Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Growth of the Church of God

a) Jerusalem

b) All Judea

c) Samaria

d) The end of the earth   (Acts 1:8)

2. Seeking to fulfil this Challenging Command of the Lord

a) The Apostles

b) The word they preached filled the land

3. Extension of the Lord’s work

a) Through the Apostles Barnabas and Paul

b) Missions work began

c) Many churches were established

i) Cyprus

ii) Paphos

iii) Pisidia   (Acts 13)

THE FOUNDER OF THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH

Those who were not apostles also contributed to the growth of the Church of God

1. Epaphras was likely the founder of the Church at Colossae

2. He was called “our dear fellow-servant”   (Colossians 1:7a)

3. He was further called “ a faithful minister of Christ”   (Colossians 1:7b)

4. He reported to the Apostle Paul

a) He was most likely led to faith by the Apostle Paul

b) He was certainly well-discipled by Paul

c) He had enough knowledge of the faith to share it with others

PAUL’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

Colossians 1:1

1. Paul introduced himself

a) He was made an Apostle

b) This was decreed by the Will of God

c) Paul sought to be faithful to his calling as an apostle

2. Timothy was honourably mentioned

a) He was “a brother” in the Lord

b) To those who knew them better, he was Paul’s spiritual son

c) There was close contact

PAUL’S KNOWLEDGE OF THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:2

1. They were described as “saints”

a) “Holy ones”

b) Sanctified by the Lord

2. They were praised for

a) Being “faithful brethren”

b) They lived out their faith diligently

3. Greetings

a) Grace and Peace

b) From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

c) This was the standard Pauline greetings given to all the churches Paul founded

d) The same greetings were given to indicate that they were acknowledged as a good and faithful Church

THANKSGIVING FOR THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH

3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;

Colossians 1:3-4

1. Paul was a man of Prayer

2. He prayed for

a) All the churches he founded

b) All the churches that were brought to his attention

3. His prayers

a) Always included the giving of Thanks to God

b) His prayers were not occasional things

c) He prayed for the churches faithfully (“always”)

4. Motivation to pray

a) Hearing of the faith of the Colossians

i) Through Epaphras

ii) A relationship was formed naturally

iii) Paul had heard about the faith of the Colossians

iv) He was moved to pray for them

b) Hearing of their love for the saints

i) He also learned about how they had expressed their faith

ii) They had learned how to bear the fruit of the Spirit

iii) This was a further reason for Paul to pray for them

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To be reminded of the Lord’s Great Commission

2. To be encouraged to bear witness for the Lord

3. To be like Epaphras, Timothy and the Apostle Paul in expressing our faith