Colossians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.
He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
Isn't that a great photo? It's not Colossae, Turkey. (Ephesus - is the photo.) Because Colossae is not really interested in having archaeological studies done.
Suffering. People are not for suffering. People are not really interested in signing up for suffering.
It's not really a good sales pitch. People worry that the 10 Disciples died horribly and this is the path we have chosen. People worry being Christian is speaking up and pointing a finger with wicked backlash.
Why did these dusty roads have the long robed types heading out to point more fingers and make arrows fly, crosses, beheadings and shipwrecks with imprisonment as the Pension and Benefits?
We have seen Notre Dame burn. And we will live to see France stand to build Notre Dame again. We saw the faithful take to the streets to sing for the beauty and Love creating this centuries old Cathedral and centuries to refine the building, 1163–1345 A.D., as well. The world and the reflection of Jesus Christ in mankind, want Notre Dame to rise.
Jesus is the exact representation of His Father. Entrusted. Elevated. The Old Testament calls Jesus His Fathers "Delight."
The Loss of Notre Dame is a new and raw scar. The reverse was happening in the world on fire to learn more about Jesus who frightens the Emperor of Rome and the miracles the happened and happened and happened. Slaves were considered human. Written of in Philippians. Women join Jesus in ministry and are allowed to talk to Jesus as if they matter. Widows receive their sons back from the dead instead of being impoverished and disregarded.
Ian Wilson writes in Jesus: The Evidence of the letter available today, Ian Wilson records a letter from a Jewish rabbi, of Lyracanthra, saying it would be the end of Judaism because of the incredible miracles of healing, restoration, life transformation and complete hope. These are letters confirming the Gospels show the Rabbi to be extremely unhappy. Josephus, the Israeli General turned traitor, turned Historian says Jesus was the Christ and his brother James formed the later Christian Church until martyred in 62 AD. Incredible. Jews believed the miracles that would not cease even when the Disciples were without Jesus - would end the Temple for everyone calling on Jesus Christ.
What was going on all over the Mediterranean to make these Christians Love Jesus?
Make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
He is the image of the invisible God
The Word of Truth.
in everything Jesus is preeminent.
Proverbs 8 does not just tell us Jesus is His Father's "Delight." Proverbes 8 tells us God's Son is Delighted with the Master Workmanship of God's Magnificence. Now this trails along into words merely becoming poet and grand. Jesus is saying as God's Son - Jesus is going to do everything God His Father can do. Will do. Wants to do. Jesus is thrilled to be God's Representative. Jesus is going to - walk on water.
Jesus takes men who are blind and they see. This is the letter of the Rabbi of Lyracantha. This is the discovery of John living on Patmos - of his first disciple (John's own disciples):
AD 110 by Polycarp. Polycarp was a disciple of the beloved disciple John while he was an inhabitant of the Island of Patmos.
Bishop Papias evidence alone is compelling. Bishop Papias went to Judea to speak to those healed by Jesus during the first century. But a chronology of the generations John to Polycarp, then Irenaeus - his is the letter displayed below. Irenaeus was the Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul. The three bishops succinctly form a historical chain.
Abba, Our Father, Our Father, Our Father,
Jesus is the Fullness You have Given Your Son. Jesus represents the Willingness of You to hear and Love and heal and be with us to strengthen us in difficult times. Like Paul in what is believed to be his hurt and arthritic knees - unwilling to be still.
The First Century world was knocked to their knees, the gods had been indifferent. Our Father God would heal today. Give today. Listen today. Not based upon our ability to point fingers, but upon the Goodness of God of Love, God of Encouragement for You to encourage and strengthen. Amazing Acts of God.
The Astonishing Son of God said we are invited to ask You for what we need and want asking more Heaven on earth. For Families, for Marriages. For the future to look promising. For Cancer to leave those we love. For healing for small children and doctors who gave comfort. To do the work of believing, to look for the solutions God provides and ask with FAITH.
You are the God of Your Word and Promises. God of Love. We will dwell securely knowing You provide for us and are the Light of the world and the Light of mankind.
You are God. Life. God is for Living.
We thank You in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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