"New Life, New Self"

Background Information:

Recipient: The Church at Colossae (Which is in Modern day Turkey)

Author: There is no doubt, this letter was written by the Apostle Paul

Date: Between 52 and 62 AD, most likely written while Paul was in prison in Rome.

Occasion: Paul does not want the Colossian Chruch to fall away from the Gospel they had recieved from Epaphras. Paul does not want them to be deceived by false teaching.

Theme: 

Paul teaches us that those who are in Christ must live different lives compared to the world them.

Divisions of the Text:

1. Put on Grace and Peace (vv. 1-2)

2. Put on Faith, Love, and Hope (vv. 3-8)

3. Put on Redemption (vv. 9-14)

Quotes by William Hendrikson:

“Saints are those who by the Lord have been set apart to glorify him. They are the consecrated ones…whose task it is to proclaim God’s excellencies.”

"Christian Hope is not mere wishing. It is a fervent yearning, confident expectation and patient waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promises, a full Christ centered assurance that these promises will indeed be realized. It is a living and sanctifying force."

Application Questions:

So Ask yourself:

1. What sins and despair have I neglected to take off?

2. What sins am I holding on to? What sins am I refusing to kill?

3. If someone were investigating my life, would there be enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian?

4. Do I love the church and its people?

5. Am I satisfied with the way I am living, in the light of God’s great rescue of my soul?