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Greater: Week 1

Greater: Week 1

INTRODUCTION:

  • The book of Colossians, written by Paul

o Dealing with what is called the “Colossi heresy”

o Paul’s disciple, Epaphras, started the church.

o The gospel message is the point of controversy in Colossi.

  • The gospel was being distorted in Colossi.

o Downplaying the person of Jesus

o Downplaying the work of Jesus

Colossians 1:9–13 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

JESUS IS THE POINT OF THE GOSPEL.

  • He has qualified us.
  • He is the creator and sustainer of the universe.

WHEN THE GOSPEL IS RECEIVED, A CHOICE OF KINGDOMS IS MADE.

  • It’s choosing a life worthy of the calling. (v. 10)
  • It’s choosing a kingdom of light, to follow Jesus.
  • There is a clash of kingdoms, of values, of goals.

FAITH/FAITHFULNESS IS NOT A ONE-TIME EVENT IF YOU “CONTINUE” AND ARE “ROOTED.”

  • A believer is known by their faithfulness.

Colossians 2:6–7 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Colossians 1:1-14 and Colossians 1:15-29

  • Share what was significant to you from the sermon.
  • Did you get a chance to read Colossians 1 this week?

If so, what stood out to you?

1. What is something that usually inspires you and might even bring a sense of hope and joy—maybe a movie, a place, a song, a work of art, a memory?

2. Read Colossians 1:15-20. What does it say about who Jesus is and what He has done? A) What picture/image of Jesus does it give? B) How does that fit with how you normally think of Jesus?

3. How would you explain who Jesus is to someone? Think that they are truly interested and not opposed to Jesus, but curious.

4. Read Colossians 1:21-23. What does this passage say about God? What does it say about those who have faith in Christ? A) What makes this good news? (note: gospel means good news)

5. What is the hope that Jesus and His good news have given you? A) How do you practice continuing in your faith in the good news of Jesus? B) What can be challenging to continuing well in practicing this faith?

6. What role does Jesus have in your life in this season? How is He impacting your relationships at home, at work, with strangers?

This week, read through/listen to:

o Colossians chapter 2 a couple of times

o Bonus: Colossians (it is 4 chapters long) once

Ask a couple of questions:

a) What is the passage saying about God, people, and how the world works?

b) What questions do I have about/from this passage?

c) What stands out to me?