Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Paul’s Thankfulness Colossians 1:3-8 Paul & Timothy are examples of what can do with those willing to be and do what the Lord desires Paul was writing to correct doctrinal problems as part of effort to present every man complete in Christ A hallmark of someone who is walking in the spirit of God is thankfulness

The Recipient of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:3 Paul’s thanksgiving is directed to God Paul understood that God is the ultimate source of all blessings that occur in life - Phil. 4:10-18; James 1:17 - God is the source of every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift

The Recipient of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:3 Matthew 5:16 - It really is all about God’s glory and not our own. We suffer because of our own sin - Galatians 6:7 We suffer because of the sins of others - Matthew 5:10-12; John 16:33

The Recipient of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:3 We suffer because we live in a sin fallen world - Romans 8:20-22 The godly man gives thanks for God’s mercy & grace even when suffering - Romans 5:8; 8:28. 35-39 Paul stresses God as the Father of Jesus to emphasize His deity

Thanksgiving Expressed in Prayers Paul gave thanksgiving to God whenever he prayed for the Colossians Do not let someone’s struggles and failure in one area destroy your view of their overall character

The Cause of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:4 Their Faith in Christ Jesus - was the first reason for Paul’s thankfulness Faith (πιστις / pistis) includes the concepts of belief and trust. It is not just intellectual consent

The Cause of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:4 Their Love for All the Saints was the second reason for Paul’s thankfulness This love (ajgavph / agapê) is self sacrificial in the best interest of others It is God’s love (John. 3:16), Jesus’ love and the love we are to have for one another (John 13:34-35)

The Cause of Thanksgiving Colossians 1:4 It is humble and other centered (Philippians 2:3-4), It demonstrates we are born of God (1 John 4:7).

The Source for Faith Colossians 1:5 A Hope reserved in Heaven Biblical hope (ejlpiv" / elpis) is an expectation with confident assurance and not a synonym for “wish” We have sure promises of a future in heaven - John 14:1-3; Phil. 3:20, 1 Thess. 4:17, 2 Cor. 5:8

The Source for Faith Colossians 1:5 Our confidence of salvation and eternal life are in Jesus’ promises (John 5:24; 1 John 5:12-13)

The Source for Faith Colossians 1:5 The Gospel is the source of our faith and hope Faith in the wrong object will leave you disappointed. Facts without belief will leave you stranded

The Source for Faith Colossians 1:5 The gospel is the good news that God has provided forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus We are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8) and justified by faith (Romans 3:28)

The Effect of the Gospel The gospel bears the same fruit wherever it goes New believers are the fruit of the gospel The gospel continues to increase by its spread to others by those who responded to it. Their own example demonstrated the fruit of the gospel and its increase

The Effect of the Gospel The gospel they had received was contradictory to the ideas of asceticism being promoted The gospel is sufficient - 2 Peter 1:3-4 Our part is to apply all diligence and continue to grow in godliness and its virtues – 2 Peter 1:5-7

The Messenger of the Gospel Colossians 1:7 Epaphras, who had brought the gospel to the Colossians, was well known by them. They had received the gospel from a man bound to be faithful, not a charlatan or huckster Epaphras’ good character endeared him to Paul as “beloved”

The Messenger of the Gospel Colossians 1:7 He was a suvndoulo" / sundoulos - fellow slave. Jesus is our master, we are His slaves Faithful described his trustworthy character He was a diavkono" / diakonos of Christ He carried out the responsibilities given to him by Christ

The Love of the Colossians Colossians 1:8 Their reported love for others demonstrated the Spirit in their lives

Conclusions True thanksgiving is directed to God – for He is the source of all blessings The Colossians responded to the gospel presented to them by Epaphras

Conclusions We should follow Paul’s example of thanksgiving in our own prayers We should be like Epaphras as a beloved bondslave and faithful servant of Jesus Christ

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ