2. The Christ of the Church

3. Lesson 1 “Jesus Is Above All” Colossians

4. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ as Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. Colossians 1:1-2

5. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints. Colossians 1:3-4

6. Each of the first 4 verses reference the “Christ” of the Church!

7. The Christ of the Church is still today being undermined!

8. 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior..

9. 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments.

10. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

11. Epaphras was instrumental in establishing this church. (1:7) Colossae was saturated with Greek philosophers.

12. Human wisdom and opinion is always loitering at the doorstep of the church.

13. Doctrinal purity is at the heart of this letter. The Church is to maintain pure allegiance to Christ!

14. The false teaching in 2:9-15 is a form of humanism.

15. …and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. …having been buried with him in baptism… Colossians 2:10, 12a

16. …he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:14b-15

17. The false teaching in 2:16-17 is a form of legalism. (*Will study tonight.)

18. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

19. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16

20. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:17-18

21. The Christ of the Church

22. 1 Above All Above All

23. 2 Above All Above All

24. 3 Above All Above All

25. 4 Above All Above All

26. 5 Above All Above All

27. 6 Above All Above All