1. Christ Complete Becoming in Becoming Christ in Complete 2014 OIF Spring Sermon Series 1. “Welcome to Colossians”

2. Christ Complete Becoming in "Oh God You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until we find rest in You". - Augustine, The Confession Ex-playboy and party animal!

3. Christ Complete Becoming in Colossians 1:1-2 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

4. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians -Written by the Apostle Paul around 59-61 A.D. while in prison at Rome for the gospel of Jesus. -A circular letter to be read publicly at churches. -Paul has not met the Colossian Christians yet. Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face…

5. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians

6. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians -Written by the Apostle Paul around 59-61 A.D. while in prison at Rome for the gospel of Jesus. -A circular letter to be read publicly at churches. -Paul has not met the Colossian Christians yet. Colossians 4:16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

7. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians -Written by the Apostle Paul around 59-61 A.D. while in prison at Rome for the gospel of Jesus. -A circular letter to be read publicly at churches. -Paul has not met the Colossian Christians yet. Colossians 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

8. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians -Likely heard of the Colossian church and their situation through their founder Epaphras. Colossians 1:7-8 7 just as you learned it (the gospel) from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

9. Christ Complete Becoming in 1. Background of Colossians -Written at the same time as Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon (“Prison Epistles”) -Have some very similar content as Ephesians but with distinctly different emphasis: Ephesians focus on the church, the “body of Christ”, while Colossians focus on Jesus Christ, the “head” of the church.

10. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians -False teachings confusing the church of Colossi Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

11. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians The characteristics of these false teachings: 1.An emphasis on the outward legalistic obedience to religious rituals in order to please God, but has a serious disconnect with real godly living in our daily lives and relationships. 2.A preoccupation with worshipping of angels, special visions, and mystery/secret spiritual knowledge. 3.A demoting, de-emphasizing, and doubting of the supremacy and sufficiency of who Jesus is and what He has done for us

12. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians Colossians 2:16-23 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive

13. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians Colossians 2:16-23 in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

14. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians Paul’s Counter Argument: Exaltation of Jesus Christ Colossians 1:13-22 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And 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, the firstborn

15. Christ Complete Becoming in 2. Main Theme of Colossians Paul’s Counter Argument: Exaltation of Jesus Christ Colossians 1:13-22 from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

16. Christ Complete Becoming in 3. Applications of Colossians Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and

17. Christ Complete Becoming in 3. Applications of Colossians Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17 patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the

18. Christ Complete Becoming in 3. Applications of Colossians Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17 Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:18-4:1 Gospel implication for family and work relationships.

19. Christ Complete Becoming in Structure Outline of Colossians: 1.Our Completeness in Christ Declared (Chp. 1) 2.Our Completeness in Christ Defended (Chp. 2) 3.Our Completeness in Christ Demonstrated (Chps. 3-4)

20. Christ Complete Becoming in Structure Outline of Colossians: 1.Our Completeness in Christ Declared (Chp. 1) 2.Our Completeness in Christ Defended (Chp. 2) 3.Our Completeness in Christ Demonstrated (Chps. 3-4) Rejoice in Jesus for the completeness we have in Him! Experience completeness and confidence in our daily lives! Delight in our relationship of grace and love with Him! Desire to worship Him as our supreme Lord!