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Colossians 1: 1-6

What is our Report?

The cities that Paul wrote to are an everlasting reminder that God is not looking for perfection on this earth through the efforts of man.     These cities mentioned in the New Testament are examples of man’s wickedness. 

  Rome and its gods, Corinth and its fornications, Ephesus known for its temple of Diana, and Philippi known for its work in witchcraft.  Even Theselonia went down in history as the city that cast Paul out of its city gates. 

 Yet, in the midst of these cities is the undeniable truth that God brings individual men out of their sorrowful state of sin and gives them a new life, a new meaning, and a great commission.

  He tells the saints in Philippi, “you are to shine as lights in this crooked and perverse nation.” 

  Before the Gospel came to Colosse it was a heathen nation, filled with pagan beliefs.  After the Gospel swept through that city there was no one that had not heard of the name of Jesus.

  This is the same situation we are in today.  Just like the city of Colosse, there is no one on this island that can say they have never heard of Jesus.  That is a more than can be said about China, Indonesia, India, etc…

   And the Gospel has had the same effect on this nation as it has had on all recorded nations. 

  When the truth of Christ came to this place it was full of paganism, mysticism, idolatries, adulteries, humanistic philosophies, and the like.

  When the Gospel left it was still full of these things, but there was something else present.  There was a shining light that was not hid under a bushel, there was a taste of salt that was being spread across the land.

  In the midst of this crooked and perverse land there was the presence of true Christianity. 

  We will never rid ourselves of evil in the land till the return of Christ.  We will never rid ourselves of religion, false doctrine, as well as suffering, and persecutions until we see Christ face to face.

   And we can never rid ourselves of this salvation that God has wrought, this truth that God has placed in our hearts.

  In the midst of this city, this land, this nation, this world, God has pulled us out of the mire.  He has delivered us from the chains of sin, He has pardoned us from His wrath that He is going to pour out on this world. 

  We have been “saved.”

  What does saved mean.  Look at it in its easy definition illustrations.  Drowning, burning, electrocuting, shot. Etc…

  There may be much around us that has not changed because of the Gospel, but there is something on the inside of me, and I know in you also that has.

  Paul mentions some characteristics of the Christian.

  These characteristics are traits in our life that need to be present, that need to be noticeable, and that need to be fine tuned.

  (v. 3-4) Paul had never met the people of Colosse but he had heard good reports.

  Usually we hear only the bad about people.  Usually we share only the bad about people.

  What Paul heard is the idea report of the Christian.  It is an example for us and an encouragement for us as to how we should present ourselves to this lost world around us.  What is our report?  What are people saying?

I.   (v.4) we heard of your faith – People need to know that you are saved.  Don’t let it be a surprise. 

II. (v.4) of the love that you have to all the saints – People don’t need to hear the backbiting and clamour going on.  They need to hear and see love for the saints.  (Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.) 

III. (v.5) the hope which is laid up for you in heaven.  (Col. 3:1-2)  Our mindset should be on heaven more than it is on this world. 
  The children and the grandparents.  Our reputation compared to our everlasting home.
  We live like we are never going to die and die like we never lived.

 IV. (v.6) and bringeth forth fruit.  This salvation that we have should not be isolated to us.
  Are we to be a secret society.  The world would have us to be.
  You can’t stop a plant from producing seed.  It is does it is not being nurtured properly. 
  The farmer should be ashamed. 

  In these cities that we live in.  Wickedness may abound, but there is that beacon in the night that shines forth for the wayward traveler saying, come home, come home, ye who are weary come home.