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And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven.
And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.Colossians 1:20, 21
Read: Colossians 1:9-23
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Colossians 1:9-23
1. Verse 19 speaks of that which pleases the Father. If we would know God, we must study to know what pleases him. In Colossians we are learning many things about Jesus our Savior, concerning his position and power. In relation to these things, what pleases the Father?
2. What is meant by “all fullness” dwells in Christ? Colossians 2:9
3. What is the benefit to believers due to the fullness of Christ?
John 1:16
NOTE: “grace for grace” – Grace piled upon grace in the experience of the Christian life. We are able to go to him for all that grace that we are in need of for every occasion.
Ephesians 1:22, 23
Ephesians 3:19
4. How did Christ make peace? v 20a
5. Before Christ made peace, what was the condition of every man that has ever lived?
Ephesians 4:18
6. What is the beginning of the peace that Christ made? Colossians 1:14
7. How does the peace that Christ made continue in our lives after we have received the forgiveness for our sins?
Romans 5:1, 2
Galatians 5:22, 23
Philippians 4:7
II Corinthians 10:4, 5
8. Explain how the peace that Christ offers can be received. Romans 5:1a
9. What will be the final fulfillment of the peace that Christ has made? v 20b
I Corinthians 15:25
10. What is the condition of every person before they are reconciled to Christ? v 21
NOTE: “being alienated” – This is not a feeling on the part of the sinner, but it is an objective determination by God, an exclusion from God’s favor, from the kingdom of his Son
11. According to Ephesians 2:12, list 4 things that were we alienated from, when we were
without Christ?
12. Use the following verses to explain the idea of a mind or thought-life that is an enemy to God.
Romans 8:7, 8
Philippians 3:18
Ephesians 2:3
Ephesians 4:18
13. Again we are reminded in verse 21, that though we were the enemies of God, fighting against him and his kingdom, yet he has _________________________us to himself.
14. What are we reminded in verse 22, is the means by which our reconciliation to God is
made possible?
15. Using Hebrews 2:14-18, which expands for us so that we can better understand “the
body of his flesh through death” being our reconciliation, explain in your own words
why Jesus needed to take a human body to bring us salvation
16. What was Jesus’ purpose in reconciling us unto God? v 22 b
17. What is necessary to benefit from all that Christ Jesus has done for us? v 23a
NOTE: “the faith” – This is NOT having “a faith,” or being people “of faith,” as is commonly spoken of in our culture. Instead, Paul is speaking of a particular body of doctrine.
18. Use Jude 3 to explain what ‘the faith” is.
19. What are the Colossian Christians told to avoid? v 23