Colossians 1:1-23

Today we open up our Bibles to Colossians. This book was written around A.D. 61, along with Philemon and Ephesians, during Paul's first imprisonment in Rome. Paul wrote to the church in Colosse to combat errors in the church and to remind the believers that they can find everything they need in Christ. Philemon, the wealthy man Paul wrote to in yesterday's reading is from Colosse.

The Greeting:
Paul begins his letter in his usual manner by thanking God for the faith of the church. He reminds them of his personal prayers for the church's well-being. I love the things he prays over them:
1. that God will fill them with the knowledge of His will
2. for spiritual wisdom & understanding
3. to live a life worthy and pleasing to God
4. to bear fruit
5. to grow in knowledge
6. to be strengthened with all power so they might have endurance and patience
This is such a great prayer to pray over your own life & the life of others. Put it on a note card & carry it with you!

The Supremacy of Christ:
Who is Christ? Paul reminds the Colossians that He is:
1. The image of the invisible God
2. Firstborn over all creation
3. The Creator of all things both in heaven & on earth
4. The glue that holds all things together
5. The Head of the church
6. Supreme
7. Our reconciliation

Before Paul gets into any other subject, he establishes who Christ is. Never let yourself forget that Christ is the Supreme Creator who hold all things together. The Colossians had forgotten who Christ is and it lead to a demoralization with in the church. So often we allow ourselves to forget exactly who Christ is. He becomes a vague figure who long ago died & rose again. He becomes somebody we hear about in church & read about in our Bibles, just some figurehead that we don't really know. If that's were you are at - COME BACK! Jesus is alive today. He is everything you need, everything you're searching for, everything you long for. Find Him & get to know Him. Make Him supreme in your life and always, always remember that He is Awesome.