Sunday School in 7Minutes Glorious Riches Colossians

Sunday School in 7Minutes
Glorious Riches
Colossians 1:19-2:5
June 2, 2024
• Sunday School in 7Minu...
Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul while he was imprisoned, likely in Rome. The city of Colossae was located in Asia Minor, in what is now modern-day Turkey.
It was a diverse city with various religious influences, including Greek philosophy, Judaism, and local mystic cults.
Paul wrote Colossians to combat false teachings that were creeping into the Colossian church. These teachings, often referred to as the Colossian heresy,
combined Jewish legalism,
pagan mysticism, and
forms of Gnosticism.
Paul wrote to reaffirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ and to encourage the believers to stand firm in their faith.
Paul reflects on his suffering for the sake of the gospel and his role as a minister of Christ. Rather than a pity party. Paul rejoices in his sufferings because they unite him with Jesus' sufferings and demonstrate his commitment to the kingdom of Christ. He sees his hardships as an opportunity to share in the afflictions of Christ and serve the body of believers.
Like Paul, we may face challenges and sufferings in our lives. It could be persecution for our faith, personal trials, or even the daily struggles we encounter. But just as Paul found joy in his sufferings, We are reminded to rejoice in suffering. Our hardships can be
• an opportunity for growth,
• for serving others, and
• for deepening our relationship with God.
In verses 28-29, Paul reveals his desire for both his ministry and the Colossian believers. He speaks of proclaiming Christ, admonishing every man, and teaching every man with all wisdom.
Paul, along with Timothy and likely others, emphasizes the collective effort in proclaiming Christ. By using "we," he includes himself, Timothy, Epaphras Epp Ah fras, and even the Colossians themselves. Their shared vision is to unify under Christ.
Paul's proclamation involves both warning and teaching. He admonishes every man, urging them to heed the dangers of false teachings and departures from God. ultimately Paul sees his mission to bring believers to maturity, ready for their place in God's kingdom.
Paul's mission is not merely about evangelism but about discipleship and spiritual maturity. In a world
• where some proclaim true believers get material wealth,
• where groups seek to steal the identity of Christ, describing the savior of the universe with one political ideology, one national identity, and even one ethnicity,
• As modern Christians, we are called to proclaim Christ, warn against false teachings, and teach with wisdom.
We must warn one another against the dangers of straying from God's truth, even though others offer glitter Christ-like alternatives. Our goal is to help every believer be mature and complete, ready to stand before Christ.
In the last portion of the lesson, Paul expresses his great struggle for the believers in Colossae. He wants them to be encouraged in heart, united in love, and filled with the wealth of understanding that comes from knowing Christ.
Paul's aim is to encourage the Colossians. The word "encouraged" here means more than just feeling good; it's about being called near to God. Similarly, in our daily challenges, we must find comfort and strength in Christ, who calls us close to His heart.
This is a new faith that Paul is helping to explain the theological foundation. But relevant today, Paul stresses the importance of believers being knit together in love. This love, rooted in Christ, prompts us to pursue the best interests of others. As modern Christians, our unity in love strengthens us and reflects God's love to the world.
Paul speaks of the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding. This isn't just head knowledge but a deep comprehension that leads to true knowledge of God's mystery-
Like Paul, we should strive to stir up one another to love and good works, encouraging each other in our faith journey.
Deepening our relationship with Christ leads to a true knowledge of God's mystery. This intimate knowledge transforms how we see the world and empowers us to live out our faith authentically.