"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS" Chapter Two by Mark Copeland

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                              Chapter Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the relation between understanding the "mystery of God" and
   having a strong assurance of our salvation

2) To appreciate how baptism serves as our spiritual circumcision, and
   that it is a work of God which is performed, not a work of man

3) To understand how Christ brought an end to the Old Law by His death
   on the cross

SUMMARY

Paul reveals his great concern for those at Colosse and others he has
not seen, expressing his desire that their hearts be knit together in
love, and that they may have the assurance that comes from an
understanding of the mystery of God as revealed through Christ.  He
rejoices in their good order and steadfastness, and encourages them to
be firmly established in Christ, abounding in thanksgiving (1-7).

The word "Beware" in verse eight summarizes the rest of the chapter, in
which Paul warns them of the dangers of "The Colossian Heresy".  These 
dangers include being cheated through philosophy and vain deceit, and 
defrauded of their reward by those who appeal to false humility, the 
worship of angels, false visions, and strict regulations according to 
the commandments and doctrines of men which really have no value 
against the indulgence of the flesh.  In Christ they are made complete,
having undergone a circumcision not made with hands, in which God made
them alive together with Christ.  Since Christ has also nailed to the
cross the "handwriting of requirements" that was against them and taken
it out of the way, none can judge them regarding religious observances
that were only a shadow pointing to the true substance of Christ
(8-23).

OUTLINE

I. PAUL'S SOLICITUDE (1-7)

   A. HIS GREAT CONCERN FOR THEM (1-3)
      1. He has a great conflict for those...
         a. In Colosse and Laodicea (1a)
         b. Who have not seen his face in the flesh (1b)
      2. His desire is that...
         a. Their hearts be encouraged, knit together in love (2a)
         b. They attain to all the riches of:
            1) The full assurance of understanding (2b)
            2) The knowledge of the mystery of God (2c)
               a) Both of the Father and of Christ (2d)
               b) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and 
                  knowledge (3)

   B. REASONS FOR THIS CONCERN (4-5)
      1. Lest anyone deceive them with persuasive words (4)
      2. Though absent in the flesh, he is present with them in spirit
         (5a)
      3. He rejoices to see...
         a. Their good order (5b)
         b. The steadfastness of their faith (5c)

   C. EXHORTATIONS TO BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST (6-7)
      1. As they have received Christ, so they should walk in Him (6)
         a. Rooted and built up in Him (7a)
         b. Established in the faith (7b)
         -- As they were taught (7c)
      2. Abounding with thanksgiving (7d)

II. WARNINGS AGAINST "THE COLOSSIAN HERESY" (8-23)

   A. WARNING AGAINST PHILOSOPHY (8-10)
      1. Beware of being cheated by philosophy and empty deceit (8a)
         a. According to the traditions of men (8b)
         b. According to the basic principles of the world (8c)
         -- And not according to Christ (8d)
      2. In Christ dwells the fullness of God, and you are complete in
         Him (9-10)
         a. All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (9)
         b. You are complete in Him, who is head over all principality
            and power (10)

   B. WARNING AGAINST JUDAISTIC CEREMONIALISM (11-17)
      1. In Christ you have a circumcision made without hands (11-12)
         a. A putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh (11)
         b. Having been buried with Christ in baptism (12)
            1) In which you were also raised with Him (12a)
            2) Through faith in the working of God, who raised Jesus
               from the dead (12b)
      2. You are made alive in Christ, and the handwriting of 
         requirements that was against us has been taken away at the 
         cross (13-15)
         a. Dead in sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God has
            made you alive (13a)
         b. He has forgiven you all trespasses (13b)
         c. He has wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was
            against us (14)
            1) That which was contrary to us (14a)
            2) He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
               cross (14b)
         d. He has disarmed principalities and powers (15)
            1) Having made a public spectacle of them (15a)
            2) Triumphing over them in it (15b)
      3. Therefore don't let anyone judge you in regards to food, 
         festivals, or sabbath days (16)
         a. They are only a shadow of things to come (17a)
         b. The substance is of Christ (17b)

   C. WARNING AGAINST ANGEL WORSHIP (18-19)
      1. Don't let anyone defraud you of your reward (18a)
         a. By taking delight in false humility and worship of angels
            (18b)
         b. By intruding into things not seen, vainly puffed by fleshly
            minds (18c)
      2. Such people do not hold fast to Christ as the Head (19a)
         a. From whom all the body grows (19b)
         b. Nourished and knit together by various elements, with 
            increase from God (19c)

   D. WARNING AGAINST ASCETICISM (2:20-23)
      1. There is no need to submit to human ordinances (2:20-22)
         a. For you have died with Christ from basic principles of the
            world (20a)
         b. Therefore do not subject yourselves to ascetic regulations
            (20b)
            1) Such as "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle" (21)
            2) They only concern things which perish with the using
               (22a)
            3) Which are according to commandments and doctrines of men
               (23)
      2. Such practices are of no value (23)
         a. They may have an appearance of wisdom in their...
            1) Self-imposed religion (23a)
            2) False humility (23b)
            3) Neglect of the body (23c)
         b. But they are no value against the indulgence of the flesh
            (23d)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Paul's solicitude (1-7)
   - Warnings against the "Colossian Heresy" (8-23)

2) What was Paul's strong desire for those he had not seen? (1-2)
   - That their hearts may be encouraged, knit together in love
   - That they may be richly blessed by the assurance that comes from
     an understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God

3) What is "hidden" in Christ? (3)
   - All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

4) What had Paul seen in the Colossians that caused him to rejoice? (5)
   - Their good order and steadfastness of faith in Christ

5) How were the Colossians to walk in Christ? (6-7)
   - Rooted and built up in Him
   - Established in the faith
   - Abounding with thanksgiving

6) What three things might be used to "cheat" us? (8)
   - Philosophy and empty deceit
   - Tradition of men
   - Basic principles of the world

7) What is said about Jesus in relation to the Godhead? (9)
   - In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

8) What is our condition in Christ? (10)
   - We are complete in Him

9) What sort of "circumcision" have we had in Christ? (11)
   - One made without hands
   - A putting off the body of the sins of the flesh

10) What takes place in baptism?  Who is the one at work in baptism?
    (12-13)
   - We are buried with Christ, raised with Christ, made alive together
     with Christ
   - God, who raised Jesus from the dead

11) What did Christ take out of the way, having nailed it to the cross?
    (14)
   - The "handwriting of requirements"

12) In what things should we not let others judge us? (16-17)
   - In food or drink
   - Regarding religious festivals, a new moon or sabbaths

13) In what ways might people seek to defraud us? (18)
   - Through false humility, worship of angels, appeals to things not
     really seen

14) What sort of "basic principles of the world" might others try to
    regulate upon us? (21)
   - "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle"

15) What is the truth about such traditions of men? (22-23)
   - They have an appearance of wisdom, but are of no value against the
     indulgence of the flesh

Aug. 23 Romans 4

Aug. 23

Romans 4

Rom 4:1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh?

Rom 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God.

Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Rom 4:4 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt.

Rom 4:5 But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Rom 4:6 Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works,

Rom 4:7 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin.

Rom 4:9 Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Rom 4:10 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

Rom 4:11 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them.

Rom 4:12 The father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.

Rom 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Rom 4:14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect.

Rom 4:15 For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

Rom 4:16 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

Rom 4:17 As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.

Rom 4:18 Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So will your seed be."

Rom 4:19 Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.

Rom 4:20 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,

Rom 4:21 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Rom 4:22 Therefore it also was "reckoned to him for righteousness."

Rom 4:23 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone,

Rom 4:24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,

Rom 4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.

Almost perfect!

Nice suburban scene!  Beautiful sunny day!  Traffic is not too heavy, which makes for a pleasant commute!  By the look of the trees, it must be a northern state, but whether East or West, I don't know.  But, although this picture looks "normal", there is something that caught my eye; something that makes this picture quite unusual.  Have you guessed it yet? Hint: let me give you a hand.  Simple now, isn't it?  The stop sign has a "I love you" symbol on it!!!  This may in fact be common in some areas of our country, but honestly, I don't remember ever seeing it before!  What a nice thing to do!!!  Makes you almost want to pick-up-stakes and move there, doesn't it?  If even the street signs extend a warm greeting, what more could you want?  I can think of one thing and its found in the book of Matthew...

Matthew, Chapter 22

 34 But hearing that He had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees were gathered together.  35 And one of them, a lawyer, questioned Him , testing Him, and saying, 36 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?  37 And Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Deut. 6:5  38 This is the first and great commandment.  39 And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Lev. 19:18  40 On these two commandments all the Law and the Prophets hang.

You guessed it... a love for God!!!  You will do a very good thing if you love your neighbor, but to love God, completes everything!!!  Why?  Because we all need God in our lives.  Think of it; without HIM there are no standards, no real absolutes, nothing to focus our lives on that will not change.  God designed us to seek him; that is why every culture that ever was has people who desire deity.  I suggest changing the sign: Place an upward arrow to the left of the I-L-Y sign!!!  Remember God loves you more that anyone you will ever meet AND LOVE HIM BACK!!!!!

Aug. 22 Job 24-26

Aug. 22

Job 24-26

Job 24:1 "Why aren't times laid up by the Almighty? Why don't those who know him see his days?

Job 24:2 There are people who remove the landmarks. They violently take away flocks, and feed them.

Job 24:3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, and they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way. The poor of the earth all hide themselves.

Job 24:5 Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness yields them bread for their children.

Job 24:6 They cut their provender in the field. They glean the vineyard of the wicked.

Job 24:7 They lie all night naked without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.

Job 24:8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for lack of a shelter.

Job 24:9 There are those who pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor,

Job 24:10 So that they go around naked without clothing. Being hungry, they carry the sheaves.

Job 24:11 They make oil within the walls of these men. They tread wine presses, and suffer thirst.

Job 24:12 From out of the populous city, men groan. The soul of the wounded cries out, yet God doesn't regard the folly.

Job 24:13 "These are of those who rebel against the light. They don't know its ways, nor abide in its paths.

Job 24:14 The murderer rises with the light. He kills the poor and needy. In the night he is like a thief.

Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face.

Job 24:16 In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They don't know the light.

Job 24:17 For the morning is to all of them like thick darkness, for they know the terrors of the thick darkness.

Job 24:18 "They are foam on the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They don't turn into the way of the vineyards.

Job 24:19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sheol those who have sinned.

Job 24:20 The womb shall forget him. The worm shall feed sweetly on him. He shall be no more remembered. Unrighteousness shall be broken as a tree.

Job 24:21 He devours the barren who don't bear. He shows no kindness to the widow.

Job 24:22 Yet God preserves the mighty by his power. He rises up who has no assurance of life.

Job 24:23 God gives them security, and they rest in it. His eyes are on their ways.

Job 24:24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone. Yes, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.

Job 24:25 If it isn't so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech worth nothing?"

Job 25:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

Job 25:2 "Dominion and fear are with him. He makes peace in his high places.

Job 25:3 Can his armies be counted? On whom does his light not arise?

Job 25:4 How then can man be just with God? Or how can he who is born of a woman be clean?

Job 25:5 Behold, even the moon has no brightness, and the stars are not pure in his sight;

Job 25:6 How much less man, who is a worm, the son of man, who is a worm!"

Job 26:1 Then Job answered,

Job 26:2 "How have you helped him who is without power! How have you saved the arm that has no strength!

Job 26:3 How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

Job 26:4 To whom have you uttered words? Whose spirit came forth from you?

Job 26:5 "Those who are deceased tremble, those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

Job 26:6 Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.

Job 26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space, and hangs the earth on nothing.

Job 26:8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not burst under them.

Job 26:9 He encloses the face of his throne, and spreads his cloud on it.

Job 26:10 He has described a boundary on the surface of the waters, and to the confines of light and darkness.

Job 26:11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.

Job 26:12 He stirs up the sea with his power, and by his understanding he strikes through Rahab.

Job 26:13 By his Spirit the heavens are garnished. His hand has pierced the swift serpent.

Job 26:14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?"

Aug. 22 Romans 3

Aug. 22

Romans 3

Rom 3:1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?

Rom 3:2 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Rom 3:3 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God?

Rom 3:4 May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment."

Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do.

Rom 3:6 May it never be! For then how will God judge the world?

Rom 3:7 For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

Rom 3:8 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Those who say so are justly condemned.

Rom 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, "There is no one righteous; no, not one.

Rom 3:11 There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God.

Rom 3:12 They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not, so much as one."

Rom 3:13 "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"

Rom 3:14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

Rom 3:15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood.

Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways.

Rom 3:17 The way of peace, they haven't known."

Rom 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God.

Rom 3:20 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

Rom 3:21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets;

Rom 3:22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,

Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

Rom 3:24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;

Rom 3:25 whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance;

Rom 3:26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Rom 3:27 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.

Rom 3:28 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Rom 3:29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn't he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

Rom 3:30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

Rom 3:31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS" Chapter One by mark Copeland

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the relationship between understanding the grace of God and
   bearing fruit

2) To examine Paul's prayer for the Colossians for the keys to 
   successful Christian living

3) To appreciate the preeminence of Christ in creation and our 
   redemption

SUMMARY

Paul begins with his customary salutation followed by an expression of 
thanksgiving and prayer.  Hearing of their condition from Epaphras, he
is thankful for their faith, love, and hope (1-8).  His prayer is that
they be filled with the knowledge of God's will, walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord, strengthened by God's glorious power, and ever
thankful that the Father has qualified them to be partakers of the
saints' inheritance.  Especially since they were delivered from the 
power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, 
where there is redemption and forgiveness of sins (9-14).

He then broaches the theme of this epistle, which is the preeminence 
and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ our Savior.  Paul first proclaims 
the preeminence of Christ in creation, and then His preeminence in 
redemption (15-20).  The Colossians' own conversion is offered as a 
case in point in reference to the latter, and with a warning for them
to remain steadfast (21-23).

The chapter ends with Paul's description of his ministry, in which he
gladly suffered on behalf of Christ and His church.  He views himself 
as a steward entrusted with a wonderful "mystery", which is being made
known after having been hidden for ages.  This "mystery" pertains to
the Gentiles, and how Christ would be in them (24-27).  Paul therefore 
worked diligently to preach Christ, with the goal of presenting every 
man perfect in Him (28-29).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-14)

   A. SALUTATION (1-2)
      1. From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (1a)
      2. And Timothy, "our brother" (1b)
      3. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are in 
         Colosse (2a)
      4. Grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ (2b)

   B. PAUL'S THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (3-14)
      1. His thanksgiving for them (3-8)
         a. Given to God, with unceasing prayers in their behalf (3)
         b. Given since he heard of:
            1) Their faith in Christ Jesus (4a)
            2) Their love for all the saints (4b)
         c. Given because the hope laid up for them in heaven (5)
            1) Which they had heard by way of the gospel
               a) Which had come to them as to all the world, bringing
                  forth fruit (6a)
               b) Even in them, since the day they heard and knew the
                  grace of God (6b)
            2) Which they had heard by way of Epaphras
               a) A dear fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ
                  on their behalf (7)
               b) Who declared to Paul their love in the Spirit (8)
      2. His prayer for them (9-14)
         a. Offered unceasingly since he heard of their progress (9a)
         b. Asking that they might...
            1) Be filled with the knowledge of God's will in wisdom and
               spiritual understanding (9b)
            2) Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (10a)
               a) Being fruitful in every good work (10b)
               b) Increasing in the knowledge of God (10c)
            3) Be strengthened with all might (11a)
               a) According to His glorious power (11b)
               b) For all patience and longsuffering with joy (11c)
            4) Give thanks to the Father (12a)
               a) Who qualified us to be partakers of the saints' 
                  inheritance (12b)
               b) Who has delivered us from the power of darkness (13a)
               c) Who has translated us into the kingdom of His dear 
                  Son (13b)
                  1/ In whom we have redemption through His blood (14a)
                  2/ In whom we have forgiveness of sins (14b)

II. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST (15-23)

   A. IN CREATION (15-17)
      1. He is the image of the invisible God (15a)
      2. He is the firstborn over all creation (15b)
      3. All things were created by Him (16)
      4. He is before all things (17a)
      5. In Him all things consist (17b)

   B. IN REDEMPTION (18-23)
      1. He is the head of the body, the church (18a)
      2. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (18b)
      3. That He might have the preeminence in all things (18c)
      4. It pleased the Father...
         a. That in Him all the fullness should dwell (19)
         b. That by Him all things were to be reconciled to Himself,
            making peace through the blood of the cross (20)
      5. The Colossians as a case in point (21-23)
         a. They were once alienated and enemies in mind, through 
            wicked works (21a)
         b. Yet now reconciled...
            1) In the body of His flesh through death (21b-22a)
            2) To be presented holy, blameless, and irreproachable in
               His sight (22b)
            3) If they continue in the faith...
               a) Grounded and steadfast (23a)
               b) Not moved away from the gospel
                  1/ Which they heard (23b)
                  2/ Which was preached to every creature under heaven
                     (23c)
                  3/ Of which Paul became a minister (23d)

III. THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST (24-29)

   A. HIS JOY (24)
      1. In suffering for their sake (24a)
      2. For in his flesh he fills up what is lacking in the 
         afflictions of Christ (24b)
      3. All is done for the sake of His body, the church (24c)

   B. HIS MINISTRY (25-29)
      1. Made a minister according to the stewardship from God (25a)
         a. Given to him for them (25b)
         b. To fulfill the word of God (25c)
            1) The mystery which has been hidden for ages and 
               generations (26a)
            2) But now has been revealed to His saints (26b)
               a) To whom God willed to make known the riches of the 
                  glorious mystery among the Gentiles (27a)
               b) Which is Christ in them, the hope of glory (27b)
      2. Proclaiming Christ (28-29)
         a. By warning and teaching every man in all wisdom (28a)
         b. That he might present every man perfect in Christ (28b)
            1) Laboring toward this end (29a)
            2) Striving according to His working which works in him 
               mightily (29b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-14)
   - The Preeminence of Christ (15-23)
   - The Apostle Of Christ (24-29)

2) Who joins Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1)
   - Timothy

3) What three things had Paul heard about the Colossians, for which he
   gave thanks? (3-5)
   - Their faith in Christ Jesus
   - Their love for all the saints
   - Their hope laid for them in heaven

4) How long had the gospel been bringing forth fruit in their lives? 
   (6)
   - Since the day they heard and knew the grace of God in truth

5) Who had informed Paul of their condition? (8)
   - Epaphras

6) List four things for which Paul prayed concerning the Colossians 
   (9-11)
   - To be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and 
     spiritual understanding
   - To have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him
   - To be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power
   - To give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers
     of the inheritance

7) Into what have we been translated? (13)
   - The kingdom of the Son of His love

8) What does one enjoy in Christ? (14)
   - Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins

9) List five things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in creation
   (15-17)
   - He is the image of the invisible God (15a)
   - He is the firstborn over all creation (15b)
   - All things were created by Him (16)
   - He is before all things (17a)
   - In Him all things consist (17b)

10) List four things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in 
    redemption (18-20)
   - He is the head of the body, the church
   - He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead
   - In Him all the fullness dwells
   - By Him all things are to be reconciled

11) What was the former condition of the Colossians?  How were they
    changed? (21-22)
   - Alienated and enemies in their mind by wicked works
   - Reconciled in the body of Christ's flesh through death

12) Upon what condition would they be presented as holy, blameless and
    irreproachable? (22-23)
   - If they continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast
   - If they are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which they
     heard

13) What is said about the "mystery" which has been hidden? (26)
   - It has now been revealed to His saints

14) What is the glorious nature of this "mystery"? (27)
   - Christ in you (i.e., the Gentiles), the hope of glory

15) What was Paul's goal in preaching Christ? (28)
   - To present every many perfect in Christ Jesus

Oh, to be like the bird.....

After looking at this picture, its hard NOT TO THINK ABOUT GOD!!!  My first thought was that it was a rainbow, which of course is a promise that God will not destroy the Earth by means of a flood, ever again.  Then I thought of the coloring that occurs at sunset and I couldn't help but focus on that bird (a hawk??) in the picture.  Can you imagine being able to fly with all that color around you?  And yet we see God around us every single day, in every molecule of our being and that of all that surrounds us.  Paul puts it this way...

Colossians, Chapter 1

 16 For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible; whether thrones, or lordships, or rulers, or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and all things consist in Him.  18 And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He be preeminent in all things;  19 because all the fullness was pleased to dwell in Him,  20 and through Him making peace by the blood of His cross, to reconcile all things to Himself; through Him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in the heavens.  16 For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible; whether thrones, or lordships, or rulers, or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and all things consist in Him.  18 And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the Beginning, the First-born from the dead, that He be preeminent in all things;  19 because all the fullness was pleased to dwell in Him,  20 and through Him making peace by the blood of His cross, to reconcile all things to Himself; through Him, whether the things on the earth, or the things in the heavens.

Jesus; its all about Jesus!!!  The physical manifestation of God, given for the creation he loved so much.  He is with us, in us and there is no denying his presence.  Some may try to disavow him, but as surely as we all will eventually come to grips with our mortality, all will someday acknowledge him.  And on the day when we meet him face to face, we will be overwhelmed by the sight of the magnificence of him and all that he has done.  On that day, we will know how the bird in the picture must feel.  Oh, to be like the bird in the picture, surrounded by the wonder of God!!!