In many ways the Epistle to the Colossians is similar to the Epistle to the Ephesians. However, Colossians presents a facet of the truth of God, as well as some very important exhortations for our practical lives, that we do not get anywhere else.
The Christian in Colossians is risen with Christ, as he is in Ephesians, but he is not sitting in heavenly places; he is still on earth. His life is hidden up there with Christ, and Christ is his life, providing in him the hope of glory as something yet to be realized. All of this provides character for the believer’s present life.
1. The Apostle Paul had heard of the faith, love and hope (vss. 4-5) in the Colossians’ hearts and lives. This gave him cause for thanksgiving in his prayers for these dear saints. How had these same three things been evident through the activities of the Thessalonian believers? 1 Thessalonians 1:___
2. Producing fruit in our lives and growing in our knowledge of God is directly dependent on our walk being worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him (vs. 10). What kind of fruit does the Spirit of God desire to reproduce in us?
Galatians 5:______ (2 verses)
3. As we think of the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ, one of His glories is as creator (vss. 16-17). Why do the twenty-four elders give Him honor and glory? Revelation 4:___
4. Of course, our Lord Jesus Christ is also worthy of all honor as redeemer (vs. 14). His precious blood provides the righteous means for God to forgive all our sins. Why do those same elders sing a new song? Revelation 5:___
5. Paul’s special mission was to reveal what God had kept hidden all through the Old Testament times (vss. 25-27). This was no ordinary secret. It was God’s grand purpose to bring both Jews and Gentiles into eternal blessing by forming them together into the one body of Christ. How does the Spirit of God describe what the church (which is the body of Christ) is to her head?
Ephesians 1:___