Colossians 1:1-14 — Introduction
PAUL INTRODUCES HIS STABILIZING TEACHING TO THE COLOSSIANS WITH THANKSGIVING, A REMINDER, AND A PRAYER ON THEIR BEHALF
Colossians 1:15-23 — The Preeminence of Christ
CHRIST DESERVES THE PREEMINENCE BY VIRTUE OF:
– HIS POSITION OF HEADSHIP
– AND HIS WORK OF RECONCILIATION
(WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF CREATION AND TO THE CHURCH)
Colossians 1:24-29 — Passion for Proclaiming Christ
PAUL’S PASSION FOR PROCLAIMING JESUS CHRIST DROVE HIM TO
FULFILL HIS CALLING TO SACRIFICIALLY MINISTER TO THE GENTILES
Colossians 2:1-7 — Deep and Strong
PAUL’S PASSION FOR PROTECTING THE SAINTS AGAINST DECEPTION —
FOCUSED HIS MINISTRY ON ENCOURAGING DEPTH AND STABILITY IN CHRIST
Colossians 2:8-15 — Complete in Christ (Christ + Nothing)
THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST PROTECTS US AGAINST FALSE TEACHING
Colossians 2:16-23 — Freedom from Bondage and Condemnation
UNION WITH CHRIST HAS FREED US FROM THE BONDAGE AND CONDEMNATION OF THE FALSE ISMS
(WHICH CLAIM TO BE THE PATHWAY TO SPIRITUALITY)
Colossians 3:1-11 — Focus and Follow Through
THE KEY TO SPIRITUALITY IS LIVING OUT OUR UNION WITH CHRIST
Colossians 3:12-17 — The Perfect Bond of Unity
THE KEY TO HARMONY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST IS:
– BEING CHRISTLIKE IN OUR CHARACTER AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER
– BEING PRODUCTIVE IN MINISTERING THE WORD TO ONE ANOTHER
– BEING MOTIVATED BY A DESIRE TO PLEASE HIM IN EVERYTHING
(AND BEING THANKFUL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS)
Colossians 3:18-21 — Godly Family Relationships
UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN GODLY FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Colossians 3:22 – 4:1 — Godly Work Relationships
UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN GODLY WORK RELATIONSHIPS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Colossians 4:2-6 — Godly Communication – With God and Unbelievers
UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN CONSISTENT PRAYER,
MISSIONARY FOCUS, EFFECTIVE TESTIMONY, AND GRACIOUS SPEECH
Colossians 4:7-18 — Closing Greetings
UNION WITH CHRIST MANIFESTS ITSELF IN PRECIOUS BONDS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH THOSE WHO LABOR WITH US IN THE GOSPEL MINISTRY