Sermons at Graham Emmanuel

Rooted in Christ | Colossians 2:7

Paul gives the mission statement of his letter in Colossians 2:6-7. While in Colossians 2:6 he urges the Colossians to walk in Christ in the same way they accepted Him, in Colossians 2:7 Paul describes specifically how they are to “walk in Christ.” Namely, by being “rooted,” “built up,” “established,” and “abounding in thanksgiving.”

Walk in Christ | Colossians 2:6

Paul begins the main body of his teaching in his letter to the Colossians by stating that, based on everything that he shared thus far about Christ and the Colossians’ belief in Him, that they should now live in a way that reflects that belief.  

Treasures Found in Christ | Colossians 2:3-5

To prevent the Colossians from being swayed from their firm faith and good order by worldly ideology, reminds them that all that there is to learn and grow in spiritually can be found in Christ. In doing so, Paul reminds Christians today of the centrality of Christ, not just in salvation, but in the entire process of spiritual growth. 

Paul’s Struggle for the Colossians | Colossians 2:1-2

Paul explains his own struggle to present believers as mature in Christ, specifically that the Colossians and Laodiceans will be spiritually encouraged, united in love, certain in what they know, and have a knowing relationship with Christ. In doing so, Paul sets a blueprint for the goal of all church members.

Present Everyone Mature in Christ | Colossians 1:28-29

Paul ends chapter one of his letter to the Colossians by describing the kind of strenuous work that should be done by all Christians for the sake of presenting each other mature in Christ. Find out how this impacts the way Christians should serve each other in the family and the local church.

The Mystery Hidden for Ages | Colossians 1:26-27

Paul describes his ministry as one which involves a “mystery.” That is, Paul says that the Church is now functioning in a new phase of God’s plan to fix a broken world, a plan that includes all people, including Gentiles, and is accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Suffering for the Church | Colossians 1:23-24

After teaching on Christ and the Gospel, Paul begins to describe his personal spiritual journey to the Colossians by describing his suffering as service for their sake, and in imitation of Christ’s suffering. This provides a good example of how Christians should serve each other the way Christ served the Church on the Cross.

Continue in the Faith | Colossians 1:23

Paul makes a stunning statement about salvation. After saying that Christ reconciled believers in His flesh even while they were being estranged from Him and hostile in mind in vs. 21-22, Paul then states that believers will only stand before God as “holy and blameless” if they continue in the faith. Find out what Paul means by that and what it says about salvation by grace alone through faith alone.

Reconcile All Things to Himself | Colossians 1:21-22

Paul ends this ancient hymn on the doctrine of Christ by proclaiming the Son of God as not just the cause of creation and the Church, but also the cause of reconciliation between sinful creation and a holy God by being the dwelling place of God and the sacrifice by which peace was restored between God and His enemies.

Reconcile All Things to Himself | Colossians 1:19-20

Paul ends this ancient hymn on the doctrine of Christ by proclaiming the Son of God as not just the cause of creation and the Church, but also the cause of reconciliation between sinful creation and a holy God by being the dwelling place of God and the sacrifice by which peace was restored between God and His enemies.