The All-Sufficient Christ Colossians The All-Sufficient Christ

Paul’s Prison Epistles Ephesians: Wealth and Walk in Christ (2:10) Philippians: Joy in Christ (4:4) Colossians: The All-Sufficient Christ (3:11)

Background Author: Paul (1:1; 4:18) Date: c. A.D. 60-63 Place of writing: Paul’s Roman prison house (1:24; 4:18; see Ac.28:16-31; there are 4 “prison epistles”: Eph., Phil., Col., & Phile.)

Background Recipients: Colossian saints (1:1; origin of the church is unknown; probably not Paul [Col.1:4,7-8; 2:1]; possibly Jews [Ac.2:9-10]; possibly Epaphras [Col.1:7; 4:12- 13]; see Acts 19:10)

Background Occasion of writing: Paul heard from Epaphras about the danger at Colossae. He used his time in prison to warn the Colossians against the threat of heresy (2:8). Tychicus possibly carried the letter (4:7-8).

Background Theme: The All-Sufficient Christ: “Christ is all, and in all” (3:11) Theme: “All” is found 30 times in the book (1:9-11, 28; 2:2-3; 2:9- 10; 3:11, 16; 4:12)

Background Theme: The All-Sufficient Christ: “Christ is all, and in all” (3:11) Theme: “Filled” (1:9) and “full” (2:2, 10) are also used in the book

The Colossian Heresy Its content It was beguiling seduction (2:4) It was based on human philosophy and tradition which detracted from Christ (2:8) It was according to the rudiments of the world (2:8,20)

The Colossian Heresy Its practice It involved physical circumcision (2:11) It involved observing dietary restrictions (2:16) It involved observing special days (2:16)

The Colossian Heresy Its practice It involved voluntary humility (2:18) It involved the worship of angels (2:18) It involved visions (2:18)

The Colossian Heresy Its practice It involved man-made rules and regulations (2:20-22) It involved rigid asceticism (2:23)

The Colossian Heresy Its focus It was an attempt to divide Christians through exclusivism (1:28; the spiritual “knowing-ones” vs. the rest )

The Colossian Heresy Its focus It was an attempt to subtract from Christ through human wisdom (1:15-29; 1:28; 2:3; 2:9-10; offering something that supposedly Christ cannot offer)

The Colossian Heresy Its origin It came from Jewish religion To be saved, you had to be a Jew, or converted to Judaism To be saved, you had to keep the Law of Moses

The Colossian Heresy Its origin It came from Greek philosophy All physical matter is created evil Consequences for Jesus: Jesus did not come in the flesh (Doceticism) and Jesus is one of 30 lesser gods

The Colossian Heresy Its origin Consequences for mankind: it issued in rigid asceticism, sordid immorality, and true knowledge is available to certain ones only

Outline Colossians 1-4: All Salutation (1:1-2) Prayers in Christ (1:3-12)

Outline Colossians 1-4: All The Preeminence of Christ in Christian Doctrine (1:13 - 3:4) Person (Preeminence) of Christ (1:13-23) Preaching of Christ (1:24-29) Prize in Christ (2:1 - 3:4)

Outline Colossians 1-4: All The Preeminence of Christ in Christian Conduct (3:5 - 4:17) Putting On of Christ (3:5-17) Practices in Christ (3:18 - 4:6) Partners of Christ (4:7-17) Benediction (4:18)

Lessons For Today The Need for Messengers of Warning Paul was caring (1:3,9,28-29; 2:1) Prevention is better than the cure: “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure”

Lessons For Today Paul did not wait and hope for the problem to clear up on its own. Paul did not evade the issue. Paul corrected their thinking about Christ (chap. 1-2) and corrected their thinking about conduct (chap. 3-4)

Lessons For Today Paul was balanced (2:4-5), relevant (2:8), specific (2:16-23), firm and uncompromising (1:23; 2:6; 2:16a,18a), honest and forthright (2:20,23) What are we doing to warn against error?

Lessons For Today The Need to Guard Against Religious Syncretism The “Colossian heresy” was eclectic, meaning a mixture of doctrines. It had a Jewish element, a Greek pagan element, and a Christian element.

Lessons For Today It did not deny Christ, but it did dethrone Him; it gave Him a place, but not the rightful preeminent place

Lessons For Today Absolute conviction and refusal to compromise is labeled “intolerance” today. We hear today, “No religion is perfect.” We are tempted not to be “out of step” with the world around us.

Lessons For Today Israel had a problem of this in the OT with Canaanite religion Jesus was tempted in this area (Mt.4:8-10)

Lessons For Today New Testament Christians had a problem of this with Jewish law, Greek paganism, and Roman Emperor worship Today, we face the same temptation: Gnosticism can be found in modern media

Lessons For Today Are we mixing Christianity with the philosophies of this world?

Lessons For Today The Need to See Christ as Preeminent and All-Sufficient Christ is supposed to be the center of our life (2:19a; 3:4) A proper view of Christ is the antidote to error in our life

Lessons For Today What is more important? Science (1 Tim. 6:20), traditions (Mt. 15:1- 9), religious leaders (2 Tim. 2:17), close Christian friends (Gal. 2:13), or parents (Phil. 3:5)? Is Christ and his word number 1 in our life? Be honest!