Who wrote it? When was it written? Who was it written to? Why was it written? What is it about? How is it relevant to us?

Who wrote it? The Apostle Paul and his disciple Timothy

When was it written? 62AD – when Paul was in prison in Rome Along with… … Ephesians … a lost letter to the church in Laodicea … Philemon

Who was it written to? The church in a town called Colossae

Who was it written to? The church in a town called Colossae Probably planted by a man called Epaphras

Why was it written? To combat theological errors in the church

What’s it about? It’s about Jesus!

What’s it about? It’s about Jesus!

How is it relevant to us? We need to be equipped “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3v16-17

How is it relevant to us? We need to be equipped We need to be challenged “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4v12

How is it relevant to us? We need to be equipped We need to be challenged We face the same dangers as they did

Jesus Centred Faith Steve Petch 8 th June 2014

“Am I really a Christian?”

The gospel message bears fruit and grows: All over the world Among us From the day we heard it And understood God’s grace

The gospel message bears fruit and grows: New believers Change in our lives

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Faith “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11v1 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2v8 “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10v9

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Love “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” John 13v34-35 “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” 1 John 4v7-8

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Love “ “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” 1 John 3v14 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3v16

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Hope “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10v23 Eternal life Resurrection in an immortal physical body Renewed heavens and earth No more sickness or death or pain Seeing God face to face Eternal rewards An eternal home with God.

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Faith Love Hope “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven” Colossians 1v4-5

“Am I really a Christian?” Do I have faith in Jesus? Do I have love for my brothers and sisters in the church? Do I have hope for the future?

Hallmarks of genuine Christianity: Faith Love Hope “The greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13v13