Colossians 1:15-23
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
What do you see? What sticks out?
-what does "in him all things hold together" mean?
Difference between 15-20 and 21-23?
- 15-20 is focused on Christ only; 21-23 speaks about humanity
Colossians 1:15-20 - Christ's Attributes
- consistent attributes; doesn't change
- mostly present tense (HE IS ALIVE TODAY!!)
- take time to think about what each attribute means
Colossians 1:21-23 - Humanity
- Past: v21 - alienated, hostile in mind (mind guides body), evil deeds
--how do you see this in you?
- Present: v22 - holy, blameless, above reproach
--how? Christ's actions not ours; his body/sacrifice
---"has" = done/can't be changed; completed by God alone while we were hostile in mind
- Future: v23 - continue in faith, stable/steadfast, not shifting from hope of gospel
--how do we do this? pray, spend time in Scripture, actively serve God
--what does "hope of the gospel" mean?
Two types of reconciliation:
v20 - relationship of God to world; God is still just as loving and world is still just as hostile in mind; opened door for #2
v22 - we become individually reconciled to God by the work of Christ (not our own efforts), we are saved from sin and saved to glorify him (see v23)
Testimonies: Past, Present, Future
- It may be our testimony but it's the story of God's work in our lives
- our purpose is to glorify God and our salvation is wholly dependent on him
--will be reflected in our story
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