Notes from a sermon on Colossians. www.flushingbiblechurch.com

1.  Who wrote it?
 Who was the audience?
 Where was it written?
 When was it written?
 Why was it written?
 What is it about?
 What is inside?
 Why study the book?

2.  Paul, Colossians 1:1, 23, 4:18
 Who was Paul?
 A true Israelite, Phil 3:2-6
 Miraculously saved, Acts 9
 Studied in the desert and Damascus for 3 years, Gal 1:17
 3 missionary journeys, Acts 13-21:14

6.  Paul, Colossians 1:1, 23, 4:18
 Who was Paul?
 A true Israelite, Phil 3:2-6
 Miraculously saved, Acts 9
 Studied in the desert and Damascus for 3 years, Gal 1:17
 3 missionary journeys, Acts 13-21:14
 Missionary to the Gentiles, Ephesians 3:8
 Author of 13 books in the New Testament
 Martyred for his faith in mid 60’s

7.  The Church in Colossae, Colossians 1:2

11.  Rome, Acts 28:30, Colossians 4:18
 Ephesus and Caesarea theories
 Prison epistles
 Ephesians: emphasis on the Church body
 Philippians
 Colossians: emphasis on the head of the Church
 Philemon
 Onesimus ran away from Colossae, most likely to
Rome. Colossians 4:8-9, Philemon 10
 Archippus, most likely the Pastor in Colossae, Philemon
2 and Colossians 4:17

12.  Paul was in prison, most likely in Rome
 A strong earthquake destroyed the tri-cities in 64 AD
Eusebius
 Paul does not mention the quake, so it was most likely
written before the event
 Laodicea rebuilt with its own funds
Tacitus
 Colossae never recovered
 61 AD

13.  Colossian Heresy
 Determined from what is written
 Philosophy, tradition, “elementary principles” Col 2:8
 Legalism Col 2:16-17
 Angel worship Col 2:18
 Asceticism Col 2:18, 20-23
 Essene influence
 Beginning of Gnosticism, which flourished later
 Dualism
 Material is evil
 Good can only be in the immaterial
 Asceticism or licentiousness

14.  The Supremacy of Christ
 Counteracts the teaching of dualism
 He is God, Colossians 1:15, 2:9
 He is the creator, Colossians 1:16
 He alone is worthy of worship as the head of the Church,
Colossians 1:17-18
 The Sufficiency of Christ
 We are complete in Christ, Colossians 2:10

15. I. Our Worthy Savior: Chapters 1-2
A. Introduction 1:1-12
B. Christ is Supreme 1:13-29
C. Complete in Christ 2:1-23
II. The Worthy Walk: Chapters 3:1-4:6
A. Personal walk with Christ 3:1-17
B. Life with Christ in the home 3:18-21
C. Life with Christ at work 3:22-4:1
D. Spiritual walk with Christ 4:2-6
III. Closing: 4:7-18

16.  Mysticism flooding into the Church
 The Emergent church
 Contemplative prayer
 Asceticism, i.e. fasting, selling all you have, etc.
 “Christian” yoga
 We need to know that Christ is supreme
 America is the modern-day Church at Laodicea
 We are complete in Christ
 He is sufficient for all our needs, Col 1:9-12, 2:9
 Only when we abide in the grace of our Supreme Savior can
we be pleasing to Him
 Christ and His Word is all we need for the spiritual life