Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
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2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

The Christian can suffer for the gospel only when they behold its beauty.  Paul says, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake…” (Colossians 1:24).  When the Christian sees Christianity as only a routine to be followed, or a set of rules to adhere to, our suffering becomes burdensome.  But Paul can rejoice in his sufferings because he understands the beauty of Jesus.  We see the power of the resurrected Christ flow through our lives and the life of the Church.  We eagerly long for Jesus, “the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27) to be made complete in us.  As Paul says with all conviction, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18).  Or as Tim Keller aptly state in his book, “Walking with God through Pain and Suffering--” “But resurrection is not just consolation — it is restoration. We get it all back — the love, the loved ones, the goods, the beauties of this life — but in new, unimaginable degrees of glory and joy and strength.”
 
We need to pray for our hearts may be amazed by the gospel.  Let us pray for ourselves and one another.

1. ​How would you describe “beauty?”
   
2. Why is it so important to view the gospel as beautiful? What happens when we do not?   

Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
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2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

​Paul says, “I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”  At first glance, we may think that Jesus’ death and resurrection is not sufficient to save.  Does Jesus’ death really pay for ours sins once and for all?  Do we need Jesus plus something else to be saved?  The answer to these questions is a resounding “No!”  Paul is speaking about the outworking of the gospel being demonstrated to all who did not personally know Jesus.  Paul and every one of us are the “letters” (2 Corinthians 3:3) that the world reads to know Jesus.  Not only our words, but our actions declare that saving power of the gospels.  If a Christian declares that they know Jesus but is unwilling to bear the afflictions, then our witness is either weakened or discredited.  As God’s people our default should not be to run away from the hard things of the gospel, but to run towards them.  With all wisdom, let us show the world, that we will sacrifice and suffer for our Savior and for their salvation.  As Jesus Himself says in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they prosecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11,12).

1. Has there been anyone like Paul in your life, who has labored and suffered to make the gospel known to you?
   
2. Who are some people you know that God is calling you to love sacrificially? Pray for them.

Colossians 1:21-2:5 (ESV)

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
​

2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

​If you want to grow an apple tree, you must plant apple seeds.  And if you want to see the fruit of the gospel, you must plant the good news of Jesus.  Often, we forget that the gospel is not only something that changes us inwardly, but it is also a power that compels us to declare this ministry of reconciliation within and without the church (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).  We long to see people come to faith in Jesus!  We eagerly help our brothers and sisters to grow in His likeness!  Our joy comes in planting the seeds of the gospel and to see that gospel transform His people.  I am confident that God has placed many people in your life to help in this endeavor.  May we share the good news of Jesus with everyone, and may the Lord mature our church in His love, grace, and mercy. 

*Pray that God may open your eyes to the people in your life.  They all need you to share and demonstrate the gospel to them.

​The world looks at the Church as just another religious organization, a place where people look for moral guidance and personal grounding.  Scripture teaches that that Church is a living organism, brought to life not by human ingenuity, but through the agency of the Holy Spirit.  Each member of the Church has been called by God and born anew, no longer a citizen of the present world, but a citizen of heaven. 
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Colossians 1:18 likens the Church to a body with Jesus being the head.  The Church does not function according to her own desires, but seeks to submit herself to Jesus, her sovereign Lord.  The will of our Savior is revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures and each of us are to submit to it.  Our joyful duty is to read the Word and to conform our will to His.  In so doing, we become like Christ and shine as bright stars to a world that needs our Savior.

Colossians 18 calls Jesus the Firstborn from the Dead.  When Jesus died and resurrected, He became the first of a new humanity.  Romans 8:29 refers to Him as the “firstborn among many brothers.”  All of us were dead in our sins—destined for judgement, but Jesus became the first to awaken and pave the path for salvation for all of us.  Romans 5:12-19 speaks of Jesus being the Second Adam, the one who succeeded in fulfilling the law, where the former failed.  We can think of Jesus as the first fulfilled human!  All of us who believe in the Lord are no longer united to the failures of Adam and Eve but are now a part of the lineage of the New Adam.  Being human means being in covenant with our perfect and loving Creator.  Knowing God and being known by Him, loving His Church, and proclaiming the good news are what makes us human.

​Finally, the hymn speaks of Jesus as being the one who reconciles all things to himself, “whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of the cross” (Colossians 1:20).  First, we see once again that Jesus is the endpoint of the reconciliation.  All things will be reconciled to bring him glory.  Second, all things will be reconciled through him.  Jesus is the agency by which all things are reconciled.  Jesus’ spilled blood on the cross in the final and all-sufficient act of reconciliation.  We do not need to add any human acts nor does God need to perform any more miracles or acts of love.  The cross is the final word in the story of redemption.  Third, all things that are to be reconciled will be.  Nothing will be left behind.  Not only God’s people, but all of creation will be redeemed.  All of creation has been eagerly groaning for the sons of God to be revealed—us! (Romans 8:19).  When we are redeemed all of creation will be redeemed as well.

Colossians 1:15-23

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
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21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[b] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

People usually write poems when they experience something that is so beautiful that they are at a loss for words.  The sight and sound of Niagara Falls is too awesome for just simple descriptions.  Our love for our parents, spouses, children, and friends can’t be summarize in just a few words.  Instead, we use metaphors, rhymes, and other conventions to try to capture how the beauty of what we see, or experience makes us feel.
 
In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul writes a poem about Jesus!  We call this type of poem a “hymn.”  Hymns are a special type of poem that is meant to “praise.”  For Paul, the beauty of Jesus has captured his imagination.  Our imaginations must also be captured by the beauty of Jesus.  We do not worship a philosophy or a method of living, but a beautiful Savior who loves us.

1. Hymns put to music are one way that we can express our wonder towards Jesus.  What is your favorite hymn (or song)?
   
2. Which verse in Colossians 1:15-20 resonates with you the most?

Colossians 1:15-23 & Philippians 2:5-7

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[b] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

--

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[b] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[c] being born in the likeness of men.

Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity.  We speak of the Godhead, with the three persons being the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.  All three of these persons existed before time, “one in substance, power, and eternity” (Westminster Confessions Chapter 2.3). 
 
As created beings, we will never fully comprehend the mystery of the Trinity.  However, we see the marks of the Trinity in creation.  For instance, we are both individuals, uniquely made.  Each of us are special in God’s sight.  Yet, we cannot thrive on our own.  We need community!  We need one another.  Have you ever felt yourself swaying from, “I need time on my own,” to “I need people.”  Both are true!  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who live in perfect harmony.  We are both individual and social creatures because we were made in the image of the Triune God.

How are some ways you’ve tried to understand the Trinity?
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*Deep Question.  Jesus being God is a necessary condition for our salvation.  If Jesus were just a person or even an angel, our salvation could not be secured.  Why is this?

Colossians 1:15-23

​15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[b] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The hymn speaks of Jesus being the creator.  He created the heavens and the earth, all things visible and invisible.  John 3:3 helps us to understand that Jesus is the Word of God and that “all things were made through him.”  Jesus was the words that God spoke in Genesis 1 that brought all things into existence. 

The hymn also speaks of Jesus being the sustainer of all Creation, “…in him all things hold together.”  The reason why all of creation works is because Jesus is the one holds it together.  Every atom, cell, or creature, and every relation, political or family, all work because of Jesus’ sustaining power.
 
Lastly, the hymn speaks about the purpose of Creation.  All things were made “for him.”  All of creation brings Jesus glory and honor. We should marvel at how the world continues to function.  The mysteries in our physical worlds and the ways that human beings can cooperate and create all point to our Creator. We give praise to Jesus!

1. “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” (Abraham Kuyper).  How does knowing that Jesus is the author, sustainer, and reason for Creation give comfort to us?
   
2. Pick one mundane thing in your life.  How does this point to Jesus? ​