An Apostle’s Greeting – Colossians 1:1-2

Second lesson in a verse by verse series through the Epistle of Colossians. This lesson explores Paul’s introductory salutation to the Colossian church

1. Brief review of background
   1. Acts 19:10 “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”
   2. Ephaphras’ journey to Rome
   3. Colossian heresy
2. The importance of the Christian greeting
3. Importance of remembering the doctrine of inspiration when studying salutations.
4. Paul, an example of a man who had a love and care for the brethren

The Author (Vs. 1a)

His Name – Paul.

1. ‘Saul’
   1. Original name
   2. Likely named after King Saul of the O.T., the Benjamite king. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin (Rom 11:1; Phil 3:5). His life before salvation strikingly resembles the proud, self- sufficient king Saul of the O.T.
2. ‘Paul’
   1. Means little; English word ‘pauper’ is derived from it.
   2. Likely changed by the Apostle
3. Application: God can take a Saul and make him a Paul!
   1. Paul never got over the change Christ worked in his life.
      1. Titus 3:3-7 – “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish…”
      2. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 – “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord…”
   2. Paul had a humble view of himself
      1. Called himself the least of all saints (Eph 3:8)
      2. Called himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15)

His Calling – Apostle

1. For Christ
   1. ‘apostle’ = one sent with a commission
   2. Application: While we are not Apostles in the strict sense of the word, we all have the privilege of being representatives (ambassadors) of Christ. What a high position!
2. By God’s will
   1. Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
   2. On the occasion of Paul’s conversion Christ said: “But rise, and stand upon they feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:16-18
   3. Application: God has a specific will for each of our lives
3. Note: Paul’s title as Apostle would have given this letter the weight and authority it needed for its readers. The Apostles had a special ministry in the founding of the church (Eph. 2:20). An Apostle had to be an eyewitness of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:21-26) and they had special miracle working power (II. Cor. 12:12).

The Associate (Vs. 1b)

1. His Identity – Timothy
   1. ‘Timothy’ = one who honors God
   2. Named 24 times in the N.T.
2. His character
   1. A teachable man
   2. A serving man
   3. A faithful man
3. His Title – Brother
   1. The blessing of being in God’s family
   2. Colossian believers referred to as ‘brethren’ even though Paul did not know most of them.

The Audience (Vs. 2a)

Their Description

1. Saints
   1. Key work in the N.T. – appears 61 times in 61 verses
   2. Literally “devoted to the gods”
   3. Holy ones, set apart ones, separated ones, sanctified ones, devoted ones.
   4. Set apart, especially for sacred uses. I.e. Separated from sin to God.
   5. Illustration of Israel in O.T. Deuteronomy 7:1-6 “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”
   6. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
   7. Titus 2:14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
   8. 1 Cor 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
   9. Practical implication: Live consistently with your position!
2. Faithful Brethren
   1. Trustworthy, steadfast, unswerving, committed
   2. Epaphras was an example of a faithful man (Vs. 7)

Their Position

1. In Christ
2. At Colosse

The Apostolic Blessing (Vs. 2b)

1. The Gift
   1. Grace
      1. Grace for salvation
      2. Grace for living: E.g. trials, temptations, relationships, hurts
   2. Peace
      1. Peace in position
      2. Peace in practice: E.g. amidst stressful circumstances, fear, worry
   3. Daily application primarily in view. Paul is writing to saved people who already possess grace and peace in position.
2. The Giver
   1. God the Father
   2. The Lord Jesus Christ
   3. Father and Son working together

Conclusion

1. Are you seeking the will of God for your life?
2. Do you have an interest in the Spiritual wellbeing of other Christians?
3. What kind of testimony do you have as a Christian?
4. Are you relying on the grace and peace of God for daily living?

Sermon 2 of 28 in Colossians Series

Sermon Audio Id: 6416228264