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Sunday Worship 28 April 2024 : Put on love, which is the bond of perfection

Text: Colossians 3
28 April 2024

INTRODUCTION

1. The Colossian Church was not founded by the Apostle Paul

2. It was probably founded by a man called Epaphras (Colossians 1:7)

3. The Church was also threatened by false teachings

4. The false teachings included the following:

a) Non-Christian philosophy
b) The attack was on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself
c) Believing in Him was not enough
d) More “esoteric knowledge” must be found but these are not in the Lord

5. The Apostle Paul arose to refute these false teachings

THE PERFECT SAVIOUR

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or [f]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:15-18

1. He is the perfect image of God who is invisible

2. He is the firstborn Son of God

3. He is the Co-Creator with God

4. He is before all things

5. In Him all things consist

6. He is the Head of the Church

7. He has full pre-eminence

WHAT GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH THROUGH THE LORD JESUS

12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:12-14

1. We are qualified to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints

2. He has delivered us from the power of darkness

3. He has conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son

4. We have full redemption through His blood shed for us

5. We have complete forgiveness of sins

THE CHALLENGE TO PUT ON LOVE

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

1. Believers are called:

a) The elect
b) Holy and beloved

2. What Believers should cultivate in their faith and life

a) Put on tender mercies
b) Kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
c) Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another

3. Above all:

a) Put on love
b) Which is the bond of perfection.
c) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

HOW MAY THIS BE DONE?

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:16-17

1. The word of the Lorrd must dwell in us

a) In all wisdom
b) We teach and admonish one another
i) In psalms and spiritual songs
ii) Singing with grace in the heart

2. We practise our faith

a) Good words are spoken
b) Good deeds are done
c) All conscious that they are done in the name of our Saviour

CONCLUSION

1. We must beware of wrong teachings

2. Growth of faith and knowledge are vital

3. Above all, we must cultivate a love for the Lord and for all who make up His church