Kress Biblical Resources :: Intercession / Edification: Encouragement through Thanksgiving and Prayer for Those in Christ (Col 1:3-14)

Detailed Outline of Colossians

Completeness in Christ Guards Against the Counterfeits of Mysticism, Legalism, and Traditionalism

2. Intercession/Edification: Encouragement through thanksgiving and prayer for those in Christ (Col 1:3-14)
   1. Paul thanked God for the Colossians’ faith: Completeness in Christ begins with true conversion (Col 1:3-8)
      1. He verified that they evidenced true conversion (Col 1:3-5a)
         1. The evidence of true conversion compels godly ministers of the gospel to thank God for His saving work—Is that true of your life? (Col 1:3)
            1. Paul and Timothy consistently gave thanks for the Colossian believers (Col 1:3a)
            2. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ was the One to be thanked [The true God was the source of their conversion/salvation] (Col 1:3b)
         2. True conversion is evidenced by faith in Christ Jesus—Do others “hear” of your faith and see it?] (Col 1:4a)
         3. True conversion is evidenced by love for other believers—Is that evidenced in your life? (Col 1:4b)
         4. True conversion is evidenced as springing from the promised hope of perfect intimacy with God—Do our goals evidence such hope? (Col 1:5a)
      2. He verified that their conversion was based on the true gospel (Col 1:5b-8)
         1. The true gospel is a message of hope and “the word of truth” (Col 1:5b-6a)
            1. It is a message of hope
            2. It is a message of truth
            3. It is a message of good news preached
         2. The true gospel of grace changes lives [bears fruit] wherever it is received (Col 1:6)
            1. In all the world (it is a universal gospel)
            2. In you also (it is a personal gospel)
            3. Through hearing and understanding the grace of God in truth
         3. The true gospel is proclaimed by faithful servants of Christ (Col 1:7-8)
            1. Epaphras was a beloved, fellow-slave [a respected fellow-worker with Paul]
            2. Epaphras was a faithful minister in regard to the Apostolic message
            3. Epaphras was convinced of the Colossians’ conversion as evidenced by love (Col 1:8)
   2. Paul prayed for the Colossians growth: Completeness in Christ is experienced through living in light of God’s revealed will (Col 1:9-14)
      1. The cause and commitment of their intercession: Paul and his associates consistently prayed for the Colossians as believers (Col 1:9a)
         1. The reason for their prayers was the evidence of conversion
         2. The people who prayed
         3. The consistency of their prayers
      2. The content of their intercession: Paul and his associates consistently prayed for the spiritual growth of the Colossians as believers (Col 1:9b-14)
         1. True spiritual growth begins with the knowledge of God’s will (Col 1:9b)
            1. That you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
            2. In all spiritual wisdom and understanding
         2. The true knowledge of God’s will leads to a life conducted in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col 1:10-14)
            1. A desire to please Him in all respects (Col 1:10b)
            2. Bearing fruit in every good work (Col 1:10c)
            3. Increasing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10d)
            4. Walking in God’s strength, which results in perseverance and patience (Col 1:11a)
            5. Joyously giving thanks to God (Col 1:11b-14)
               1. Because He makes us righteous/worthy: He qualified us for the inheritance of the saints in Light (Col 1:12)
               2. Because He has given us a new citizenship in the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:13)
               3. Because He has forgiven and redeemed us in Christ (Col 1:14)