Colossians 1:1-8

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

⁴ Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

⁵ For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

⁶ Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

⁷ As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;

⁸ Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

MEET THE COLOSSIANS

1:1-8

WE SEE THEM AS MEMBERS OF GOD’S FAMILY

1. 1. The ministers were supplied (Paul and Timothy)
   2. The members were saved serving saints
   3. The miracle, they were the same family

WE SEE THEM AS CHERISHED MEMBERS OF GOD’S FAMILY:

1. 1. Greeted warmly
   2. Prayed for thoughtfully
   3. Appreciated deeply

WE SEE THEM AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF GOD’S FAMILY

1. 1. they had experienced the power of the word taking root
   2. they had exhibited the bearing of fruit
   3. they had expressed love in the Spirit to boot