The Letter to the Colossians (7)

Posted on August 21, 2017 Updated on August 21, 2017

Paul as Faithful Minister of the Kingdom (Part 1) Col 1:23b-2:5
Introduction
Our journey through Colossians brings us to the part in the Apostle’s letters in which he talks about himself. Here in Colossians 1, Paul does this for two reasons, one is to Enlighten the readers about his Ministry, and the second is to Embody His Message to the Colossians. Let me explain these two reasons a bit more. Read the rest of this entry »

The Letter to the Colossians (6)

Posted on June 22, 2017

King Jesus the Founder of the Kingdom Part Two (Col 1:18-23a)
Advancing the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ in a Disorderly World:

Introduction
Last month we started examining this great Christ hymn which indeed is among a special class of New Testament passages. Paul presents Jesus the King as the founder of the kingdom, and in so doing defines who we are. It is only because of Him that we are what we are. Let’s read the passage again, Read the rest of this entry »

The Letter to Colossians (2)

Posted on January 23, 2017 Updated on January 23, 2017

How the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Advances in a Disorderly World
Sermon on Colossians 1:3-8: Series of Expositions on Colossians
Dr Annang Asumang
Introduction
The last time I was here, we started a series of expositions on Paul’s letter to the Colossians. We learnt that the theme of Colossians is Advancing the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus in a Disorderly World. In that case, Colossians is as much a letter for then as it is for now. Colossians 1 speaks about the Founding of the Kingdom, Col 2, the Fortification of the Kingdom, Col 3 the Flourishing of the Kingdom and Col 4, the Fellowship of the Kingdom.
The passage before us this morning, Col 1:3-8, is technically called a Thanksgiving Report.
Paul’s letters regularly start with four elements. The first element is a Self-introduction. So here in Col 1:1 he begins, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother” (1:1). The second element is the Address of the Recipients – 1:2a: “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae”. The third is a Salutation which we find in 1:2b: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father”. The fourth element, which is the Thanksgiving-prayer Report, is lacking in Galatians and Titus, but we have it here in Col 1:3-12. Often the thanksgiving is brief and naturally leads him to the longer prayer report. But here in Colossians, the thanksgiving is long and complex, stretching from Col 1:3-8, and then followed by the prayer report in Col 1:9-12 which will be our focus when God willing I join you next time. Read the rest of this entry »