The Distinguished Church (Mid-Week Bible Study)

Series: Christ in Me; A Study in the Book of Colossians
General Overview of Colossians
- Colossians was written by Paul to the believers in Colossae and Laodicea
- Colossae is about 10 miles to the West of Laodicea
- The believers at Colossae and Laodicea had never met Paul before this letter.
- The Colossians likely became believers due to the teachings of Epaphras, a disciple of Paul.
- This letter was prompted because these believers were inundated by false teachings.
- Despite their faithfulness , Paul reinforced the Gospel’s truth. (Col. 1:2, 4, 2:5)
- The book explains the nature and truth of the Gospel.
- Paul distinguishes between Christian righteousness and human righteousness
Question: What is the difference between Christian righteousness and human righteousness?
Paul: An Apostle Chosen By God
Colossians 1:1 NLT
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from
our brother Timothy.
- Paul asserts his apostolic authority in most of his letters.
- He does this to ensure his teachings are received as God’s Word, not man’s.
- This is similar to Moses and the prophets saying, “Thus says the Lord or “the Lord has spoken.”
- Paul became an apostle by God’s will, not by his own choice.
- Just as God wanted the Israelites to believe Moses and the prophets, He wants us to accept Paul’s teachings as His Word.
- Luke 10:16.
God’s Holy People
Colossians 1:2-5 NLT
We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has
reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.
- God’s holy people are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
- They are given grace and peace by God.
- They are upheld by constant prayers.
- They have strong faith in Christ Jesus.
- They demonstrate love for all of God’s people.
- They hold a confident hope in what God has reserved for them in heaven.
- Their expectation is firmly rooted in the truth of the Gospel.
Question: What was your expectation when you first heard the Gospel? How has that changed?
The Good News and Its Fruit
Colossians 1:6 NLT
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
- There is only one true Gospel; there is no “American gospel” or “prosperity gospel.” Gal. 1:6-7
- The true Gospel bears fruit by transforming lives. Jn 8:32
- A changed life is the evidence of receiving the true Gospel and is what God seeks. 2 Cor. 5:17; Mark 7:6-8.
- Hearing and understanding the true Gospel is key to transformation—faith comes by hearing Rom. 10:16-17.
- The true Gospel is not condemnation or damnation but about the wonderful grace of God.
- It is the truth about what Christ has done and not what we do for Christ (Rom. 1:16-17)
- Colossians 1:7-8 NLT
- You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.
- There must be ‘workers’ that go out and preach the gospel (Mark 3:14, Mtt. 9:37-38).
- There are people that pastors, church leaders may not be able to reach, but we can. Do your part.
- We all can be laborers in God’s field. You may start with prayers. (I Cor. 3:5-9).
- A faithful servant of Christ will raise other faithful brothers and sisters (vs 1, 2 Tim. 2:2).
- The Holy Spirit instills love for others, and this love is observable (Rom. 5:5).
- John 13:35.
Conclusion
- The distinguished church consists of God’s holy people—faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Members are committed to their faith and love for all believers.
- They understand the true Gospel and guard against deception from false teachings.
- Their hope rests in Christ’s accomplishments.
- This church requires constant prayer and reminders of the true Gospel.
- The essence of the Gospel is that Christ is in us, which serves as the foundation of our hope and confident expectation.
- Faithful servants of Christ raise other faithful servants
Thank you for Participating!