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Colossians Chapter One

 
Chapter One General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To see the relationship between understanding the grace of God and
 bearing fruit
 
2) To examine Paul's prayer for the Colossians for the keys to 
 successful Christian living
 
3) To appreciate the preeminence of Christ in creation and our 
 redemption
 
SUMMARY
 
Paul begins with his customary salutation followed by an expression of 
thanksgiving and prayer. Hearing of their condition from Epaphras, he
is thankful for their faith, love, and hope (1-8). His prayer is that
they be filled with the knowledge of God's will, walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord, strengthened by God's glorious power, and ever
thankful that the Father has qualified them to be partakers of the
saints' inheritance. Especially since they were delivered from the 
power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, 
where there is redemption and forgiveness of sins (9-14).
 
He then broaches the theme of this epistle, which is the preeminence 
and all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ our Savior. Paul first proclaims 
the preeminence of Christ in creation, and then His preeminence in 
redemption (15-20). The Colossians' own conversion is offered as a 
case in point in reference to the latter, and with a warning for them
to remain steadfast (21-23).
 
The chapter ends with Paul's description of his ministry, in which he
gladly suffered on behalf of Christ and His church. He views himself 
as a steward entrusted with a wonderful "mystery", which is being made
known after having been hidden for ages. This "mystery" pertains to
the Gentiles, and how Christ would be in them (24-27). Paul therefore 
worked diligently to preach Christ, with the goal of presenting every 
man perfect in Him (28-29).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INTRODUCTION (1-14)
 
 A. SALUTATION (1-2)
 1. From Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God (1a)
 2. And Timothy, "our brother" (1b)
 3. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are in 
 Colosse (2a)
 4. Grace and peace from God and Jesus Christ (2b)
 
 B. PAUL'S THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER (3-14)
 1. His thanksgiving for them (3-8)
 a. Given to God, with unceasing prayers in their behalf (3)
 b. Given since he heard of:
 1) Their faith in Christ Jesus (4a)
 2) Their love for all the saints (4b)
 c. Given because the hope laid up for them in heaven (5)
 1) Which they had heard by way of the gospel
 a) Which had come to them as to all the world, bringing
 forth fruit (6a)
 b) Even in them, since the day they heard and knew the
 grace of God (6b)
 2) Which they had heard by way of Epaphras
 a) A dear fellow servant and faithful minister of Christ
 on their behalf (7)
 b) Who declared to Paul their love in the Spirit (8)
 2. His prayer for them (9-14)
 a. Offered unceasingly since he heard of their progress (9a)
 b. Asking that they might...
 1) Be filled with the knowledge of God's will in wisdom and
  spiritual understanding (9b)
 2) Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (10a)
 a) Being fruitful in every good work (10b)
 b) Increasing in the knowledge of God (10c)
 3) Be strengthened with all might (11a)
 a) According to His glorious power (11b)
 b) For all patience and longsuffering with joy (11c)
 4) Give thanks to the Father (12a)
 a) Who qualified us to be partakers of the saints' 
  inheritance (12b)
 b) Who has delivered us from the power of darkness (13a)
 c) Who has translated us into the kingdom of His dear 
 Son (13b)
 1/ In whom we have redemption through His blood (14a)
 2/ In whom we have forgiveness of sins (14b)
 
II. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST (15-23)
 
 A. IN CREATION (15-17)
 1. He is the image of the invisible God (15a)
 2. He is the firstborn over all creation (15b)
  3. All things were created by Him (16)
 4. He is before all things (17a)
 5. In Him all things consist (17b)
 
 B. IN REDEMPTION (18-23)
 1. He is the head of the body, the church (18a)
 2. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (18b)
 3. That He might have the preeminence in all things (18c)
 4. It pleased the Father...
 a. That in Him all the fullness should dwell (19)
 b. That by Him all things were to be reconciled to Himself,
 making peace through the blood of the cross (20)
 5. The Colossians as a case in point (21-23)
 a. They were once alienated and enemies in mind, through 
 wicked works (21a)
 b. Yet now reconciled...
 1) In the body of His flesh through death (21b-22a)
 2) To be presented holy, blameless, and irreproachable in
 His sight (22b)
 3) If they continue in the faith...
 a) Grounded and steadfast (23a)
 b) Not moved away from the gospel
 1/ Which they heard (23b)
 2/ Which was preached to every creature under heaven
 (23c)
 3/ Of which Paul became a minister (23d)
 
III. THE APOSTLE OF CHRIST (24-29)
 
 A. HIS JOY (24)
 1. In suffering for their sake (24a)
 2. For in his flesh he fills up what is lacking in the 
 afflictions of Christ (24b)
 3. All is done for the sake of His body, the church (24c)
 
 B. HIS MINISTRY (25-29)
 1. Made a minister according to the stewardship from God (25a)
 a. Given to him for them (25b)
 b. To fulfill the word of God (25c)
 1) The mystery which has been hidden for ages and 
 generations (26a)
  2) But now has been revealed to His saints (26b)
 a) To whom God willed to make known the riches of the 
 glorious mystery among the Gentiles (27a)
 b) Which is Christ in them, the hope of glory (27b)
 2. Proclaiming Christ (28-29)
 a. By warning and teaching every man in all wisdom (28a)
 b. That he might present every man perfect in Christ (28b)
 1) Laboring toward this end (29a)
 2) Striving according to His working which works in him 
 mightily (29b)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Introduction (1-14)
 - The Preeminence of Christ (15-23)
 - The Apostle Of Christ (24-29)
 
2) Who joins Paul in the salutation of this epistle? (1)
 - Timothy
 
3) What three things had Paul heard about the Colossians, for which he
 gave thanks? (3-5)
 - Their faith in Christ Jesus
 - Their love for all the saints
 - Their hope laid for them in heaven
 
4) How long had the gospel been bringing forth fruit in their lives? 
 (6)
 - Since the day they heard and knew the grace of God in truth
 
5) Who had informed Paul of their condition? (8)
 - Epaphras
 
6) List four things for which Paul prayed concerning the Colossians 
 (9-11)
 - To be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and 
 spiritual understanding
 - To have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him
 - To be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power
 - To give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers
 of the inheritance
 
7) Into what have we been translated? (13)
 - The kingdom of the Son of His love
 
8) What does one enjoy in Christ? (14)
 - Redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins
 
9) List five things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in creation
 (15-17)
 - He is the image of the invisible God (15a)
 - He is the firstborn over all creation (15b)
 - All things were created by Him (16)
 - He is before all things (17a)
 - In Him all things consist (17b)
 
10) List four things which illustrate Christ's preeminence in 
 redemption (18-20)
 - He is the head of the body, the church
 - He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead
 - In Him all the fullness dwells
 - By Him all things are to be reconciled
 
11) What was the former condition of the Colossians? How were they
 changed? (21-22)
 - Alienated and enemies in their mind by wicked works
 - Reconciled in the body of Christ's flesh through death
 
12) Upon what condition would they be presented as holy, blameless and
 irreproachable? (22-23)
 - If they continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast
 - If they are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which they
 heard
 
13) What is said about the "mystery" which has been hidden? (26)
 - It has now been revealed to His saints
 
14) What is the glorious nature of this "mystery"? (27)
 - Christ in you (i.e., the Gentiles), the hope of glory
 
15) What was Paul's goal in preaching Christ? (28)
 - To present every many perfect in Christ Jesus

Introduction To The Epistle (1:1-2)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Some questions to consider...
 a. Do the heavenly bodies have any influence over our lives?
 1) The millions of people who consult their horoscopes each day
 would say "Yes!"
 2) In the U.S., there are about 1750 newspapers, and 1220 of them
 carry astrological data
 b. Is there any relationship between diet and spiritual living?
 c. Does God speak to us immediately, in our minds, or only through
 His Word, the Bible?
 d. Do the "eastern religions" have something to offer those who are
 Christians?
 
2. These questions sound very contemporary, don't they?
 a. Yet they are the very issues Paul dealt with in his epistle to the
 Colossians
 b. For this reason, we need this important letter today just as they
 needed it when Paul wrote it in 60 A. D.
 
[In Co 1:1-2, Paul addresses the brethren at Colosse. To help us
appreciate more what we will study later, let's consider some background
information on this epistle...]
 
I. THE CITY OF COLOSSE
 
 A. LOCATION
 1. 100 miles E of Ephesus in Asia Minor (consult map)
 2. Very close to Hierapolis and Laodicea - cf. Co 4:13,16
 
 B. DISTINCTION
 1. Hierapolis was a place known for health, pleasure, relaxation
 2. Laodicea was known for commercial trade and politics
 3. Colosse, however, was simply a small town
 
 C. PEOPLE
 1. It was a pagan city, with a strong intermingling of Jews
 2. In 62 B.C., there were 11,000 Jewish "freedmen" in the tri-city
 area
 3. This helps us to understand the nature of some of the problems
 that arose within the church (problems of both pagan and Jewish
 origin)
 
II. THE CHURCH AT COLOSSE
 
 A. ESTABLISHMENT
 1. We are not sure when the church began, for the scriptures do
 not say
 2. It is likely that Paul himself did not start it
 a. He had not seen them in person - Co 2:1
 b. Rather, he had simply heard of their faith - Co 1:4
 3. It is possible that it was started by Epaphras
 a. From what Paul writes in Co 1:4-8
 b. Who evidently also had some contact with those in Hierapolis
  and Laodicea - Co 4:12-13
 
 B. MEMBERS
 1. Epaphras
 a. Possibly the founder of the church (see above)
 b. A native of Colosse - Co 4:12
 c. Described as a servant of Christ (Co 4:12), fervent in
 praying for others (Co 4:12), and having great zeal for
 his brethren (Co 4:13)
 d. A "fellow-prisoner" with Paul at this time - cf. Phile 23
 2. Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus
 a. By comparing Colossians and Philemon, we can conclude they 
 were at Colosse
 1) Concerning Archippus - cf. Co 4:17 with Phile 1-2
 2) Concerning Onesimus - cf. Co 4:9 with Phile 10-17
 3) Epaphras - cf. Co 4:12 with Phile 23
 b. It is likely that the church met in their home - cf. Phile 2
 c. Many think they may have been members of the same family
 1) Philemon, the father
 2) Apphia, the mother
 3) Archippus, the son
 d. It is possible that Archippus served as the preacher at
 Colosse - cf. Co 4:17
 3. Onesimus
 a. He was Philemon's slave who had run away, found by Paul in
 Rome, and was converted
 b. He was being sent back to Philemon (cf. the epistle to
  Philemon), along with the letter to the Colossians - Co 4:
 7-9
 
III. THE CRISIS AT COLOSSE
 
 A. THE REPORT
 1. Epaphras had brought news to Paul concerning the church at
 Colosse - Co 1:3-8
 2. For the most part, it was very favorable - Co 1:3-4,8; 2:5
 3. But from the content of the letter, Paul must have also been
 informed of a two-fold "peril" affecting the church
 
 B. THE PERIL
 1. There was the danger of their relapsing into paganism with its
  immorality (implied by comments such as Co 3:5-11)
 2. There was the danger of accepting what some call the "Colossian
 Heresy"
 a. Which denied the all-sufficiency of Jesus Christ...
 1) For salvation
 2) For overcoming the indulgences of the flesh
 b. This "Colossian Heresy" involved...
 1) False Philosophy, which denied the all-sufficiency and
 pre-eminence of Jesus Christ - Co 2:8
 2) Judaistic Ceremonialism, which attached special
 significance to the rite of circumcision, food
 regulations, and observance of special days - Co 2:16-17
 3) Angel Worship, which detracted from the uniqueness of
 Christ - Co 2:18
  4) Asceticism, which called for harsh treatment of the body
 to control its lusts - Co 2:20-23
 c. The "Colossian Heresy", then, was a syncretism, that is, a
 mixture of Jewish and pagan elements
 
IV. THE CORRESPONDENCE TO COLOSSE
 
 A. THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE
 1. To warn the brethren at Colosse
 a. Against relapse - Co 1:21-23
 b. Against the "solution" being urged upon them by those who
 denied that Jesus was all they needed - Co 2:8-10
 2. To direct their attention to Jesus Christ
 a. The "Beloved Son" - Co 1:13
 b. The "all-sufficient" and "pre-eminent" Savior - Co 1:14-18
 
 B. THE THEME OF THE EPISTLE: "Jesus Christ: The pre-eminent and
 all-sufficient Savior" - Co 1:18
 
 C. AN OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE
 1. Doctrine: Christ's Pre-eminence Declared (Chapter One)
 a. In the gospel message (1:1-12)
 b. In redemption (1:13-14)
 c. In creation (1:15-17)
 d. In the church (1:18-23)
 e. In Paul's own ministry (1:24-29)
 2. Danger: Christ's Pre-eminence Defended (Chapter Two)
 a. Beware of empty philosophies (2:1-10)
 b. Beware of Judaistic ceremonialism (2:11-17)
 c. Beware of man-made disciplines (2:18-23)
 3. Duty: Christ's Pre-eminence Demonstrated (Chapters Three and
 Four)
 a. In personal purity (3:1-11)
 b. In brotherly relations (3:12-17)
 c. In the home (3:18-21)
 d. In daily work (3:22-4:1)
 e. In sharing the gospel (4:2-6)
 f. In serving one another (4:7-18)
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The value of this letter to the Colossians is that it increases our
 understanding and appreciation of Jesus Christ
 
2. From this epistle, we learn that He truly is "the WAY, the TRUTH, and
 the LIFE" - Jn 14:7
 
3. Once we understand that He is indeed the "pre-eminent" and "all-
 sufficient" Savior and live our lives accordingly...
 a. We will live victorious lives as Christians!
 b. We will assure that we do not relapse, nor be carried away by
 false religions and philosophies of men
 
Future lessons in this series on Colossians will expand upon this theme,
but for the time being, have you accepted and obeyed Jesus Christ as
YOUR all-sufficient savior?
 
Note: The basic outline for this introduction was adapted heavily
from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe,
pages 102-105.

The Church At Colosse (1:3-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. After introducing himself and greeting the brethren in verses 1-2,
 Paul expresses thanksgiving to God concerning some things about the
 church at Colosse (read 3-8)
 
2. As we consider what Paul wrote, we learn some encouraging things
 about the church at Colosse which are worthy of our emulation as a
 congregation of Christians
 
[For example, notice that as a church...]
 
I. THEY WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS (1:4)
 
 A. WHAT A WONDERFUL REPUTATION TO HAVE!
 1. Some churches are known for:
 a. Being "dead on the vine"
 b. Being "lukewarm" (cf. the Laodiceans, Re 3:15)
 2. But here is a church so strong in its faith in Jesus, that word
 had made its way to Paul
 3. In this, they were like the church at Thessalonica - 1 Th 1:2-
  3, 6-10; 2 Th 1:3
 
 B. WHY DID THEY HAVE SUCH A REPUTATION?
 1. Because they really trusted in Jesus Christ ("trust" is a key
 element in the matter of faith)
 2. Because their faith was a "steadfast" one - Co 2:5
 a. They were not faithful one day, then unfaithful the next
 b. Through "thick and thin", they maintained their faith in
 Jesus and did His will!
 
 C. WHAT KIND OF REPUTATION DO WE HAVE?
 1. Every church has one, whether it be good, mediocre, or bad
 2. Wouldn't it be wonderful if others could say of us, "We have
 heard of your faith in Jesus Christ"?
 3. If we remain steadfast in our faith, in time they will!
 
[Notice also that as a church...]
 
II. THEY WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR LOVE FOR ALL THE SAINTS (1:4)
 
 A. THEIR GOOD REPUTATION INCLUDED LOVE AS WELL AS FAITH!
 1. Toward Jesus, they showed faith; toward their brethren, they
 demonstrated love!
 2. Not only love for each other, but love for ALL the saints,
 including those in other places
 3. Again, in this they were like the church at Thessalonica - 
 1 Th 4:9-10
 
 B. IF WE DESIRE A SIMILAR REPUTATION (AND EVERY TRUE CHURCH OF
 CHRIST SHOULD), WHAT CAN WE DO?
 1. We can be diligent in our love for one another, making efforts
 to become better acquainted and to serve one another
 2. We can demonstrate our love for ALL the brethren, by taking
 advantage of meetings and singings to be together
 3. We can ask the Lord to help us increase in this - 1 Th 3:12
 4. We can urge each other to increase in this virtue - 1 Th 4:9-10
 
[A truly strong faith in Jesus and love for the brethren is such a 
rarity in many churches, that any church which excels in these virtues 
will soon be known for such!
 
But as we continue in our examination of our text, we notice also that 
at the church at Colosse...]
 
III. THE GOSPEL WAS BRINGING FORTH FRUIT AMONG THEM (1:5-6)
 
 A. THE GOSPEL, WHICH SPEAKS OF THE HOPE LAID UP IN HEAVEN, HAD
 PRODUCED FRUIT IN THEIR LIVES
 1. Not only in THEIR lives, but throughout the whole world (1:6)
 - cf. Co 1:23
 2. We have seen the kind of fruit being born by the gospel:
 a. Faith in Jesus
 b. Love for the brethren
 3. In bearing such fruit, they proved that they were truly
 disciples of Jesus! - Jn 15:8
 
 B. WHAT WAS THE KEY TO BEARING SUCH FRUIT?
 1. Notice that they had been bearing fruit "since the day you
 heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (1:6)
 2. By knowing (understanding, NAS) the grace of God, they were
 properly motivated to bear fruit
 3. So it is today, those who truly understand the grace of God
 will more likely respond in grateful service to God!
 
 C. WHAT IS "THE GRACE OF GOD" WHICH MOTIVATES ONE TO BEAR FRUIT?
 1. Simply put, it is the "unmerited favor" which God has shown us
 through Jesus Christ!
 2. We can summarize this grace of God by defining several key
 terms:
 a. CONDEMNATION - Being guilty of sin, we stand condemned in
 the sight of God and in danger of everlasting death - Ro 3:
 23; 6:23
 b. ALIENATION - Being guilty of sin, we also find ourselves
 separated from God - Isa 59:1-2
 c. PROPITIATION - but in love and mercy, God sent Jesus to be
 our sacrifice for sins to appease God's just and righteous
 anger - 1 Jn 4:9-10
 d. JUSTIFICATION - by responding in obedient faith, we can be
 justified (declared not guilty) by virtue of Jesus'
 sacrifice in our stead - Ro 3:21-26
 e. RECONCILIATION - Free from the guilt of sin, we can now be
 reconciled with God through Christ Jesus our Lord - 2 Co 5:
 17-20
 f. SANCTIFICATION - By virtue of Christ's death, we may also be
 "set apart" in service to the glory of God - Ro 6:17-18,
 20-22
 3. The more one understands these concepts and their implications,
 the more likely they will also bear fruit!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Through Epaphras, the church at Colosse had heard of this wonderful
 grace of God - 1:7
 
2. And through Epaphras, Paul had heard of their wonderful love which
 was the fruit of their responding to this grace - 1:8
 
3. Indeed, the church at Colosse had admirable qualities, which we do
 well to emulate...
 a. Not for any glory for ourselves, but rather that God and His Son
 might be glorified
 b. For it is only by His grace that we would be able to imitate the
 church at Colosse
 
4. Brethren...
 a. Do we have faith in Jesus?
 b. Do we love the brethren?
 ...Let's be sure to allow the grace of God to have its desired effect
 in our lives!
 
If you have never responded to the grace of God, why not now?

Paul's Prayer For The Colossians (1:9-14)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the epistles of Paul, we customarily find him telling his readers
 what he prayed for on their behalf
 
2. So it is in his epistle to the Colossians...
 a. Though he had not met many of them personally, he had heard of
 their faith and love - 1:3-8
 b. Which prompted him to pray unceasingly for them
 
3. For what did he pray? The answer is found in Co 1:9-14, and by
 closely studying this passage...
 a. We can learn not only what Paul desired for the Colossians
 b. But also what God would desire for ALL Christians, including us
 today!
 
[As we examine this prayer of Paul, let's do so with this in mind: 
THIS IS WHAT GOD DESIRES OF US AS WELL!
 
First, God desires that we be...]
 
I. FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL
 UNDERSTANDING (9)
 
 A. NOTICE SOME KEY WORDS...
 1. "FILLED"
 a. Not just a small measure
  b. But satiated, with a full measure
 -- It is not God's desire that we try to "just get by with as
 little as necessary"
 2. "THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL"
 a. This is what God desires us to be filled with
 b. The Greek word for "knowledge" in this passage is EPIGNOSIS
 1) Knowledge which is the result of practical and personal
 experience
 2) I.e., not just academic or intellectual knowledge
 c. Thus, our knowledge of God's will is to be something we have
 come by through practice and application in our lives
 3. "IN ALL WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING"
 a. To possess a knowledge of God's will in ALL WISDOM requires
 prayer - Ja 1:5
 b. To possess a knowledge of God's will with SPIRITUAL
 UNDERSTANDING requires reading the word - Ep 3:3-5
 -- Therefore, prayer and Bible study are essential elements for
 the Christian!
 
 B. WHY IS BEING FILLED WITH SUCH KNOWLEDGE SO IMPORTANT?
 1. Because God's people have always been destroyed by a lack of
 knowledge - cf. Hos 4:6
 2. It is essential to our renewal in becoming like Christ - Co 3:
 8-10
 
[Is this prayer being answered in OUR lives? Are we doing anything to
assure that it is?
 
Next, notice from Paul's prayer that it is evidently God's desire that
we...]
 
II. HAVE A WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM (10-14)
 
 A. THIS IS THE OBJECTIVE OF BEING FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S
 WILL
 1. To conduct ourselves in a manner WORTHY of the Lord - Ep 4:1
 a. The Lord we serve, and the calling we have received, is
 certainly a "worthy" one!
 b. Our conduct should be one to honor Christ, not shame Him!
 2. To conduct ourselves in a manner FULLY PLEASING HIM
 a. There is conduct which displeases Christ - Lk 6:46
 b. But conduct coming from one who is first FILLED with the
 knowledge of God's will is more like to FULLY please Him!
 (note the play on words)
 
 B. CONDUCT WORTHY OF THE LORD, FULLY PLEASING HIM, IS ONE IN WHICH
 WE ARE:
 1. "BEING FRUITFUL IN EVERY GOOD WORK" (10)
 a. Not just "one", but "every" good work - cf. Ti 2:14; 3:1
 b. For this we have been "created in Christ Jesus" - Ep 2:10
 c. Why? So that God may be glorified - Mt 5:16
 d. What sort of good works - cf. Mt 25:37-40; Ja 1:27
 -- Are we being fruitful?
 2. "INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (10)
 a. We need to grow in the knowledge of God HIMSELF, not just
 His will - cf. Jer 9:23-24
 b. How can one truly know God?
 1) Through CREATION - Ps 19:1; Ro 1:18-20
 2) Through inspired REVELATION (e.g., the Psalms and the
 Prophets)
 3) But especially through JESUS - Jn 14:7-9; Co 2:9
 -- Are we daily increasing in this knowledge of God?
 3. "STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS
 POWER" (11)
 a. It is God's desire that we be strong in our living for Him 
 - 2 Ti 1:7-8
 b. There is "glorious power" available to the Christian, of
 which Paul often wrote:
 1) He experienced it in his own life - Ph 4:13
 2) He wanted others to know about it - Ep 1:15-20
 3) He identified it with the working of the Spirit in the
 inner man - Ep 3:16
 4) He describes its greatness in Ep 3:20
  c. What is the purpose of such power? Notice our text...
 1) "for all PATIENCE and LONGSUFFERING with JOY" (is this
 not the "fruit" the Spirit is supposed to produce? - cf.
 Ga 5:22-23)
 2) I.e., so that even as we experience trials in this life,
 we may do so with joyful perseverance!
 -- Are we experiencing this strength which God gives to those
 who do His will?
 4. "GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER" (12-14)
  a. Christians should always have the "attitude of gratitude"
 - 1 Th 5:18
 b. In our text, Paul mentions several REASONS TO BE THANKFUL...
 1) God has "qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance
 of the saints in the light" - cf. 1 Pe 1:3-5
 2) God has "delivered us from the power of darkness" - cf.
 Ep 2:1-5
 3) God has "translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His
 love"
 a) In Whom we have "redemption through His blood"
 b) In Whom we have "the forgiveness of sins" - cf. Re
 1:5-6
 -- Are we ever giving thanks to the Father for these wonderful
 blessings?
 
CONCLUSION