Posts with the tag “colossians”

IntroductionUp to this point, we have seen what the gospel produces and how the believer is to walk.In Part 1, we saw the marks of a real gospel work—faith in Christ, love for the saints, and hope laid up in heaven.In Part 2, we saw how to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord—being filled with the knowledge of His will, bearing fruit, being strengthened, and giving thanks.But now we must ask the mo...  Read More

IntroductionPaul has just thanked God for what he has heard about the Colossian church—faith in Christ, love for the saints, and hope laid up in heaven. But he does not stop there.He moves from thanksgiving to intercession.“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you…” (Colossians 1:9)That transition is very important in the introduction of this letter. Paul is not content wi...  Read More

IntroductionWhen the Apostle Paul opens his letter to the church in Colossae, he does not begin with a rebuke. That matters.There were real problems in this church. False teaching was pressing in. Spiritual confusion was threatening the body. The truth was being challenged. And yet Paul does not begin by lashing out. He begins with gratitude. He begins with prayer. He begins with love.“We always t...  Read More