Colossenses 1

Colossenses 1:1

Wiersbe - The message of this letter is greatly needed today. I hear too many voices telling me that I need something more than Jesus Christ—some exciting experience, some new doctrine, some addition to my Christian experience. But Paul affirms that what I need is appropriation of what I already have in Christ. ‘And ye are complete in Him.’ I also hear voices that want to judge me and rob me of the glorious liberty I have in Christ. How encouraging to hear Paul say: ‘Let no man beguile you, let no man spoil you, let no man judge you.’ The fullness of Christ is all that I need, and all man-made regulations and disciplines cannot replace the riches I have in God’s Son....Do we have any of this heresy today? Yes, we do; and it is just as deceptive and dangerous! When we make Jesus Christ and the Christian revelation only part of a total religious system or philosophy, we cease to give Him the preeminence. When we strive for ‘spiritual perfection’ or ‘spiritual fullness’ by means of formulas, disciplines, or rituals, we go backward instead of forward. Christian believers must beware of mixing their Christian faith with such alluring things as yoga, transcendental meditation, Oriental mysticism, and the like. We must also beware of ‘deeper life’ teachers who offer a system for victory and fullness that bypasses devotion to Jesus Christ. In all things, He must have the preeminence.!” (Quoted by Paul Apple) Warren Wiersbe's Outline (Quoted by Paul Apple) Theme: Jesus Christ is Preeminent (Colossians 1:18) I. DOCTRINE: CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DECLARED – Colossians 1 1. In the Gospel message – Colossians 1:1-12 2. In redemption – Colossians 1:13-14 3. In Creation – Colossians 1:15-17 4. In the church – Colossians 1:18-23 5. In Paul’s ministry – Colossians 1:24-29 II. DANGER: CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DEFENDED – Colossians 2 1. Beware of empty philosophies – Colossians 2:1-10 2. Beware of religious legalism – Colossians 2:11-17 3. Beware of man-made disciplines – Colossians 2:18-23 III. DUTY: CHRIST’S PREEMINENCE DEMONSTRATED – Colossians 3-4 1. In personal purity – Colossians 3:1-11 2. In Christian fellowship – Colossians 3:12-17 3. In the home – Colossians 3:18-21 4. In daily work – Colossians 3:22-4:1 5. In Christian witness – Colossians 4:2-6 6. In Christian service – Colossians 4:7-18 Vaughan: Theme: “absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency of Christ.” (Quoted by Paul Apple) Charles