Colossians

Background:
Paul writes his letter to the people in Colossae around 60 A.D.
He was writing to confront the heretical teachings that had been happening in Colossae
He wanted to encourage those who were believers to continue in their faith
Leaders were imposing rules on the people, creating gods from angels and deities that came from God
The point that Paul is really trying to make is the superiority of Christ; that the people need to focus on the treasures of Heaven, rather than the worldly things…the people need to leave their sinful lives behind and center their lives on Christ
Chapters 1-2: Paul did not establish this church
False teachers were spreading heresy, rejecting the deity of Christ
Paul’s assures the people that Jesus Christ is God
Chapters 3-4: Paul tells the people to focus on Christ; he says to “set your min don the things above”
He talks about how to deal with other believers and how to manage a family, he wants them to put aside the petty things are truly focus on faith



“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
We are all loved by Him. Above all else we should love each other because He loves us. The thing that binds compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience is love.

From The Message: Colossians 3
15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.