Chad Coley
Christ Above All/ Series in Colossians
God Loves A Small Church
Colossians 1:1-2
12 May 2019
We live in a world that is always looking to conform us to itself. We can either be conformed to the world and its way of thinking. Or we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
The only way to keep from error is to know the truth: Jesus Christ.
In the opening verse of Colossians, Paul gives a description of what it means to be a minister. God ordained Paul and Timothy by His will to serve. Though they were to suffer, they were to suffer for the only worthy cause: God's name.
Description of God’s ministers (1:1)
Paul is writing from prison to people he has never met. Their pastor is Epaphras, who travels to Rome to see Paul in prison because he is concerned for this congregation. In fact, this is the smallest and most insignificant city to which an epistle was written. Actually, not just one but two epistles: Colossians and Philemon. And Paul is introducing Timothy to this church, which is important, because later on Timothy will become pastor of the Ephesian church.
Description of God’s people (1:2)
Paul addresses the congregation as saints. These are not people who are extra special; who deserve merit after they die. Rather they are those who have been set apart by God for His purposes. Their identity is no longer in where they live, or what they do, but who they are in Christ.
All believers are saints, set apart for God’s use. We are called to be faithful in the small things as well as the large. Service means always being ready for use, regardless of the size of our calling. In all trials and pressures to conform, let us remember that our identity is in Christ.