Monday, December 8, 2008

The Hope Held Out in the Gospel

. . . is immense beyond measurement.

Does this excite you as it should?
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

-- Colossians 1:15-23

2 comments:

must_decrease said...

Jared,

Let me be the first to say YES! I am just preparing to preach the last Sermon on the book of Colossians this Sunday at our plant. We have been 4 months in the book (since we launched) and even then we haven't fully plumbed the depths therein.

Do we talk of Christ like this? When we speak of Him to others are we as precise, magnifying and humble?

Anonymous said...

reconciled... peace... established and firm... hope.

these words are so very precious. thank you for sharing. i needed to be reminded of this today.