Knowing the Truth - Colossians 1:3-20

We have just completed a series of lessons based on the Philippians Letter that emphasized different ways to “Advance the Gospel” throughout the world. I enjoyed the study and thank you for studying along with me. You can not advance something that you do not have or know just as you can not drink when your cup is empty. For this reason, it is imperative that we KNOW THE TRUTH and remain willing and ready to advance the Gospel to as many as will hear, then pray that God will help them to head the message.

Ladies are sometimes resentful when they are asked their age; and I know that; but now I ask you and the men too, just how old are you? Don’t tell me, just think about it. Do not think about when you were born, or when you became a Christian; my challenge is for you to decide what stage of Christian maturity have you accomplished? Think of the biological maturing process as infant, child, adolescence, young adult, middle or older adulthood. Now use these stages as a spiritual measuring stick to determine where you are in Christian maturity. How well do you know the biblical truth and to what extent do you live by it?

We have a birthday once each year automatically but Christian maturity does not depend upon the passing of time. It depends on your personal faith expressed by your obedience to God and the observable work of the Holly Spirit in your life. Age comes with passing of time, steadily year after year, but spiritual growth comes at any time; as you learn the bible and practice its teachings. Far too often our spiritual growth is guided by what we believe society expects of us and not what the bible teaches. If you are drawing social security, you are an older adult, but you can be a Christian sixty-five years and still be infantile. The bible says that pastors [and teachers] must feed ‘these babes in Christ’ because of their spiritual infancy. If you are not a Christian, you must first be born into the Kingdom of God; then you can gain maturity at any rate, depending on your commitment. If you are still an infant or even a child spiritually speaking, you should be ashamed and you will start now to grow in KNOWING THE TRUTH, and practicing it. Paul is a wonderful teacher.

The letter to the Colossians was written by Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. Please note that the city of Colossae was not listed as one of Paul’s missionary stops. While he was at Ephesus he ministered to a man named Epaphras pronounced as [EP-uh-fras] and it is believed that he took the gospel news back to his fellow citizens there. This was not one of the major cities and we know less about it; but we do know that it had a mixed population composed of native Phrygians, Greek settlers, Jewish migrants, and since it was Roman territory there were some Roman citizens; and Roman officials controlling the city. It was a city of commerce and some citizens were there because of their interest in commercial trading. Theologians believe that the membership of the church was made up of a composite of these people. Archeologists have discovered artifacts [especially coins] that indicate that the earlier settlers there worshiped numerous pagan gods. That means that they had not been exposed to the Old Testament, knew little or nothing about the Jewish religion and had never heard of Christianity. Many of the old coins tell us about the gods; wonder how long our money will be engraved with “In God we Trust?”

Notice in verse one that Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus. There must have been a large Greek influence connected with the church at Colossi because the word ‘Christ” is the Greek name for Jesus, The Son of God. These people may have heard of some of the other apostles [those called-out by Jesus] and this is the reason Paul emphasizes the fact the he too is an apostle. He wants them to know that this is a message from God, and that he has been called to deliver it to them. He introduces Timothy as a brother because of his participation in Paul’s ministry. He was with Paul in Ephesus [Acts 19:22] and Paul assigned him responsibilities in that area which may have included Colossi [1 Tim. 1:3]. Being a brother indicates a warm relationship but he was also a brother in service [1 Cor.4:17; Phil. 2:19; and 1 Thess. 3:2].

There must have been some problems with the worship of other Gods, but Paul chooses to address believers first, so he writes to the saints and faithful. The word ‘saints’ is used as one of his favorite ways of describing fellow believers, see [Rom.1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1: 1 and Phil. 1: 1]. Paul makes it clear that anyone “set apart” or “redeemed” is a saint. The word ‘faithful’ as he uses it, can mean ‘believing’ {in the sense of having received Christ} or it may indicate dependability and reliability. Paul uses the term “in Christ’ to remind you and me that we always have two addresses; mine is Heber Springs and Christ. Insert your addresses here and try to live wisely and productively in both homes each day.

Notice in verse 3 Paul returns to the use of the name Lord Jesus Christ, [I like this] because He is the Lord over my life; He is Jesus; He is also Christ, meaning over other nationalities and always the Son of God. God is his Father; however, He is God…because He tells us that He and his Father are one. When he ascended He sent himself back to earth as the Holly Spirit to be our counselor daily. So God is three: Father, Son, and Holly Spirit. The Triune! The God head! We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holly Spirit; descended in water to ascend into a new life of love and service.

Verse 4 indicates that Paul had never visited Colossi, because he says that he has only ‘heard’ of their faith and their love for each other. All faith has an object; you have faith in your boat, so you step in and shove off-shore. Many of these people must have had faith in the “false gods” or their coins would not have indicated so. But Paul is careful to say that he had heard of “their faith in Christ” which is the Greek word for the trinity, the God Head, and not Mohammed, Confucius, a graven image, or the moon or stars. The word agape is also a Greek word for our word love which describes the deeper feelings that Christ had when he gave his life for us because of His agape. Paul uses this way to express his knowledge of their true devotion to each other.

What is your greatest hope? If you could be granted one wish, what would it be? Does it have anything to do with Heaven? The word ‘reserved’ as used in verse five indicates that their hope is ‘stored’ ‘already there’ established in heaven. Do you KNOW THE TRUTH that your future is secured? Paul speaks to the Gospel [good news] because he thinks they have experienced the life-changing power of the Gospel or Word of God. Then in verse six he assures them that it is bearing fruit and growing all over the world.

Verse seven explains why we believe that Epaphras was the messenger to this church. Brother Dana Whitfield, was my first messenger at Heber, he was followed by C. Ray Cruse and Jerry Kirkpatrick, all different but very sincere. We had three interim messengers in Gordon, Swihart and Jerome that blessed my family and witnessed just before our present stalwart, Bro. J. R. DeBusk came on the scene. Since his early school days, he has loved this church and has a special reason for giving his all to help it prosper in the Lord. His KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH and ability to teach us is a blessing straight from the hand of God. Let him know personally that you appreciate him and his dedication to God and us. Where ever you worship, let your leaders know. Look at verse eight. I have just re-written this verse to say: “And [they have] told us about [God’s agape love] in the Spirit. [Thank all of them by mail, phone or in person.]

The remainder of this chapter is devoted to the omnipotent power and presence of Jesus Christ, reminding us that He created heaven and earth and all that is therein. We are reminded that he is the head of our church and demands first place in our work and play. We must know that redemption comes by way of the cross; and that true belief in and acceptance of Jesus, and the cross, is the only way to heaven. All of this tells us that unless we KNOW THE TRUTH we can not live by it; and that we are held responsible to STUDY THE TRUTH and practice it or suffer the consequence.

This lesson is also a personal message to individuals. It tells you that you have a leader and should be proud and supportive of him. It tells you that you must know right and do it. It admonishes you to love your leaders and helpers and let it be know that you are doing all in your power to assist and promote the spread of the gospel. You must know the truth, [it alone and nothing else] will set you free.