Sunday Sermons

Throughout Colossians Paul has shown us that in Christ we have become new creations; just as Christ died and was raised to life, so we died to our old selves and have been raised to new spiritual life in the here and now (Col 1:13-14; 1:21-22; 2:13-14; 3:4-5). Last week Paul’s focus was “putting off” the old reality (3:5-11). Here in this passage Paul repeats the theme but focuses on “putting on” the new reality of our life in Christ, by demonstrating his character in our lives (3:12-14), by living under His peaceful rule (3:15), by being at home with His word (3:16) and doing everything for the sake of His great name (3:16).

Last week (Col 3:1-4) Paul urged us to focus on Christ, with whom we have died and have been raised to new life, which Christ himself is holding securely for us in heaven until he returns. Does that mean it doesn’t matter how we live now? Absolutely not. This week (and next) Paul tells us what it looks like to live the life we have in Christ in the here and now. That requires both actively putting off (killing!) our old nature (3:5-8) and living in the truth of who we are now (3:9-11). In other words, through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, we have been given entirely new identities—let’s live like it!

Colossians 3:1-4 reminds us in this passage of what Christ’s death and resurrection accomplished for us: (1) we died with him, (2) we have been raised with Christ, and (3) our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Since Christ has accomplished these things on our behalf, Paul is urging us to live our whole lives for him—for Christ is our life! He gives us clear instructions for (1) how to pursue maturity—seek and set your minds on the things above (3:1-2) and (2) what result comes from living in Christ—when Christ appears… you will appear with him in glory (3:4). Living lives that fully reflect Christ isn’t easy, yet the result makes it worthwhile; we will be with Christ in glory!

There are many pitfalls that await us on the path to following Christ. In last Sunday’s text, Paul addressed specific obstacles (philosophy, empty deceit, human tradition, etc.) that take our focus away from Christ (2:6-10) while also making the case that Christ is wholly sufficient for us (2:11-15). In this Sunday’s passage (2:16-23), Paul builds upon the previous section by confronting imitations that seem good—even spiritual—but will ultimately distract us from Christ.

To establish our roots down in Christ, so we can grow up in maturity in Christ, because Christ is our life. This is the BIG IDEA of Colossians. In this week’s passage, the primary charge or instruction of the letter is given to us—walk in him. Paul provides clarity about how we are to do this, what the risk is when we’re not doing this, and (most significantly) why we are to do this. The bulk of the passage highlights Christ’s glorious nature, person, and ministry, which is to compel us to obey this instruction: Walk in Christ.

What is the goal of the Christian life? Having meditated on the person and nature of Christ, Paul shifts gears to discuss how his ministry intersects with those following Christ. That is, he states the function and purpose of his ministry—to those he knew and those he hadn’t met face to face; the purpose or goal was maturity in Christ. For us who are united with Christ, the hope is that we are “encouraged, … knit together in love…, reach[ing] all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ” (Col. 2:2).

The Father has moved believers from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son (1:13). Who is this Son? Over what does he reign? How are we impacted by our dwelling with him? Our passage this week answers these questions.

Following Paul’s greeting and thanksgiving comes his prayer for the Colossian church; this prayer is where our focus will be in this week’s passage.

This week we begin a study through Paul’s letter to the Colossians. This study will carry us through the fall up to the time of Advent.

This Sunday’s sermon is a one-off sermon built around the idea of community. Part of the intended outcome is for the congregation to see the importance of how we treat one another as we reflect the Father’s love, mercy, and forgiveness that he displays towards us.