Introduction: The city of Colosse was in the region of Phrygia in western Asia Minor which is modern day Turkey. There are many parallels and cross references to the book of Ephesians because both books were written by Paul from prison during his first imprisonment in Rome, Acts 28. This lesson will focus on the first two verses which speaks primarily about Paul’s greeting to the church in Colosse.
Paul’s greeting to the church in Colosse shows us:
1. Paul is living by the will of God- vs 1 “by the will of God”. It wasn’t Paul’s will but God’s will. That’s how Paul was able to serve God and follow God’s will.
To Serve as unto Christ– Ephesians 6:5-8 “but as the servants of Christ”
With fear and trembling- with the fear of God in their heart. We don’t want to do something that is irresponsible or mediocre, and bring reproach to the name of Christ.
In singleness of heart- with purpose and focused attention, in sincerity and without any pretense or hypocrisy or slack. No pretending to be a good workman.
Not with eye service as men pleasers- Not only when the boss is looking.
From the heart- with interest and energy, not as a routine. Even when the boss is not looking ,God is always looking.
2. There are saints in this church- vs 2 “to the saints”. Notice how the saints were addressed, which means they were living at that time and they were a part of that local church. Certain religions today refer to saints as people who lived many years ago, who have already died, and who intercedes on the believer’s behalf. A saint is not a person that is recognized, honored, or reverence in a certain religion or by a certain person, such as a pope. Someone to whom we light a candle to or pray through. You are not a saint because of your character or because you live a good moral life.
3. A saint is a Saved person- “to all the saints”. Philippians 4:21 “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus”. A true saint is someone that has placed their faith in Jesus Christ and who is now in Jesus Christ. It’s about his position not his place in the church.
A saint is Sanctified- I Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”. This person is sanctified which means set apart for service unto God for His own.
A saint is Called to Live it- A believer is called to be a saint but as with any other things, he has the choice to be saintly or not, Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints”.
4. Their spiritual maturity- vs 2 “faithful brethren”. A faithful person is spiritual and not carnal. This person pursues the things of God. This is a person that can be counted on and does things well.
Faithful in Small Things- Luke 16:10-12 “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”
Faithful in Spiritual Things- 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Faithfulness is difficult to find- “Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
That Grace and Peace come from Jesus Christ- vs 2 “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
Grace from Jesus Christ- Jesus Christ wants you and I to experience the grace that is offered by him toward us.
The Grace of God allows us to serve Him- the only reason we can do anything for God is because of the grace of God. I Corinthians 15:9-10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am”.
Peace from Jesus Christ- John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you”. Jesus Christ has given us his peace and we shouldn’t let this world trouble us.
The peace of God is found in a relationship- John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace”. The more we get away from Jesus Christ, the less we have His peace.
Conclusion: Sometimes we can miss a lot of information by reading through a greeting from the Apostle Paul, however, there is a lot here and worthy of our study.
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