Colossians (Part 1)

This first of four sermons on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians introduces the letter and Paul’s prayer for the church at Colosse (Colossian 1:1-14). On July 18 we will consider the great hymn of praise to Jesus (1:15-20) and its immediate effect on believers (1:21-27). On July 25 we will explore the consequences of what Jesus has done (1:28-2:23). And finally, on August 1, we will ask how we should live in response to all God has done for us (3:1-4:6).

Paul’s prayer includes two related and puzzling phrases in Colossians 1:10.

We hear discussion of “living a worthy life” very differently in Utah. Our local culture is obsessed with the idea of worthiness. Our local culture tries to make us believe we must be worthy of our blessings -- as if they come as a reward for our past faithfulness. Nothing could be more wrong. Verses 12-13 remind us that it is God who qualifies us to receive our inheritance. Our worthy lives are not a cause of our redemption, but result from our deliverance from darkness. God gets all the thanks and credit!

Paul names ways we please God in verses 10-11. Part of our worthy response includes our second puzzle: “bearing fruit in every good work.” But wait! Aren’t works considered good because they bear fruit for God’s kingdom? I wish I could affirm this without qualification. But the truth is, we can do all kinds of religious “good works” for the wrong reasons. And sometimes our good works prevent us from bearing fruit. This is certainly the case with the two religious men who pass by the needy and beaten man in the story in Luke 10:25-37. They were too busy with keeping the Law to stop and show compassion to the man who was beaten and left for dead. The Samaritan did the truly good work, the work of the kingdom in careing for the needy and broken. Let us remember his example, and with the Colossian Christians who were known for their love (1:4-5, 8), endure and give thanks as we grow in the knowledge of God’s love. Amen.