The Book of Colossians

Summation Statement: Jesus Christ is the supreme God, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer of all things and worthy of your life’s worship. Serve Him – being rooted and built up in Him (1:16-18; 2:6-7).

Do you yet have a favorite life verse in this glorious 4 chapter jewel epistle?

Introduction (Paul, Appr 60-65 AD)

“The Church was suffering from the teaching of a false philosophy which combined Oriental mysticism with Jewish ritualism, and turned the disciples from simple faith in Christ. The object of this Epistle, therefore, is to set forth the majesty and glory of our Lord’s person and character. … Colosse was an important city in Asia Minor, not far from Laodicea and Hierapolis. The church there had been planted by Epaphras.” E-Sword

“To go into (Colossians) itself, to rethink its inspired thought that is clothed in inspired language, to let the light and the power of this thought fill the soul and mold the life, this is enrichment for time and for eternity.” Lenski

“Although the place was insignificant, the Letter that the apostle sent there is very important. Along with John 1 and Hebrews 1, Colossians 1 presents the most marvelous exposition of the absolute deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since this doctrine is fundamental to all Christian truth, its value cannot be over stressed. The letter also has rich instruction on relationships, cultic religion, and the Christian life.” William MacDonald, Believers Bible Commentary

The apostle Paul wrote Colossians to combat the dangerous false teaching at Colosse that was unseating, displacing, and usurping the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ in creation, revelation, redemption, and in His church. Colossians explicitly details the doctrines of devils which seek to dethrone Christ, stripping the divine, nail-scarred risen Savior of His Headship in His body. In fact, all false leaders have this one thing in common and can be known by such: They rob the glory from Christ alone to whom it is due by not elevating Christ to His rightful place by reason of His uniqueness and perfect redemptive sacrifice. As was the case in Colosse, distractions abound in today’s modern church world. Today there is no end to the programs, paganism, pop psychology, and people that have been lifted up above the “Head” of the body of Christ, Jesus Christ. In Colossians Paul establishes the divinely-ordained, non-negotiable centrality of Christ in creation, redemption, and Headship among His beloved people.

Defending the faith is a standard, a mandate, and a vital part of the Christian life. The faith of the original Gospel must be defended by its adherents. We must die to self and obey the One we claim to serve. To prepare Jesus’ people for His soon return, the apostle Paul did 3 things: PWT = Preach, Warn, Teach (Colossians 1:28).

Chapter Breakdown

Chapter 1: The redemption, deity, supremacy, centrality, and uniqueness of Jesus Christ, who is Creator and Sustainer of all He made.

Chapter 2: The defense of the Gospel against various attacks – which seek to remove centrality and worship from Christ alone.

Chapter 3: The Christian life. The believer’s duty to the supreme LORD and Savior. Eternal living perspective, now. Living in light of eternity with Christ.

Chapter 4: Prayer nuggets, Paul’s fellow labourers in the Gospel, salutations, greetings.

Some of the heresies in Colosse and today’s church world:

1. Ceremonialism. It held to strict rules about the kinds of permissible food and drink, religious festivals (2:16–17) and circumcision (2:11; 3:11).
2. Asceticism. “Touch not; taste not; handle not” (2:21; cf. 2:23).
3. Angel worship. See 2:18.
4. Depreciation, demotion of Christ who is God Almighty (1:15-18; 2:18-19). This is most insistently implied in Paul’s emphasis on the supremacy of Christ (1:15–20; 2:2–3:9).
5. Secret knowledge. The Gnostics boasted of this (see 2:18 and Paul’s emphasis in 2:2–3 on Christ, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”).
6. Reliance on human wisdom and tradition. See 2:4,8.

More from FB Meyer: Colossians 2:1-12 – ESTABLISHED IN THEIR FAITH: If you know Christ, you can lay your hand on the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They are matters of daily experience. The Apostle’s aim in this chapter is to put his converts on their guard against those who might divert them from their simple faith in Jesus, and their sufficiency in Him. The keynotes are Take heed and Let no one. The first act of the Christian life is to receive Christ, and every moment afterward we must continue receiving Him. The act must become an attitude. Breathe in the love and power of Jesus. Take deep breaths. Then we shall be rooted in Him in secret, and built up in Him in our outward walk and behavior. If we have Christ, we have all God’s fullness, and this is easily accessible. Like Jacob’s ladder, He links us with God. What need have we for celestial beings, like those invented by the Gnostics, or for the rite of circumcision, as insisted on by the Jews? We have everything in Jesus. He has fulfilled the Law in all respects on our behalf. Let us put the waters of entire surrender and consecration between our past, our sins, and the world, and rise into His life, the life of resurrection glory and power.

Colossians 2:13-23 – AVOIDING ERRORS: The reiteration of the prepositions in and with emphasizes our close identification with our Savior. Such we are in the purpose of God, and so we should be in daily experience. In union with Him we have once and forever put away the sins of the flesh, have lain in His grave, have passed to the heavenside of death, and are living under the blue sky of acceptance with God. Our Master’s victory is potentially ours. He won it, but we may share its fruits. Yet faith must apprehend and affirm these blessings. The land of Canaan is ours by right, but every inch has to be claimed by faith. “Faith is an affirmation and act that bids eternal truth be fact. We must not allow our religious life to become a piece of outward ritual, Col_2:16-17; nor permit the supposed mediation of angels to obscure the supreme majesty of our Lord, Col_2:18-19. We who have died with Christ must not be always regulating ourselves by the dont’s of the Law. Let us enter Christ’s more intimate fellowship and live on the positive side. Ours should be the freedom of a full life, and the ampler vision of the mountains. Nothing else really avails against the indulgence of the flesh.”

One website noted:

“Gnosticism was perhaps the most dangerous heresy that threatened the early church during the first three centuries. Influenced by such philosophers as Plato, Gnosticism is based on two false premises. First, it espouses a dualism regarding spirit and matter. Gnostics assert that matter is inherently evil and spirit is good. As a result of this presupposition, Gnostics believe anything done in the body, even the grossest sin, has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only.

Second, Gnostics claim to possess an elevated, secret knowledge, a “higher truth” known only to a certain few. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word gnosis which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God. Christ is Creator and “the Almighty.” (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 1:8) There is nothing or no one on His divine level, much less superior to Heaven’s KING.

To discredit the idea of any compatibility between Christianity and Gnosticism, one has only to compare their teachings on the main doctrines of the faith. On the matter of salvation, Gnosticism teaches that salvation is gained through the acquisition of divine knowledge which frees one from the illusions of darkness. Although they claim to follow Jesus Christ and His original teachings, Gnostics contradict Him at every turn. Jesus said nothing about salvation through knowledge, but by faith in Him as Savior from sin. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, the salvation Christ offers is free and available to everyone (John 3:16), not just a select few who have acquired a special revelation.

Ever seen how today’s gnostics advertise that they have “the secret teachings of Jesus”?Some claim to have “the hidden teachings of Jesus.” But Jesus’ teachings are fully available in HIS Word, in the Bible, so they aren’t hidden or secret. This is a deception from the very wolves the Son of God so often warned us about. Jesus doesn’t do things in the darkness – because He is the light of the world and has nothing to hide (John 8:12). Jesus came and taught extensively then died, was buried, and rose again from the dead high on a hill for everyone to see. “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26) You must repent and receive Jesus or you are not His (Lk 13:3; Jn 1:12, etc.).

These same vile frauds who claim to have secret knowledge are the very people who refuse to obey Christ’s plain, openly given knowledge – beginning with His command to repent or perish (Luke 13:3). That’s why they are looking for an alternative way as they attempt to sidestep or go around Jesus. But Jesus nails them when He says “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:23-24)

Christianity asserts that there is one source of Truth and that is the Bible, the inspired, inerrant Word of the living God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12). It is God’s written revelation to mankind and is never superseded by man’s thoughts, ideas, writings, or visions. The Gnostics, on the other hand, use a variety of early heretical writings known as the Gnostic gospels, a collection of forgeries claiming to be “lost books of the Bible.” Thankfully, the early church fathers were nearly unanimous in recognizing these Gnostic scrolls as fraudulent forgeries that espouse false doctrines about Jesus Christ, salvation, God, and every other crucial Christian truth. There are countless contradictions between the Gnostic “gospels” and the Bible. Even when the so-called Christian Gnostics quote from the Bible, they rewrite verses and parts of verses to harmonize with their philosophy, a practice that is strictly forbidden and warned against by Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19).”

Colossians 1-2

• NOTHING replaces Bible reading – prayerfully reading through a book 10-20 times to gain a grasp of the divine message and transmission
• John 12:21; Heb 12:1-2
• What is God saying to us, His body, through the book of Colossians?
• Every individual chooses the type, the quality of heart soil they will have
• Not an exhaustive study but definitely to launch the student of Christ into a deeper study of this ultra important New Testament book to find out what God is saying to us through it.
• The kingdom of Christ is all about KING Jesus! He alone came, died, was buried, and raised from dead to purchase a people unto Himself and the Father.

Content of the Letter

Colossae is in the region of the seven churches of Revelation. In Colossians there is mention of local brethren in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Colossae was approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Laodicea and 14 miles (23 km) from Hierapolis. Members of the congregation at Colossae had incorporated pagan elements into their practice, including worship of elemental spirits. The Epistle to the Colossians declares Christ’s supremacy over the entire created universe and exhorts Christians to lead godly lives. The letter consists of two parts: first a doctrinal section, then a second regarding conduct. In both sections, false teachers who have been spreading error in the congregation are opposed.[5]

Outline

1. Introduction (1:1–14)
2. Greetings (1:1–2)
3. Thanksgiving (1:3–8)
4. Prayer (1:9–14)
5. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15–23)

Paul’s Labor for the Church (1:24–2:7)

1. A Ministry for the Sake of the Church (1:24–2:7)
2. A Concern for the Spiritual Welfare of His Readers (2:1–7)
3. Freedom from Human Regulations through Life with Christ (2:8–23)
4. Warning to Guard against the False Teachers (2:8–15)
5. Pleas to Reject the False Teachers (2:16–19)
6. An Analysis of the Heresy (2:20–23)
7. Rules for Holy Living (3:1–4:6)
8. The Old Self and the New Self (3:1–17)
9. Rules for Christian Households (3:18–4:1)
10. Further Instructions (4:2–6)
11. Final Greetings (4:7–18) [20]

Chapter 1

FB Meyer: Colossians 1:1-8
THE GOSPEL BEARING FRUIT
The saints are men of faith, for their holiness is derived from Christ, but they are also faithful men, and will not betray their trust. Grace is the Greek and peace the Hebrew greeting. We can do a great deal with those whom we desire to correct or instruct, if we begin by commending all that is worthy of being praised. Thus the Apostle rejoices in the evidences of the trinity of Christian graces-Faith, Hope, and Love. His prayer-book was filled with intercession. One marvels at the accomplishment of this extraordinary man, who, in addition to his travels, labors, writings, and toil for his daily bread, had time for such abundant prayerfulness. There is a note of triumph in his reference to the reception given to the gospel in all the world. The handful of corn on the top of the mountains was already beginning to shake like Lebanon. It seemed as though victory was assured; and if only the Church had possessed more men like him, the world would have been saved some sad experiences. Note the unaffected humility of the Apostle in classing Epaphras with himself as his beloved fellow-servant in the household of God.” F. B. Meyer

“In making us qualified to be partakers of the saints in light, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (cf. 1 Jn 2:11). This can be illustrated by the experience of the children of Israel, as recorded in Exodus. They had been living in Egypt, groaning under the lashes of the taskmasters there. By a marvelous act of divine intervention, God delivered them out of that fearful bondage and led them through the wilderness to the promised land. Similarly, as sinners we were in bondage to Satan, but through Christ we have been delivered from his clutches and now we are subjects of Christ’s kingdom. Satan’s kingdom is one of darkness – an absence of light, warmth, and joy; while the kingdom of Christ is one of love, which implies the presence of all three.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1992

v15-23

“The Glories of Christ the Church’s Head: In the next four verses, we have the Lord Jesus described: (1) in His relationship to God (v15); (2) in His relationship to creation (v16-17); (3) in His relationship to the church (v18). The Lord is here described as the image of the invisible God. Image carries with it at least two ideas: First, it conveys the thought that the Lord Jesus has enabled us to see what God is like. God is Spirit and is therefore invisible. But in the Person of Christ, God made Himself visible to mortal eyes. In that sense the Lord Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Whoever has seen Him has seen the Father (John 14:9). But the word image also conveys the idea of “representative.” God had originally placed Adam on the earth to represent His interests, but Adam failed. Therefore, God sent His only begotten Son into the world as His Representative to care for His interests and to reveal His heart of love to man. In that sense, He is the image of God. The same word image is used in 3:10, where believers are said to be in the image of Christ.

Christ is also “the firstborn of every creature”, or of every created being. What does this mean? Some false teachers suggest that the Lord Jesus is Himself a created being, that He was the first Person whom God ever made. Some of them are even willing to go to far as to admit that He is the greatest creature ever to come from the hand of God. The expression “firstborn” has at least three different meanings in Scripture. In Luke 2:7, it is used in a literal sense, where Mary brought forth her first born Son. There it means that the Lord Jesus was the first child to whom she gave birth. … Is not that exactly the thought of Colossians 1:15 – “the firstborn of every creature”? The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s unique Son. In once sense all believers are sons of God, but he Lord Jesus is God’s Son in a way that is not true of any other. He existed before all creation and occupies a position of supremacy over it. His is the rank of eminence and dominion. The expression  “the firstborn of every creature” has nothing to do with birth here.  It simply means that He is God’s Son by an eternal relationship. It is a title of priority of position, and not simply one of time.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p 1993-1994

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” Ephesians 3:9

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high …  And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hand.” Hebrews 1:1-3, 10

Chapter 2

Any person claiming wisdom outside of Christ, is a deceived soul.

“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:24

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” 1 Corinthians 3:19

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Psalms 111:10

Today the esoterics and gnostics pretend to have elevated knowledge above others – and more insidious are the seminarians among us who pretend to have superior knowledge, wielding their deception over the common people as they catapult and raise themselves over the people. Jesus says He hates this Nicolaitan witchcraft (Revelation 2:6, 15). Nico = Conquer and Laitan = the people. Nicolaitan simply means to conquer the people. Jesus is the only “head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:18; 2:18-19). No one else has that distinction but the One who came into His created earth to bleed and purchase His people unto Himself.

Satan’s wolves position themselves over the people, their prey:

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome (via deception), of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”1 Corinthians 7:23

“Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24

“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” 2 Corinthians 8:5

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Antichrist frauds like Confucius, the priests and popes of Rome, Mohammed, and Buddha are all mere sinful men who all died and are in hell, irrevocably (2 Peter 2:1-3). The modern perpetrators of their teachings emphasize submission to them and mere head knowledge, meditation, mind-emptying, asceticism, contemplation, centering/contemplative prayer/ spirituality and prayer practices outside of the Person and name of Jesus. Yet, one and only God reserves the dispensing of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom for those who obey Him, beginning with true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In these heretical economies, there is no sin or repentance nor faith in someone infinitely greater than man (Jer 17:9; Lk 13:3, 5; Proverbs 3:5-7; Heb. 11:6).

God grants access to Himself and the treasures of His divinely granted salvation, wholeness, healing, and wisdom exclusively through Jesus Christ. We have in relationship with the Father bold prayer access as we approach Him through our LORD Jesus for all things (John 14:!3-14; 16:23-24; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26). In this relationship He’s brought us in through Christ.

The biblical word “antichrist” means both in place of Christ or against Him, the former being the most insidious. All who are not rooted and grounded in Christ will absolutely be led astray from Him. The root problem of these antichrist heresies is that they do not honor to Jesus Christ for access to God (John 5:23-24; 14:6). They present some other way which makes the perpetrators thieves and robbers according to Christ (John 10:1-10). Instead these philosophies and practices focus on things YOU do to conjure up or earn, merit to gain access to God to get what you want (Ephesians 2:8-9; Rom 4:4-5; 2 Cor 5:19, 21). These doctrines of devils are self-centered and not Christ-centered. Yet, we know that God will not have a relationship with any person or answer prayer outside of Christ (John 5:23; 14:6, 13-14; 16:23-24, etc.). Devils/demons will answer those emptyings, meditations, prayers and seekers and ultimately wreak havoc on the willingly deceived who partake. These occult practices were devised by devils for the exact purpose of enabling demon possession and destruction (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 12:11-12).

All of these same heresies seek to entice and move the believer away from Christ, the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2-5). Wolves who teach these things have invaded the church world through what is called contemplative spirituality/prayer, spiritual formation, soaking, etc. The NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), Word of Faith, and emergent church movements are basically humanism, New Age, yoga, eastern mysticism, and transcendental meditation with repackaged lingo/nomenclature.

Spiritual Formation – Spiritual formation may refer either to the process and practices by which a person may progress in one’s spiritual or religious life or to a movement in Protestant Christianity that emphasizes these processes and practices. Again, spiriutal formation is just another trick of Satan to remove believers from “the simplicity that is

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-5

The underlying common denominator of these ancient heathen, pagan practices is that they do not uphold Christ according to the record of Scripture – that He is Creator, God, and Redeemer (Is. 45:22; Colossians 1-2; Rev. 1:8). All these false religious techniques perpetrate the assertion of US in place of Christ – which reveals that “the spirit of antichrist” is behind all these methods to reach God or futily attempt to procure things like peace of mind for self (Titus 3:5-7). Jesus upends this self-effort, self-will rebellion which is witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:22-23). “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  … Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matt. 6:7-8; 7:7-8) All men are sinners in need of the mercy of God which He pours out exclusively through Christ (Titus 3:5-7, etc.).

Seminaries today across America are now requiring courses in spiritual formation and contemplative spirituality. The seminaries were infiltrated by the Jesuits and led astray beginning in the 1950-60’s.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) – Transcendental Meditation technique: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“The Transcendental Meditation technique or TM is a form of silent mantra meditation,[1] developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The meditation practice involves the use of a mantra and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day while sitting with one’s eyes closed.[2][3] It is one of the most-widely practiced,[4][5][6] and among the most widely researched meditation techniques,[7] with over 340 peer-reviewed studies published.[8]:p 14[9] Beginning in 1965, the Transcendental Meditation technique has been incorporated into schools, universities, corporations, and prison programs in the USA, Latin America, Europe, and India.

The technique has been described as both religious and non-religious, as an aspect of a new religious movement, as rooted in Hinduism,[12]:p 188[13] and as a non-religious practice for self-development.[8]:p 4[14][15] The public presentation of the technique over its 50-year history has been praised for its high visibility in the mass media and effective global propagation, and criticized for using celebrity and scientific endorsements as a marketing tool.”

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” 1 Timothy 6:20

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:8-10

What they have in common: These counterfeits all promise inner peace and wellness that Christ alone who made us can provide (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

God rewards those who obey Him, elevating Christ in worship and not self – which is the way of Lucifer/Satan and those who are his (Is. 14:12-15; Lk 10:18).

“Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.” John 7:14-18

Never be impressed with mere knowledge that is not shared in humility with a heart of love to help you learn of the LORD – to know, worship, and obey Him. The Bible tells us that “God is love” and those who are His have a relationship with Him and therefore no need to run around parading themselves as something they are not – and not mere human is (John 17:3; 1 John 3:1; 4:16-18).

In summation: In Colossians, the great apostle of Christ is warning us to be rooted in our relationship with Jesus and to beware of cheap counterfeits.

On that note of knowing and loving our LORD, recently a dear sister sent this prayer:

“Lord, may this be our daily prayer, that Christ alone be magnified.

Wow, bless us Lord to be captivated by Your love and Your will.

Change us, purify us, sanctify us according to Your Word and Your ways.

We delight to be a joy to You and bring glory to Your Name.

Please take us from where we are and grant that we would grow in grace and truth,

always abounding in Your work — FILLED with Your Spirit, Life and Love.

You must increase and we must decrease.

In Jesus’ Name, amen.” Debbie Lord

————-

notes

2:6-7 – 2 Discussion Questions

1. What were you told by other Christians when you first got saved that helped or hurt you in the ensuing years of being saved?
2. Looking back, what could other born again saints have told you that would have greatly helped you as you grew in the grace of Christ?

GOING to church once per week isn’t what the LORD has in mind for knowing, seeking, and growing in Him. Jesus says knowing and following Him is “daily.” (Lk 9:23-24; Acts 5:42)

NOTHING replaces Bible reading

What is God saying to us, His body through the book of Colossians?

every individual chooses the type, the quality of heart soil they will have

Heb. 1:10; 1 John 5:10-13;

“And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” Hebrews 1:10

Ephesians 3:9

reading through a book 10-20 times

John 12:21; Heb 12:1-2

Eve added to what God said, right? “Neither shall ye touch it lest ye die”…..

Is this the first mention of “touch not, taste not”  ?   Col 2

Colossians

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Colossians 1:28 PWT Preach Warn Teach

The Cross in Colossians [podcast]

Colossians Questions [podcast]

Colossians 3 and 4 [podcast]