Christ in Colossians Chapter 1

Christ in Colossians: Chapter 1

• This chapter emphasizes that Jesus Christ is preeminent in all things, as stated in Colossians 1:18.
• Setting affections on heavenly matters rather than earthly concerns is highlighted from Colossians 3:2.
• The key message of Colossians is portrayed as "Christ is all and in all."
• The celebrated artist Dannecker declined an offer from Napoleon Bonaparte to paint a Venus for the Louvre, exclaiming "I have painted Christ and I can never lower my brush to paint an inferior subject."

Christ and the Trinity

• The Father expresses Himself through the Son, allowing Christ to fill the picture and reveal the Father.
• Direct sight of the Father is not possible, but the light of God's glory can be seen in Jesus Christ.
• All the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ, according to Colossians 2:9.
• Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, and He desires to be honored.
• Denying honor to the Son equates to dishonoring the Father, as God has commanded supreme worship to be given to Him.
• Whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father, and whoever rejects Jesus rejects the Father.
• An orthodox conception of Jesus Christ means to honor, worship, and glorify Him as we would the Father.

Christ and Creation

• All things were created by and for Jesus, encompassing everything in heaven and earth.
• Christ is the author and the end of creation.
• The glory of nature reflects the glory of Jesus, with the Father revealed in the Son, and the Son in the majesty of nature.
• Creation will only be complete when the Son of Man is recognized as Lord and King.
• John's vision shows every creature in the universe adoring and worshipping "Him that sitteth upon the throne, and . . . the Lamb forever."

Christ and Providence

• Christ holds all things together, serving as the center and principle of nature and providence.
• Christ sustains the universe through continuous activity, with every element dependent on His hand.
• Jesus bears the universe and his loved ones, planning each moment and incident for good.
• Christ is the ascended Head over the Church, guiding human history with wisdom, power, and love.

Christ and Truth

• All treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, referenced in Colossians 2:3.
• Old Testament ordinances were shadows, with Christ as the substance.
• False teachings are counterfeits of truth, with Christ as the center.
• The mystery of God, the Father, and Christ is the key to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, the Father, and Christ.
• Intimacy with Jesus is the test of one's standing.

Christ and Redemption

• The cross is the supreme glory of the Gospel
• Nature itself anticipates redemption through intervention.
• Christ delivered people from darkness, translating them into His Son's kingdom.
• Through His blood, we receive redemption and forgiveness, reconciling earthly and heavenly elements.

Christ and His People

• Life begins by receiving Jesus, as stated in Colossians 2:6.
• Christian life involves dependence, communion, and receiving Jesus for wisdom, strength, and holiness.
• People are complete in Him, fulfilling every need, with Christ living within expressed in intimacy and fellowship.
• Conduct is determined by one's relation to Jesus; actions should reflect His nature and character.
• Consistent Christians walk as Christ, lifting themselves above worldly ways.
• People await Christ's glory, presence, fellowship, and likeness.

The Christian in Colossians: Chapter 2

• Faith, hope and love form the basis of Christian character in Colosse.
• The Christian experience is rooted in deliverance from darkness leading to doom and death.
• Accomplished salvation means no room for ambiguity.
• A christian life is a redeemed life.
• "Your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3: 3).
• Salvation is found within Christ rather than in experiences outside of him
• In a dream, John Newton was given a jeweled ring by an angel it was a pledge from God.
• Demons stole the ring and warned him he lost his soul, but Jesus leaped into the sea, rescued the ring, and promised to hold it until Newton entered heaven.

Disrobing and Robing

• Fine metaphor describes the Christian life under the figure of disrobing and robing a person.
• Putting off anger, wrath, malice, and sinful tendencies marks the start of disrobing.
• Crucifixion of our old self and our whole natural life is the entire renunciation.
• Clothing happens on the inside: First a change of character, then of clothing.
• Christ becomes Christian's new life with the new man.
• Putting on new clothes mean: bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, and love

The Christian Way of life

• Former walk in evil, first step of being a Christian, must end (Col. 3: 7).
• Walk with Christ and God instead in dignity (Col. 2: 6).
• Let "word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" (Col. 3: 16).
• Communicate with the word of Christ and singing.
• Wholesomeness, purity, and good sense suggest the purest ways of speaking.
• A master of speech never insults the Lord, or spreads false information

Christian Education and Character

• Christians develop through discipline and instruction.
• Spiritual wisdom and knowledge is an increase from God for all the children learning about God.
• Depths and heights of truth taught by Spirit satisfy intellect, heart, and bring life and love
• A christian should strengthen virtues, moralities, and propriety.
• Heavenly Temperment gives loftiness to the character and lifts the soul.

Christian life

• Reach through domestic, social and public life, making persons better.
• Commissioner Waring made his brigade wear white, so they had incentive to keep streets clean.
• Live to glorify God and love him.
• The hope which is laid up for you in heaven, was a gift from God
• Always be mindful to be found in peace, and show kindness upon God's entrance

The Christian Worker in Colossians: Chapter 3

• One of the highest qualities of a great life is to inspire others with its own spirit and aims, and reproduce its work in other workers.
• The great Apostle Paul reproduces principles and object for others.
• The divine master has done more through its workers then through anything else.

Tychicus

• True Christian Minister (Col. 4:7,8)
• It is simple, but a very high picture of a true minister of Christ.
• First of all he is "a beloved brother,"
• Personal character is the foundation of his public work
• He recognizes himself as a servant and a fellow servant with Paul
• Divine service is dedication to God.
• The highest testimony that can be given to a servant is that he is faithful.

Epaphras:

• The prayerful ministry (Col. 4:12)
• He serves a silent ministry that the world knows nothing of, but counts in heaven.
• It is potent work.
• No easy dream of sentimental feeling, but a strong and forceful energy, "laboring fervently for you in prayers." (Col. 4:12)
• Pray for more than special emergency: pray for sanctification and sustaining grace.
• Epaphras had consecrated himself to this work and had a great zeal for it.

Aristarchus

• The suffering ministry (Col. 4:10)
• Engaged in no active service, with silent lips and activity restrained by the fetters of a prison cell, bearing along with a friend.
• It is a high and noble ministry indeed.
• Sustain and comfort the old age of certain infirm, dependent father
• Maintain principal and high and holy friendship.

Onesimus

• The consecrated servant and the humble helper (Col. 4:9)
• Runaway slave, faithful and dedicated to new master, God above
• Consider service high and holy for Christ.
• Have a Christian character

Mark:

• "The reclaimed backslider" (Col. 4:10)
• Young, ambitious, need humbling through failure
• Do not be discouraged if started, and gone back, but start again
• God can use the things that are not, to bring to naught the things that are and make the very Valley of Achor a Door of Hope.

Demas:

• A real backslider (Col. 4:14).
• Gave up serving while his heart was still set upon earthbound dreams.

Luke:

• The beloved physician (Col. 4:14).
• A man in professional life rising above and reaching beyond his professional duties, and accomplishing the noblest service for God and man.

Nymphas

• The church in his house (Col. 4:15)
• The Early Church gathered here
• May the Holy Spirit give us to see the ministry of many a modern Nymphas and the Church in his house.

Archippus

• The faithful minister (Col 4:17)
• Take heed to the ministry
• Be true to service
• Do not lead down on the rocks

Paul:

• The ideal minister
• Love in prayer
• Self-sacrifice -Was faithful and true to the work of God