Scripture Paragraph Text:

Colossians 1:24 – 2:5

Book Purpose:

Paul’s purpose in writing this book is to teach against the false teaching’s being taught
there.
The main theme of the book is that Jesus Christ is God and the only true way to heaven.

Subject of Paragraph:

Sacrificial Service for Christ

Scriptural Context:

Immediate: The Passage before this one deals with the Supremacy of Christ. It tells that
Christ is God and how he reconciled us to him. The passage after this one deals with
living in him. It tells of the fullness that can be found in him. Paul also writes of our
forgiveness and how he was triumphant over the cross. Basically Paul tells us of the
freedom we have in Christ.

Book Context: The passage I chose deals with what we need to do as Christian’s. It also
tells of the labor we will face for Christ. I think it is meant to be an encouragement to stay
strong in the faith. The book of Colossians to me relates to the passage I chose by the
way it flows. It seems to flow in an orderly fashion. It starts with the explanation of how
Christ is Supreme and the proof of His Deity. Paul then transitions to telling about what
he has gone through for the gospel and how he is compelled to labor for the Gospel. From
there he goes into the freedom we have in Christ and how we are made alive in him. Paul
then goes on to give us rules for Holy living. He also instructs us on how to run a
Christian household. He then wraps up the book with further instructions and gives the
final greetings to the church from the saints that were with him. As you can see there is a
natural progression in the book.

Word Studies:

Church - Strong’s 1577 – Assembly

Servant - Strong’s 1249 – Minister or Deacon
Gentiles – Strong’s
Perfect – Strong’s 5046 – Maturity
Struggling – Strong’s 75 – Fight or Compete
Theme:

Paul’s theme is to tell about his labors for the Gospel and encourage them in their faith.

Original Meaning:
The meaning of the passage to Paul is to strengthen his brothers in the faith. Paul wrote
this to show them that things will not always be perfect and that some times they will
face trials but with Jesus all things are possible. Paul also encourages himself through the
encouragement of the church of Colosse. I think that when Paul writes to the church’s
and tell them what he thinks, encourages them , prays for them, or even just telling them
what he face for the gospel, that it gives him a sense of accomplishment or even a sense
of why he is doing what he is doing.
I think the meaning of this passage to the Church of Colosse is to be reminded of who
Jesus is and what he went through for them. They needed to be reminded of Christ’s
Deity and that there a people who care for them and like Paul are willing to go through
extreme percussion for them.

Trans-Cultural Truths:

Verse 1:25 - We are servant to Christ to present the Word.

Verse 1:27 - We are to tell the unreached about the love of God.
Verse 2:2 - We are to help people to understand Christ and his love for us.
Verse 2:4 - We are to make sure that our brothers are not deceived.

Application:

He is telling then to be a minister of the gospel to those who have never heard.
They should show the love of God to everyone.
They should teach other how to understand the love God has for us.
They are to stay alert and watch out for deceit.
Views of Others?

According to Tyndale, One reason that Paul is more personal in this letter is because the
church at Colosse had not been exposed to many preachers. He felt if he was more
personal than he would be able to reach his audience better. It also states that one reason
Paul might have used the phrase the mystery of Christ is because this term is associated
with cults and cults were coming to the forefront of Colosse .
According to Barclays book he was in agreement with Tyndale but added that the old
testament talked of the mystery of God and that Paul could be referring to this.

Practical Application:
We are all ministers of the gospel no matter what field we are in and we should minister
the word to everyone.
We need to learn how to show people that God loves them and he wants to know them.
We need to teach people about Gods love and what he will do for them.
We need to watch for teachers of a false gospel and beware of deceitful men

Outline for Sermon:

Living For Jesus

I. Rejoice for the red blood shed for you
i. Christ Died for you
II. Tell all of his love
i. He rose again
III. The love of God brings understanding
i. Find His understanding