Colossians by Gary DeLashmutt (2014)

Paul thanks God for the faith of the Colossians, namely that they had received the Gospel (the message that Jesus is the Messiah and through His death we can be forgiven by God). He also rejoices that this Gospel had begun to change their lives by imparting peace with God, hope for eternal life and the ability to love others. The Gospel spreads through people who have been changed by it, so if that describes you, go tell others this great message!

Paul describes his ongoing prayer for the Colossians to undergo a comprehensive spiritual transformation. God desires we center our lives on Him and grow in 1) active goodness towards others; 2) personal intimacy with Him; 3) becoming more steadfast and patient, and 4) deepening our joy and gratitude. God transforms us as we meditate on the Gospel and ask Him to illuminate the Gospel's application to our lives while in the context of Christian community.

False teachers infiltrated the church at Colossae and were leading them away from focusing on Jesus and the gospel. Paul clearly communicates to them that Jesus rescued them from a very desperate spiritual situation. Jesus alone is uniquely qualified to rescue. Just like the Colossians, we must get educated and be convinced of our faith and then stay focused on Jesus and His rescue or we will drift away!

Paul suffered greatly for the Colossians and shared with them how they could suffer victoriously: 1) understand where history is headed; 2) know your unique role in God's plan; 3) access God's power. We need to adopt Paul's perspective if we are to suffer victoriously while doing the Lord's work.

Paul instructs the Colossian believers about the importance of disciple-making (intentionally helping individual Christians grow in spiritual maturity). This ministry is for all believers, not just Paul. There is diversity in how we go about it (e.g., spiritually younger, peer-to-peer, one or two at a time, etc.). There is also unity in what we do: 1) regular study and application of God's Word; 2) intentional effort given over time; 3) regular prayer for each other; 4) dependence on God's Spirit to supply His dynamic energy. Imagine what God will do through our lives if we let Him use us in this way!

Paul instructs the Colossians on four key ingredients to spiritual maturity: 1) receiving Christ; 2) ongoing instruction about Christ; 3) resistance to spiritual deception; and 4) being ?in formation? with other Christians. All of us tend to specialize in one or two of these areas, but no amount of proficiency in any one area can make up for a deficiency in the others. All are needed if we want to mature spiritually.

False teachers were trying to influence young Christians in Colossae away from Christ and toward religious practices so they would become enlightened. Paul wrote this letter to refute the false teachers, to instruct the Colossians about the deity of Christ and to explain how His death on the cross is God's radical provision for us. It is a provision for us in three ways: 1) it has canceled our certificate of debt; 2) it has given us a spiritual ?circumcision?; 3) it has disarmed the demonic forces that oppose us. God has given us all the resources we need to mature in Him.

False teachers were trying to get the Colossians to heed certain religious practices in order to grow spiritually. Paul addressed this by declaring ritualism, mysticism, and legalism to be hazardous for spiritual growth. Tragically, most people today think these practices are central to Christianity or viable options. Paul is clear that these practices will sideline us spiritually and we need to root them out.\r\n

Part one of a two-part series on the path to spiritual maturity. Paul teaches the Colossians how to move toward spiritual maturity by cultivating a proper mental focus. ?Keep seeking the things above? emphasizes the need to keep increasing in our understanding of God's grace. ?Set your mind on the things above? emphasizes the need to keep identifying false thoughts and replacing them with the truth about what God has given us in Christ. We cannot grow to maturity without embracing these truths.

Part two of a two-part series on the path to spiritual maturity. Paul encourages the Colossians to embrace a lifestyle consistent with what God has provided us through Christ. He urges them to ?put aside? a self-centered way of life and to ?put on? an other-centered, loving lifestyle. As we cultivate a mental focus on ?the things above? (part one) and replace a selfish lifestyle with a loving one (part two), God changes us from the inside out.

Because of God's great love for us, Paul encourages us to embrace a lifestyle of loving other Christians by building relational unity. The local church cannot effectively accomplish its mission of reaching others for Christ and we cannot grow spiritually without a network of unified Christ-centered friendships. By helping each other be filled with the Word of Christ and by persevering with one another despite our messiness and sinfulness we can cultivate a lifestyle of love toward other Christians.

Because of God's great love for us, Paul encourages us to embrace a lifestyle of loving God through thankfulness. Biblical thankfulness is based on God's gift of salvation and is rooted in choice not in feelings. Giving thanks to God is important because it is the only sane response to His incredible grace. It is key to putting aside a self-centered lifestyle and to growing spiritually. Cultivating thankfulness is a lifelong process and many practical ideas are given for thoughtful consideration.\r\n

Doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus is living for God's interests in every part of our lives. This is how we worship God and how we were designed to live. As we surrender ourselves to Him, He works through our words and through our deeds to love people for His glory. This is a supernatural lifestyle that can only be lived out as we develop a lifestyle of gratitude through Jesus to God the Father.\r\n

Within the marriage relationship conflict should be expected and can be healthy when handled properly. Basic conflict resolution principles are given with many marital examples. Initiating conflict should be a choice rather than a reaction and must be covered in prayer. By following the principles given, conflict can take a marriage to new heights.

God's will for His followers is to live their whole lives for Him, not compartmentalizing their spiritual life from their secular life. Paul focuses on four key issues on the topic of Christians at work: 1) for whom we work; 2) what should characterize our work; 3) why we should work this way; and 4) how we are empowered to work this way. When Christians serve and represent Jesus well in the workplace it can have an impact on Jesus' reputation, on our personal growth, on people coming into Christian fellowship, and growing personally with Christ.

Three guidelines to represent Jesus well in what we say: 1) pray for open doors; 2) make the most of every opportunity; and 3) speak graciously. Each Christian has a significant role to speak in a way that attracts people to Jesus. It's important to pray for ourselves as well as each other. It's important to be sensitive to the open doors God will give to share something about Him. It's important to be good listeners and good question askers. The purpose of following Paul's instruction in this way is to be God's ambassadors to the people He's put in our lives.\r\n

Through Paul and his team we learn qualities that make a team effective. Qualities that made them effective were their faithfulness, growth in their roles, giving each other second chances, serving together, fighting together, praying for each other, challenging each other, and loving each other. There was genuine love and closeness. These are qualities that we can develop with the people we serve with. Effective followers of God are on teams and never working alone. Who is your team? What qualities can be developed to be more effective in God's work?