This Week’s Reading
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because ofyour evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
—Colossians 1:15-23
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Josh Staton, executive pastor at Trinity Grace Church, teaching from Colossians 1:15–23 on the eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, the second in our "In Christ by the Spirit for the City" series, speaking at Middle School 51 on October 13, 2019.
Themes to Consider
Jesus’ role in creation
Jesus’ role in redemption / new creation
The supremacy of Jesus in all of creation, in the church, and in our lives
Jesus fully embodying the character and purpose of God
The scope of new creation is the same as the scope of creation (the renewal of all things)
How complete our reconciliation to God is through Christ
Discussion Questions
What does it mean to you that, in all things, Jesus is supreme? What are the implications for your life? For our church?
The passage says that Jesus is a reconciler, that he is a peacemaker. Do you sense yourself at being at peace with God? What do you practically do when your find yourself in inner turmoil?
The passage states that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. What characteristics of God are seen in Jesus?
How do you respond to the idea that you are holy in [God’s] sight, without blemish and free from accusation”?
2 Corinthians 5 tells us we are being sent out as ambassadors of reconciliation. What is a relationship, community or situation in your life in which you might be an ambassador of reconciliation?
This Week’s Practices
We are challenging ourselves to engage two practices throughout the series as a whole and they are listed under Daily Spiritual Practice and Love in Action. Below those, we will also provide a couple other weekly practices that correspond to each passage as we move through the letter.
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1 / DAILY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE — ongoing
Spend daily time in the Gospels; be with Jesus.
There are many ways that you might select a Gospel reading for the day. You could just pick one of the four Gospels and start making your way through a bit at a time. Or you could use a resource like the Daily Office Lectionary which always has a selection from the Gospels as a part of its daily readings. The main thing is simply to find a passage that is a manageable length for the time you have set aside.
Before you read, offer a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you. You might pray that you would like to spend this time with Jesus and ask that the person of Christ would be revealed to you during your time.
Slowly read the passage from the Gospel, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your attention to Jesus. What do you see Jesus doing? What do you hear Jesus saying? What is the situation and circumstance that Jesus is in? Does Jesus act according to your expectations or in a different way? What is challenging? What is encouraging? What is confusing?
Once you have read, perhaps a few times if needed, sit in silence for a moment and see what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Perhaps you have a question to reflect on later or in community. Perhaps you have an insight. Imagine Jesus being right there present to you.
You may want to end by jotting down something you sensed from the Spirit, or by worshipping Jesus, or by writing or saying a prayer.
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2 / LOVE IN ACTION — ongoing
In our time and context it may feel challenging or embarrassing to speak openly about faith in Christ, but there are some powerful and important reasons to overcome those difficulties.
Jesus directs us to let the light of our life with God and His Kingdom shine. It is an integral part of how the relational Kingdom of God expands. We tell our story and we tell the story of Jesus. We are not proselytizing to grow the tribe of those who agree with us, but so that many others may experience the tremendous love of God that has changed our lives. It is one of the greatest joys of the Christians life to be involved in someone coming to faith in Christ because we were willing to share the Gospel with them.
We are challenging ourselves and our whole church to share the Gospel this fall. You may begin by opening up to a friend or coworker about your story and faith. You could begin by inviting a friend to Apha. You can make a list of people you would like to pray for and ask God for opportunities to speak with them about faith in a meaningful way.
You may also want to have a conversation with those in your group about the idea or experience of sharing your faith. What thoughts or feelings does it bring up for you? Do you feel like you would know some of what to say? Do you wish you had some specific help in the process. These are all things that are helpful to process in community.
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3 / Worship — weekly
Paul is worshipping as he writes and is drawing the Colossians into worship of this Jesus.
He knows that there would be nothing more helpful for them and honoring to Jesus than for them to really see, appreciate, and be devoted to the fullness of who Jesus is.
Some of you will already be doing this, but be intentional about practicing personal worship in some way every day this week. For some, it may be natural to worship through music, others may prefer to read and pray the Psalms. It may be as simple as making sure the first part of time spent in prayer is focused on adoration -- giving glory to God for who He is and what He has done. As you do, note how this practice of honoring Jesus as preeminent reframes your day.
The suggested resource from John Ortberg would serve as fuel for worship of Jesus.
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4 / Articulating the Gospel — Weekly
How would you articulate ‘the hope held out in the gospel’?
If a non-Christian friend asked you to explain what you believe, what would you say? Try expressing the good news of Jesus in your own words in a couple paragraphs assuming a non-Christian audience.
Recommended resources
PDF: Excerpt of Nympha’s Trial from Colossians Remixed
This fictional story imagines the trial of a Colossian believer when a portion of Paul’s letter to the Colossians is discovered by the authorities. It is an interesting lens through which to imagine the cultural context for these first century believers in Colossae.
VIDEO: Who is this Man?
This talk by John Ortberg chronicles the unpredictable impact of a carpenter from Nazareth on our world. It is a moving reflection on Jesus’ incomparable influence on just about every aspect of human life down through history.
PDF: A Word About Praising chapter from Reflections on the Psalms
Having always struggled with the concept, C.S. Lewis describes his process of having praise reframed as the natural culmination of our deep enjoyment.
