Review of Colossians

Jesus lived the perfect life, died the perfect death, and rose again.

This changes everything.

Keep living the good life, not through your own strength, but through Jesus' example.

Master in Heaven

In verse 1, we're reminded that we are not really in charge.

How would I treat my subordinates differently if I remembered this fact more consistently?

Outline of Colossians 4

1. Masters, be kind
   
2. Live righteously
   
   1. Pray for Paul's teaching ministry
      
   2. Act wisely toward outsiders (i.e.--non-Christians)
      
   3. Speak wisely
      
3. Personal greetings
   
   1. Tychicus
      
   2. Onesimus
      
   3. Aristarchus
      
   4. Barnabas's cousin Mark
      
   5. Jesus who is called Justus
      
   6. Epaphras
      
   7. Luke
      
   8. Demas
      
   9. The followers at Laodicea
      
   10. Nympha's house church
       
   11. Archippus
       
   12. Paul's own handwriting
       

Verses 1-3

1. "If" means this passage applies specifically to Christians
   
2. Seek things above
   
3. This implies that things "below" are of lesser importance and significance
   
4. Think about Christ
   
5. Reflect upon where Christ is right now
   
6. What is "the right hand of God?" It sounds important and honoring, but I don't have a handle on what this phrase means
   
7. As a Christian, I have "died"
   
8. If God is good, then only the bad part of me has died, not the part created in his image
   
9. Since I'm human, the bad part of me can't be completely eradicated.
   
10. This would be like harvesting the wheat with the weeds: both the good and the bad would be pulled up
    
11. My life is "hidden with Christ"
    
12. Does this mean that my sins are not visible to God?
    
13. Does this imply a level of relational intimacy with the Lord?
    
14. I can rely upon Jesus to help me through tough times, not my own strength
    

Colossians 3

1. How to live, self
   
2. How to live, relationships
   

Complete

Who doesn't want to be complete?

In verses 9-10, I'm reminded that Jesus is my head.

Without Jesus, I'm headless! Dopey, but true.

Hollow Philosophies

What hollow ideas do I cling to? If I eliminate them, will I live a more faithful life?

And if I adopt more right thinking, will this lead to more faithful living as well?

Stop Trying Hard(er)

Jesus did the hard part.

Stop trying to look good. You aren't!

Verses 16-17

Focus on what matters, not the peripherals.

This is great advice in life, not just in spiritual matters.

Christ is Enough

In verses 6-15, Paul reminds us that after we accept Jesus in our hearts, it's easy to get sidetracked.

We stay grateful by avoiding control beliefs which are devoid of Christ as the center.

Jesus completes us. Anything else is empty.

Jesus took on our greatest enemies, and he laid them bare. There was an element of public humiliation to the Resurrection.

All arguments against Christianity dismiss out-of-hand the Resurrection and divinity of Christ. These are not arguments of logic or reason or scientific reasoning, but of denial.

Colossians 2:1-5

1. Paul wants the Colossians to know he struggles on their behalf
   
2. And the Laodiceans, too. Why the Laodiceans? Is this intended to be a circular letter?
   
3. And people who've never met him face-to-face
   
4. To encourage their hearts, knit together in love
   
5. Attaining full knowledge and understanding of Jesus
   
6. So they won't be fooled by "persuasive argument"
   
7. Rejoicing in their faith
   

By the Will of God

Paul uses the phrase "by the will of God" in several places:

Colossians 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:1
2 Timothy 1:1
Romans 1:10
Acts 18:21
Romans 15:32

Do I approach life with this humble attitude, one which acknowledges that God is in control?

Outline of Colossians 1

1. Paul and Timothy are thankful for the Colossian believers
   
2. Jesus has done a boatload of things
   
3. Paul serves faithfully because God called him
   

Point A sticks out to me the most tonight.

Who do I need to appreciate more? How can I express this in a way that encourages them without being awkward?

Focused Living

We learn in verses 25-29 that Paul was specifically drafted by God to serve the Gentiles in Colossae and around the region.

Who has God specifically called me to serve?

When I answer this question, I will struggle less with time management and scattered energy.

Rejoice in Suffering

In verse 24, Paul and Timothy write about rejoicing in their suffering.

I don't have this kind of faith.

I don't know that I want this kind of faith!

This is not the right attitude. I wonder how to change my perspective.

Prayer Begets Prayer

Paul and Timothy coauthored this letter.

They begin with a prayer of thanks for the faith of the Colossian church. Prayer begets prayer, and appreciation begets appreciation.

If I am missing thanksgiving, or prayer, or some other positive thing, it is important that I make the first step.

You get what you give. You reap what you sow.

In this new year, I pray that I'll reap wisely and according to God's will for my life.

Colossae

I was surprised to learn that Colossae is not currently inhabited. Additionally, the site has not been examined by archaeologists.

I wonder what makes this ancient city less interesting to archaeologists than other locations?

Colossians Resources

Here are links to some excellent introductory resources.

I especially appreciate the EasyEnglish Bible Commentary and The New Testament in Modern English with Notes & Maps.

Colossians 4

At the end of another year, let's remember Paul's example in this and his other letters.

Appreciate the people in your life and thank them for all they've done.

Appreciate the Lord and thank him for all he's done.