossians 1:3-7
“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.”
When I read these verses I notice three things:
Paul commends them in regard to:
1. Their faith toward the Lord (1:4 a)
2. Their love toward each other (1:4 b)
3. Their hope toward the future (1:5-6): They are looking forward to the joys of heaven.
Today we’ll look at Their Faith
1. Their faith
Charles Spurgeon once said: “. . .faith bears fruit, faith produces good works, faith achieves marvels.”
I have been challenged in my spirit— What would Paul hear about my faith? What about your faith? How much faith do you have?
Look at Spurgeon’s quote in its entirety — He’s referring to Hebrews 11
“In this chapter we read of the wonders of faith; but I have never read a chapter setting forth the wonders of unbelief. Unbelief is barren, impotent, a mere negation, a dead and accursed thing; but faith bears fruit, faith produces good works, faith achieves marvels.” Charles Spurgeon
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
2 Corinthians 5:7. We live by faith, not by sight.
In Matthew 9:27-30 we read an account of Jesus healing two blind men.
“27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored.. . .”
“According to your faith will it be done to you.
1. In whom do you place your faith?
The blind men placed their faith in Christ’s ability to meet their need.
My faith looks up to Thee . . . Paul commended the Colossians for their faith in the Lord.
2. How strong is your faith?
Jesus said; According to your faith will it be done to you. . . The natural question you may ask is this— How Can I Obtain Faith?
Romans 10:17.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
HOW IS FAITH BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE WORD?
1. The preacher commissioned by God speaks it to the ear. (2 Timothy 4:2)
Sometimes speaking of God’s mercy, sometimes of man’s duty.
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2
2. The ears of the hearer take in what is spoken, and convey it to the understanding. But that cannot receive it (1 Corinthians 2:14)
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
Therefore —
3. The Spirit goes along with the word, and enables the understanding to receive it.
4. The Spirit having done so inclines the heart to embrace it.
John 16:13 ( Romans 8:16, Ephesians 6:17-18, Hebrews 4:12 )
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. ( John 16:13 )
Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Ephesians 6:17-18
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
I like the following quote:
“How can I obtain faith? — If I am thirsty, how shall I quench my thirst? By a drink of water. But in what way can I obtain water? It is enough to tell me to go to the tap or the fountain. There is no need to explain that the water is supplied by a reservoir/well , which received it from the clouds. To the thirsty all you want to say is, “There’s the water, drink.” A man is hungry, and he asks you, “How can I get bread? …. Go to the grocery store, you say. If he wants to know how the bread is obtained, we can give it to him at another time. And when you are dealing with an anxious person, it will suffice to say, “Faith come by hearing”; further information can be supplied under happier circumstances.”
Listen to the Word of God being preached and taught. Get into the Word. Read it. Hide it in your heart.
Truths About Faith
— We Are Justified by Faith – Romans 5:1
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1
— There is an Obedience of Faith – Hebrews 11:8, James 2:26
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
— We Please God Through Faith — Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
— A Question for You – John 9:35-38
Jesus asked a question of a man He had healed.
35 “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.”
John 9:35-38
The question — “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
— Faith First, Confession Following – Romans 10:10
Romans 10:9 -13
9 ( . . . ) if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10: 9 – 13
The congregation of believers at Colosse had a faith in Christ Jesus. They had that faith in their hearts. They lived that faith. And they proclaimed that faith.
Believers are called to the same today.
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:10
They were to hide faith in their hearts. Live faith before others. Proclaim faith in Jesus Christ.
— Supposing your neighbour asks, “Just want is it that keeps you going in the bad times and the good?”
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
What a blessing to be able to say from the heart and from experience; “It’s my faith in Jesus Christ. He will see me through and He will see you through as well if you but turn to Him in faith.”
Peter wrote to believers— But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,1 Peter 3:15
Faith in the heart must be proclaimed and lived to be real faith. Are you living out your faith?
Conclusion:
How is your faith in the Lord? Do you have a faith in Jesus Christ? Not a faith about Him. A faith in Him? Is He Saviour and Lord of your life? What about through the tough times in life. Do you turn to Him for strength? How about when things are going great, do you continue to place your faith and trust in Him?
You can come to know Jesus Christ today.
The Bible tells us:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~Romans 3:23~
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 6:23~
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~Romans 5:8~
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” ~Romans 10:9-10~
“for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ~Romans 10:13~
Take God at his word and claim His promise for your salvation.
You can accept Jesus right now.
Pray a prayer similar to the one below.
Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner. Lord Jesus, I believe that you are the son of God, that you died on the cross for my sins and you were raised from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I am placing my total trust in you. Lord, come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, and save me. From this day forward, I will live for you. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
