Colossians 1:2 “Who are at Colossae” can be understood as a parenthesis for the epistle is written to all the church then and now. (4:16) Epistle is addressed to the saints (holy ones) and faithful brethren, not unbelievers or unfaithful.

3 -- God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, clearly, He is not Jesus Christ. Giving thanks is a major theme in the epistle and may even be considered one of the main aims.

5 -- The big three: faith, love, and hope -- 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:8

1 Peter 1:4 -- Hope is laid up for you in heaven. Our hope is not to live in heaven but protected by God for the future when His kingdom comes. Dee’s memorial service

6-8 -- The great good news (gospel) is our hope -- this life is not our end and therefore not our all and all. Understanding the Kingdom propels us into godly living. 1 John3:1 and 2

9-12 prayer:

Filled with knowledge

Spiritual wisdom

Spiritual understanding

Walk worthy

Please Him

Bear fruit

Increase in God’s knowledge

Strengthened with all power

Steadfastness and patience

Joyously giving thanks

12 -- After prayer, back to hope - Ephesians 5:8 and 9 Doberman, pincher, Chihuahua; what do you call a deer with no eyes?

13 -- We still live in a dark world, but darkness no longer rules us. In the day, darkness will disappear forever. We have been transferred into His Kingdom. Are we in His kingdom?

14 -- Emancipated slave or Israel from Egypt. We are redeemed, but we have not yet received the fullness. Our hope is full redemption, entering the Promised Land.

15 -- Image of the invisible God - he is the image, not God -- Hebrews 1:3

1 Corinthians 15:20; Romans 8:29; Revelation 1:5 -- What does firstborn of all creation mean? The answer must be understood in the context of the entire Bible and not just this epistle. Who was the first person born? When was Jesus born? 9/11/3BC, so what does it mean when it says he is the firstborn of all creation?

Colossians 1:18 -- He is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead. Jesus is the first born of the new creation.

16 -- Yahweh is the Creator. Genesis 1:1; Psalm 96:5; 146:5 and 6; Isaiah 40:12-31 Yahweh is the only eternal one; no one was with Him when He first created.

17 -- Ephesians 1:19-23 Jesus was promoted to this position of superiority by the resurrection and ascension.

20 -- We are reconciled and now... To read the rest of the notes visit lhim.org/sermons