Sermon Study Guide

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You Can Be Reconciled To God By Our Amazing Christ “Colossians: Together for Christ” Colossians 1:18-23

May 20, 2018 BIG IDEA Today Paul will tell us why Jesus is qualified to take us from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of light; from hopelessness to purpose; from hell to heaven. We can all be reconciled to God by our amazing Christ!

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: False teachers were minimizing the work of Jesus. In this section, Paul refuted them by teaching the proper doctrine of Christ. Within this passage we see that Jesus is the only Person that can reconcile us to God. Colossians 1:18-23 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.

MAIN IDEA Jesus is uniquely qualified for the role of reconciler because of his Reliability, Reach, the Ransom he paid, and his Resolute Protection of our faith.

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. Jesus is Qualified Because of His Reliability Colossians 1:18-19 - 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. Christ is the Head of the Church, the Firstborn from the Dead, and the One in which the fullness of God dwells. The Lord’ s resurrection defeated death and paved the way for believers to have eternal life through faith. Thus, he earned the right to have authority over the Church. Only God could have accomplished this. a. Do you think Jesus is pleased with the state of “His” Church (churches in general)? Why or why not? What can you do to help your local church become more like Jesus?

b. Why is it important to the future of America to have growing and healthy churches?

2. Jesus is Qualified Because of His Immeasurable Reach Colossians 1:21 - And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds… Though we were once alienated and hostile, while doing evil deeds, Jesus reached across the chasm and made reconciliation possible. Ephesians 2:12-13 states: Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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a. Do you remember a time when you were far away from God? What was that like? What is your personal story of how Jesus saved you?

b. Spend a few minutes praying. Thank God for his grace. Pray for others that don’t yet know Jesus.

3. Jesus is Qualified Because of the Ransom He Paid on the Cross Colossians 1:20, 22 - …and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross… 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. Because man was in slavery to sin, someone needed to pay the price to free us. Jesus gave his life as payment. This ransom frees all believers from the penalty of sin and death and took place through the work that Jesus did on the cross. His final sacrifice fulfilled the Old Testament sacrificial system and now we can be forgiven for sin, based on our trust in Jesus. All things can be reconciled through Jesus, including all creation. a. Given this passage, how would you explain to someone that Jesus is the only way to be saved?

b. Are you a Jesus follower? Did you know that this work of reconciliation applies to you? Now would be a good time to acknowledge your sin, repent, tell Jesus that you believe in him, and tell your group leader or a friend. You will be saved! You will never die! You will be reconciled to God!

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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4. Jesus is Qualified Because of His Resolute Protection of the Saints Colossians 1:23 - …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. This can be a confusing section because it seems to contradict the biblical doctrine of salvation by faith alone. “If indeed you continue in the faith” is the key phrase. The form of this phrase in Greek indicates that Paul fully expects that the Colossian believers will continue in the faith. The Lord is resolute to empower believers that walk in faith, based on the power that indwells us. a. Can you think of other scripture passages that talk about the power of God in you?

b. Do you believe that you are empowered by God to make a difference in your world? Why or why not?

PRAY Jesus, thank you for your amazing power of reconciliation. You are so good! Please help me to learn to trust you. I want to lean on you and not on my own ability to accomplish things. Be my all in all. Take away anything that stands in the way of total submission. Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week:  

The Power of the Blood of Jesus - Updated Edition: The Vital Role of Blood for Redemption, Sanctification, and Life - a book by Andrew Murray (Aneko Press) The Power of the Cross; Putting It To Work In Your Life - a book by Tony Evans (Moody)

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA Paul suffered to make these truths known – Colossians 1:24-29

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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