Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 3

Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 1

Col. 1:19-23… 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 2

Col. 1:19-23… 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. 3

Verses 1:19-23… • The Godhead had one great purpose in mind in the formulation of the “mystery” plan which called for the Word to “become flesh and dwell among us” (John 1:14). • The “Colossian Heresy” troubling the church probably promoted a multiplicity of inter-mediaries between man and the “True God.” Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 4

Verses 1:19-23… • These aoens had the elements of man’s salvation distributed among them and were jointly responsible for whatever progress seekers might make toward heaven. • The pre-eminent Christ offered a simple and effective route to the throne of God because He was God in the fullest. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 5

Verses 1:19-23… • The total nature of Divinity was the nature that dwelt permanently in the body of Jesus as He worked on earth to save man from his sin. • “All things” in heaven and on earth, whoever and wherever they might be, can be reconciled to God by Christ. • Jesus can make peace between God and man because He alone was able to atone for the crimes man had committed against God. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 6

Verses 1:19-23… • “All things” is a rather generic category of persons and powers that were reconciled by Jesus. • You were enemies in your mind. • You were also guilty of doing unspeakably wicked works, and such actions often drove the apostle to insist that Gentiles “put off the old man” and his deeds and “put on the new man in righteousness and true holiness.” Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 7

Verses 1:19-23… • You, nevertheless, have been reconciled despite your unworthiness of forgiveness for what you thought and for what you did. • You can now expect to be presented as holy, blameless, and irreproachable. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 8

Verses 1:19-23… • There were some “ifs” that stood between them and the happy ending they anticipated: • If they continued in the faith of the gospel • If they remained grounded and steadfast in the truths about Jesus that were vital to salvation; • If they didn’t move from their convictions about the pre-eminent Christ that had first given them the hope of heaven (1:5). Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 9

Verses 1:19-23… • Surely, the Colossians knew that the gospel of Christ had been taught in places other than in their own city. • Paul had worked hard to spread the good news into as many places and to as many lost souls as possible. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 10

Col. 1:24-29… 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 11

Col. 1:24-29… 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, 27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 12

Col. 1:24-29… 28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. 13

Verses 1:24-29… • Paul was concerned that his imprisonment might become a hindrance to the faith of other Christians. • Paul maintained a very optimistic outlook on his imprisonment. • Paul’s sufferings “for the sake of...the church” were a continuation of the trials endured by the Lord at the hands of oppressive men. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 14

Verses 1:24-29… • Paul’s conversion and apostleship were to be attended by “many things” to be suffered for the name of Christ (Acts 9:16), so imprisonment was not unexpected. • Paul called the gospel a “mystery” several times in the book of Ephesians. • The “mystery” preached to the Gentiles was “rich” in spiritual blessings that they might enjoy if they chose. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 15

Verses 1:24-29… • The pre-eminent Christ was real wisdom, the wisdom of God. • Paul had worked hard for the salvation of many. Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 16

Verses 1:24-29… • The working of Christ in Paul assumed two roles: • Christ worked in him through motivating him to satisfy his Lord’s expectations for him as a preacher and as an apostle (Acts 26:16-18); • Christ also worked in him through the support of signs and wonders given to him to assist in his effectiveness as an evangelist (e.g., Acts 14:3). Colossians – Christ And The ChurchLesson 3 17

Colossians – Christ And The Church Lesson 3