Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:19-23

Reconciled in Christ

Colossians 1:15-23

Intro.

1. Reconcile: Produce harmony, return to favor; atonement: “the state of being at one” (reconciliation, Rom. 5:11).

2. Col. 1:12-14: The Father is thanked for equipping us to be heirs of redemption in His Son, Jesus Christ.

3. Col. 1:15-23 gives us a picture of an all-wise, all-loving, all-powerful Father who is pleased with what His Son has accomplished so that lost sinners are saved & live for Him now & with Him eternally.

I. THE FATHER:

A. The Father Planned Our Redemption in the Son, 1:19-20.

1. God has planned & worked out our salvation in Son, Eph. 1:3-4, 7-12.

2. We will only be saved in accord with God’s plan to do so; our own ways are unable to save us from our sins, Rom. 5:6-8 (Jer. 10:23).

B. The Father Gives Us the Inheritance of Eternal Life in the Son, 1 Jno. 5:11-13 (2 Cor. 5:18).

C. The Father is Worthy of Our Praise, Honor & Glory, Col. 1:12 (Eph. 1:3, 12-14; 3:21).

II. HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST:

A. In Him, Col. 1:19.

1. en – “a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality”

2. “All the fullness should dwell” (1:19):

a. Redemption, 1:14 (Eph. 1:7).

b. Revelation, 1:15 (of the invisible God, Jno. 1:18; Heb. 1:3).

c. Preeminence, 1:15-18: (Is Christ preeminent in your life?)

1) Over all creation, cf. 1:17 (Jno. 1:3).

-Heaven & earth; visible & invisible…all things created through (dia, means, channel of action) Him & for (eis, towards) Him. [Material & spiritual]

-The church (head of the body), 1:18, 24.

2) The beginning, 1:18 “chief, source, origin.”

B. By Him, Col. 1:20.

1. dia – “a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; by means of.”

2. Reconciliation, 1:20 (Rom. 5:9-10).

a. “Made peace” with sinners, (1:20).

b. “Made peace through the blood of His cross,” 1:20; Eph. 2:13-18; Rom. 5:8-11.

III. YOU:

A. Once Were… (1:21):

1. Alienated: Shut out from one’s fellowship and intimacy.

2. Enemies: Hostile, hating & opposing due to sin.

a. In your mind, Eph. 2:3; 4:17-18 (Matt. 15:18-20).

b. Wicked works, Eph. 2:1-3; 4:19.

B. Now (He Has)… (1:21-22):

1. Reconciled you (death on the cross), Rom. 5:9-10.

2. To present you holy, blameless & above reproach in His sight, cf. Eph. 5:25-27.

3. Rejoice, Rom. 5:10-11 (2).

C. Conditional: “If Indeed You Continue…” (1:23):

1. In the faith, Acts 14:22. (Implies we can stop continuing!)

2. Grounded & steadfast, 2:6-7; 1 Cor. 16:13 (1 Pet. 5:9).

3. Not moved away from the hope of the gospel, Col. 1:5-6:

a. Which you heard (Rom. 10:17).

b. Preached to every creature under heaven (Rom. 10:18) – the great commission fulfilled, Mk. 16:15).

4. Gospel of hope (not doubt), 1:5, 26-27; Heb. 6:18-19.

Conclusion

1. Will you “lay hold of the hope” set before you? (Heb. 6:18)

-Take possession of, seize-

-Anchor of the soul, Heb. 6:19

2. The Father has planned your redemption; the Son has executed it; the Holy Spirit has revealed it.

3. Now, you must believe & obey the gospel “through faith” to be saved “by grace” (Eph. 2:8-9). (H-B-C-R-B…Be steadfast)