It should make sense to us that if Jesus is preeminent over the old creation of this world and the new creation of the church, he must also be preeminent over the details in our lives.

What Jesus did changes who we are, and therefore changes how we orient our minds, which therefore
changes how we live. 

The best way to explain the Christian way of life is not to give soundbites, but to give a story — because Christians have a story. It all hangs together. 

There’s been a transition, both in history and in the lives of the Colossians, that changes everything. And Paul speaks of this transition in terms of death and resurrection. 

Paul wants for the Colossians, and for you and me, to be mature in Christ, and that means not centering our lives on anything else. 

How does this passage speak to our doubt and anxiety?

Paul struggles with the strength that God supplies to warn and teach so that the churches grow up into maturity. 

Paul rejoices in suffering as he reveals the gospel mystery in order to reach maturity by the power of Christ.

We are Bible-people and if the Bible continually holds out a theme, as it does with the gospel, than we know we are on solid ground to dwell on that theme. 

The point of this passage, in the words of Colossians 3:10, is “Christ is all, and in all.” 

The book of Colossians is relevant to all people at all times, but perhaps especially for those of us in the Twin Cities today.

It must have always seemed a little bit strange to Paul when he spelled out the first few words of his letters: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ.”