COLOSSIANS 1 - THE SUPREME CHRIST

 

COLOSSIANS 1 is clear: to exalt Christ as supreme and sufficient in all things.

1. Faith, Love, and Hope in Christ (1:1–8)

Paul begins by thanking God for the Colossians’:

• Faith in Christ
• Love for all the saints
• Hope laid up in heaven

These virtues flow from the true gospel, which is bearing fruit worldwide.

A healthy church grows when the gospel is rightly understood and lived out.

2. Paul’s Prayer: Growing in Christ (1:9–14)

Paul prays not for comfort, but for spiritual maturity:

• Knowledge of God’s will
• Wisdom and understanding
• A life worthy of the Lord
• Strength with endurance and patience
• Gratitude to God

God has:

• Rescued us from darkness
• Transferred us into Christ’s kingdom
• Redeemed and forgiven us

Christian growth is about knowing Christ deeply and walking in His will.

3. The Supremacy of Christ (1:15–20)

This is one of the strongest Christological passages in Scripture.

Christ is:

• The image of the invisible God
• Firstborn over all creation (supreme, not created)
• Creator of all things
• Before all things
• Head of the church
• The fullness of God
• The reconciler of all things through the cross

Jesus is not part of creation—He is Lord over creation.

 

4. Reconciled by Christ’s Death (1:21–23)

Once alienated and hostile, believers are now:

• Reconciled
• Made holy
• Presented blameless before God

This reconciliation calls believers to continue in faith, grounded in the gospel.

Salvation transforms our identity and calls us to perseverance.

 

5. Paul’s Ministry: Christ in You (1:24–29)

Paul rejoices in suffering because his mission is to proclaim:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

His goal is to:

• Present every believer mature in Christ
• Labor by God’s power working in him

The Christian life is Christ living in us, producing eternal hope.

 

LET US REFLECT AND ASK OURSELVES:

1. Is Christ truly supreme in my life?

Not just Savior—but Lord over my decisions, priorities, and identity?

 Colossians 1:18 – “That in all things He may have the preeminence.”

 

2. Am I growing in knowledge and obedience?

Do I seek God’s will daily, or settle for shallow faith?

Colossians 1:10 – “Walk worthy of the Lord… increasing in the knowledge of God.”

 

3. Do I live with gratitude for redemption?

I was rescued from darkness—do I live as one who is free?

Colossians 1:13–14 - 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, [3] the forgiveness of sins.

4. Is “Christ in me” visible to others?

Does my life reflect hope, holiness, and perseverance?

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which [4] is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

5. Am I committed to spiritual maturity?

Christian life is not just beginning well, but finishing faithful.

Colossians 1:28 – “That we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are supreme over all creation and Lord of my life.
Help me to grow in knowing You, walking worthy of You,
and living out the hope of glory that dwells within me.
Be preeminent in all things. Amen.

 

EPHESIANS 5 - BE IMITATORS OF GOD

 

EPHESIANS 5 calls believers to live as imitators of God, walking in love, light, and wisdom. Paul shows how a Christ-centered life transforms personal holiness, relationships, and especially marriage, reflecting Christ’s love for the Church.

1. BE THE LOVE (5:1–7)
Believers are urged to imitate God by living in sacrificial love, following Christ’s example. Sinful behaviors are to be abandoned because they do not reflect God’s kingdom.

 “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.” (5:2)

Love is not just a feeling—it is a choice to live sacrificially. Ask: Do my words and actions reflect Christ’s love?

2. BE THE LIGHT (5:8–14)
Believers, once in darkness, are now light in the Lord. Their lives should expose darkness by producing goodness, righteousness, and truth.

 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” (5:8)

A changed identity should result in a changed lifestyle. Our lives become a testimony when we walk in the light.

3. BE SPIRIT-FILLED (5:15–21)

Believers are instructed to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity. Being filled with the Spirit shapes worship, gratitude, and mutual submission.

 “Be filled with the Spirit.” (5:18)

Spiritual wisdom flows from a Spirit-filled life. What fills your heart will guide your decisions.

4. BE CHRIST-CENTERED (SUBMISSIVE) (5:22–33)
Marriage is portrayed as a living picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Wives are called to respectful submission, and husbands to self-sacrificial love, modeled after Christ.

 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” (5:25)

Biblical marriage is about serving, not controlling. Love and respect flourish when both partners reflect Christ’s humility.

LET US REFLECT

1. Am I living as an imitator of God?
2. Do my choices reflect light or darkness?
3. Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my daily life?
4. Does my marriage or relationships reflect Christ’s love?

 

A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE PRODUCES HOLY LIVING AND CHRISTLIKE RELATIONSHIPS.

Ephesians 1 - IN CHRIST

 

Ephesians 1 reveals God’s eternal plan of salvation and the believer’s identity in Christ. Paul begins by praising God for the spiritual blessings believers already possess—not because of works, but because they are “in Christ.”

The chapter emphasizes who God is, what He has done, and who we are now as believers.

1. Do I live daily aware that I am chosen and adopted by God? (1:1–6)

Believers were chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and adopted as His children. This choice is rooted in God’s love and grace, not human merit.

 “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” (1:4)

We are not an afterthought. Our life has eternal purpose. Knowing we are chosen gives security, humility, and gratitude—security in God’s love, humility because it is by grace, and gratitude because it is undeserved.

 

2.           Am I resting in Christ’s complete forgiveness? (1:7–10)

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers receive redemption and forgiveness. God reveals His mystery: to unite all things in Christ, restoring what sin has broken.

 “In Him we have redemption through His blood…” (1:7)

Forgiveness is not cheap—it was paid for by Christ’s blood. When guilt returns, remember that redemption is complete, not partial. Christ restores both our past and our future.

 

3. Do I live as an heir of the Lord and Hope for what is to come? (1:11–14)

Believers are God’s inheritance and also heirs with Christ. The Holy Spirit seals us as a guarantee of what is to come.

 “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (1:13)

The Holy Spirit is God’s assurance that He will finish what He started in you. Even when circumstances shake you, your salvation remains secure.

 

4. Do I seek spiritual insight as much as practical help? (1:15–19)

Paul prays not for material blessings, but for spiritual revelation—that believers may know:

• The hope of God’s calling
• The riches of His inheritance
• The greatness of His power

 “That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened…” (1:18)

Many believers possess spiritual riches but live unaware of them. Ask God not just for help, but for understanding of what you already have in Christ.

 

5. Do we live a life reigned by Christ who has supreme authority? (1:20–23)

God raised Christ from the dead and placed Him above all authority, power, and dominion. The Church is Christ’s body, expressing His fullness on earth.

 “He put all things under His feet…” (1:22)

No power—spiritual, political, or personal—is above Christ. When fear rises, remember who reigns. As His body, the Church is called to live under His authority and reflect His glory.

 

GALATIANS 5 - LIVING IN LIBERTY

 

Galatians 5

Paul calls believers to stand firm in freedom, warns against legalism, and teaches how true freedom is expressed—by walking in the Spirit, not the flesh.

1.       PROTECT OUR FREEDOM/LIBERTY v:1–6

• Christ set us free—not to return to bondage.
• Accepting circumcision as a requirement means:
• Obligation to keep the whole Law
• Falling away from grace (not loss of salvation, but abandoning grace as a principle)

Adding works to faith nullifies grace.

2.       A LITTLE LEAVEN – A WARNING v:7–12

• False teachers hindered their obedience to truth.
• Legalism spreads like leaven.
• Paul speaks strongly because the gospel is at stake.

A little false teaching can corrupt the whole church.

 

3.       LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW v 5:13–15

• Freedom is not license to sin.
• The Law is fulfilled in one command:

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

True freedom serves others in love.

 

4.       WALKING IN THE SPIRIT v:16–18

• Flesh and Spirit are in conflict.
• Walking in the Spirit keeps believers from gratifying sinful desires.

Victory over sin comes from Spirit-led living, not rule-keeping.

 

5.       FLESH VS FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Fruit is produced, not forced.

 

6.       LIVING A CRUCIFIED LIFE (V:24–26)

• Believers have crucified the flesh with its passions.
• We must keep in step with the Spirit.

The Christian life is lived daily by surrender.

GALATIANS 4 - LIVING AS GOD’S CHILDREN

 

GALATIANS 4

 Paul explains that believers are no longer slaves under the Law but sons and heirs through Christ, and he warns the Galatians not to return to bondage.

1.       PAUL’S TEACHING

We are Heirs, Not Slaves (v:1–7)

• Before Christ, God’s people were like minors—heirs, but not yet free.
• Purpose: to redeem and to adopt us as sons.

Our relationship with God is based on adoption, not obligation.

 

2.       PAUL’S WARNING

 Do Not Return to Bondage (v:8–11)

• Turning back to the Law is like returning to pagan slavery.
• Observing days, months, seasons, and years as a requirement for salvation is bondage.

Religion without Christ leads back to slavery.

 

3. PAUL’S APPEAL (v:12–20)

• Paul reminds them of their former love and care for him.
• He expresses deep concern and spiritual anguish.

“Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” v:16

Truth spoken in love is still truth.

 

4. PAUL’S POINT

Born of the Promise, Not the Flesh (V:21–31)

·       Hagar = Mount Sinai = slavery = flesh

·       Sarah = promise = freedom = Spirit

 Isaac represents life in the Spirit (promise); Ishmael represents human effort (flesh).

 

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOUT EARNING GOD’S FAVOR, BUT LIVING AS GOD’S CHILDREN.

Galatians 1 - TRUE GOSPEL

 

Galatians 1 is Paul’s passionate defense of the true gospel of grace. He confronts a dangerous problem in the church: believers were turning away from the gospel of Christ and adding human requirements to salvation. Paul reminds them that the gospel comes from God alone, not from human approval or tradition.

 

1. There Is Only One True Gospel

 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.” v:6–7

Paul is shocked because the Galatians were abandoning grace for a distorted gospel.
Any message that adds works to faith, or replaces Christ with rules, is not good news at all.

 Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

 

2. False Gospels Bring Serious Consequences

 “If we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you… let him be accursed.” v:8–9

Paul speaks strongly because the gospel is not a suggestion — it is the way of life.
Even spiritual-sounding messages can be false if they shift trust away from Christ.

Truth is not determined by popularity, charisma, or experience — but by God’s Word.

 

3. The Gospel Comes from God, Not Man

 “The gospel which was preached by me is not according to man… but through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” v:11–12

Paul did not invent the gospel, nor did he receive it to please people.
His authority came from Jesus Himself.

 When God calls, approval from people becomes secondary.

 

4. A Changed Life Is Evidence of God’s Grace

Paul recalls his past as a persecutor of the church — and how God radically changed him. v:13–16

No one is too far gone for grace

God doesn’t call the qualified — He qualifies the called

Grace doesn’t just forgive — it transforms.

 

Let us ask ourselves:

Am I living by grace — or trying to earn what God already gave?

It warns us to be discerning in what we hear and believe. Not every message that sounds spiritual leads to freedom. The true gospel humbles us, frees us, and fixes our eyes on Christ alone.

·       When grace is removed, Christianity becomes heavy.

·       When grace is restored, faith becomes alive.