Final Take-Aways11/15/2017 We’ve come a long ways in the last nine weeks! Now as we stand at the end of Colossians, let’s cast our minds back and review all that we’ve learned from this rich book. We don’t want to leave and forget all we’ve learned. That would be foolishness! Therefore, we need to meditate, to remember, and to grab hold of at least one take-away before leaving this book and moving on to another. So let’s review all that we’ve covered in the last nine weeks. Chapter One In this chapter, Paul seemed to hit us with all the big stuff. We discovered Paul’s tender heart towards a people he had never met and his overwhelming care, concern, and love for them. We learned the purpose for Paul’s writing and found that his desire for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God and walking worthily before Him is also God’s purpose and intent for us. But all of this got swallowed up in the majesty, sovereignty, and preeminence of Christ as we caught a glimpse of who Christ is and was and all that He gave up for us. Yet the great paradox of it all is that despite the greatness, grandeur, majesty, and preeminence of Christ, He dwells within us—fallen man—to give us the hope of glory. It’s hard to wrap our minds around it all! The One who created, sustains, and holds the world and all that is in it together also dwells within us. This is the great mystery that God has now revealed! Chapter Two Because the mystery is revealed, we no longer need to be deceived by the false teachings and lies of the enemy. This is the message of Colossians 2. Christ is enough, and the work that He completed on the cross is all that we need. So may we not fall prey to the wise words, convincing arguments, or persuasive speech of false teachers who try to deceive us, but let us remain firmly rooted in Christ, growing and building ourselves up so that we may become established in the faith. This life is a race, and we don’t want to become disqualified along the way, so don’t be deceived! Chapter Three In chapter three, Paul began sharing practical application of the truths and doctrines he’d been talking about. The first and most important of these is to set our minds and hearts on Christ and things of eternal value. The world and its stuff will pass away, but Christ is our hope and our promise of glory. So let us fix our eyes, our minds, our hearts upon Him and seek the things that are above. Part of this process is putting on our new spiritual wardrobe. We no longer have to wear our filthy garments of sin and rags but have new, clean clothes to wear. But we must daily decide to put on these clothes. It doesn’t come naturally or easily, but is a daily decision we must make. So let’s make sure that we don’t start our day without our spiritual clothing! The last two points we explored in Colossians 3 were making God’s Word at home in our hearts and doing all things as unto the Lord. These two dovetail together, for if you allow God and His Word to dwell and be at home in your heart then you will also want to make sure that you do all things as unto Christ. He has a front row seat in your life and sees all the hidden attitudes and motives of your heart. So whether we’re doing laundry, washing dishes, taking out the trash, babysitting, leading worship, doing school, going to work, or any other task--small or great--let’s do it all as unto the Lord and not for man. Why? Because we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as our reward. We are servants of Christ! Chapter Four Here, we continue on with practical advice and application, namely advice with dealing with people. Walking in wisdom and seasoned speech are the two secrets to successful human relations. We also learned in chapter four the need for a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. This is a healthy response to all that God has done for us, in us, and through us. May we not take for granted all that He has done for an underserving people! Finally, Paul closes his letter with a list of greetings from his fellow workers in the ministry. This was an eclectic mix of men. Among these faithful servants were represented everything from runaway slaves, deserters, and fakers, to world travelers, constant companions, and prayer warriors. This shows us that God can use anyone and no matter what our past He can use us if we are willing. But be warned! Don’t be like Demas who had the appearance of faithfulness to God, but eventually fell in love with the world and forsook the Lord for fleeting pleasure. May we take heed and not follow in his footsteps! Final Take-Aways So there you have it, a summary of all that we’ve learned and discovered over the past nine weeks of this study. There are so many deep truths and lasting treasures in this book. I think the concept and thought that has hit me the most this time, though, was that of Christ’s glory, majesty, and grandeur that somehow dwells inside of us—inside of you, inside of me. That the Preeminent One would leave all His power, glory, and honor to come and reside inside of my heart, which doesn’t always welcome His presence, is a humbling thought. Oh, how worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive all of my honor, my glory, and my praise! “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” ~Colossians 3:3-4 What take-aways do you have from this amazing book? What are some lessons or truths that God has been teaching or showing you? Is there one thing that has really struck a chord in your heart through this study? I’d love to hear your answers in the comments section!
Well, thanks for joining me on this journey and adventure through the pages of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It has been a wonderful, power-packed journey. But it’s not quite over yet! Before we leave this book and move on to another, Paul has one last exhortation for us. So come back on Saturday for our final post in this series!
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