This is the first sermon in a series of messages through the New Testament book of Colossians. This message focuses on verses 1-14 of the first chapter and takes a look at the prayers of the Apostle regarding the Colossian believers. The first prayer is a prayer of gratitude and the second prayer is for their continued growth in grace. The worship service in which this sermon was preached can be viewed by clicking here.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
Quite some time ago I began feeling that God was leading me to do a series of messages through the NT book of Colossians. For the next several weeks (possible 8 or so), we will be teaching through this letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of believers in the city of Colossae, which was an ancient city in the modern country of Turkey. It was located inland approximately 100 miles and straight across the Aegean Sea from the southern tip of Greece.
(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) …in the 12th century the church was destroyed
by the Turks and the city disappeared. …The ruins of the church, the stone
foundation of a large theater, and a necropolis with stones of a peculiar shape
are still to be seen.
For our time this morning, I want to provide some introductory
information, and then take a look at verses 1-14, which contain a prayer of the
Apostle.
I. Introductory
Information
A. The Sender of the Letter
The opening greeting (v. 1) indicates that the letter was from Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ, and Timothy.
The letter is one of four letters that have been coined, “The Prison
Epistles,” Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. So named because
they were written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. See:
Colossians 1:24 (NKJV) I
now rejoice in my sufferings for you…
Colossians 4:18 (NKJV) This
salutation by my own hand--Paul. Remember my chains….
B. The Recipients of the Letter
This was a church consisting of believers in the city of Colossae, which we mentioned earlier. This church was not started by Paul, and it is likely that he hadn’t visited there yet. See…
Colossians 2:1 (NKJV) For
I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea,
and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
The church is believed to have been founded by a follower of Jesus by
the name of Epaphras, who also was the one who reported back to the Apostle
Paul about the conditions of the church.
Colossians 1:7-8 (NKJV) as
you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a
faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also
declared to us your love in the Spirit.
A.T. Robertson (Paul and
the Intellectuals, pp. 3-4) believes
that Epaphras was a convert of Paul’s in Ephesus, which we learn in the book of
Acts was the location where Paul taught and preached for about two years, and…
Acts 19:10 (NKJV) …
all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
The recipients are called “saints” and “faithful brethren” by the
Apostle.
“saints” = “holy ones;” those who are sanctified or set apart for God.
“faithful brethren” – those who are truly believing and living the
truth; not slipping away into false teaching and unbelief.
C. The Reason for the Letter
Many authors believe that Paul wrote to the Colossians to address some errors that were cropping up in the congregation. The error has been defined differently by various authors and commentaries, but it was a combination of improper emphasis on the OT Law by certain Jewish believers along with the early / beginning elements of Gnosticism, which we have talked about before during our series of sermons on First John.
Gnosticism: 1) Truth about God and Jesus can only be had by a higher
form of knowledge. 2) Matter is evil – therefore, Jesus could not actually be
divine because He had a physical/material body. 3) Evil, sensuality, immorality
– some were like Stoics and tried to deny all pleasure to the body, while
others believed the way to “overcome” it was to completely indulge in it.
Some authors completely discredit the opinion about Gnosticism and simply describe it as a local native beliefs and superstitions (See International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). Regardless of the source of the errors, the problem resulted in an inferior view of Jesus the Christ/ the Son of God. So, Paul waxes eloquent in this letter regarding the identity and nature of Christ in order to bring the readers into the truth about Him. We’ll be looking deeper into that truth next week, the Lord willing.
II. The Apostle’s Prayer
for the Colossian Believers (1:3-14)
After trying to lay the foundation for our study by sharing some brief
introductory matters, let’s turn our attention to verses 3-14 which contain
Paul’s prayer that can be divided into two sections.
A. A Prayer of Gratitude
It is always a good practice to begin every prayer with thanks and
gratitude for what God has already done and what He is going to do.
Colossians 1:3 (NKJV) We
give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for
you,
1. He is thankful for their faith in Christ. (v. 4a)
These people heard the gospel through Epaphras (see v. 7), and they responded with genuine faith in Christ. How does Paul know their faith was genuine? Because of what has been happening as a result – love and hope.
He has apparently learned about all this through the report of Epaphras
(see. V. 8).
2. He is thankful for their love for fellow “saints.” (v. 4b)
Remember, “love” isn’t primarily a feeling. It is an action that stems from genuine compassion and care/concern. They have demonstrated their faith by their love for fellow believers.
Galatians 6:10 (KJV) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of
faith.
Sometimes I find people who profess to be saved and to know God, but
they hardly know who their “fellow saints” are, let alone being engaged with demonstrations
of love for them.
3. He is thankful for their hope of heaven. (v. 5)
It seems like Paul is saying their hope of heaven is the motivation for how they are proving their love for fellow Christians. Nonetheless, it is a hope that they have acquired through hearing the Word (5b).
It is a message that has also impacted the world around them and is
producing results (v. 6)
B. A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
Colossians 1:9 (NKJV) For this reason we also, since the day we
heard it, do not cease to pray for you….
1. He prays they will be filled with knowledge and wisdom. (v. 9)
Knowledge of God’s will
Spiritual understanding – We can assume that Paul already understands
these people need “worldly” understanding in order to do their ordinary work
and provide for the welfare of their families.
But, he wants them to be filled up with the knowledge and wisdom of God’s will and spiritual / godly understanding. i.e., Seeing life from God’s point of view rather than merely human perspective.
2. He prays they will walk worthy of the Lord. (v. 10)
Once an individual gains spiritual knowledge, then their lifestyle
begins to change, and they begin to choose those behaviors that are “worthy of
the name of Christ.”
3. He prays they will be endued with the power of God. (v. 11)
The “worthy walk” is not possible without the power God gives us to
overcome our own passions and faults in order to obey Him and live a life
worthy to have His name attached to it.
Lit. – “strengthened with all strength,” or, “powered with all power.”
“according to His glorious power” – a different word for power; used
only for God; and it includes the idea of “dominion.”
This power will enable believers to endure whatever suffering and
persecution they may face. (Written by a man who already had experienced
persecution and suffering and could not only see God’s power working in his own
life, but reflect on it with “joy.”)
4. He prays they will have gratitude for what God has done. (vv. 12-14)
What has God Done? Provided a spiritual inheritance (v. 12). Delivered from darkness into kingdom of Christ (v. 13) Provided redemption through the blood of Christ (v. 14).
Conclusion:
In his book, Exploring the NT, Walter M. Dunnett, Ph.D. proposes
that the “key verse” for Colossians is the latter portion of v. 18 in chapter
1.
1:18b – … that in all
things He might have the preeminence.
Pray that God will give us a fresh insight into the true nature of
Christ, and that He will give each of us the knowledge and power to live in
such a way that will portray His glory and grace to a lost world.
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