Ross Shannon from First Baptist Church in Lapeer shares with us about Our Spiritual Adoption from Galatians 4:1-7.

In Colossians 3:1-4, we see how Christ defines our life, due to his action in our past, present and future:

We have been raised with ChristWe are seated with ChristWe will be glorified with Christ

In Colossians 2:16-23 we see how our acceptance with God is not a matter of following rules, but a matter of being united with Christ, who is:

1) The Substance of True Religion

2) The Source of True Growth

3) The Specifier of True Wisdom

In Colossians 2:6-10 we see how walking in Christ involves:

1) Being rooted in him

2) Growing in him

3) Being filled in him

In Colossians 2:1-5 we see how the church is knit together in love, and that fact means that there will be:

1) Struggle

2) Encouragement

3) A True Union

In Colossians 1:21-23, we see how what we deserve from God is wrath; what we get instead is reconciliation.

In Colossians 1:15-20 we see that Christ is supreme, sufficient and singular in his role as Head of the Body which is the Church.

Paul's prayer was that the Colossians (and we!) would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. While there are many ways we can do this, in Colossians 1:9-14 he specifically enumerates:

1) Bearing Fruit

2) Increasing in Knowledge

3) Being Strengthened

4) Giving Thanks

There no doubt were problems in the church at Colossae. But Paul chooses to open his letter to the Colosssians not with a recitation of what was wrong nor with suggestions as to how to fix it. Rather he focuses on the thanksgiving he regularly offers for their faith, love and hope.