10/9/18 TREASURE BLOG 1 - TREASURE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT (COLOSSIANS 1:1-2)

THIS BLOG CONTAINS:

• Community group/family study
• Daily bible studies 
• You can listen to all the messages at:  Click this link to audio content
• For more information visit www.communitychurchputney.com

SERIES INTRODUCTION

Although the book of Colossians only contains only four chapters, it is packed full of riches. It is a book about the glory of Christ. It’s a grand vision that every Christian in every generation needs to hear. We are all tempted to make lesser things than Christ our true treasure. This is to His dishonour and our loss. Even good things like family and friendship are not the true treasure, but are kept in their right place as we exalt Jesus in our hearts and minds. 

The title of this series is Treasure. It comes from Paul’s words, 

‘Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.’ (Colossians 2:3-4)

God wants to teach us to set our hearts and lives upon true treasure – upon Christ.
Curtis Vaughan summarises Jesus' glory in Colossians,

‘Colossians proclaims the absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ (1:18; 2:9; 3:11)… it is a ‘full-length portrait of Christ’. He is God’s son (1:14), the object of the Christian’s faith (1:4), the redeemer (1:14), the image of God (1:15), Lord of creation (1:15), head of the church (1:18), reconciler of the universe (1:20).  In him dwells the fullness of the Godhead (2:9), and under him every power and authority in the universe is subjected (2:10). He is the essence of the mystery of God (2:3), and in him all God’s treasures of wisdom and knowledge lie hidden (2:3). He is the standard by which all religious teaching is to be measured (2:8), and the reality o f the truth foreshadowed by the regulations and rituals of the old covenant (2:17). By the cross he conquered the cosmic powers of evil (2:15), and following his resurrection he was enthroned at the right hand of God (3:1). Our life now lies hidden with God in Christ, but one day both he and we will be gloriously manifested (3:3-4). In short, the central thought of the Epistle is summed up in the lines of Charles Wesley’s hymn:

Though, O Christ, art all I want,

More than all in thee I find.’ 

Perhaps you are new to Christianity, perhaps you are not yet a believer, maybe you’ve been a Christian for many years; this book has something to say to all of us. I pray that God would speak to all of our hearts for our joy and His glory as we dig deeply into this book together. 

COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY 1

COLOSSIANS 1:1-2 TREASURE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT

When an artist sets about creating a portrait, they will seek, through their art, to present the attributes of the person they are portraying. In 1954 Graham Sutherland was commissioned to paint Winston Churchill, it was to be presented to him on his 80th birthday. Churchill hated how he had been depicted. Sutherlands’ more modern approach dispensed with a glorious depiction of an ageing demigod and presented him in stark reality. Lady Churchill had the painting destroyed, along with a number of other portraits in order to keep her husband from distress. 

What is God’s portrait of you? Colossians is principally a grand vision of Christ but it begins by saying something about ordinary Christians. 

Read Colossians 1:1-2

i) A Portrait of Paul

·     What leadership gift does Paul have and and how did he receive this ministry? 

·     What does Acts 9:1-7, 13-18 say about how Paul is converted and appointed for ministry? 

ii) A Brief Sketch of Timothy 

·     How is Timothy described and what does this imply about the nature of our relationships within the church? 

iii) A Painting of the Church

Paul, finally, gives us an image of the church. Discuss what is meant by each of the following things that Paul says about the church. 

·     God’s Holy People

·     Faithful brothers and sisters

·     We have grace and Peace

·      God is our Father

Response

Let’s treasure and admire the portrait that God has painted of us. How do you or can you do this? What bible texts do you find helpful in this regard? 

DAILY DEVOTIONAL WEEK 1

COLOSSIANS 1:1-2 TREASURE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT

MONDAY – SEEK TO BE A PORTRAIT OF CHRIST

Paul, an apostle of Christ… (Colossians 1:1a)

Paul opens his letter with a reminder that he is an apostle (a sent one) of Christ Jesus. He represents Jesus. In all his actions Paul is constantly asking if this or that will please the Lord. Paul wants to look like Jesus as much as possible; it was Paul’s ambition that when one saw his manner of life and his goals that they see what Jesus is like as far as that is possible. Paul could say,

1 Corinthians 11:1 ‘Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.’

1 Corinthians 4:16-17‘I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 

Paul says that he sought to ‘imitate Christ’and that his way of life was ‘in Christ’, it was conformed to be like Jesus. Therefore, he could say ‘imitate me’. In these verses Paul says he ‘sent Timothy’, he is Paul’s ‘sent one’. He tells them that Timothy will, by his teaching and example show what Paul is like.  

We are not apostles, but we are all ‘sent ones’ who represent Jesus in the world. For many people outside the church we may be the only Christian they know and the closest thing to Jesus that they will see! Paul also wrote,

Philippians 2:14-16Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

As we seek to be like Christ through His word we will ‘shine among them like stars’ – we show Jesus. 

RESPONSE

Let’s make it our ambition and prayer to know who we belong to and who we represent. Perhaps you would like to pray for yourself and your church that, by the Spirit and His word, He would mature and purify us into His image.

TUESDAY – THE PORTRAIT OF GRACE

Colossians 1:1aPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God

Many institutions will have portraits of the founders set on the walls.  These are designed to remind us of its past, it’s purpose and provide inspiration toward similar noble characteristics. The first apostles are founders of the faith - on which he church is built – they wrote the New Testament scriptures on which the church stands. One of these founders’ portraits is Paul. His image reminds us that the church is built on the grace of God to sinners. Paul wrote of himself,

1 Tim. 1:12-17I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

When Paul looked in the mirror he saw a portrait of grace. Portraits are often constructed to cause our eye to be drawn toward the focal point; Paul’s portrait is set to draw our eyes to the cross. Paul gives hope to all because, as he says, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.’. 

RESPONSE

We can all paint an inaccurate portrait of ourselves - we are good and don’t need the cross, we are too bad for even the cross to save… We can paint an inaccurate portrait of the successful Christian – he or she is active in this or that exploit, never struggles with this or that sin, lives in this kind of home, has a certain kind of family arrangement, income… There are many things that it is good to aspire toward, but let our portrait be of a sinner saved by grace – let it be an image of the gospel. Take a moment, maybe using 1 Timothy 1:12-17 to thank God for His grace and pray that you would be be enabled to make the cross the focus of your portrait. 

WEDNESDAY – A FAMILY PORTRAIT

Colossians 1:1-2Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father

For many, happy family photos or memories don’t exist, they are aspirations and regrets. Many have rarely felt celebrated and cheered-on in life. We cannot undo the past, but we can embrace and be healed through being included in God’s family portrait. 

Paul calls Timothy ‘our brother’. Although Paul had a special relationship with Timothy, all in Colossae are equal to Timothy and Paul as children of God; in Christ are adopted into the family of God. 

Timothy is also an example of the way that God welcomes all into the family of God. We read something of his background,

Acts 16:1-3Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.  The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.  Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 

It seems that Timothy’s father was not a believer. It also says something about his attitude in that he had not allowed his son to be circumcised – this is surely a request that his Jewish mother would have made. Whatever our family background, however difficult our home lives, God welcomes everyone to enter fully into His family and the full embrace of a perfect heavenly Father.  

RESPONSE

How readily do you accept your adoption into God’s family? How is your attitude toward the church, do you see it and treat it like your family? Do you unhelpfully keep some people at arms length, being more welcoming of people of a certain age, culture, race…? Does God want to speak to you in any way about this subject of being in the family of God? 

THURSDAY – A PORTRAIT OF PERFECTION

Colossians 1:2To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sistersin Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

You are holy in Christ

Some say that the most perfect portrait is the Mona Lisa. Perfection in art is subjective and open to different opinions. Perfection, or holiness, from God’s perspective, is objective and the most beautiful thing as it is the thing that most reflects God’s perfection. Through faith in Christ we are justified and seen as perfectly holy! 

The church are God’s ‘holy people’ (The word ‘Hagiois’ is often translated ’saints’). Paul is reminding them (and us) that God’s holy eyes see no sin in us because Jesus took it upon Himself on the cross. 

Maybe you are tempted to reject the church. Maybe you have been treated badly (or think you have!). Can I gently remind you that anyone who is a true Christian is chosen by God and we need to agree with Him and choose to love by grace. God didn’t choose you because of your holy performance. In fact, ‘all our deeds were as filthy rags’ (Isaiah 64:6). If God loves us by grace, why do we so often only love those who perform to our expectations? 

You are also called to grow in holiness 

Being holy (set apart) also brings great responsibility - “I belong to God and His will”. Paul calls His church to be holy. We are ‘in the world but not of it’. We are called to be different - this difference coming from having a different Lord and different Spirit. Holiness is a fruit of the gospel - all true Christians will desire to grow in holiness (Sanctification). This already and not yet holiness is well expressed by the author of Hebrews,

Hebrews 10:14For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

RESPONSE

How are you doing at living in the gift of holiness that God gives you in Christ – are you confident that God’s love is not based on your performance? How are you doing at loving others with the grace that God has shown you – is there anyone you need to forgive? Is there any area of sin that God wants you to repent of and so grow in holiness? 

FRIDAY – A PORTRAIT OF THE CHURCH

Colossians 1:2To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sistersin Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

Paul addresses this church as ‘faithful brothers and sisters in Christ’. Faithfulness is a fruit of salvation. We read, 

Galatians 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Being faithful brothers and sisters means a few things:

Firstly, faithfulness means to be full of faith regarding the gospel. They are a (and are to aim to be a) community that keeps Jesus central. Our conversations, songs, teaching, community groups… are to be full of Jesus. 

Secondly, faithfulness is also seen in our committed relationships toward one another. We are to be consistently devoted to one another as brothers and sisters. This is seen in our praying and acting for the good of one another. It’s visiting the sick, cooking for those who need help, providing resources where you can. It’s turning up to meet with the church on Sundays, prayer, Community Groups etc. 

Thirdly,faithfulness is also about encouragement - seeking to encourage faith in the church community.A friend is great, but a faithful friend – one who encourages you in the faith - is even better.  

Paul’s image of the church is a loving, supportive family photo. A church, unlike any other grouping, are, through Christ, a community of brothers and sisters. 

RESPONSE

How faithful are we? Are we full of faith for the gospel – what Jesus has done for us? Are we faithful about meeting with our brothers and sisters? Are we encouraging our church family? All Christians will be faithful in some measure, but God will grow us as we listen to His call through His word, and respond in faith. Let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with love for the people for whom Jesus gave His life to save.