09-15-2019
09-15-2019
Dr. E. Dale Locke and Rev. Trevor Johnston and Pastor Efrain Silva
Sermon Series: Colossians
Week 2: First
English PDF file for printing: 09-15-2019
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en español: 09.15 PREGUNTAS
Continue to memorize our theme verse - Colossians 1:28: “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”
Read Colossians 1:15-23:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”This portion of Colossians was probably a hymn of the early church. The theme of the hymn is “Who is Jesus?”. Name some common misunderstandings that people have about Jesus.
Christians believe is that Jesus is unique. Paul points out Jesus’ uniqueness in three areas:
Who He is
What He did
The need for a response to Him
How would you define the word “unique”? What does it imply when we say Jesus was unique?
5. Even among non-Christians, nearly everyone agrees that a man named Jesus lived in Israel about 2,000 years ago. Historical records indicate that He appeared to be a normal baby and grew up looking quite ordinary until he was in his 30s, when he began to claim some unique things about himself, which Paul picks up on when he says in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God.” Considering this phrase and Colossians 1:19, what is Paul saying about Jesus?
6. If you really think about it, it’s difficult to believe that an ordinary-looking person from history was actually God in human flesh. What evidence is there to support Jesus’ claim that He was God?
7. Read Hebrews 1:1-3a: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
What does the writer of Hebrews reveal here about God’s means of communicating with people? Which of God’s ways of communicating gives the most accurate understanding of what God is like?
8. In Colossians 1:16-17, Paul indicates that Jesus created everything that exists and that He currently holds everything in the world together. What does this tell you about Jesus?
9. In Colossians 1:18 Paul calls Jesus the “head of the body, the church”. What does that mean, and how does that impact your understanding of what “the church” is?
10. In Colossians 1:18 Jesus is called the “firstborn from among the dead”. What does this phrase mean, and what does it imply about what will happen to Jesus’ followers after death? To help you answer, read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”
11. In Colossians 1:20 Paul begins to describe the uniqueness of what Jesus did. Paul says that through Jesus, God reconciled all things to Himself. What does the word “reconcile” mean, and how did Jesus accomplish it for us? According to Paul, why was reconciliation necessary?
12. Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6a: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” Why was Jesus uniquely qualified to be the mediator between God and mankind?
13. While the offer God makes to us through Jesus is wonderful, Paul is clear that a response is required before a person can experience the reconciliation Paul describes. Why doesn’t God simply reconcile everyone to Himself, without requiring a response from us?
14. How would you define the word “faith” in Colossians 1:23, and how does a person “do” it?
15. Paul doesn’t see “faith” as just a momentary prayer that you prayed sometime in your past; but rather, Paul sees faith as something you “continue in…established and firm”. What does this tell you about genuine faith?
16. Paul compares life before Christ with life after a person responds to Christ in faith. Consider your own life before and after your faith began. How have you changed? Be as specific as you can.
17. Our church believes that the most important question anyone will ever answer is “Who is Jesus?” Why is this such an important question? What difference does the identity of a man who lived 2,000 years ago make for your personal life today?
18. What was the most helpful idea for you personally from this sermon or passage, and why was it helpful to you?