What does it mean to be a Christian?
What does the Christian life look like??
The people of the city of Colossae (in the area of southwest modern-day Turkey) had heard the Good News about Jesus Christ! They had believed in Jesus. And their lives had been radically changed by their faith and hope in Jesus, and their love for others! (Colossians 1:3-8)
The gate in our background photo today is swung open wide! So also, the people of Colossae had believed and had passed through the gateway of Jesus! Thus began their journey of the Christian life … traveling along the pathway to Heaven, paved by Jesus.
But no sooner had they begun their Christian journey than they started coming across side tangent paths heading off into the forest. At each one of these side tangent paths, there were people who were encouraging them to leave the pathway paved by Jesus. Certainly this side tangent path was the way for traveling the Christian life!
“No … this path over here, heading off in a different direction into the forest, this path is the way to travel the Christian life!”
“Oh No!” … contradicts the next person! “That’s not the right way to live the Christian life! My path is the correct way! This path here … this is the correct way to live the Christian life!”
So many different side, tangent paths … each with confusing, contradictory messages. Which is the correct way to live the Christian life???
The Apostle Paul had never met the people in the city of Colossae, but he had heard what was happening. Paul cared deeply about the people in Colossae! He was worried and very concerned that they would wander off the path paved by Jesus and wind up lost in the forest!
So, Paul wrote to the Colossians: Stay on the path paved by Jesus!
What does it mean to be a Christian?? … the book of Colossians answers this question.
To be a Christian simply means to be a follower of Jesus.
What does it look like, to be a follower of Jesus?? (Colossians 1:9-12)
– As a follower of Jesus, God fills you with the knowledge of His will.
– As a follower of Jesus, God gives you spiritual wisdom and understanding.
– As a follower of Jesus, God helps you to live a life worthy of Him.
– As a follower of Jesus, God helps you to please Him in every way.
– As a follower of Jesus, God helps you to bear spiritual fruit in all kinds of good works.
– As a follower of Jesus, God helps you to grow in your knowledge of who He is.
– As a follower of Jesus, God strengthens you with His power.
– As a follower of Jesus, God gives you great endurance for the journey.
– As a follower of Jesus, God gives you patience for the journey.
– As a follower of Jesus, God gives you joy for the journey.
– As a follower of Jesus, God has promised an inheritance at the end of the journey.
So … how do we do this?? How do we follow Jesus?? … the book of Colossians answers this question.
First and foremost, you must know who Jesus is. (Colossians 1:15-22)
– Jesus is the image of the invisible God.
– Jesus is the firstborn over all creation.
– Jesus is the one who created everything in Heaven.
– Jesus is the one who created everything on the earth.
– Jesus is the one who created unseen spirit beings.
– Jesus is the one who created humans.
– Jesus created everything for His glory!
– Jesus is the one who holds all of creation together.
– Jesus is preeminent and in charge over everything in creation – seen and unseen.
– Jesus is in charge and the head over the church.
– Jesus was there at the beginning of time.
– Jesus is the one who has conquered death and provides salvation.
– Jesus is fully God!
– Jesus reconciled broken sinful man with a perfect holy God.
– Jesus made peace between mankind and God.
– Jesus died to take our punishment, so that we can be brought close to God.
In the book of Colossians, Paul encourages the people of Colossae not to be led off the pathway paved by Jesus! (Colossians 2:4-23)
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
Colossians chapters 3-4 is filled with practical advice for how to live the Christian life. What does the day-to-day Christian life look like?? … the answer is found in Colossians chapters 3-4.
Jesus Christ in Colossians
Jesus is the primary focus of the entire book of Colossians.
Jesus is the supreme Lord of the church and the world – Colossians 1:13-20
Jesus is the all-sufficient Savior in whom the fullness of Deity dwells – Colossians 2:9
