Colossians 1:9-23

1. Riverway Class Week #3 Colossians 1:9-23 Instructor: Ernie Zarra

2. Review of Colossians 1:1-8

5. John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.“

6. John 15:12 - "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

9. Love in the Spirit (The kind of love that only God can give)

10. Persistence to know God’s will for our own lives

11. Demonstration of spiritual wisdom and understanding

12. Walk in a manner worthy of the name we bear; Live as if we respect God as a Person

13. Bear fruit in every good work

14. Increase in knowledge of God; Get to know Who He is, and not just seek knowledge “about” Him. Review

15. Colossians 1:9-23 This week’s lesson

16. “Paul prayed that the believers ‘might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’ His use of the very terms employed by the heretics probably startled his readers . . . Paul demonstrated such knowledge was available to all of the believers, not just to a privileged few . . .” Gromacki, New Testament Survey, p. 271 Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding (Colossians 1:9)

17. Greek Word is “agathos” Describes that which, being good in its character, or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; it is used of things physical (tree, ground, etc), in a moral sense, frequently of persons and things. Every “Good” Work Can we name some “good” works?

18. While walking by the Spirit, we will not carry out the deeds of the flesh Flesh sets desire against the Spirit; and Spirit against the flesh Led by Spirit, not under Law Deeds of Flesh are evident (5:19-21) Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-26) Deeds of the Flesh v.Fruit of the Spirit(Galatians 5:16-26)

19. Legalism of Judaism over whether Gentiles were required to eat certain foods, get circumsized, and celebrate Jewish holy-days. Gnosticism/Essene Teachings Heresies Addressed By Paul

20. A. He is the “image of the invisible God.” (1:15) B. In Him “all things were created.” (1:16) C. . . . through Him things “created.” (1:16) D. . . . for Him things “created.” (1:16) E. He is “before all things.” (1:17) F. He is the “head of the body, the Church . . . the beginning; the firstborn from the dead.” (1:18) G. . . . in Him all God’s fullness dwells. (1:19) H. . . . through Him “all things . . . “ (1:20) I. . . . through Him “peace” . . . (1:20) J. He has now “reconciled.” (1:22) K. . . . before Him “presented holy and blameless.” (1:22) Paul’s Responses to Heresies (1:15-22) Descriptions of Jesus Christ

21. A. He could not be the exact representation, or image of God unless He is God. (1:15) B. “Firstborn” indicates His priority before all creation. (1:15) C. “By Him were all things created” signifies that He took part in Creation; He did not create Himself. (1:16) D. Not only did He create all things, these things were created “for Him.” (1:16) E. “He is before all things,” indicates His pre-incarnate state of deity. Now incarnate, all deity dwells in Him. (1:17) F. He maintains Creation and holds it together. (1:17) G. He is the “head of the Church, firstborn from the dead; Only One raised in a glorified body.” (1:18) H. Jesus Christ is “preeminent in all things.” (1:18) I. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man; He is the “full fullness.” (1:19) Paul’s Responses to Heresies (1:15-19) Statements Concerning the Person

22. The question . . . Proto-tokos v. Proto-ktistos Is Jesus the Firstborn, the heir of all things created, or is He the first created thing of all creation?

23. What are Some Heresies Facing the Church Today? Your thoughts?