This study was presented in the August 2013 Bible conference in Southern California.Though Corinth was a “problem church” for Paul, how thankful we ought to be for them, for without their problems and questions, we would not have the answers and guidance provided in this wonderful letter. As with all the epistles, the challenge is to lay hold of the character of Christ. We are to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Rom 12:2), and to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phi 2:5).
Key verses for this study:
- “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1Co 2:2 and
- “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you are truly unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1Co 5:7
Gene Cunningham - December 2, 2006
Colossians Lesson 21
In Phi 3:14 'the upward call' means we need to live on a higher plane (Isa 55:8-9; Luk 21:28; 1Co 10:5). Col 3:5-17 positive and negative commands for practical living a spiritual life. We need to put on Christ (Rom 13:14) and put off defiled garments (Jud 1:23; Col 3:9-10) -- our 'old man' was nailed to the cross with Christ and is dead. The power of sin is broken. We are not 'sinners saved by Grace' but new creatures (2Co 5:17; Rom 12:2; 1Co 2:16; Rom 6:11). We need to reckon our members dead to sin (Col 1:5-8; Rom 6:13) ; e.g.; our hand alone has phenominal potential; for sin or good. Luk 11:24 a downward spiral that occurs when we don't replace an area of sin with the things of God: prayer; service; the word; etc (Col 3:11-17).
Scripture References: Colossians 3:9-10, Colossians 3:11-17, Jude 1:23, Luke 11:24, Romans 13:14, Romans 6:13, Colossians 3:5-17, Colossians 1:5-8, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Luke 21:28, Romans 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 3:14
From Series: "Colossians - 2006"
Paul never met the Colossians but wrote to them from a Roman prison around 62 AD to counter misconceptions of his day. It magnifies the character of Jesus Christ more than any other book in the New Testament, and counters misconceptions of our day as well. The key verse may well be Col 1:18 "...that in all things, He might have preeminence."