Colossians - HAMPTON ROADS CHURCH

After reviewing Paul's final greetings in his letter to the Colossian Church where he singles out Onesimus for encouragement, we launch into a quick study of the letter to Philemon to read the rest of the story.

The incarnation is celebrated at Christmas, but few appreciate the full significance of God's intervention in our lives. Using a Christmas theme, this sermon examines: Long Lay the World in Sin and Error Pining Till He Appeared And the Soul Felt Its Worth

Our Tidewater Region took Colossians 4:2-6 as an opportunity to hold a night of prayer. Listen in and have your own personal time of prayer!

As Paul asserts, "whatever you do, in word or work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" he now trains his sights more specifically on the everyday work life of slaves and masters. This prompts a deeper study into work for this sermon. If we don't serve Jesus in our work, we can fall into the Error of the IDLE or even the Terror of the IDOL. The sermon concludes with a look at the Dignity of the IDEAL.

Paul depicts our conversion in Christ with a sartorial metaphor. We put off the old self in the flesh and put on Christ as chosen, holy, and dearly loved children of God.

Paul describes sin through the eyes of a gracious God to the Colossians and to us. He considers their impurity, idolatry, and the attendant wrath of God as he likewise describes how we are Made New through the work of Jesus.

It's may seem faster to tackle sensual indulgence through extra measures of discipline and asceticism, but Paul warns the Colossians that such an approach lacks any value in restraining sensual indulgence. So what's the solution? The Gospel. Paul calls the Colossians to set the sights and desires to a bigger "yes," to a grander sensation that is theirs (and ours) in Christ. Break the cycle of "pænitentia" through this Gospel message.

Paul protects the Colossians Church from the empty deceit of vogue philosophy (perhaps mixed with Judaizing demands) by pointing back the Jesus, the real fullness of deity who has paid our debts in full.

While has not personally met the church in Colossae (or Laodicea), he has heard about them from his friend Epaphras. As a result, Paul begins to contend fiercely for these churches in prayer. He also sends them this letter in which delineates these seven marks of a healthy church.

Paul, suffering for the Church, rejoices that he aligns himself with Christ's suffering for the Church. He also marvels that he may reveal the great mystery of Christ, namely Christ in you — even to Gentiles. Such good news drives him to strive to make this known to all.

Paul invokes a hymn of high Christology to safeguard the Colossian Church against encroaching heresy.

We begin our study of Paul's letter to the Colossians with a study of his prayer for them. At the center of his thanksgiving, he praised the Colossians because they truly understood the Gospel of the grace of God.