THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS

(THE REVELATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS ETERNAL WILL)

STUDY NOTES TO BE USED WITH THE STUDY OF EPISTLE OF COLOSSIANS MESSAGES

(MP3 MESSAGES CAN BE LOCATED IN THE “GOSPEL MYSTERY” SECTION)

EPISTLES TO THE COLOSSIANS CHAPTERS 1 – 4: THE REVELATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WILL: THROUGH THE REVELATION OF CHRIST IN THE SAINTS

This epistle has the distinctive of revelation of the Supremacy of Jesus Christ as the Head of all creation and the Head of the Church. But the main purpose is the mystery of Christ especially as pertains to His revelation through His Ekklēsia and therefore the manifestation of Kingdom on the earth. The revelation of this overarching divine will expose three dangers:

There are many in the churches who wonder why they are there.
There is the second group who see the Scripture as a moral compendium from where they get their rules of morality. The type of knowledge puffs up. The people put up the appearance of living out the Sermon on the Mount without the knowledge of divine Will and eternal Purpose.
On the other hand there are those who have a revelation of the divine will of God but are not doers of the Word. They rather offer perfunctory, superficial prayers and do not bear fruit for the Kingdom of God on the earth.

All of these because:

The burden which Paul had and his conflict for the Colossians is in short supply today.
Operation of gifts without the knowledge of His Will has engendered mere excitement and emotion driven superficial spirituality.
Results all around us: Conceptual confusion in the apex leadership of religious, political and socio-economic institutions. We even have so called Christians voting for national Constitutions designed to outlaw our LORD!

“For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things– That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition].”

Colossians 1:9-10 AMPC

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

Ephesians 1:7-10 KJV

This epistle primarily aims to reveal to us the knowledge and understanding of the mystery of Divine will and purpose for Christ’s Church, His Ekklēsia.

The reality of Christ in a life is hardly demonstrated more than this. Paul wrote most of his epistles with martyrdom staring at him in the face. Yet, despite that, he experienced a certain divine rest in his spirit more than at any other time. Indeed, he wrote most of his epistles containing these everlasting words of encouragement, comfort and edification to us, at this period of imprisonment by Emperor Nero.

The context was that, as in Galatia, the Colossians were now being distracted from the purity of the Gospel as taught to them by Epaphras. The Holy Spirit through Paul was revealing that eventually what the ‘alternative-gospel’ preachers, the charlatans, the religious jobbers, ambitious mini-empire builders end up building are personality cults, sects and factions which shift the focus of the believers away from Christ to themselves. With their artificial religious rules and regulations and special days, and places for ‘training’ in false humility and empty rituals, they divert people’s focus away from Christ and build a personality cult round themselves. In doing this some of them first preach a sprinkling of the truth and then add on their own perverse trade mark; while some simply engage the Colossians in empty philosophy and barren religious traditions.

Jesus Christ is the focus of this epistle. This epistle reveals the Person, personality, glory, majesty and pre-eminence of Jesus Christ over all others and over all things. Jesus Christ is the only one revealed and introduced to us by the Father, through the Spirit to follow, love, honour and adore. It is in Him that we find meaning, purpose and completeness. He is all things to us both in life and in ministry. Someone said, ‘seek revival and you get performance, seek Christ and your get Revival’.

For a little bit more of the background to the epistle we are about to study: Colossae, Laodicia and Hieropolis churches were gains of Paul’s work over two years when he rented the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9,10). There is no evidence that Paul went to these places (Col 1:4) but follow-up work was by his co-labourers. In the case of Colossae, this was Epaphras (1:7,8) who God used to gather His Church and the church appeared to have started in the house of Philemon before multiplying to other houses. Historical details such as these give us insight into the early Church was ordered by the Holy Spirit.

CARDINAL THEMATIC SUBJECTS OF THE EPISTLE

The Supremacy and pivotal Essence of Christ
The full Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, His Resurrection and Ascension.
Revelation of the Body of Christ as His fullness
Destruction of the powers and principalities of darkness
Vanity of the religious approach to eternal life: on the other Christ is our life.

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COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1: : THE GLORIES OF CHRIST REVEALED IN AND THROUGH YOU. (Christ Centred Conducted in Life and Ministry)

{“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:9-10 KJV.}

COLOSSIANS 1

1 (a) Colossians 1:1 – 14 Emmanuel: God with us and indwelling us

Greetings and salutations 1:1-14

Paul was addressing this Church as those who were saved, sanctified bearing fruit and heaven bound but yet Paul had a burden for them to have the knowledge of His will.

Vs 1 – 2 Paul was an apostle not by self will, not by ambition, neither by election nor by appointment but by the will of God. He also acknowledged Timothy who did the writing.
We are saints, we are faithful believers in Christ. Why do we not call ourselves by the names God gave us?
Vs 3-5 Note: faith in Christ Jesus and love to the saints: first manifest evidence of life in Christ this phrase occurs frequently in the opening chapter of epistles of Paul the apostle.…. Divisiveness of any type is of the Flesh.
5,6 – Gospel coming to the Colossians as in all the world : reference to Acts 19:9,10
Vs. 5 This hope is life eternal which flows from the Gospel
Vs 6 – The Gospel has produced fruitfulness in multiplication of disciples -> unto expression of the Kingdom. Another reason for writing is to reveal the eternal purpose of God for our fruit bearing.
Vs 7,8 – A significant number in the Colossians church were products of the mission which Paul ran in the rented space at the school of Tyrranus in Ephesus for 2 years. Epaphras did the follow-up and gathered / planted the Colossian church. No evidence Paul was ever there. Epaphras testified to their Agape Love (Love in the Spirit)
Vs 9 – This is the subject of the prayer : the knowledge of His will (even as that takes wisdom and spiritual understanding which comes only through divine revelation):
The bane of contemporary Christianity is that whereas in the beginning God made man in His image, but the modern man has returned the favour and “created” his own god in his own image.
So we have a religious system, mode of worship and service which has not asked God, “Is what we are doing, exactly what you want from us ?” “Are we working out your will?”
Vs. 10-14 give us insight into the steps the need to take for the Kingdom of heaven to find manifestation in our own context….…
V14 – reminds us of the beginning of our journey to the Kingdom of God which are: the Blood of Atonement and forgiveness of sins: our justification by faith and redemption.
v10 – Fruitfulness: the result of pleasing God and making God happy through conduct which is according to His will, is fruitfulness. Fruitfulness in every good work proceeds from knowledge of God: knowledge of what God is looking for, knowledge of God’s divine purpose
Vs 11-14 There is an inner life which is strengthened mightily by God’s glorious power for those who have been translated from darkness into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by atonement of the Blood of His Cross.
The crucial issue here as made clear in Verse 13 is Kingdom versus kingdom: that is our purpose on the earth ….
lack of grasp of this truth is the reason for our seeming weakness as a generational church in personal life, in family life and in society, as regards our felt presence in the market place, socio-economic and political dynamics of our nations…..
Our reigning in life is through Life of Christ in us: as J. H. Jowett put it, “True imperialism is empire by moral and spiritual sovereignty; allurement and dominion by the fascinating radiance of a pure and sanctified life.”

1 (b) Colossians 1:15-23 Supremacy, Pre-eminence of the Incomparable Christ 1:15-23

Vs 15 -17 Christ is the source and creator of all authority in heaven, the heavenly places above the earth, the earth itself and under the earth.

-Vs 17 – In Him all things found their provenance and are ordered and find completion. In Him all things exist. Nothing exists outside of Him!!

Vs 17 – 20 – Through His Blood, He reconciled all things to Himself in heaven or earth. The reason for the Blood of His Cross was the both of the Church by the firstborn from the dead, so that He can be the Head of the Body and have a universal preeminence.
Vs 18-20 – Christ is greater than the Church
Vs 21 – 23 – The purpose of the Gospel is for you and I, who were aliens and enemies of God, by divine revelation to appropriate the death of Christ and by His Life in us be transformed into holy, unblameable and unreproveable elect in His sight.
Paul is an example of this kind of ministry: what Gospel do you preach?

1 (c) Colossians 1:24 Why Jesus still suffers: Scarcity of Paul’s kind of ministry today 1:24

Vs 23 emphasises the imperative of the process of being a disciple as in following Jesus and the ministry of making disciples. This verse implies that this is conditional on eternal purpose being fulfilled, through being grounded and established in Christ.
Vs 24- We are called to suffer for Christ towards the fullness of His Body until the last member of this mystery Body is redeemed by the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world.
For Paul this meant all his sufferings so far and by this time imprisonment in Rome which led to his martyrdom

-Main preoccupation of the Father – Isaiah 9:6,7

Main occupation of the Son – Matt 28:18-20
Main duty of the Holy Spirit is to be the executive agent to bill the Church c: Eph 2:22,23!

-Eph 1:22,23 – The Church is His fullness as His Body

1 (c) Colossians 1:25-29 The Mystery of the Gospel 1:24-29

Vs 25 – For a minister to fully equip the saints with the Word of God, that is fulfil the Word of God; the first and most important thing, the only one thing which matters is the revelation of this mystery:
Vs 26 – Hidden from many ages and many generations but now revealed and enacted in a manifest and experiential way to the saints…..
Vs 27 – Here is the mystery: Christ indwelling you and flooding you with the expectation of glory, becomes the heavenly Treasure in our earthly vessels of clay and He is the guarantee and affirmation of the coming glory and God wants that known to every saint (see TPT)
Vs 28 – Jesus Christ only is our Message. Nothing to add. Don’t add anything to the Message. In our labour to present everyman to maturity in Christ, our message is simple: “To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. (MSG)”
Vs 29 – Bringing everyone to the reality of maturity and perfection in Christ should be our passion in labouring with Jesus . After all our hard work, day after day is He who is at work in us, doing His own Work by generously endowing us and outworking His divine energy through us.

WORKSHOP 1

V1-14 – The Colossians we’re not doing badly in the faith, love and fruitfulness (v1-8). Why then Paul’s intense prayers (v9-10) and great conflict (2:1)?
Why is it that things which ministers like Paul agonised over, do not bother us and their anxieties do not disturb our peace, these days?
Compare v 9-10 to the same concern for the Ephesians :

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Colossians 1:9-10 KJV

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

Ephesians 1:7-10 KJV

The foundation of this Divine Will (v9,10) being accomplished is our transformational translation from darkness into Light. Reflect on this and discuss.

V15-23 – CHRIST is the Head of all creation and fullness of Godhead bodily. In His Supremacy, He has preeminence in all things. And His death gave access to God. In Him all things exist. Discuss.

V24 – Do you feel called to such a labour of suffering in your body for the “filling in” of the CHURCH as the Body of Christ?

V25-29 – The Mystery of the Gospel and the mighty labour for building the Body of Christ by toiling and striving hard for every man’s maturity in Christ.
The Mystery of His Will (v9,10) – is the Father’s overarching interest, purpose and design (to see the eternal union of Christ’s Ekklēsia with the Trinity), while the revelation of the Mystery of the Gospel (indwelling Spirit of Christ and our victory over sin) is primarily to our own advantage. How do we aggregate this according to Ephesians 1 & Colossians 1: Reflect and Discuss.
Let us BUILD ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN (Heb 8:5) and we will see REVIVAL and manifestation of the Kingdom on earth.

PRAYERS

LORD, let this be one focus of prayer: To be filled with the knowledge of your will for my life in Christ Jesus.
FATHER, in your mercy, let my prayers change from “Let my will be done” to what it should be which is “Let your will be done.” in my life.

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COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2:: THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD THE FATHER IN CHRIST

{“I am contending for you that your hearts will be wrapped in the comfort of heaven and woven together into love’s fabric. This will give you access to all the riches of God as you experience the revelation of God’s great mystery—Christ.”

Colossians 2:2 TPT

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV

“and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.”

Colossians 2:19 KJV}

This chapter is all about he Supremacy and all sufficiency of Jesus Christ and it is from Him that the Body which is the Church (v19) consists and finds nourishment and growth. ( We talk about “Church Growth and Church Planting”, the Bible speaks of Jesus only as our message and out method !!

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2 – Quickening & Translation to Ascension Life

(2a) Vs 1-9 The burden of a genuine Soul Winner

Vs 1 – 3 – The Colosians were fruit of the School of Tyrranus which Paul ran in Ephesus for 2 years. Epaphras did the follow-up and gathered this Church for Christ. Paul nevertheless carried a great burden in his heart for their growth, their situation being same as those in Laodicea. The burden was simply this:
V2 – Read V2-4 MSG – The Mystery of God is Christ …..Christ is the Mystery of the Gospel and the fellowship of the Mystery.
They will be a spiritual strengthening and joining together in Love [ Gk agapē ἀγάπῃ ] : in other words joined by oneness in Christ’s Agapē, as One Body.
This according to Paul constitutes the full assurance of understanding….: revelation knowledge of the Mystery of God, the Mystery of the Trinity. All of which are hidden as Treasures of wisdom and knowledge inside the Mystery of Christ.
Vs 4-5 This is the reason for Paul’s intercessory burden: Divine protection of this church from those who beguile with enticing words, to divert and pervert people’s attention away from Christ to :
Mammon
Human idols
Religion (demonology etc) and the Law; doctrines of men and institutional traditions

Thus Paul was bearing a remote apostolic oversight over the order and steadfastness in faith amongst the Colossians.

Vs 6 – Christ is in you when you received Him. Therefore, don’t allow any of the distractions listed in v4,5.
Rather we are to walk in Him, to walk in the Spirit and to walk after the Spirit

-This is the burden of Paul in the Holy Ghost.

Vs 7 – Furthermore “… other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”(1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV), therefore Jesus being the Author and Finisher of our Faith; we are to be rooted like a plant, built up like a holy edifice on the foundation of faith of Jesus Christ. Now that becomes the source of fruitfulness and multiplication. Be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion…… abounding in abundance ……manifestly lived out with thanksgiving…..
Vs 8-10 Don’t let anyone dazzle you with philosophical razzmatazz and deceitful meaningless arguments from empty human traditions and religious superstitions.
v9. – Don’t let vain worldly mindset rob you of entering into the fullness of Christ because in Him dwells all the fullness of God on the body of a Man.

New Creation Life In Christ – Vs 10-15

Vs 10 – And we are complete in Him who is the Head of all principality and power.
It is in our translation to this realm that we are effective. It is not just to chant it like a mantra or sing it; Revival comes when we live it! Victorious Christian life and ministry emanated from that realm (Ephesians 2:6)
v9-10 – In Christ dwells the Godhead in fullness and we are complete with Him in our Union with the Trinity (John 17:21-23)

(2b) REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL

Vs 11-15; 3:3-10 Here’s this truth expressed to the Romans :

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

Romans 6:1, 3-6 KJV

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:3-4 KJV

Here is why it is a mystery:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

John 12:24-26 KJV

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Numbers 21:8-9 KJV

“And the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole, and if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of bronze [attentively, expectantly, with a steady and absorbing gaze], he lived.”

Numbers 21:8-9 AMPC

What Happened at the Cross – Vs 11-15

Study this with Romans 6:3-7

Vs 11 – Our circumcision without hands expressed in other words means our sanctification by faith through the crucifixion of the Flesh on His Cross (Romans 6:3)
Vs 12 – Burial of our Old Man with Him and our rising in newness of life when He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father. (Romans 6:4)
Vs 13 – Being quickened with Him from our death in sin; we now live the New Creation Life as a normal Christian life which we daily live supernaturally (Romans 6:5,6)
Vs 14 – Cleansing and Atonement for our sins through the Blood of His Cross. His Blood defeated the accusations of the Adversary. (Rev 12:11)
Vs 15 – Defeat of the hosts of hell and Calvary’s complete triumph through Christ Jesus and His Cross.

The Provision of The Blood

Remission of sins – Forgiveness; Justification & Reconciliation with the Father
Atonement
Cleansing from sins and transgressions
Access to the Throne of grace of God (1Peter 1:19,20; Heb 10:19-22)
Blotting out the Devil’s accusations Col 2:14,15
The Blood silences the Accuser of the brethren Rev 12:11

Notice that the Blood of Jesus was shed for sins while the Cross provision was is for Sin of all men.
The Provision of the Blood deals with what we did (sins and transgressions) while the Provision of the Cross deals with who we were (the Old Man, the carnal base nature).

The Provision of the Cross

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up (John 3:14,15)

– Mystery of the Cross: revelation of the Cross -Numbers 21:8,9

End to the nature of sin: Adam’s legacy (Romans 5:12-21)
Christ in you! New Creation Man replaces the Old man: Col 1:27; 3:3; Gal 2:20

(2c) New Wine in New Wineskin – Vs 16-23

Vs 16 – So, don’t put up with or tolerate anyone dictating to you what you must eat, drink, holidays or new moon or worship services.
Vs 17 – All of such in the ritual Law were only shadows of reality. The reality, the substance that cast that shadow is Christ, now revealed in His Body.
Vs 18-19 – Don’t allow anyone cheat you out of what Christ has done; with pretentious humility and worship of angels (Merkaba Mysticism or Chariot Mysticism of Jewish religion as practiced in those days) or seeking visions which himself knows nothing about. He is just an empty opinionated charlatan who has missed the true Source of Life.
Vs 19 – (Ephesians 4:16) Christ is the Head and we are the Body. The ultimate purpose of His death and resurrection outlined above is the building together of joints and sinews into One Body which increases and grows in God through the nourishing which Christ provides.
Vs 20-22 – Since we have appropriated the death of Christ unto the Law and world religious system, why allow ourselves to be bullied into rules and regulations after the doctrines and commandments of men; “touch not; taste not; handle not; “ (Colossians 2:21 KJV)… which are perishable things?
Vs 23 – All of these practices give an illusion of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and ascetic neglecting of the body; but they are meaningless rules rooted in man made religion which do not provide any victory over evil desires of the sinful self.

WORKSHOP 2

V1-9 – What are the reasons for the scarcity of men today who bear the kind of burden borne by first century apostles like Paul, for the Church of Christ. (Jude 1:11) Reflect on the three Satanic traps to watch out for and avoid (Jude 11) by those of us who are servants of God. Discuss.

I(b) V6 – “…so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him, stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Discuss.

V10-15 – What is the difference between the work of the Blood of Jesus as distinct from the work of the Cross of Jesus? Differentiate between our sins and our Sin. Discuss reflectively.

II(b) What do you know about the provision of His Resurrection and Ascension?

Vs 16-23 – In practical day to day experience, how does contemporary religion attempt to put the New Wine of grace into the old wineskin of the Law?

III(b) Detail the ways you know that the enemy wants us to forget who we are in Christ and wants to divert our attention to law, rules and superstitious regulations or wants to make things or men replace and take the seat of Christ in our lives?

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COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3: EVIDENCE OF NEW CREATION IS EXPRESSION OF ONENESS

{“As far a God knows the old you died and Christ is now our life. In the New Creation Man, Christ is all and in all as One Body. Vs 3-4,9-11, 15 }

The essence of this chapter is that our reality as Church is in our crucifixion with Christ and Christ now being our Life, which is our hope for the coming Glory. The evidence of our new crucified life finds expression in One Body of Christ (v3-4, 9-11, 15)

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 3 – New Life in Christ : Christ is our Life

(3a) Vs 1-7 You are dead! Christ is our Life!

Vs 1 – 4 – Note the preposition, conjunction and adverb: since; if, seeing, because, then; and therefore……. Our New Life finds premise only in what Christ has done. The New Testament does not expect us to obey God in our own strength. We are obedient because “ since; if, seeing, because, then; and therefore” of the completed work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Christ in me is the one living His life in and through me. That is how I can be Christ-like.
v1 – Since you have been raised from the dead with Christ (Romans 6.1-7); and now operate in the realm of the heavenly seat of Christ, the only reasonable thing is not to leave that spiritual realm and again descend to the hustle-bustle of affections of the earthly.
v2 – This is the chief weapon of the Adversary in our generation. Distraction from our realm of operation into his (artwork of the fox lured into space over a cliff by a bird he wanted to prey on); is the major cause of our generational impotence.
v3 – This is the TRUTH in Christ: ye are dead, and you life is his with Christ in God. ( Read in other versions and languages)
v4 – When we live in that realm, Christ is our life and that is the premise of glory here (Col 1:27) and eternal glory with Him.
That is our realm of power and glory.
Vs 5 – “Therefore” is the key word in this verse. Because of our death, burial and resurrection in Christ, our Old Man being put off, though the grace of God in Christ, we can now mortify our members to all these vices ……
These vices are occasioned by the structures of the Old Man, (who is now no longer there) through his self-centredness and conceit, rebellion, ambition greed and agitation of the mind etc
“Your dead must be buried same day, so that the land be not cursed.” So, that a disease epidemic does not break out because of decay of death. In fact necrophilia is deadly: why keep living with the corpse of your dead companion? Get him buried out of sight.
Christ is our life and we must focus on Him and put Him on: put on the New Man.
Our lives must have this distinctive from the children of disobedience whom the wrath of God awaits. Grace does not condone sin. Christ is not a minister of sin. He that sins has not seen Him nor known Him (1 John 3:5,6).
Vs – 6 – This death is what distinguishes is for mercy as different from those called to wrath of God.
Vs 7 – Such life of carnal vices was our past; it can no longer be our present. Bygones must be bygones! Like old, worn, ragged clothes stripped off because it is obsolete and therefore burnt.

(3b) Vs 8 – 11 The Premise of the New Life in Christ

Vs 8-9 – Practice of these vices cannot be applicable any longer seeing you have now put on the new man, like a new tailor made wardrobe.
This passage gives us the clue to the modus operandi of the new creation life. It is not because we struggle to avoid these vices and live right by our own efforts. No! It is only by seeing that we are now dead to the Old Man and ought to put him off. We ought to leave his deeds buried out of sight.
Vs 10 – This new life, new self, new nature or new man is renewed and refreshed through continuous knowing or experiential knowledge of Christ more and more, increasingly…. Becoming like Jesus in thought, resolve and action by giving Him more and more space to live His own life in and through us. All of this comes through experiential knowledge.

– 🎼More about Jesus would I know …….. 🎼 Jesus only is our message ……..

Vs 11- Experiential knowledge of Christ comes with a discerning of the Ekklēsia lifestyle, discerning the Body of Christ. There is NO schism in Christ; in Christ the Ekklēsia is One. Christ is ALL and He is in ALL. “MSG – Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” (Colossians 3:11 MSG)

(3c) Vs 12 – 17 The New Creation Man: Living the New Life

Manifestation of the KINGDOM OF GOD by Life:

Vs 12-15 – These are the recipe for “One Body Lifestyle”; the character and life that promotes unity at home, in the church and the
v12 – compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and longsuffering (unoffendable in patience)
v13 – Forgiving Spirit
v14 – Wear Agape like a robe, which is the mark of perfection (true maturity)
v15 – “….the peace of God……to the which ye are also called in one body; …” This is the basis of the manifestation of the Body of Christ. Thanksgiving results

– Result of a crucified life is heart free from agitation and ambition or rivalry. This is the environment where One Body Life is possible.

• Cf Gal 2:11-21

Our calling is to ONE BODY and it must find manifestation at home and in the local church first. It is when this happens that the Church manifests the Kingdom of heaven to the society on the earth.

One Body Worship of Christ in Agape Inter-Personal Relationships:

Vs 16-17 – Personal expression of new creation life: Our fellowship teaching and admonition, worship in songs, hymns, gracious singing are all acts of Thanksgiving unto the LORD. Personal expression of new creation life within the mystery community.

(3d) Vs 18-25 – New Creation Family Life

Vs 16-25 Vs 18-19 – Family unit expression of new creation life: Wives and Husband in Christlike family life. Husband to love, wives to submit : in the LORD

Vs 20-21 -Family unit expression of new creation life: Children obey parents and fathers not to provoke children so as not to alienate them from the faith
Vs 22 – Family unit expression of new creation life: servants obey masters with sincerity
Vs 23-25 Christ is our life: we do all things unto the LORD. Doers of good get rewarded, so also for doers of wrong …. God is not a respected of persons …..

WORKSHOP 3

Vs 1-9 Our baptism into the death of Christ and thereby His burial with consequent newness of life by His resurrection is outworked by our putting off the old man and putting on the new man. Reflect and discuss.
Vs 10-15 One Body Lifestyle of Christ’s Mystery Community as in our passage here is organismal and not organisational. Ecumenism to the contrary seeks organisational cooperation through mutual compromise; that is not our concern. Therefore, how can we put our oneness into practice in the local church setting, in individual terms rather than organisation?
Vs 16-25 How does the Body of Christ manifest in family life and in worship?
What is your burden for the Church? BUILD ACCORDING TO PATTERN (Heb 8:5) and we will see REVIVAL and manifestation of Kingdom on earth.

REFERENCES

Watchman Nee: Normal Christian Life (CLC)

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COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 4: LIFESTYLE OF GRACE & EXPRESSION OF THE KINGDOM

THY KINGDOM COME

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:9-10 KJV

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

Isaiah 29:13 KJV

{“Paul was facing martyrdom, yet his concern was not for his own welfare but the state of the Church of God. We could see a heart filled with peace inside a storm; seeking the comfort and edification of others (v8,9). That is a life with a Divine purpose according to Divine Will. A life that has no fear of evil. Emmanuel is with us.

This life is not theoretical but a reality which must find expression. The message of Life is not sent through couriers but through lives which are illustrators and translators. Epistle was written in Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus (v.7-13}

COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 4

(4a) – Lifestyle of Grace in the Kingdom: Expression of the Kingdom to the World outside.

– Practical Christian Living

Vs 1 – Master -Servant: consider that you too have a heavenly Master, in the treatment your servants.

(4b) Vs 2-3 Prayers and the New Life

Church Life: Praying for Gospel Workers is part of the responsibility of Christ’s Assembly
Vs 2-4: Prayers and thanksgiving request from Paul: for open door of utterance to speak the Mystery of Christ
Acts 5:42; 11:20; 1 Cor 2:2.

(4c) Church Life: Ministry to the Outside world

Vs 5-6 -Manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth through the Life expression of the Church. To “them that are without” and “every man”
Words seasoned with salt to answer everyman specifically with Divine wisdom. Note that
The easiest-to-understand epistle for men to know Christ through, is through the life of a believer.

(4d) Vs 7-18 Greetings

Team work among the Apostolic band of associates: Relationship with the Church

v7-9 Tychicus, a missionary in Paul’s team was sent to Colosse with Onesimus, a Colossian.
Epistles of Paul are sent through lives which are exemplary. The message is life to live by seeing it through life translators, not through couriers. Teachings are futile if not in the context of Life.
Let us note in particular that the people to whom this epistle is sent are mainly poor uneducated peasants and the epistle will simply be read to them. And yet, the Holy Spirit gave them understanding.
Why is it that in our time even when the Word of God is expounded with great authority, people find it difficult to understand or appropriate into life?

– v10-11 – Greetings from Aristarchus a fellow prisoner of the Gospel in Rome with Paul; Mark who was Barnabas’ nephew of whom instruction had previously been sent to the Colossians to receive him, if he came to Colosse. Also Joseph called Justus: these three were fellow workers of the Kingdom with a Paul at this time, in Rome. They all worked for the Kingdom of God (Vs. 11)

Vs 12-13 – Epaphras a Colossian too himself, who carried a deep prayer burden for the Colossians, as well as those in Laodicea and Hierapolis sends greetings. So also was Luke the beloved Physician and Demas.
Vs 15-16 Greetings to Laodicean church and Nymphas and the brethren in his house. They were instructed to share this epistle with the Laodiceans
It is very clear these early Christians went around to greet and fellowship with one another freely.
Vs 17 -“Be sure you give Archippus this message: “Be faithful to complete the ministry you received from our Lord Jesus!”” (Colossians 4:17 TPT)

“And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” (Colossians 4:17 KJV)

Archipus was an elder in Colossae region (possibly of Laodicea: was he getting discouraged?….
I hear the Holy Spirit calling the Archippus’s in our midst today.
Vs 18 – Paul asked his imprisonment to be remembered in prayers … ( Epistle was written from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus)
They were all workers for the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth

WORKSHOP 4

Vs 1-6 How is it with your soul as regards New Creation Lifestyle? This a practical outworking of 3:9-11 – Ekklēsia in practice. Discuss
Vs 7- 18 What lessons have you drawn from the life of Paul and the relationship between the brethren in this apostolic team of missionaries?
In all above (Colossians Chapters 1-4) can you personally see and describe the Full Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Can you see the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified? The Gospel of the Grace of God? The Gospel of Peace? The Gospel of the Kingdom? And yet all of these within the context of One Gospel and its mystery: The Mystery of the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Can we relate This Gospel (Full Gospel) to the execution of Divine Will in full especially in our own generation?

BUILD ACCORDING TO PATTERN (Heb 8:5) and we will see REVIVAL and manifestation of Kingdom on earth.

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