Hope Explored Series: The Fruit of Hope - Love
Colossians 1 verses 1-8
Brief introduction
The Christian community in Colossae came into being as a result of Paul’s Ephesian ministry (c52-55). It is possible that during this ministry a man named Epaphras (from Colossae) was brought to faith. He was a hard worker (4.13) and quickly became a mature servant of Christ (4.12) and acknowledged by Paul as a valued servant (1.7). He became an evangelist to his own people. Some year’s later (c62) he visited Paul (now under house arrest in Rome) and reported on the hallmark of genuine LOVE among these new believers (1.8). However, he also mentioned other tendencies which were causing deep concern, and this caused Paul to write this letter. The nature of the “Colossian heresy” has been a subject of debate for many years, but is not the issue under discussion today, though a simple summary may be helpful:
The false teachers claimed they would complete the simple faith they had heard and come to believe. “What you have is a good foundation for faith. Now let us finish it off so that you become real Christians.
The false teacher’s spoke of a new “spiritual freedom” that was available.
The false teachers claimed particular insight into the powers of evil and claimed to have special protection for them.
The false teachers were known for their ascetism, notably fasting.
The false teachers offered further initiation into a deeper knowledge of God, and a greater experience of his power.
All this caused division among the Christians at Colossae – and Paul’s letter is a plea for Christian unity.
TO CONSIDER: Do you think similar dangers exist in the Christian Church in our country today? And in our own church here in Ashtead?
READ Colossians verses 1-8
Paul begins with words of thankfulness for the good news he has heard of them, and of the vigorous spiritual life among them. Would a visitor who spent some weeks at our church be equally thankful?
Faith, hope and love make up a familiar triad in Paul’s writings (1 Corinthians 13.13; 1 Thessalonians 1.3). For Paul these three qualities were evidence of God at work in an individual. You might like to discuss the importance – and meaning – of these three qualities.
What evidence of genuine Christianity is Paul looking for? Would he find such evidence in our group/our individual lives?
Why would it be wrong to assume that someone who says “I believe in God” is a Christian?
The Christians at Colossae had never seen or heard Paul preach, so it is quite understandable that some of them were impressed by the claims of these false teachers. The Gospel message had come to them as a WORD, not by an act or deed. God’s word was his deed (Cf Romans 1.16). Is our message just about good news, or is doctrine important?
The Christians at Colossae had come to accept “the grace of God in truth.” What is your understanding of grace?
Paul may have been in a prison, but he was still thankful that the gospel was “bearing fruit and growing” (6). How do you see the state of the Christian Church in our country today? Is it really bearing fruit and growing? And, if not, what is preventing this? Consider too the situation in Ashtead.
PRAYER
Prayer for a greater evidence of faith, hope and love at work in our individual lives/our life as a group and our life as a church – and that this will make a difference in the world around us.
These notes have been written some weeks in advance, so take a moment to consider what are the news headlines today – and bring them to God in prayer.
There may be also be specific items for prayer in the life of our church – bring them to God in prayer too.
And make time to bring the individual needs/joys of the group to God in prayer.