Crossing Church

Preached on 2.8.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing- as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 1:1-8 ESV

“Paul” Great Christian missionary, (human) author of most of the NT.
“an apostle of Christ Jesus” “Sent one,” authorized spokesman, spiritual authority.
“by the will of God” This was God’s doing, not Paul’s.

P: Real change is possible.
Has God changed me? Where do I need God to change me?

“Timothy our brother” Paul’s ministry apprentice/encourager.

P: Real help is needed to spread the Gospel.
Am I doing my part to help encourage ministry and spread the Gospel? If not, what needs to change?

“the saints” Those who have turned to follow Jesus, set apart for work and worship.
“faithful brothers” They were faithful to the message of historic Christianity.
“in Christ at Colossae” Colossae was their city. Heaven was their true City.

P: Followers of Jesus have two addresses.
Am I rightly concerned about both of my addresses? Am I living from my ‘in Christ’ address?

“Grace…and peace” The saving work of Jesus, spiritual prosperity.
“from God our Father” The source of grace and peace is God.

P: True grace and peace are only found in God.
Am I looking for grace and peace elsewhere? Do I recognize that ultimately those won’t satisfy?

“God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” Defining “God,” reinforcing divinity of Jesus.

P: When it comes to spirituality, it is important to define the teams.
Am I able to do this in an effective, winsome way? If not we would love to help.

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints”

P: Our faith in Jesus and love for His people should be evident.
Is this a reality in my life? If not, what needs to change?

“because of the hope laid up for you in heaven…the gospel” Security and source.

P: Our faith and love flow from the Gospel.

“which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world” Purposeful overstatement.

“bearing fruit and growing” The Gospel is powerful and effective.

P: The Gospel is alive—like a tree.
Where do I need the Gospel to bear fruit In my life?

“just as you learned it from Epaphras” Likely a Colossian converted in Paul’s ministry.

P: The Gospel needs messengers.
Am I being faithful to proclaim the Gospel in my sphere of influence? If not, what needs to change?

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Messages by John Piper, Darrin Patrick