All Things
Colossians 1:15-20 We come today to the glorious passage found in Colossians 1:15-20. It is important to note that this is all one Greek sentence starting in verse nine. Paul explains that he gives thanks to the Father, who has qualified, delivered, and transferred his people into the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:12-13). Interestingly Paul does not mention Christ’s name in this section nor in the passage, which is often called a Christological Hymn (He does mention Christ previously
Pleasing to Him
Colossians 1:9-14 Paul’s letter continues with his standard greeting. We need to be reminded that the letter would be read as a whole and has thoughts that are intertwined with one another. When we study the scriptures, we generally take a pericope (extract from the text) and dive into the meaning. We find that even reading through a letter that takes about fifteen-twenty minutes to read will take us over twenty weeks to digest in sermons. As we continue to study
A prayer to prepare for Communion
Blessed Lord! I am grateful you commanded your servants to form themselves into churches—and for the wise and gracious way you have provided for the edification of your church, in holiness and love. I adore my Savior, who instituted his supper as a memorial of his dying love—a bond of that union he wants his people to preserve through the ages. Lord, you see how sincerely I give myself to you. And if I now hesitate about this particular manner of doing so,
Thanking God
Colossians 1:3-8 We continue through the book of Colossians. We turn now to the first part of the greeting. Greetings appear in all of Paul’s epistles, besides Galatians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, and Titus. Keep in mind Paul has never stepped foot in this church and not seen them face to face (Col 2:1). Paul will address some form of heresy in this epistle; however, he first is thankful to God for this church he heard about from Epaphras. The greeting
Colossians Introduction
The story of the letter Every book of the Bible speaks of the same God differently, highlighting different aspects of theology. Colossians is rich in its Christological focus. One scholar says, “Colossians is one of Paul’s most elegant yet compact epistles in the New Testament.” The letter speaks of Christ as Lord over all creation, even including the invisible realm. Christ has also obtained redemption for his people, uniting them in his death, resurrection, and fullness. There are many questions that I
1 Samuel Introduction
We are about to begin a study on 1 Samuel for our Wednesday night bible study. 1 Samuel is a phenomenal book that looks at the establishment of the monarch in Israel. The setting of 1 Samuel is a dark and depressing time, following the time of the Judges. The repeated phrase “In those days there was no king in Israel” (Jud 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, 21:25). However, the more bloodcurdling phrase that is uttered is, “everyone did what was right
Yet I Will Rejoice
Yet I Rejoice- Habakkuk 3:1-19 We come now to the last week in Habakkuk. It never ceases to amaze me when studying the scriptures, how rich and precious each book, verse, and even word is. The word truly is living and active (Heb 4:12). Habakkuk lived over 2,600 years ago, but his lament is still applicable to the people of God today. Habakkuk gives a glimpse into the life of a prophet. Not only does he proclaim the word of God
The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith
Habakkuk 2:2-20- God’s second response We have now read Habakkuk’s first lament (1:1-4) consisting of the question, why is there wickedness within Israel, and what are you going to do about it? God’s first response (1:5-11) consists of the confusing but straightforward answer, “I am raising up the wicked and evil nation of the Chaldeans.” Habakkuk is then driven to his second complaint (1:12-2:1) which asks the question, how can you solve injustice with injustice? You made a covenant with Israel
Are you Not from Everlasting?
Habakkuk 1:12-2:1- Habakkuk’s Second Complaint We have looked at Habakkuk and his first lament to God, how long will you let this injustice continue (Hab 1:1-4). God’s response is simple, I will deal with it suddenly and very soon (Hab 1:5). However, it was not in the way that Habakkuk thought he would handle it. God was raising up the unexpected nation of Chaldeans or the Babylonians. The Chaldeans were bitter, fierce, and impetuous (Hab 1:6). They will come through Judah
Look and See
Habakkuk 1:5-11 As we study the book of Habakkuk, we are reminded that God’s word is living and active. The book of Habakkuk written in a different language, culture, and time still teaches us about God and addresses many issues we see in our newsfeeds or headlines. Habakkuk, whose name means embrace or wrestler, wrestles with God through his complaints. He asks real questions, not only philosophical questions from a study but questions about the reality in the trenches. Habakkuk first
