Sharon Church | Sermons

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.As Paul shifts to the "what now" portion of his letter, his focus moves to how the Colossians should live in light of the truth of Christ's pre-eminence. In this passage, he implores the Christians in Colossae to fix their minds on things that are right and true and pure and let their behavior follow.

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.

In this passage we get to the root of the issues in Colossae. The young Christians were being told that the way to grow in faith was through legalism or spiritualism and not through Jesus. 

We can find ourselves in the same place, even today. So, what are we to do?

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.In this passage, Paul begins to deal with some of the false teaching that was impacting the lives of the Christians in Colossae. He appeals to them to walk with Christ in the same way they received Him. He asserts that there is no separation between our salvation and our sanctification.

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.As Paul begins to move to the body of the letter, he wants to show the Colossian Christians how much their lives and even their suffering matters to God's plan to save the world. 

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.As Paul continues his introduction, he lays out a bold proclamation - Jesus is God. This truth would have been revolutionary to the Roman world but Paul would not leave it at some sort of cosmic truth, he would explain to the Colossians why that matters to them personally. The same is true for us. Jesus is God. And that matters.

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all.In Chapter One, Paul shares his desire for the Christians in Colossae - that they would truly know the will of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. In much the same way, we need the same thing. Our lives are full of situations where we aren't sure what to do but we have all we need in Jesus.

Through Christ's death and resurrection He won the victory over sin and death, defeating the powers of evil. Then...He brought back the spoils of that war and as He ascended to Heaven He dispersed them to His Church. In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul uses an Old Testament Psalm to show us what happened through that victory and how we have been given Gospel Purpose because of it.

If the Gospel is true - and we believe it is - it has the power to transform us. It has the power to create a brand new kind of people. But to live as new people in a world like ours is difficult. So, we need each other. Gospel people need gospel people.

The Gospel is not good advice. 

It is not a seven step plan to healthy living.

It is the power of God for salvation. 

The Apostle Paul knew it first-hand and it made him unashamed to share it and believe it.This Good News changed everything for Paul and for many like him.

The Gospel is not good advice. 

It is not a seven step plan to healthy living.

It is the power of God for salvation. 

The Apostle Paul knew it first-hand and it made him unashamed to share it and believe it.

This Good News changed everything for Paul and for many like him.