colossians_lesson02

Lesson 2: The Gospel Takes Root

Lesson 2: The Gospel Takes Root

Colossians 1:1-8

1) Introduction and Greeting

Colossians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Paul begins this letter by thanking God for the faith and love of the church in Colossae. It means that the gospel of Jesus Christ has taken root.

  1. Paul writes to the saints and faithful brethren with grace and peace (shalom) from God.

2) Thanksgiving for the Colossians' Faith

Colossians 1:3-5a

3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Paul expresses thanksgiving for their faith and love flow from hope; the Christian life is future-oriented.

  1. Because Paul had heard of their faith and love, he gives thanks to God. This causes Paul "praying always for you" which is a lesson for us today.
  2. The true gospel causes a triad: faith, love, and hope. This must be the evidence of real gospel life.
  3. Our hope is here and now, but has an eternal aspect. Our ultimate goal is in heaven: eternal life with God (read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).

3) The Gospel Brings Fruit

Colossians 1:5b-6

5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth;

The gospel is the word of truth and bears fruit as it spreads in the life of each believer and the church.

  1. Paul calls the gospel "the word of truth" one of the core themes of the New Testament (John 14:6, John 8:32, and John 17:17).
  2. The "word of truth" is the gospel (Ephesians 1:13).
  3. The gospel must bears fruit and increase in the life of the believer. It must grow as a tree which produces fruit from the day "you heard it" and understood it. True salvation is seen by our fruits, although some fruits may take a while to produce.

4) Epaphras: Faithful Servant of Christ

Colossians 1:7-8

7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,
8 and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.

Paul gives us more details about Epaphras who is considered the person that established the church at Colossae.

  1. He was a convert of Paul who took the gospel to the Lycus River Valley and established the church at Colossae.
  2. Paul calls him "fellow bond-servant" and a "faithful servant of Christ" which is a great honor.
  3. He took the news of the brethren back to Paul in Rome, after which he writes this letter to them.

Action plan for this week

  1. Write a short testimony (before/after) focusing on what Christ has done, not what you achieved.
  2. Pray daily for one person to grow in faith, love, and hope (use 1:3-5 as your guide).
  3. Do one tangible act of love for another believer this week.