Colossians

1. Brethren • Colossians 1:1-2

 “Brethren” • Colossians 1:1-2 
In this introductory message to Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians, Elder Bryce shows how Paul introduces the main theme of his letter by using the word “brother” and “brethren” in the opening verses. The heresies at Colossae have only one solution. That solution is giving all glory to God for salvation and living in thankfulness by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sermon was preached on March 13, 2022

2. Thanksgiving • Colossians 1:3-8

“Thanksgiving” • Colossians 1:3-8
In the second sermon of this series, Elder Bryce explains the different things that Paul thanks God for. Upon hearing of the behavior of the brethren at the church in Colossae from Epaphras, the Apostle Paul thanks God for their faith in Jesus Christ which is exhibited in their love for their fellow saints of God. Paul further thanks God for the hope of eternal joy that is promised to God’s children, and is secure in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

3. Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians • Colossians 1:9-14

“Paul’s Prayer for the Colossians” • Colossians 1:9-14
Paul prays for three things for these brethren and they all relate to the mind. He prays for their knowledge of God to increase, their walk to be led by wisdom, and their minds to be knit together with the mind of Chris. He prays this so that they would would glorify God even more in their daily walk. The more we know about Who God is and how much He has blessed us by His grace, the more we are moved to love out of thankfulness.

4. The Preeminence of Christ in Creation • Colossians 1:15-17

“The Preeminence of Christ in Creation” • Colossians 1:15-17
Jesus Christ is the Creator God Who made and sustains all things by the word of His power. Not only did He make all things, He made all things for Himself. Therefore, Jesus deserves all the praise of every man.

5. The Preeminence of Christ in His Church • Colossians 1:18-23

“The Preeminence of Christ in His Church” • Colossians 1:18-23
Christ is the head of the church because He died for the elect of God. He has the preeminence in the local church because His resurrection is the power that will raise His people from the dead and fuels their faith to be able to believe the gospel.
This message was preached on April 10, 2022.

6. The Preeminence of Christ’s Church • Colossians 1:24-29

“The Preeminence of Christ’s Church” • Colossians 1:24-29
Elder Bryce continues the series of messages on Paul’s letter to the Colossians church. This message shows that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important organization on earth because it is the method whereby God reveals everything we need to know about Him, ourselves, and salvation.

7. When Church Works • Colossians 2:1-5

“When Church Works” • Colossians 2:1-5
When the pastor that the Lord has chosen to feed His flock faithfully delivers the whole counsel of God, and when the congregation responds in thankful obedience, the glory of the perfect and finished work of Christ is revealed. God is greatly praised. And the church members grow closer together in the riches of the full assurance of salvation.

8. How Do We Receive Christ? • Colossians 2:6

Colossians 8 “How Do We Receive Christ?” Colossians 2:6 • How do we receive Christ? How a person answers that question greatly affects how they walk in Christ. If salvation be by man’s will or works, then our continued works are the grounds for our justification before a Holy God. However, if salvation is by grace plus nothing, then we are secure in the finished work of Christ. God gets all the glory for salvation, and we can walk in humble obedience out of just pure thankfulness.

9. Boasting IN Jesus Christ • Colossians 2:6-23

Colossians 9 “Boasting in ” Colossians 2:6-23 • Elder Bryce Lowrance Since we are saved by the finished work of Jesus Christ plus nothing, we are able to walk in obedience to God out of pure thankfulness. In this portion of the letter, the Apostle Paul expounds upon the many ways that we are IN Christ, WITH Christ, and TOGETHER WITH Christ. All of these statements build a beautiful doxology of praise for our successful Redeemer!

10. What Is Your Passion? • Colossians 3:1-13

Colossians 10 • “What Is Your Passion?” Colossians 3:1-13 – Elder Bryce Lowrance Since we have been raised to newness of life by the power of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, we are now dead to the power of sin. Further, we have been called and given power to live a different lifestyle than before. Our old man loves itself and wants to please itself. We are called to put off the old man and put on the new man that seeks to love and help others.

11. Put on Charity • Colossians 3:12-14

Colossians 11 • “Put on Charity • Colossians 3:12-14 – Elder Bryce H. Lowrance Colossians, Chapter 3 teaches that the logical response to God’s grace in our lives is to transform every aspect of our lives to be more like Jesus Christ in our daily walk. After the Apostle Paul instructs about what behaviors we should should cease, he gives us Godly behaviors that we should pursue every day. Ultimately, Paul shows us that we are to work toward pure charity in our behavior. Charity is love in action purely for the benefit of someone else with no regard to what we receive in return.

12. The Peace of God • Colossians 3:15

Colossians 12 • The Peace of God • Colossians 3:15 – Elder Bryce H. Lowrance In order for the peace of God to rule in our hearts, we must first know how the peace of God got into our hearts. The doctrine of grace tells us the the finished work of Jesus Christ from election to glorification is the source and sustainer of peace between the elect and God. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit and so is therefore given to us in the new birth. In order for that peace to be the ruling factor in our lives, we must believe the gospel in sincerity. When we do, we grow closer together in the church and, even though the world may crumble around us, we can have peace and live and worship in thankfulness.

13. Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly • Colossians 3:16

Colossians 13 • Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly • Colossians 3:16 – Elder Bryce H. Lowrance Paul’s charge to us in Colossians, Chapter 3 is to live our lives like the born-again children we are. I order to do this, we must put away the desires of the things of the world and live our lives in charity for others. This behavior is blessed by the peace of God. But how do we become more devoted in this endeavor? Paul says that the word of Christ should dwell in us, and the key to making that happen is the singing of quality hymns that are filled with the wisdom of the Bible. 

14. How Do We Seek Those Things Which Are Above? • Colossians 3:17-4:1

Colossians 14 • How Do We Seek Those Things Which Are Above? • Colossians 3:17-4:1 – Elder Bryce Lowrance Oftentimes, preachers call on us to follow Christ, turn to God, or seek the kingdom of God first but we are left wondering how exactly we are to do that. The Apostle Paul answers that question in very simple terms. The first half of Colossians, Chapter three tells us that we need to stop living like the world and start acting like Christ. The latter part of the chapter applies those same principles to God’s design for the family and how we should conduct ourselves in business. God, in the new birth, has made it possible for us to live like His children. It is our personal responsibility to do so.

15. Prayer: The Powerhouse of the Church • Colossians 4:2-4

Colossians 15 • Prayer: The Powerhouse of the Church • Colossians 4:2-4 – Elder Bryce Lowrance A praying church is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Prayer is the battering-ram of the church that calls upon God to break open the very gates of hell so that they cannot stand against the church. Paul calls upon all churches to be continually in prayer. Watching for needs in their community and looking for answered prayers. All the while, the supplications of the church should be mingled with praise and thanksgiving.

16. How Do We Pray for the Ministry? • Colossians 4:2-4

Colossians 16 • How Do We Pray for the Ministry? • Colossians 4:2-4 – Elder Bryce Lowrance Continuing on the theme from the previous message that prayer is the powerhouse of the church, Elder Lowrance teaches how we should be praying for our ministers to have opportunities to share the gospel and be blessed to share it effectively. The focus of our prayers should be the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ in our communities.

17. The W’s of Evangelism • Colossians 4:5-6

The W’s of Evangelism • Colossians 4:5-6 – Elder Bryce Lowrance After Paul teaches the church to pray for an open door for him to ably preach the gospel, he instructs the church how its members ought to live their daily lives. They are to act as God’s children toward them that are WITHOUT the church. In doing this, they are to WALK in WISDOM with their words being WITH grace, seasoned WITH salt. They are to make the most of every moment to glorify God and promote the kingdom of Christ.

18. Paul’s Fellows • Colossians 4:7-18

Paul’s Fellows • Colossians 4:7-18 – Elder Bryce Lowrance – In this concluding message from his series on Colossians, Elder Lowrance tells us about Paul’s companions in ministry. These men are “fellows” of all sorts. They are Fellow-Laborers, Fellow-Ministers, Fellow-Servants, and Fellow-Prisoners. These types of relationships are vital to proper church doctrine because FELLOWSHIP is the key that binds churches together.