Colossians 3:12-17

Verse 12 stands in stark contrast to the previous verses 5, 7-9. It gives us examples of what TO do, as opposed to what NOT to do. We are to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

What is most compelling about v. 13? What makes it difficult for us to forgive one another when we have been wronged?

• forgive as the Lord forgave us first. We are all indebted.
• the unity of the body of Christ-- love creates unity, and verse 15 calls us members of one body called to peace.
• v. 13 implies that you will be wronged, grievances are a given when dealing with a sinful people-- it is our response that matters
• forgiveness is difficult because of our fallen nature (e.g. v.8)

Why do you think Paul says, "Beyond all these things" or "Over all these virtues" to put on love in v. 14? Why is love the most important virtue to display?

• love transcends all, it is one of the two commandments in the New Testament that we are to obey-- love the Lord with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. If we are putting those two into practice, then everything else will fall into place
• in Mike Kelsey's sermon on "Labels" and favoritism, he offered a definition of love that challenged me-- in loving your neighbor as yourself, what would you want to be done for/to you in any certain situation? Go and do that for your neighbor.

V. 15-17:

• emphasis on giving thanks: the concept of giving thanks appears in each verse from 15-17. Everything we do needs to be done in the name of Jesus Christ, but with one extra thing (not to be forgotten!!)-- with thanks and gratitude
• emphasis on "hearts"-- it all begins with the heart, it can transform the mind
• "sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs"-- without knowing it, obeying this can help your daily walk with God by focusing you on Him unconsciously
• let the Word dwell in you richly-- importance of spending time in the Word daily
  

Colossians 3:1-11

Read v. 1-2. What does Paul say the Colossians should do now that they have been raised with Christ?

• Set your hearts and minds on things above

Why does Paul differentiate between minds and hearts?

In v. 3, what does it mean that you have died and your life is hidden?

• hidden can also mean "safe"
• your salvation is safe but your purity is not

In v. 4, what is the promise we are given as believers?

• we will appear with Christ in glory

Read v. 5-9. How does keeping our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus or "things above" allow us to put to death the earthly ways?

• we trust in the sovereignty of God

V.6 discusses the wrath of God. Do we consciously recognize the consequences of our sinful nature despite our secure salvation?

• Christ suffered on the cross for the sins we commit now
• God will judge us for the sins we commit on earth despite our salvation

What is it about our hearts that keeps us sinning in these ways (v. 7-9)?

• we don't see the whole picture, have trouble waiting for the whole picture that we may not see on earth
• sinful nature

What is different about this knowledge in v. 10 that is different from the knowledge the Colossians are striving to have?

• God promises a perfect knowledge, which is Him-- it transcends all earthly knowledge

What is revolutionary about Paul's claim in v. 11 that Christ is in all?

• if it is accessible to all, it cannot glorify one over the other. Likewise, the Colossians' pursuit for greater knowledge that others cannot have is useless-- there is no such thing when it comes to God
  

Colossians 2:8-23

Read v.9-11. The verses say that Jesus is head over all power and authority and that he has translated this power to us through his death and resurrection.

• From what bondages has Jesus given us victory? We are no longer bound to the law of the Old Testament, but live in the freedom of the new covenant.
• But we live in a society that has power structures-- you have to obey the laws of the country and respect your superiors. In light of these verses, how should we view these authorities and these circumstances?
• We are called to obey those authorities over us on earth, but through it all we must remember that we serve the highest master. If something that earthly authorities goes against God's commands, we should obey God before man. Otherwise, for "neutral" things, we are called to obey those God has put in positions of power on earth.

Read v.11-15. Why does Paul bring up circumcision in the passage? What do you think it is for?

• Circumcision was recognizing the Jewish people's covenant with God
• It is a metaphor and an example of how worldly rules, rituals, and traditions can cloud the very thing that you are supposed to be recognizing by your act
• In this example, how does the worldly authority keep you from honoring the heavenly authority of God?
• You can become wrapped up in the act itself and forget what it is pointing toward-- Christ.

Read v.16-19. What are some modern equivalents of circumcision in our society that people may judge others for?

• Just a few examples: dancing, drinking, playing cards, baptism, tongues
• But by getting caught up in worldly "issues" that people judge others for, we are allowing ourselves to be captive to those very things because our focus is off of the one true thing, and on worldly things that will only perish

Read v.20-23. What does Paul say about the basic principles of the world?

• We as Christians are dead to them
• They have an appearance of wisdom with...
• self-imposed worship
• false humility
• harsh treatment of the body
• Destined to perish
• Based on human commands and teachings
• Lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence

How then should we respond to the criticisms raised by people regarding our practices?

• We should not take them to heart, but on the flip side we should be careful not to judge others based on what we see (or at all, for that matter!)
• But we should also be helpful brothers and sisters in Christ and not tempt others to stumble. Example: if someone believes that dancing is bad, they are entitled to their opinion but perhaps you should not invite them to your house for a dance party.

And to end with a very fitting analogy, courtesy of Rachel:

God : Constitution :: Human Rules : State Law

Colossians 2:1-7

Why do you think that Paul has a great struggle over the Colossians and Laodiceans in v.1?

• Paul is struggling to right the heresies cropping up in Colosse and Laodicea from afar through the epistle
• He feels so strongly about spreading the correct gospel that he likens it to a physical struggle, all for people he has never met personally
• He is working for those who have already heard the gospel, not just those who have not been reached

What does it mean in v.2 to have the riches or wealth of full assurance in understanding God's mystery of Jesus Christ?

• The Colossians want a complete human understanding of the gospel (would a better human understanding bring them more complete salvation? Perhaps akin to the good works argument)
• God's wisdom transcends human wisdom, there is no human way to measure or quantify it-- "mystery"
• Paul wanted the Laodiceans to be "encouraged in heart and united in love" in order to have the full riches of complete understanding-- Jesus is the head of the church, no one else can be the top dog
• Rather than pursuing the complete human understanding, Paul is emphasizing unity as a church body, and that through that unity in love the Laodiceans would be able to see glimpses of Christ
• Trying to unite the extended church with people he has not met before-- they cannot do it on their own, they can only understand the "mystery" in the context of the rest of the body

How can Satan delude your understanding of Jesus and the gospel?

• He can twist "good" things and cloud the truth behind them-- e.g. serving, giving, profession, "fine-sounding arguments"
• Satan convinces us that there is no redemption from our sins

In v.5, Paul demonstrates the type of relationship that believers should have with each other. Although he is not with them physically, he is present with them spiritually and is encouraging from afar.


Verses 6 and 7 show Christ as the foundation of our faith. The firmer our foundation, the less that Satan can delude our understanding of the gospel.

• It's not just about the firm belief. A firm belief does not make you safe-- that's when Satan steps up the warfare because he knows that he has to try that much harder. If anything, we are in a more vulnerable place and need to build upon the solid foundation of Christ so that we can recognize the beginnings of a slippery slope.
• The more we are built up in the foundation of Christ, a byproduct of that should be an overflow of thankfulness
• Christ is the center, foundation, root, what have you. This implies that there should be something either radiating out of it, built upon it, or growing out of it. The stronger the center, the stronger the outside. We are not called to just believe and sit by idly.
  

Colossians 1:13-29

Colossians 1:13-29

1. What did God do for us through Jesus, by reading v. 13-14?

• Rescues us from the dominion of darkness
• Offers us redemption through the forgiveness of sings
• We are brought into the Kingdom of the Son, Jesus

As we saw in the first part of Chapter 1, this is also why we work to please God.


2. What do we learn about Jesus from v. 15-20?

This section covers a litany of qualities of Jesus:

• Image of the invisible God
• Firstborn over all creation
• By Him all things are created
• Visible and invisible in heaven and on earth
• Whether thrones, rulers, powers or authorities
• All things were created by Him and for Him
• Jesus as the king
• He is the head of the body, the church
• He is before all things, holds things together, is the beginning, and the firstborn from among the dead
• What does it mean to say that he is the head of the church? He is the ruler of the kingdom yet to come. He was, is, and is to be

We discussed the incredible nature of the "invisible" quality of Jesus, which reflects the same quality of God. Jesus transcends the material and physical manifestations of reality as we understand it. We also discussed Jesus as the firstborn and the beginning. This also establishes our call to be the first in service, whatever the conditions. Whoever you might work with or whoever your immediate supervisor may be, whether in church or at work, God is our ultimate supervisor.


3. Read v. 21-22. Do you feel worthy that through Christ we are presented as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach, although we were once alienated from Him, doing evil, and dwelling in the dominion of darkness?

Inevitably, but surely, we cannot ever feel worthy, but we can continually strive to live lives that honor him by...

• Living lives of joy because of the salvation we find in Him
• Living lives of confidence because all things in the universe were created by Him and for Him
• Living lives of service because He leads his church for His purpose

4. Why is Paul so committed and passionate about being a minister of the gospel as seen in v. 24-26?

God commissioned him to do so.


5. In v. 26-27, Paul explains his God-given commission. Why is this specifically applicable to the Colossians?

• Romans 1:16
• Ties into the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world
• They were chosen by God to hear the good news
• One of the fruits should be obedience and Paul is embodying that by carrying out the commission

6. Paul discusses his zeal for fulfilling God's commission. Do you have experiences of supernatural energy to complete a task in serving the Lord?

Prayer and Praise

All, this is a post of prayer and praise. After reading Betsy's prayer request, I've been keeping an eye out for verses on prayer. I happened to be reading the book of James, and James 5:16 says this:

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

And there's always Philippians 4:6-7:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I hope we may all be praying for the family, as God promises us that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective, and that the peace of God will guard us in Christ. Let us never forget that!

As for praise, Noelle passed all her exams and graduated from her class! Praise God. We look forward to having you back on a consistent basis, Noelle.

A Little Encouragement

A passage we took a look at last week that I wanted to post as a little encouragement at the start of this week:

"Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?
Do you now know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

-- Isaiah 40:27-31

This passage reminded me of the verse in Colossians 1:11, "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience". Though we may be going through our individual struggles in this season of our lives, the Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak so that we will soar on wings like eagles and be able to endure with patience, to keep running and walking and not grow weary or faint. What a wonderful promise that we are not in this alone!