Jesus' Crucial Work in a Believer’s Life | Colossians 1:19-23| Colossians Bible Study – Pt4 | Mike Prah
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Jul 17, 2024 | by Mike Prah
Jesus' Crucial Work in a Believer’s Life | Colossians 1:19-23| Colossians Bible Study – Pt4 | Mike Prah
Introduction
The Colossians’ former state of hostility toward God was manifest in their evil actions (Colossians 1:21). They were reconciled, brought into relationship with God, based on the atoning work of Christ (Colossians 1:22). Such is the state of every believer. The goal for every Christian is to be presented as a mature believer, though no one is perfect. Maturity requires responsibility on our part—we are not to be shifted away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23).
The Work of Jesus Christ (what He does) – Colossians 1:19-23
“19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 23 But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.” Colossians 1:19-23 (NLT)
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Read Colossians 1:19-20. For us to have peace with God, what was necessary?
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According to Colossians 1:20 How did Jesus make peace?
Read Colossians 1:21. Before Jesus reconciled us, what was our status with God?
1. Christ Has Reconciled You to Himself and God (Jesus and your past) – Colossians 1:21-22
“Through Christ God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 21 This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22 Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” Colossians 1:21-22 (NLT)
- The Colossian Christians, mostly Gentiles, were alienated from the hope of Israel and by their sins. Israel was the focus of God’s redemptive plan as his covenant people. Now, through Christ, the Gentiles also became participants in these covenant blessings. Thus, the wonder of God’s working is expressed.
2. Christ Will Reward You (Jesus and your future) – Colossians 1:22
“Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.” Colossians 1:22 (NLT)
- Reconciliation involved a physical sacrifice but also a total sacrifice by Christ.
- The past, the cross, must be viewed in light of the future, the reconciliation of all things. Similarly, the past for Christians, our salvation, must be viewed against the backdrop of the future, our meeting God after the course of history has been run.
3. Christ Is Remaking You (Jesus and your present) – Colossians 1:23, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:22
“But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News” Colossians 1:23 (NLT)
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Read Colossians 1:23. What does it mean to “continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it”? From the passage, how do we do this?
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The responsibility of believers in the interval between reconciliation and Christ’s return is “You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News” (v. 23).
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The words, “you must continue” is significant. God expects us to fully continue in the faith.
“When Paul arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Acts 11:23 (NIV)
“Paul and Barnabas … strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith” Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)
APPLICATION
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If Christ is in charge of creation and holds a unique position, what is there to fear?
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How would your life look different if you fully embraced Christ as the one in charge of your life?
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How would the lives of those around you be affected if you demonstrated every day that someone greater than yourself has the ability to rule your life and this world?