Sermon Ideas in Colossians Part 4 - Why was the Epistle Written?

Day #4 Sermon Starters – Why was the Epistle of Colossians written?

Purpose:  In today’s sermon starters, we wish to provide two things for you:  a) A workable and reasonable outline for Colossians and b) A biblical defense as to the reasons why Paul wrote to the Christians at Colosse and Laodicea. 

Outline of Colossians:

Theme of Colossians:  Growing in maturity and discernment by knowing Christ.

Chapter #1:  Knowing Christ’s pre-eminence

Chapter #2:  Knowing Christ’s sufficiency

Chapter #3:  Knowing Christ’s word

Chapter #4:  Knowing Christ’s love

Why was the Epistle of Colossians Written?

·         1:2 – Written to the faithful at Colosse

·         1:3-4 – Written in prayer because of their faith (v.3), hope (v.5), and love (v.8)

·         1:9-14 – Written so they (Colossians) know of prayers for them which specifically were intercessions for 1) The knowledge of His will; 2) That they might walk worthy of the Lord; 3) That they might be fruitful 4) That they might increase in the knowledge of God; 5) That they would be strengthened with His glorious power; 6) That they might continue in thankfulness of our Redeemer; 7) that they might learn patience and longsuffering; 8) That they might continue in the faith grounded and settled; 9) That they would not be moved away from the hope of the gospel.  10) Ultimate aim:  Preaching/warning so that Paul could present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

·         Background:  Based on previous observations, the Colossians may have been giving way to smooth talkers and deceivers who did not know the Lord.  They may have been being deceived by the vain philosophies and rudiments of the world.  (Colossians 2:20)

Hint:  Some might ask why the current series on Colossians seem to be a ‘hit or miss’ type of study with no real pattern of preaching.

The reason is because unlike other studies, I am releasing my observations of the text as we go.  I have no need to edit it because you, the reader, will edit and massage the data as the Holy Spirit sees fit for your ministry.  I am amazed at what the work the Holy Spirit is doing through our ministry and through all ministries that faithfully make their sermon outlines available free of use.  May the Lord see fit to richly bless your work.  Thank you.

Sermon Ideas in Colossians Part 3

Sermons in Colossians based on observation notes

Day #3 Sermon Starters – Whatever You Do – Do to God’s Glory

Purpose:  On the third day of the study of Colossians, the Lord brought to our mind the concept of doing all for His glory, not our own.  In light of this, we have tried to survey for you all the verses in Colossians that highlight this Christ like faithfulness from the Christian.

May these verses speak to the hearers God has blessed you with.

Whatever You Do – Do to God’s Glory:

1.      Colossians 1:2 – “Faithful” brethren.  Apparently, Colosse Christians had a reputation of faithfulness.

2.      Colossians 1:4 – They had love to all saints

3.      Colossians 1:6 – They brought forth fruit – fruitful Christians.

4.      Colossians 1:7 – They had a faithful minister.

5.      Colossians 1:10 – Paul prayed that they would walk worthy.

6.      Colossians 1:23 – Prayer was given that they would remain grounded in the faith.

7.      Colossians 1:28 – Paul prayed that they would present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

8.      Colossians 2:5 – Paul observed the Colossians’s steadfastness in Christ. 

9.      Colossians 2:23 – Christians are told that following earthly ordinances does not bring honor or satisfy the flesh.

10.  Colossians 3:5 – Faithful Christians mortify their members.

11.  Colossians 3:12-13 – Faithful Christians exhibit, as God’s elect, loving kindness one to another.

12.  Colossians 3:16 – We should let the word of Christ dwell richly in us.

13.  Colossians 3:17 – Whatever we do, let us do it in the name of Jesus.

14.  Colossians 3:23 – Whatever you do, do it heatily unto the Lord and not unto men.

Sermon Ideas in Colossians Part 2

Sermons in Colossians based on observation notes

Day #2 Sermon Starters – Questions on the Text

Purpose:  On the second day of the study of Colossians, we have provided you with 15 questions that would be sufficient for at least a dozen sermons in the book of Colossians.  The reason for these questions were to help me understand, analyze, and summarize major thoughts in the epistle to the Colossians.  They will form the basis for other studies, including the yet future “30 Facts About Christ in Colossians”.

May the LORD see fit to use these questions to help you in your studies:

Questions on Colossians:

1.      What does the epistle teach about Christ?

2.      Why was the epistle written?

3.      To whom was the epistle written to?

4.      Do a word study on the concept of “stablished” (for instance, established in the faith)

5.      Do a word study on the word ‘walk’.  [Hint, Day 1 of Colossians included this outline.  You may make note to the hearers that the word walk appears once in every chapter of the letter to the Colossians.]

6.      Do a word study on the word ‘faith’.

7.      Do a word study on the concept “In Christ” or “In Him”

8.      Do a word study on the word “peace”.

9.      Do a word study on the word “thankful” or its derivatives.

10.  Do a phrase study on the concept “whatever you do, do to God’s glory.”

11.  Do a phrase/word study on the idea of the “will of God”.

12.  Do a word study on the concept of ‘love’.

13.  Do a character study on the person named “Epaphras”.

14.  Do a concept study on the idea of ‘prayer’ or praying.

15.  Do a study of forgiveness in Colossians.

B.     Bonus Material:  Subject Study on the idea of being taken away from Christ by worldliness and sin.  [Majority of verses on this subject seem to appear in chapter 2 and early in chapter 3, indicating a specific problem Paul wanted to deal with for these faithful disciples of the Lord:  getting easily beguiled by those who didn’t want them looking at Christ.]

a.       Colossians 2:4, “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”

 

b.      Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

c.       Colossians 2:16-23, verse 20, “Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,”

d.      Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Hint:  While taking verses that all deal on the same topic and stringing them together is helpful, it is even more helpful to see verses in the same epistle or book.  However, such valuable wisdom is only useful as you immerse yourself in the message of the epistle you are studying.  In this way, when you quote these verses at the appropriate time in your sermon, the Holy Spirit will bring back to your memory the context and arguments being used in the book or epistle so you do not un-necessarily misconstrue the Bible.  Trust that the Holy Spirit can use the background information you have studied to properly position topical verses to the needs of people today.  God Bless you.

Sermon ideas in Colossians Part 1

Sermons in Colossians based on observation notes

Day #1 Sermon Starter

Purpose:  These are personal notes on the book of Colossians, based on observations in the text.  This is definitely a sermon starter; there is not a specific coherent theme for these ideas and outlines presented.  Instead, there are many observations on the text of the Epistle.  Do the very best you can to carefully study Colossians along with these observations; put together sermons based on the book and be sure give credit to the Holy Spirit for the awesome study you will put together!

Initial Preliminary Observations from a first reading of Colossians:

1.      Like Ephesians, the term “in Christ” is used in Colossians

2.      The central person of the epistle is Christ; notice that in each of the first four verses alone, the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned.

3.      Christ’s life in us, His commands, and His many blessings are shown forth in this book.

4.      Possible Theme developing – Our fullness and completeness in the Lord Jesus Christ.

a.       1:19 – All fullness in Christ

b.      2:9 – In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

c.       2:10 – Ye are complete in Him

d.      3:3 – Your life is hid in Christ in God

e.       3:4 – Christ is our life

5.      Also note the number of times “walk” is used in the book.

a.       Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing – 1:10

b.      As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him – 2:6

c.       In the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them.  3:7

d.      Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  4:5

6.      Also, three phrases are used in Colossians to describe Jesus:  a) Christ is our life b) Complete in Him c) Christ is All.