Questions for Littles: With what did Paul pray that the Colossians would be filled (v9)? How did he pray that they would walk (v10)? With what did he pray that they would be strengthened (v11)? Who has qualified us for this (v12)? From what has God delivered us, and into what has God conveyed us (v13)? Through what do we have redemption (v14)? What is this redemption (v14b)? Of what is Jesus the image (v15a)? Over what is Jesus the firstborn (v15)? What was made by Him and why (v16)? What is Jesus before (17a)? In whom do all things consist (17b)? Of what is Jesus the head (v18a)? Why (18c)? What pleased the Father (v19)? What things did God reconcile to Himself (v20)? By whom? How did He make peace? In what were we once alienated and enemies (v21)? What has He now done to us? In what (v22a)? Through what? To do what?This week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Confession of Sin, and Assurance of the Gospel came from Colossians 1:9-22.
The passage begins with prayer, and quickly moves to where good prayers quickly move: the person and work of Jesus Christ. How can sinners such as we are be filled with the knowledge of His will and walk worthy of the Lord, being strengthened with all might? The only answer is: by the redemption through Christ’s blood.
Really, that’s the only answer to how we can do anything. The Scripture teaches us that apart from Jesus we can do nothing. We must be crucified with Christ so that it would no longer be we who live but Christ who lives in us. The live that we live, we must live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
And who is this Christ? Very God of very God. The Creator of all things, the reason for all things, the goal of all things, the Sustainer of all things, the One in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. What an amazing phrase that is: everything that God is, He is!
And what has this Christ done? Reconciled all things to Himself. Made peace through the blood of His cross. Reconciled sinners in the body of His flesh through death. And (past tense certainty of future even result) presented us holy and blameless and above reproach in His sight. This is the work of Christ. Halleluah!!
So, everything we ask for within the will of God depends on this Christ who is this glorious Person and has done this glorious work.
But let us not fail to notice one more thing about Him: all of heaven and earth throughout all of history is all about Jesus, and Jesus is about His church. He is the head of the body. The church is attached to Christ and identified with Him. Therefore, the church is not some peripheral organization or optional benefit. As Christ’s own focus in all creation and history, she must have a central focus in all of our life as well!
How much do your prayers dwell upon Christ? What place does His church have in your life?Suggested songs: ARP16A “Keep Me, O God” or HB435 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”
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