The Sufficiency of Christ

In one paragraph

This was the opening Sunday of First B Jackson's series through Colossians. Pastor Scott walked the congregation through the background of the letter before working through the first fourteen verses, showing why Paul wrote what he wrote and what he wanted the Colossians to hold onto. Paul wrote Colossians from Rome during his first imprisonment, at the same time he wrote to Philemon. The letter...

Read together

1. Colossians 1:1-2 Read aloud as the opening of the letter, introducing Paul and Timothy as authors writing to the saints at Colossae
2. Colossians 1:3-4 Quoted as the beginning of Paul's grateful prayer, thanking God for the Colossians' faith and love for the saints
3. Colossians 1:5-6 Quoted on the hope laid up in heaven and the gospel bearing fruit and increasing in the whole world
4. Colossians 1:7-8 Quoted about Epaphras as faithful minister and his report of the Colossians' love in the Spirit
5. Colossians 1:9-12 Quoted as the glorious petition, praying for knowledge of God's will, worthy walk, fruit, and strength
6. Colossians 1:12-14 Quoted on God qualifying believers for the inheritance, delivering from darkness, and transferring to the kingdom of His Son, in whom we have redemption
7. Colossians 3:12-14 Read as the benediction, calling believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love
8. Romans 3 Referenced to support the point that no one is righteous, no not one
9. 1 Thessalonians Referenced to answer what God's will is: sanctification
10. John 15 Referenced loosely on abiding and bearing fruit that will last

Talk about it

1. The pastor described 'primitive religion' as something that gets on all of us, and gave the example of being told sickness means you aren't living right. Where do you see that kind of thinking show up in your own life or in the culture around you?
2. Paul opens Colossians with 'grace and peace,' and the pastor said he hopes never to lose that instinct, giving people grace before you even know them. What would it look like practically to lead with grace in your everyday relationships this week?
3. Epaphras planted the church at Colossae and Paul trusted that he had shared the true, undiluted gospel. Who first shared the gospel with you, and how has that person's faithfulness shaped where you are today?
4. The pastor walked through the prayer in verses nine through twelve and said many parents and grandparents pray it over their families. If you were to pray that prayer specifically for someone you love, what part of it feels most urgent for them right now, and why?
5. The sermon described syncretism as mixing the gospel with other worldviews until it becomes 'the gospel plus something,' and said the gospel plus anything is not the gospel. Where do you feel the pull to add something to grace in your own faith?