Colossians 3:23

This week, Brad led us and we got to study Colossians 3:23. I hope that you'll take time to study it this week on your own!

Favorite verse: 

Colossians 3:23

Author: Paul, Timothy is also present (Colossians 1:1). Paul had never visited Colosse as far as we know. 

Audience: The Church at Colosse. The church had been founded by a man named Epaphras and other converts from Paul's first missionary journey, and had been influenced by some believers attempting to blend paganism and secular ideas with Christian doctrine. (Sound familiar??)

When: Around A.D. 60, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. 

Theme: The sufficiency of Christ and His role as Head of the Church.

The first two chapters describe who Christ is and what he has done (Colossians 1:12-20). The second two chapters describe what Christians should do after they have been born again.

Leading up to chapter 3, Paul opposes the false teachers (ch 2:16-19)

Chapter 3:

Read vs 5-22 and list Paul's instructions to the believers in Colosse. 

(The end of verse 22 gives us a key insight into our focal verse for the day)

Just in case Paul forgot to cover something, he gives us vs. 23. "Do everything as working for the Lord, not for men." 

1. As working for the Lord: Christians should be very easy to recognize by their hard work and full devotion to any task they are assigned. We know that the Lord is sovereign, so anything we put our hands to should be done as if it were for the Lord Himself, since he ordained every step of our lives. We should serve faithfully and heartily, with humility and joy and thanksgiving in our hearts, not in an effort to earn favor from the Lord or salvation, but as an expression of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord who has already saved us to a new life. (1 Corinthians 10:31) 

2. Not for men: we should not be doing things solely for the favor or approval of men. (Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 17:5-6)

Go back and look at chapter 3 vs. 1-4: what does Paul say we need to set our minds and hearts on? 

Vs 1-4 are crucial. We are not capable of doing any of these things on our own. How is any of this accomplished? By setting our hearts and minds not on earthly things, but on heavenly things and on Christ. 

We do it for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Fix your eyes on the unseen! (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Discussion:

1. How can this heaven mindedness motivate us in our daily work and jobs (don't like your job, difficult boss, etc.)? 

2. Based on this passage, is there any corner or part of our lives or work that are unimportant to God?

3. How can this heaven mindedness help us in our marriages?

Announcements:

1. If you missed The Revolution this past weekend and want more information on what was covered feel free to ask me for the notes. It truly was an awesome, life changing weekend! 

2. Next Sunday we will have an Operation Christmas Child box-stuffing party after ABF at the Hippie House...I will post another blog this week with specific information, but just keep that in mind for next week!

3. Don't forget to be praying for our ABF class and leaders (Pastor John, Jordan, Brad, Care Group leaders, etc) throughout the week :)