Sermons From Colossians - Introduction To The Epistle (1:1-2)

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                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                   Introduction To The Epistle (1:1-2)

INTRODUCTION

1. Some questions to consider...
   a. Do the heavenly bodies have any influence over our lives?
      1) The millions of people who consult their horoscopes each day
         would say "Yes!"
      2) In the U.S., there are about 1750 newspapers, and 1220 of them
         carry astrological data
   b. Is there any relationship between diet and spiritual living?
   c. Does God speak to us immediately, in our minds, or only through
      His Word, the Bible?
   d. Do the "eastern religions" have something to offer those who are
      Christians?

2. These questions sound very contemporary, don't they?
   a. Yet they are the very issues Paul dealt with in his epistle to the
      Colossians
   b. For this reason, we need this important letter today just as they
      needed it when Paul wrote it in 60 A. D.

[In Col 1:1-2, Paul addresses the brethren at Colosse.  To help us
appreciate more what we will study later, let's consider some background
information on this epistle...]

I. THE CITY OF COLOSSE

   A. LOCATION
      1. 100 miles E of Ephesus in Asia Minor (consult map)
      2. Very close to Hierapolis and Laodicea - cf. Col 4:13,16

   B. DISTINCTION
      1. Hierapolis was a place known for health, pleasure, relaxation
      2. Laodicea was known for commercial trade and politics
      3. Colosse, however, was simply a small town

   C. PEOPLE
      1. It was a pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews
      2. In 62 B.C., there were 11,000 Jewish "freedmen" in the tri-city
         area
      3. This helps us to understand the nature of some of the problems
         that arose within the church (problems of both pagan and Jewish
         origin)

II. THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE

   A. ESTABLISHMENT
      1. We are not sure when the church began, for the scriptures do
         not say
      2. It is likely that Paul himself did not start it
         a. He had not seen them in person - Col 2:1
         b. Rather, he had simply heard of their faith - Col 1:4
      3. It is possible that it was started by Epaphras
         a. From what Paul writes in Col 1:4-8
         b. Who evidently also had some contact with those in Hierapolis
            and Laodicea - Col 4:12-13

   B. MEMBERS
      1. Epaphras
         a. Possibly the founder of the church (see above)
         b. A native of Colosse - Col 4:12
         c. Described as a servant of Christ (Col 4:12), fervent in
            praying for others (Col 4:12), and having great zeal for
            his brethren (Col 4:13)
         d. A "fellow-prisoner" with Paul at this time - cf. Phm 23
      2. Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus
         a. By comparing Colossians and Philemon, we can conclude they
            were at Colosse
            1) Concerning Archippus - cf. Col 4:17 with Phm 1-2
            2) Concerning Onesimus - cf. Col 4:9 with Phm 10-17
            3) Epaphras - cf. Col 4:12 with Phm 23
         b. It is likely that the church met in their home - cf. Phm 2
         c. Many think they may have been members of the same family
            1) Philemon, the father
            2) Apphia, the mother
            3) Archippus, the son
         d. It is possible that Archippus served as the preacher at
            Colosse - cf. Col 4:17
      3. Onesimus
         a. He was Philemon's slave who had run away, found by Paul in
            Rome, and was converted
         b. He was being sent back to Philemon (cf. the epistle to
            Philemon), along with the letter to the Colossians - Col 4:
            7-9

III. THE CRISIS AT COLOSSE

   A. THE REPORT
      1. Epaphras had brought news to Paul concerning the church at
         Colosse - Col 1:3-8
      2. For the most part, it was very favorable - Col 1:3-4,8; 2:5
      3. But from the content of the letter, Paul must have also been
         informed of a two-fold "peril" affecting the church

   B. THE PERIL
      1. There was the danger of their relapsing into paganism with its
         immorality (implied by comments such as Col 3:5-11)
      2. There was the danger of accepting what some call the "Colossian
         Heresy"
         a. Which denied the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ...
            1) For salvation
            2) For overcoming the indulgences of the flesh
         b. This "Colossian Heresy" involved...
            1) False Philosophy, which denied the all-sufficiency and
               pre-eminence of Jesus Christ - Col 2:8
            2) Judaistic Ceremonialism, which attached special
               significance to the rite of circumcision, food
               regulations, and observance of special days - Col 2:16-17
            3) Angel Worship, which detracted from the uniqueness of
               Christ - Col 2:18
            4) Asceticism, which called for harsh treatment of the body
               to control its lusts - Col 2:20-23
         c. The "Colossian Heresy", then, was a syncretism, that is, a
            mixture of Jewish and pagan elements

IV. THE CORRESPONDENCE TO COLOSSE

   A. THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE
      1. To warn the brethren at Colosse
         a. Against relapse - Col 1:21-23
         b. Against the "solution" being urged upon them by those who
            denied that Jesus was all they needed - Col 2:8-10
      2. To direct their attention to Jesus Christ
         a. The "Beloved Son" - Col 1:13
         b. The "all-sufficient" and "pre-eminent" Savior - Col 1:14-18

   B. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  "Jesus Christ:  The pre-eminent and
      all-sufficient Savior" - Col 1:18

   C. AN OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE
      1. Doctrine:  Christ's Pre-eminence Declared (Chapter One)
         a. In the gospel message (1:1-12)
         b. In redemption (1:13-14)
         c. In creation (1:15-17)
         d. In the church (1:18-23)
         e. In Paul's own ministry (1:24-29)
      2. Danger:  Christ's Pre-eminence Defended (Chapter Two)
         a. Beware of empty philosophies (2:1-10)
         b. Beware of Judaistic ceremonialism (2:11-17)
         c. Beware of man-made disciplines (2:18-23)
      3. Duty:  Christ's Pre-eminence Demonstrated (Chapters Three and
         Four)
         a. In personal purity (3:1-11)
         b. In brotherly relations (3:12-17)
         c. In the home (3:18-21)
         d. In daily work (3:22-4:1)
         e. In sharing the gospel (4:2-6)
         f. In serving one another (4:7-18)

CONCLUSION

1. The value of this letter to the Colossians is that it increases our
   understanding and appreciation of Jesus Christ

2. From this epistle, we learn that He truly is "the WAY, the TRUTH, and
   the LIFE" - Jn 14:6

3. Once we understand that He is indeed the "pre-eminent" and "all-
   sufficient" Savior and live our lives accordingly...
   a. We will live victorious lives as Christians!
   b. We will assure that we do not relapse, nor be carried away by
      false religions and philosophies of men

Future lessons in this series on Colossians will expand upon this theme,
but for the time being, have you accepted and obeyed Jesus Christ as
YOUR all-sufficient savior?

Note:  The basic outline for this introduction was adapted heavily
from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe,
pages 102-105.
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