Notes: Colossians

Colossians 1:1-2

1/6/2025 | Notes

This letter is from Paul and Timothy to the faithful and holy followers of Jesus in Collosae. Paul is stating that he is the messenger of Christ, and he (Paul) has been give the authority to speak for Jesus and to share his messages to the people there. Paul has been given this authority directly by God. Paul is giving them gifts from God, our Father…. grace and peace are the gifts. 

• Paul and Timothy are writing to the people of Colossae who are follwers of Jesus.
• Paul tells them he’s writing on behalf of God, our Father, and in His name he sends the people grace and peace.
• Paul and others thank God when they pray for the people of Colossae because they’ve heard they are faithful, loving followers of Christ and that they are doing God’s work for all of God’s people.
• The gospel is spreading throughout the world; it’s bearing fruit.
• The same thing is happening through the world as is/has been happening in Colossae, ever since the people there heard the good news of God and Jesus, and truly understand God’s grace.
• God’s grace is a free gift from God that is undeserved and unmerited. It is a demonstration of God’s love, favor and kindness towards people. God describes himself as gracious and grace is a part of His character. He’s a constant gift giver to the people.
• God’s grace is His gift to the people that He gave to them by sacrificing His son so the people’s sins could be reoved, and they would have a way into the Kingdom of Heaven.
• 1:9-14 | Paul is telling the people that he always asks God to fill the Colossians with His will and the knowledge and understanding the Spirit gives (which randomly happens to me sometimes.)
• So they will continue to be strengthened with God’s power.
• God has rescued us, His children, followers of Jesus and has qualified us to share in God’s inheritance in heaven (the Kingdom of Light).
• God rescued us from the dominion (control) of darkness (satan. evil) and brought us into the kingdom He gave to His Son, whom He loves. If we’re in Jesus’ Kingdom we have been given redemption – the forgiveness of sins.
• 1:15-17 | Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and also God – the invisible God that we can’t see.
• Jesus was God’s son before even creation.
• It is in Jesus that all things were created, things in heaven and earth, what we can see what we can’t see. All of it. Created in Jesus, through Jesus and for Jesus.
• Jesus existed before everything that’s been created.
• Everything is held together in Jesus. Jesus / God is the Creator of all things, and the sustainer of our world.
• The church is Christ’s body and Christ is the head. What does that even mean?? (1:18)
• God created us, then saved us so that we can have a relationship with Him.
• Jesus made it all. It was stolen from Him. He paid the price to free us from captivity so that we can go home to Him and be with Him. He paid our ransom. For eternity, for every human. But humans need to know, to learn, that the way home to God is through Jesus who holds the key to God’s Kingdom

There’s more…