What’s a Real Live Christian Look Like?
Colossians 1:1-14
I. v1 - The Apostle Paul was a Real Live Christian
A. Paul describes himself as an apostle.
1. Apostle (ἀπόστολος) = one sent out, a chosen messenger.
2. ILL: Paul chosen on the road to Damascus (Act 9:1-18).
3. The Lord said to Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument” (Act 9:15).
B. Besides The Twelve, others were also called apostles:
1. Titus (II Cor 8:23).
2. James, the Lord’s brother (Gal 1:19).
3. Barnabus (Act 14:14).
4. Andronicus & Junias (Rom 16:7).
5. Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25).
C. BUT - God has chosen each of you to be His special messengers.
1. The Lord says to you as well as to them, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age - Matt 28:19-20.
2. In Acts 6:2-6, the 7 (deacons) were chosen by The Twelve for ministry.
3. One of those chosen, Stephen, was martyred for presenting the gospel (Act 6:8-7:6).
4. Acts 8:2-4 tells us that wherever Christians scattered, they preached the word!
II. v2-8 - The Colossians were Real Live Christians
A. They came from all segments of their society.
1. Grace (χάρις) was the common Greek (Gentile) greeting.
2. Peace (εἰρήνη) was the common Jewish greeting. “Shalom” is the way Jews even greet one another today!
3. They were a mixed crowd but they didn’t separate themselves by language, nationality, race, gender or age. Gal 3:27-29 - for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
B. v2 - Their character was affected by their relationships.
1. They were “brothers (ἀδελφός) in Christ”.
2. They were faithful (πιστός) in their relationships.
3. They were holy (ἅγιος) = saints, set apart, dedicated to God, sacred - as far as their relationships with the world.
C. v4 - They had a strong faith in the Lord which was expressed by their love. Bible faith is:
1. More than just intellectual belief - head knowledge.
2. It’s the conviction that God demonstrated His love by allowing Lord Jesus to go to the cross.
3. It’s identification with that gospel message in commitment to Lord Jesus as Savior & Lord.
4. It’s the demonstration of that trust in the ministry of love to others.
5. Jam 2:14-18 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
D. v5-6 - How did this faith happen?
1. v5 - They heard the word & received it.
2. Rom 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
3. v5 - Our holy living is motivated by the hope stored up in heaven. You are going to live with God forever in heaven!
4. SO - v6 says that the word bears fruit & grows in your life!
E. v7 - This faith was demonstrated in Epaphras.
1. He was a fellow servant who considered himself a slave for Christ.
2. He was a faithful minister (a deacon), who humbly served others.
III. v9-14 - What Are a Real Live Christian’s Goals?
A. v9 - To be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.
1. This filling comes by studying God’s word.
2. Wisdom & understanding come as a result.
B. v10 - To live a life worthy of the Lord.
1. A pleasing life to the Lord is a fruit bearing life.
2. Your good life is not to earn salvation, but to demonstrate that you have it!
3. A fruit bearing life is out of gratitude for the cross!
C. v11 - To be strengthened with spiritual power so you could have endurance, patience & joy in your life.
1. This strength often comes through trials.
2. ILL: Dana Hayes’ spiritual strength through her life of sickness.
D. v12-14 - To result in an attitude of thanksgiving for God’s blessings.
1. v12 - The blessing of an inheritance in the kingdom of light. ILL: “Pleasing God”
2. v13 - The blessing of deliverance from darkness - your old life.
3. v14 - The blessing of redemption & forgiveness of your sins.
When the world wants to see a real live Christian, where should they look? Hopefully they would be able to see you & discover the genuine product!
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