In this twelfth and final message to the Colossians, Paul concludes his letter with personal information and ministry instructions to a church that meant so much to him. He wanted his readers ENLIGHTENED, so he was sending Tychicus and Onesimus to inform them about his circumstances. He sought to ENCOURAGE them, so he included special greetings from Aristarchus, Mark, Jesus, Epaphras, Luke and Demas. Lastly, Paul ENJOINED the Colossian believers -1- to welcome the church at Laodicea and in Nympha's house, -2- to read this letter to the Laodiceans also, -3- to warn Archippus to fulfill his ministry, and -4- to remember -be mindful of- Paul's imprisonment, that put a lot of restrictions on him.

In this eleventh message, Paul stresses that Christlikeness requires sanctified speech. In loving GOD believers must devote themselves to prayer. This relationship includes three aspects- -1- working hard by persevering in talking to God- -2- watching carefully by vigilantly keeping alert to spiritual dangers- and -3- waiting on God to answer our request for an open door for the word - for two reasons- -a- so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ and -b- that we may make it clear as we ought to speak. In loving MEN -our neighbors- believers must conduct themselves with wisdom. This outreach includes two aspects- -1- walking boldly day by day around unbelievers by -a- being skillful with spiritual insight and -b- being smart in taking advantage of favorable opportunities. And -2- wooing unbelievers with grace -charming generosity- by being -a- savory -tasteful, flavorful- in our lifestyle and -b- shrewd -sensible, discerning- in our response to each individual unbeliever.

In this tenth message, Paul focuses on how Christlikeness is demonstrated in the home. The first example was the BETROTHAL of the marriage covenant. Each wife is commanded to submit to her husband, being subject as an obligation in the Lord. Whereas each husband is commanded to be positive to his wife, loving her sacrificially - not being negative as irritated and angry. The second example was the BIRTH relationship of families. Each child was to submit by being obedient to their fathers, seeking to satisfy them by being well-pleasing. Each father was to stop making demands that exasperated their children, as it only discourages them, and they lose heart. Finally, the third example was the BONDAGE existing for those in servitude. Each slave is commanded to obey their masters, not with external service, but in a positive way, serving with sincerity of heart. Each master is commanded to guard their attitude by granting to their slaves justice and fairness, knowing they are accountable to their Master in heaven.

In this ninth message, Paul continues the practical application of the doctrinal truths from chapters 1 and 2. He gives a POSITIVE command for the Colossian believers to put on a new outfit - wearing mercy, benevolence, lowliness, meekness and long-suffering. Along with their new look, they were to have a new attitude - practicing restraint and remission toward one another. These changes were most appropriate because they were in a new family where the priority was to be a unifying love that demonstrated their maturity in Christ. These changes were to be PROTECTIVE as they used four critical ingredients- -1- a governor that would rule with the peace of Christ- -2- an attitude of gratefulness that made them thankful- -3- needed internal guidance through the Word of Christ- and -4- God Himself providing the ability to serve as His representatives in both lip -words- and life -deeds-.

In this eighth message, Paul transitions from the doctrinal aspects of the letter -chapters 1-2- to a very practical application of those truths -chapters 3-4-. Seeking things above requires that believers are FOCUSED on our treasure, Jesus Christ. This responsibility includes earnestly pursuing with our hearts and fully concentrating with our minds on things above. The reason for this effort is based on our concealment in Christ -totally secure- and the character of Christ -fully displayed-. Seeking things above also requires that we are FORSAKING the past life. We must deny our earthly bodies - treating them as dead. Present sins must be cut off as we acknowledge the future wrath of God and remember that our past lives are over. And we must discern the dangerous sins around us, renouncing them -by putting them off- and renovating our lives -by putting on the new- according to the plan of God.

In this seventh message, Paul commands the Colossians to avoid the various distractions of the day that were seeking to lead them away from devotion to Christ - teaching that Jesus was not enough. The first distraction was LEGALISM which taught that conformity to man-made rules made one spiritual or holy. Paul's demand was that they not submit to a list of religious taboos and fall into the danger of trying to keep extra-Biblical commands. The second distraction was MYSTICISM which taught that trust in personal religious experiences provided ultimate reality. Paul's demand was that they not allow false teachers to declare them unworthy of reward and fall into the danger of being puffed up in their fleshly minds. The third distraction was ASCETICISM which taught that rigorous self-denial is the way to godliness. It required a deference to strict abstinence and the danger of self-made religion, self-abasement and neglect.

Our identity is very importnant. When we know who we are, we know what to do. As Christians, our identity is found in Christ, and in today's message the Apostle Paul urges us to become who we already are.

In this sixth message, Paul recognized Christ as the TEACHER who warned the Colossian believers by charging them to watch out for deceptive philosophies. They had to purposely choose between the traditions of men and the truth of Christ. Paul praised Christ as the REDEEMER, who being fully God, was incarnated in bodily form, to fill the deepest needs of men. As the head over all rule and authority He circumcised their hearts spiritually, making them new creations... He baptized them spiritually, identifying them with Himself... He resurrected them spiritually, giving them eternal life... and He quickened them spiritually, forgiving sin and cancelling out their sin debt - nailing it to the cross. Finally, Paul recognized Christ as the VICTOR, who repulsed the rulers and authorities, delivering believers from their powers, and He revealed their defeat, exposing them for who they were and making an example of them for all to see.

In this fifth message, Paul challenges believers to pursue the TRUTH as found in Christ alone. He was exerting great personal effort to encourage his readers, exhorting them to be united in love as they sought to understand a true knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ. In Christ alone are stored up all the treasures of wisdom -practical insight- and knowledge -personal discernment-. While pursuing Christ, they were to be alert to the problem of verbal TRICKS, as some would seek to delude them with persuasive arguments. But Paul praised the Colossians for their orderly conduct and their faithful courage. Finally, Paul commanded them to TRUST Christ fully, exhorting them to walk in Him. The expectations of this walk require dependence on Christ- being grounded with firm roots, growing spiritually day by day, being gritty with an unwavering faith, and then being grateful with an overflowing of thanksgiving.