December 15: Colossians 1-4, Philemon

December 15, Colossians 1-4, Philemon 

Colossians intro… 

Colossians is an incredible letter written by Paul to encourage and equip the believers. This book is very instructive and I will be highlighting parts of it - it would be a great book to study in depth! 

From the ESV Bible, “Paul wrote to the church in Colossae to fortify it against false teachers who might try to impose strict rules about eating and drinking and religious festivals. Paul shows the superiority of Christ over all human philosophies and traditions. He writes of Christ’s deity (“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” [1:15]) and of the reconciliation he accomplished with his blood. He explains that the right way of living in this world is to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things. God’s chosen people must leave their sinful lives behind and live in a godly way, looking to Christ as the head of the church (1:18). Paul wrote while in prison, probably about the same time as he wrote to the Ephesians.”

Colossians 1 Thanksgiving and Prayer. Paul had the heart of a good leader. His heart was bent towards helping people become their best in Christ. Their hope, as ours should be, was on the future hope of Christ and us in Heaven. They were taught the truths from Epaphras, a fellow servant, and they were living it and applying it. What was Paul’s prayer for them? “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” What a powerful prayer with the heart that we are to all have as disciples of Christ. 

The Preeminence of Christ. Paul now teaches true and sound doctrine - so that none would be led astray. I could literally spend a month on this book of the Bible, so I am just going to highlight a few of the great doctrines presented to us here!

Bakers Commentary provided... think about this! Christ is this for us...

• “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Man is made in the image of God, where Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. This also reveals that Jesus is the Son of the Almighty God. Jesus truly symbolized God and He is not just a symbol of God, but God Himself. 
• “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.”  Jesus was part of Creation. Creation of all things, including the Spiritual. Especially the Spiritual - there is so much going on behind the scenes…
• “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Everything is held together in Christ - literally held together. He sustains and continues all things. 
• “And he is the head of the body, the church.”  Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd. Jesus Christ is the Lead Pastor. We are all under His authority. This can not be just lip service, it needs to be lived out in absolute submission! That is a good thing. Doesn't a body have a head? Yes it does, and the body of Christ is under the Head - Jesus Christ. 
• “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”  Jesus Christ literally is the beginning of all things and He has literally surpassed all others .
• “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” He is also part of Redemption - our redemption…

Paul goes on to encourage them to stay the path and not to waiver. It is in Jesus that we will be presented blameless and above reproach. We are to have nothing to do with sin.

Paul’s Ministry to the Church. Paul rejoices that he suffers, so that Christ - the Mystery of God - can be revealed to the world. Again, what is God’s mystery? “…which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” There you have it… So, what are we to do with that information? “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” This was Paul’’s purpose in life… What a great purpose and we share in that. 

Colossians 2 continues with this thought… Paul implores the church to “be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.” Don’t buy anyones diluted or lacking gospel - have nothing to do with unbiblical but rational arguments. Know your Scripture and walk in the Spirit of the Lord for discernment. Philosophy is great, but be very careful that you don't get sucked in or persuaded to non-truth and just empty ideas. 

Alive in Christ. How then are we to live? “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Our lives are to reflect our roots in Him. Again, do not be deceived by empty thoughts from others and deceit - stand in the Words of God! We are filled with the power of God and Christ - who is the Head of the church. What we experience now, is incredible…  “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Our debts are forgiven and we are free in Christ. God nailed our condemnation to the cross and through Him, and only through Him, we have forgiveness of sins. 

Let No One Disqualify You. Paul keeps driving home to not let anyone deceive us with empty or hollow philosophies. He goes on to say Don’t let people judge you, nor are you to judge people, based on false regulations. We are no longer subject to the regulations of the civil aspects of the laws of the Old Testament. I am not referring to the 10 commandments and the like - but the laws that Christ came to fulfill. Bakers Commenary puts it this way, “The Jewish aspect of the Colossian Heresy stands out clearly here. Nevertheless, it is also evident that the error went beyond that mixture of Jewish religion and Christianity which is called Judaism, for the Colossian errorists passed judgment not only with respect to eating but also with respect to drinking, though with respect to the latter subject the Old Testament contains rather few prohibitions (Lev. 10:9; Num. 6:3; Judg. 13:4, 7, 14), though lack of moderation is strongly condemned (Isa. 5:11, 12; Amos 6:6; Prov. 20:1). As to eating, the false teachers seem to have superimposed their own regulations upon the Old Testament laws regarding clean and unclean animals (cf. Lev. 11). They also tried to impose restrictions in connection with festivals—think of Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Tabernacles, and perhaps others (cf. Lev. 23)—, new moon (cf. Num. 10:10; 28:11), and sabbath (cf. Ex. 20:8–11; 31:14–16). There was evidence, therefore, of a distinctly ascetic tendency. The main purpose of placing such stress on all such regulations was to convince the Colossians that strict observance was absolutely indispensable to salvation, or if not to salvation as such, at least to fulness, perfection in salvation (see on verses 9, 10). Paul issues a strong warning against this implied denial of the all-sufficiency of Christ, by continuing, which things—even in their legitimate Old Testament context—are a shadow of those that were coming, but the object casting the shadow is to be found with Christ.”

Colossians 3 Put On the New Self. Like a bull out of the gates, Paul says, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”  If you are a believer, IF, then seek Him and set your minds on Him. You are now in Christ, live like it. 

IF you are a Christ follower, here is some guidelines and warnings… “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” Did you catch that? Our earthly desires bring on God’s wrath. Rather, we are to desire the things of the Lord. Before Christ, we lived for the flesh. That has to change once you become a Christ follower, and it is actually a natural progression. However, Satan would love to entice us back to the life that brings on God’s wrath…Seriously, just in case we didn't pick it up, Paul says, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Have nothing to do with idolatry! Now, Paul gets instructive on how to live (now just how not to…)

• “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” 
• “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
• “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” 
• “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” 
• “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 

Rules for Christian Households. This is Paul, through the power of the Spirit, continuing to give very practical advice. How do we run our homes in a godly way?

Wives: “submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” God placed the order, not man - so don't go man hating. It goes God, Man, Woman. Man is responsible to God for himself and the spiritual well being of his wife and kids. That responsibility falls on the man.

Husbands: “love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” Men - treat your woman like the precious fragile gift that she is. That is not a put down. Women are generally more sensitive than man are and we need to cherish them and treat them so. 

Kids: “obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Kids - wanna please Jesus? Obey your parents and it will go well for you.

Dads: “do not provoke (exasperate) your children, lest they become discouraged.” Being a daddy is a huge responsibility - do not take it lightly. Build up your kids - don't annoy them or be harsh with them. You are the role model of Christ, live it out. Be patient and loving as they are learning. Your kids will want to obey you and God if you are modeling that kind of a home and lifestyle. Yes, discipline your kids with love. With Love. Encourage and equip your kids to follow Christ and be the best they can be for Christ. 

Employees/Employers/Workers: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” What you do matters. Whatever you are doing, do it for the Lord!!! Serve everywhere as though you are serving Christ personally…

Colossians 4 Further Instructions. Once in a while, Bakers Commentary does what they refer to as ‘Seed Thoughts’ and I love it. So, I am going to share them with you here..

“Seed Thoughts of Colossians 4:2–18

(1) “Persevere in prayer.” Sometimes the answer does not come at once because we are not as yet ready to receive the blessing; sometimes, because the blessing is not yet ready for us. Besides, if whenever we prayed God immediately granted the petition, would we appreciate his blessings? (verse 2a).

(2) “… keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.” Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this. How true are the lines:

“Stone walls do not a prison make,

Nor iron bars a cage.” (Lovelace)

From his first Roman imprisonment the apostle wrote four letters that have come down to us: Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians. Colossians overflows with “thanksgiving” (1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15, 16, 17; 4:2); Ephesians, with “grace” (1:2, 6, 7; 2:5, 7, 8; 3:2, 7, 8; 4:7, 29; 6:24) and “glory” (1:6, 12, 14, 17, 18; 3:13, 16, 21); Philippians, with “joy” (1:4, 18, 25; 2:2, 17, 18, 28, 29; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10); and all four with “love” (see especially Philem. 1, 5, 7, 9, 16, and cf. 12), (verse 2b).

(3) “… praying also for us, that God may open to us a door for the message.” The prisoner prays not for a door of exit from prison, but for a door for the entrance of the message (verse 3).

(4) “… (praying) that I may make it clear, (and may speak) as I ought to speak.” Not only what we say but also how we say it is important (cf. Eph. 4:15), (verse 4).

(5) “… making the most of the opportunity” or “… buying up the opportunity.” For some “Time is money.” For Paul it is “opportunity” to conduct oneself wisely toward outsiders (verse 5).

(6) “… so that you may know how to answer each individual.” Not only what we say and how we say it is important (see No. 4 above) but also to whom we say it (verse 6).

(7) “All my affairs will Tychicus make known to you …”Some things are better said than written (verses 7 and 8).

(8) “… Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother”; “Mark, the cousin of Barnabas … if he comes to you receive him.” Brother A is very generous in his willingness to overlook the sin which brother B committed against brother C, but not nearly as eager to forgive D’s trespass against himself (A). Paul, however, does both. He forgives Onesimus for having wronged Philemon, but he also forgives Mark for having wronged himself, i.e., Paul (see Acts 13:13; 15:38; 2 Tim. 4:11), (verses 9 and 10).

(9) “Of those of the circumcision these are the only co-workers for the kingdom of God who have been a comfort to me.” The most privileged individuals are not always the most profitable (verse 11).

(10) “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always wrestling for you in his prayers that you may stand firm, mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” The mark of a great leader is that he is eager to speak well of a person and to bolster confidence in him. Paul did this again and again (verses 12 and 13).

(11) “Luke, the beloved physician, greets you, and so does Demas.” Here these two are mentioned favorably, in one breath. Later the contrast would become apparent, and Paul would write, “Demas has deserted me, because he fell in love with the present world … Luke is the only one with me.” Two kingdom workers may be working side by side, doing the same kind of work, as far as men can see. God sees the heart (verse 14; cf. 2 Tim. 4:10, 11).

(12) “… and the church in her house.” In a sense every home should be a house-church (verse 15).

(13) “… see to it that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the one from Laodicea.” This not only because these two letters were important to the two churches, but also because the two congregations should be important to each other (verse 16).

(14) “… that you fulfil it.” Every God-given task must be fulfilled (verse 17).

(15) “Remember my bonds.” A truly great man is not too proud to ask that he be remembered in prayer (verse 18).”

Philemon intro… 

From the ESV Bible, “Philemon is about reconciliation and relationships between Christians. Onesimus (which means “useful”) was a slave of a believer named Philemon in Colossae. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon and fled. At some time while Paul was under arrest, Onesimus met him and became a Christian. Paul apparently wrote this letter at the same time as Colossians and gave it to Onesimus to carry back to Philemon (see Col. 4:9). Paul appealed to Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household, but as a brother in the Lord rather than a slave. In Paul’s estimation, Onesimus was far more “useful” (v. 11) now that he was a Christian. Paul even promised to pay whatever debt Onesimus might owe Philemon.”

Philemon 1 Paul writes a masterpiece here. Literally, a work of art. He is persuasive, tactful, gracious, compassionate, through, humbly confident, and a servant leader. 

Greeting. Paul & Timothy wrote this letter to Philemon, a brother in Christ and a couple others.

Philemon’s Love and Faith. Paul personally thanks God for Philemon’s faith and love in Christ. Paul prays for the efficacy of Philemon’s life to be of incredible impact on those around him. Paul, as a pastor, receives much joy of having people obediently follow and pursue Jesus.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus. Here is the premise of the letter, “Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)” Onesimus is now a brother in Christ with the same privileges of all the family members and Paul is pleading for his case. Paul is going to send him back to Philemon, not as a runaway slave, but a brother in Christ Jesus. 

Paul continues with humble boldness in Christ, “So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 

Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.” Put it on my account. I think of the good samaritan putting his own money up to help the helpless. We are to do the same, or have the same heart if not given the opportunity. Paul will be blessed by Philemon blessing Onesimus. Can you imagine how much God will be blessed?!!! The fellowhsip of believers basically demands that Philemon do the right thing, but he still has a choice to be obedient or not. Chose this day whom you will serve…

To sum it all up: 

• I did a fair amount of my take away and summary in the above readings. Christ be with you and bless you today as you continue to grow in Him and stay in Him. 
• It is in Jesus that we will be presented blameless and above reproach. We are to have nothing to do with sin or idolatry and everything to do with living like Jesus.