Download Christ Is All You Need Suggestions for Preaching Colossians: Christ

Christ Is All You Need
Suggestions for Preaching Colossians: Christ Is All You Need
January Bible Study 2014
Preaching is serious business. Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t
need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The verb “present” refers to appearing before the
heavenly court on judgment day. Paul indicated that the preacher’s judgment will result in one of two verdicts based on
how the preacher handled God’s Word. Those who handle God’s Word correctly will be approved, “Well done, good and
faithful servant.” Those who handle God’s word incorrectly will hear God’s disapproval and will hang their heads in
shame.
Too often, preachers may assume that those who best please God are those who preach to the greatest number of people
or whose messages seem to make the greatest impact. In fact, the sermon that pleases God the most is the one that most
accurately handles God’s Word. Thus, biblical preaching demands diligence, a steadfast commitment to correctly
understanding and faithfully proclaiming Holy Scripture.
The following steps can help the preacher accurately handle Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.
• Set aside an hour and read through the letter slowly and carefully. This will help you grasp the message of the letter as
a whole.
• Jot down notes that point to clues that will help answer questions such as, “When, where, and why did Paul write
the letter?” “What was going on in Paul’s life when he wrote it?” “What problems in the church was Paul seeking to
correct?”
• Try to locate the “heart” of the letter, a verse or two that sums up the message of the epistle.
• Read through the letter again with the awareness that individual paragraphs are the primary building blocks of a letter.
Note how each paragraph is related to the ones that precede and follow it. This will help you understand the flow of the
letter.
Based on the structure and topics of the letter, consider preaching 17 sermons from the letter. Here are some
sample sermon titles and outlines that may help you get started.
Colossians 1:3-8 — A Thanksgiving Prayer
Too often our prayers of thanksgiving focus on material things like houses, clothing, and food and neglect God’s most
important gifts to us. Paul embraced a different set of priorities that prompted him to see God’s spiritual blessings as the
greatest motivations for thanksgiving.
Thank God for the proper response to the gospel.
Thank God for the advancement of the gospel.
Thank God for the transforming effect of the gospel.
Thank God for those who proclaim the gospel.
Colossians 1:9-14 — Praying Like Paul
An old spiritual says, “If you can’t preach like Peter, if you can’t pray like Paul, just tell the love of Jesus and that He died
for all.” But believers can pray like Paul, and they should. This text shows how.
Be persistent in prayer. Like Paul, we should never give up on prayer.
Be focused in prayer. Pray especially that God will equip you to live in a way that pleases Him by (1) bearing the fruit
of good works; (2) knowing God more and more; (3) relying on God’s power; and (4) offering joyful thanksgiving.
Be thankful in prayer. Don’t be so obsessed with asking God for more that you forget to thank Him for what He has
already given. Give thanks to the God who (1) adopted us; (2) rescued us; and (3) redeemed us.
Colossians 1:15-20 — Jesus, Lord of All
An old hymn says, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown
Him Lord of all.” That’s a good summary of the hymn that Paul penned in Colossians 1. Jesus is Lord of all, the One
before whom men and angels bow.
Jesus is Lord of Creation.
• the invisible God in visible form
• the King over all creation
• the Maker of the universe
• the One who holds first place
• the Sustainer of the universe
Jesus is Lord of the New Creation.
• the Head of the church
• the beginning of new life for God’s people
• the fullness of God in the body of a man
• the One who reconciles us to God
Colossians 1:21-23 — Reconciling Your Differences
“Irreconcilable differences” is a common cause for divorce. Some husbands and wives conclude that they are so different
from each other that they can never find the common ground necessary to have a meaningful relationship. Consequently,
they decide to go their separate ways. Lost sinners have “irreconcilable differences” with God. Their relationship with
God is broken and they cannot patch things up. Jesus died to restore that broken relationship.
Sinners need reconciliation. Sinners are enemies of God.
God provided reconciliation. Jesus died to reconcile us to God.
Forgiveness accompanies reconciliation. Those reconciled to God are pronounced holy, faultless, and blameless.
Believers receive reconciliation. Sinners must believe the gospel to be reconciled to God.
Colossians 1:24-2:5 — Meet the Minister
People who get to know a minister well are probably going to be surprised by a few discoveries. The minister probably
does not actually mow his yard in a suit and tie. He probably reads some books other than the Bible. What is a minister
really like and what does he strive to accomplish?
The minister is willing to suffer like Jesus suffered for the spiritual benefit of others.
The minister proclaims the mystery that Christ indwells and transforms believers.
The minister teaches and admonishes so that believers become more like Christ.
The minister relies on the power of God for effective ministry.
The minister warns of the dangers of false teaching.
Colossians 2:6-7 — The Christian Walk
Christians have a unique walk. It is not a limp, shuffle, waddle, or skip. Their walk is a way of life that is guided and
empowered by Jesus Christ. This text introduces believers to the key features of the Christian walk.
Learning to Walk: Affirm Jesus’ deity
Walking the Line: Look to Jesus as your moral guide
Walking the Distance: Depend on Jesus’ power
Colossians 2:8-10 — Warning: Danger Ahead!
Drivers are wise to heed warning signs. These signs can prevent the driver from losing control on a steep curve or
plummeting into a river when a bridge is under construction. Paul was aware of some serious dangers that lay ahead of the
Colossian church. His warnings to that church are helpful alerts to believers today.
Make sure no one robs you of your freedom in Christ.
Make sure your beliefs are based on Christ.
Make sure you affirm the deity of Christ.
Make sure you find your fulfillment in Christ.
Colossians 2:11-15 — He’s Everything I Need
The false teachers of Colossae taught that Christ was not enough. Salvation required Christ plus circumcision, plus a
kosher diet, plus observance of feasts and festivals. Paul insisted that Christ is all that the believer needs. Jesus provides
the believer with every spiritual blessing.
God has circumcised the believer’s heart through Christ.
God has resurrected the believer through Christ.
God has forgiven the believer through Christ.
God has conquered the believer’s enemies through Christ.
Colossians 2:13-14 — Forgiven
Horatio Gates Spafford was reflecting on this text when he wrote the words to the great hymn, “It is Well with My Soul!”
The third verse exclaims, “My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the
cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul!” Colossians 2:13-14 explains that God took the
list of all the believer’s sins and nailed them to Jesus’ cross. This signified that Jesus died for our sins in our place so that
we could escape the punishment our sins deserved.
Jesus erased our spiritual certificate of debt.
Jesus paid our debt by His sacrificial death.
Jesus forgave all our sins.
Colossians 2:16-19 — Chasing Shadows
A young man may carry his girlfriend’s photograph with him constantly. When he marries her, the picture that was
once so important is quickly forgotten. He loses his obsession with the two-dimensional image on a piece of paper
because he now has the real thing. Paul urges us to shift our focus from the image to the reality, from the shadow to the
substance.
Keeping rituals and regulations does not please God.
Old Testament rituals and regulations were designed to picture Christ.
Mystical experiences do not bring us closer to God.
Believers submit to Christ’s authority.
Colossians 2:20-23 — May We Rest in Peace
Old tombstones are often marked with three simple letters, “R.I.P.”—“rest in peace.” The emblem reminds us that
believers who have died and now live with Christ in heaven have left their troubles behind and now enjoy an existence of
perfect peace. Paul teaches that because believers participated in Christ’s death, they have escaped many of life’s troubles
and can now enjoy peace.
Demonic forces have no power over the believer.
Ritual laws have no authority over the believer.
Ascetic practices offer no benefit to the believer.
Colossians 3:1-4 — A Glimpse of Heaven
The modern church is fascinated by the stories of those who claim to have died and glimpsed heaven and then returned to
tell about it. Paul claims that through our union with Christ, every believer has caught a glimpse of heaven. That one
glimpse has changed our lives forever.
Believers have participated in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Believers should be heavenly-minded rather than preoccupied with earthly things.
Believers have been radically changed by Christ and will be completely changed by Christ.
Colossians 3:5-11 — I’m a New Person!
As I approach 50 I find myself frustrated by aches, pains, and new limitations. I often hear myself saying with a sigh, “I
am not the man I used to be.” Fortunately, that is true in more ways than one. Jesus Christ has radically changed believers.
We are not yet all that we are going to be, but we are not who we once were.
Sin dominated the believer’s old way of life.
This sinful lifestyle deserved the wrath of God.
This old way of life ended through the believer’s participation in Jesus’ death.
A new way of life began through the believer’s participation in Jesus’ resurrection.
The believer has a new character and is becoming more and more like Christ.
Colossians 3:12-15 — All for One; One for All!
The three Musketeers knew that sticking together as a team was the key to victory. They began their battles by
gathering in a circle, crossing their swords, and shouting “All for one, one for all!” Believers need to stick together.
Unfortunately, true Christian unity is very rare. Jesus prayed that the very unity that characterizes the Trinity may also
characterize believers: “May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us,
so the world may believe You sent Me” (John 17:21). Jesus taught that the unity of His disciples is critical because it
confirms the truthfulness of Jesus’ claims. Paul tells us how to pursue this unity that authenticates the gospel to a
skeptical world.
The Christian character promotes Christian unity.
The Christian forgiveness preserves Christian unity.
The Christian love inspires Christian unity.
The Christian peace establishes Christian unity.
Colossians 3:16-17 — Restoring the Gospel to the Contemporary Church
Believers must ensure that the gospel permeates our lives by teaching, applying, and singing the gospel. The gospel
permeates our lives when we (1) clearly understand the gospel; (2) firmly believe the gospel; and (3) consistently live in a
way that displays the truths of the gospel.
We should teach one another the gospel.
We should apply the gospel to ourselves and each other by discussing how the gospel impacts every area of our lives.
We should sing the gospel by using music to teach and celebrate the great truths of our faith.
We should put the gospel on display by approaching everything we do as an act of worship.
Colossians 3:18-21 — God Give Us Christian Homes
The American family is quickly disintegrating. According to the 1995 census, 27 percent of American children live in a
home with only one parent and an additional 4 percent live in a home without either parent. Thus nearly one third of
American kids live in a home without at least one of the parents. Jesus Christ restores broken homes and the gospel
transforms family relationships.
Christian wives should respect their husbands.
Christian husbands should love their wives.
Christian children should obey their parents.
Christian parents should encourage their children.
Colossians 4:2-6 — How to Share the Gospel Effectively
In Colossians 3:16-17, Paul taught how believers should teach, apply, and sing the gospel when they gather to worship.
However, believers need to carry the gospel to the world too. This text explains how.
Pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
Be willing to suffer persecution for the gospel.
Recognize the necessity of sharing the gospel.
Recognize the urgency of sharing the gospel.
Share the gospel graciously and winsomely without compromising its truths.
These preaching suggestions were written by Dr. Charles Quarles. Dr. Quarles is Vice President of Faith and Learning, Dean of the Caskey
School of Divinity, and Research Professor of New Testament and Greek at Louisiana College. Dr. Quarles is a graduate of the University of
Mississippi (B.A.) and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.).