Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. Even though a heresy at Colossae prompted this letter, Paul’s response was positive because there were believers in Christ who were faithful at Colossae (Col 1:2).

2. He was encouraged because as believers they have received both grace and peace from God the Father.

a. “Grace” (charis) came to the believer by God’s unmerited favor in salvation (Col 1:6; Eph 2:8-9) and God’s grace will sanctify the believer in spiritual growth and knowledge (2Pe 3:18; Gal 5:4; Col 4:6).

b. “Peace” is a result of God’s grace reconciling the believer into a relationship with Himself (Col 1:20; Rom 5:1). Peace is also a byproduct of God’s grace through the Holy Spirit’s fruit (Php 4:7; Gal 5:22).

3. So, Paul gives thanks to God for His grace in the lives of the Colossian believers, even as he had done in the majority of his letters (Rom 1:8; 1Co 1:4; Eph 1:16; Php 1:3; Phm 4; 1Th 1:2; 2Th 1:3). Paul was genuinely grateful to God for His work of salvation among the Gentiles (Gal 2:8; Eph 3:8).

4. This thankfulness for the Colossians and their salvation precipitated Paul to pray for the Colossian believers. Whether the “always” belongs to “giving thanks” or “praying” it amounts to the same principle that Paul “has not ceased to pray” for them (Col 1:9). We will see a sample of his prayer for them in Col 1:9-10.

5. We are to pray for new believers, long-time believers, young believers, older believers. Believers need to bathe one another in prayer.

6. Our theme this year is walking in Christ which is also walking like Christ. Christ prayer for His disciples (Luk 22:31-32; Joh 17:15-17) and for all believers (Joh 17:20-21).

B. Relationship with the Father

1. Paul gives thanks to God, who is described as the “Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Take note that in Col 1:2, God is described as “God our Father.” God is both the Father of our Lord and also of the believer, but in a different sense (Joh 20:17). The majority of Paul’s epistles use the formula, “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 15:6; 2Co 1:3; 2Co 11:31; Eph 1:3 cf. 1Pe 1:3).

2. When God is referred to as the “God” of Jesus Christ, it is a reference to the humanity of Jesus. When God is referred to as the “Father” of Jesus Christ, it is a reference to Christ’s deity. There has always been and will always be a relationship between the First Person and the Second Person of the Trinity as Father and Son.

3. There has been a lot of controversy concerning the idea of the gender neutrality of God. However, the Scriptures, which are the only source of truth, clearly teach the fatherhood of God. It is not simply a metaphor so that humans can better understand the relationship between the First and Second Person. These are divine titles that describe the eternal relationship between them.

4. But what is truly amazing is that believers are called the children of God and God becomes their Father. Christ through His work on the cross, has brought the believer into a spiritual relationship with the Father.

a. The believer was regenerated and spiritually adopted by the Father (Joh 1:12-13; Gal 4:4-5).

b. The believer was instructed to call God his Father (Mat 6:9)

c. The believe cries out the same expression as Jesus (Rom 8:14-17; Mar 14:36).

d. The believer is connected with the Son and the Father (Joh 20:17).

II. EVIDENCE OF FAITH IN CHRIST (Col 1:4)

A. Colossian Believer’s Faith

1. Paul began praying for the Colossians when he heard of their faith in Christ. He learned about their faith from Epaphras who most likely led many of the Colossians to the Lord (Col 1:7).

2. True faith in Christ becomes evident. When the Holy Spirit indwells a believer, He brings forth spiritual fruit (Col 1:6, 10; Gal 5:22-23).

3. Scripture gives evidences of salvation, especially 1 John. Here are a few: A relationship and fellowship with Jesus Christ (1Jo 1:1-3); Walking in the light of God's Word (1Jo 1:5-8); Awareness and acknowledgment of sin (1Jo 1:9-10); Spiritual growth in the Christian life (1Jo 2:12-14); and Discernment about the truth and false teachers (1Jo 2:22-23; 4:1-6).

B. Colossian Believer’s Love

1. Another evidence of salvation is love for the saints. This was taught by Jesus when He gave a new commandment saying, “love one another even as I have loved you” (Joh 13:34). Love for one another was the evidence that “all men will know that you are My disciples” (Joh 13:35).

2. John also echoed that love for the saints is an evidence of salvation. Love for the saints is an evidence that believers are “children of God” (1Jo 3:10-11), “have passed out of death into life” (1Jo 3:14), “born of God” (1Jo 4:7-8), “God abides in us” (1Jo 4:12).

3. Here, Paul attests to the Colossian’s love for the saints, which is an evidence of their salvation and a reason why he has not ceased praying for them.

III. EXPECTANCY OF HEAVEN IN THE GOSPEL (Col 1:5)

A. Hope Laid up in Heaven

1. Their faith and love are on account of (“because” dia with the accusative, causal, “on account of”) the hope laid up in heaven.

2. Faith and hope are connected. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for” (Heb 11:1). The hope in the Bible is certain because it is founded on the promises of God (Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23).

3. This hope was appointed by God and is “laid up” (apokeimai - stored up, reserved) and awaiting the believer. It is stored up in heaven where no one or nothing can remove it (cf. 1Pe 1:4).

4. Heaven is the realm of God. God promises eternal life in heaven in the gospel (Col 1:4-5). The believer’s inheritance in heaven is reserved in heaven (Col 1:5, 12; 3:24).

B. Hearing the Word of Truth

1. How did the Colossians come to know about this hope? They heard it in the word (logos - word or message) or message of truth. In other words, they heard the gospel and responded to it in faith (Rom 10:17).

2. The gospel is the message of truth. There is no other truth or salvation. The gospel message is that Christ died on the cross for our sins and took our penalty for sin (1Co 15:1-4; 2Co 5:21). The gospel promises the hope of heaven for all those who believe.

IV. OBSERVATION AND APPLICATIONS

A. Simple Gospel in Colossians

B. The Fatherhood of God

1. Biblical Arguments for the Fatherhood of God

a. The Son of God perfectly explains the Father (Joh 1:18).

b. The Son of God speaks the truth regarding the Father (Joh 14:6; Joh 14:2; Mat 6:9).

c. Sonship and Fatherhood are titles of deity (Joh 5:17-18).

d. Eternal Sonship equates to eternal Fatherhood (Isa 9:6).

e. The truth of the Word of God is settled in heaven (Joh 17:17; Psa 119:89).

C. The Fatherhood of God for Believers (1Jo 3:1-3)

1. It is an incredible blessing from the Father for a believer to be a child of God

2. It is a display of the Father’s great love bestowed upon the believer.

3. It is a present blessing and reality for the believer to be a child of God.

4. It guarantees the future hope of heaven and Christlikeness of the believer.

5. It is a future hope that purifies the believer in this life.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516