Message Series // Colossians – Part 2
Message Date // February 23, 2020 (Scotty Priest)
Big Idea
As we dive into the letter of Colossians at Journey, it’s important to have an idea of what the letter is about. It’s written by the Apostle Paul around 62 A.D. from a prison in Rome. He is writing this letter with a purpose from prison to a church in the city of Colosse (modern-day Turkey). Epaphras, the planter of the Colossian church, travels over 1,000 miles to visit Paul seeking advice concerning issues his church is facing, and the letter of Colossians is what Epaphras brings back. In it, Paul’s overarching theme is that Jesus is first in everything, and that Jesus is enough. 2,000 years later, we are continually challenged with our need to let Jesus have first place in our lives, and to trust that He is enough.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:13-14
Discussion
Read Colossians 2:6-14. In verses 7-8, the Apostle Paul talks about how important it is for followers of Jesus to be “rooted and established” in the faith. This is key because no one should lead us away from the simplicity of just following Jesus. It’s not Jesus plus something else. It’s solely Jesus. In what ways can others make following Jesus complicated? Read Matthew 22:34-39. How does Jesus communicate in these verses the simplicity of following him?
It was the well-known Christian author C.S. Lewis that once said, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” Would you agree with Lewis’ observation of humanity? Take a look at Colossians 2:9-10. By contrast, Paul continues in the letter by communicating the point that we have received everything we need in Christ (“fullness”). In other words, Jesus is more than enough. Why is this a tough truth for us to grasp? How can it practically be lived out in our lives?
Take a look at Colossians 2:13-14. The Apostle Paul returns to some of the foundational truths the Bible is trying to communicate. Paul is reminding the Colossian Church that there is a finished work Jesus has done, and it’s good news to us all! What are the powerful illustrations and truths Paul is pointing back to? What does they mean for you?
Next Steps
Going back to Colossians 2:6, Paul encourages both the Colossians Church and us to “continue”…to keep moving forward and progress in our relationship with Jesus. At Journey, we would say that Jesus meets us where we are at and invites us to take our next step spiritually. What would be that next step for you? How can your small group come alongside and help you take that next step?
