Colossal Task
Colossians 1:1-18
Introduction: New Series. Week 1.
Context: Sometime during Paul’s imprisonment, Epaphras solicited Paul’s help with false teaching that threatened the church at Colosse (2:8-9)
The problem was the same problem we have today really…syncretism!
Syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.
In that day…Greek philosophy, Jewish Legalism, and mysticism.
Philosophy, religious duty and self-delusion/dreamy confusion of thought.
Application: This is exactly what we find with many ‘Christians’ today.
- Mix and match
- What is convenient
- What is popular
- What is acceptable
Application: It is important to be reminded that the Gospel is not a mixture/conglomeration of elements.
Ephesians 4:5-6, ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you1 all.’ (NKJ)
Transition: So, let’s start our march through some of Colossian’s themes with that…The Supremacy of Christ.
- Visible image of the invisible God. – v. 15-18
Jesus said, in John 14:9, ‘If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father.”
The Father and the Son are of same nature (John 10:28-39; John 14:8-11). This reveals that John 14:8-11 recalls John 10:28-38 and even John 5:17-19.
The writer of Hebrews perfectly sums up the message of John 14:9: The Son is “the very image of the Father’s substance” (Hebrews 1:3 ASV).
- Existed before anything (anyone) was created and supreme.
- He is the ‘firstborn’ and over all of creation.
- By Him and for Him were all things created (both in heaven and one earth).
- Visible and invisible
- Over thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers.
- In Him everything consists.
- He is the head of the Body (the Church)
- Firstborn from the dead.
So that in all things he has the pre-eminence/supremacy/(first place)!
Application: Let me put it in my words, ‘Don’t be confused, don’t try to replace or put anything or anyone above Christ, for it is He and He alone that stands alone!’
Transition: Because of this fact Paul begins by saying,
- Thankful – 1:3-8
- Prayerful – 1:9-14
- Filled with the knowledge of His will
- In all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
- In all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
- (So that) one might walk worthy of the Lord
- Filled with the knowledge of His will
- Pleasing Him
- Being fruitful
- Increasing in knowledge of God
- Strengthened will all might
- For (all) patience and longsuffering with joy
Transition: It is the Apostle Paul that concludes that understanding who Christ is (His supremacy) that will allow for the above mentioned prayers to be possible.
Conclusion: So, who is Christ? What does that mean to us? Why is that so critical?
Every wagon of our faith has to hitch it’s wagons to the understanding of who Jesus really and fully is….supreme!

Post Resurrection Options
John 11:25-26 Introduction: Now that Resurrection Sunday is behind us, what’s next? Question: What happened with the people and the disciples after the ‘dust had settled?’ “Doubting Thomas” refers to Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’ disciples who famously doubted the resurrected Jesus’s presence. He initially refused to believe the other apostles’ claims of seeing…

Resurrection Life
Easter Sunday 2025 John 11:25-26 Introduction: The Power of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is seen as a powerful affirmation of God’s victory over death and sin. What we need to understand is that there was a tremendous demonstration; a magnificent display of God’s power at the resurrection of Christ from the dead, which…

On His Way
Palm Sunday 2025 John 12:12-16 Jesus On His Way Introduction: This message provides a detailed account of significant events leading up to Palm Sunday 2025, emphasizing the miracles performed by Jesus, His teachings, and the importance of Bethany in His ministry. Miracles and Blessings: Jesus performed numerous miracles, including raising Lazarus from the dead and healing…

By His Stripes
Isaiah 53:4; James 5:13-15 In the context of Christian faith, the command to “lay hands on the sick” refers to the belief that believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, can participate in healing through prayer and the laying on of hands, as seen in verses like Mark 16:18 and James 5:14-15. NLT Mark 16:17-18 ‘These…

New Every Morning
Lamentations 3:22-24 Introduction: (NLT) ‘Because of the Lord’s Covenant Faithfulness, we do not perish. His Mercies never end; they are new every morning, how great is your faithfulness oh God, “the Lord is my inheritance, I will put my hope in Him”’. NKJ – ‘that we are not consumed’ Deuteronomy 4:31 ‘For the LORD your…

Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…

Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…

Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…

Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…