Carey Hardy

Colossians 2:11-12 Paul draws on the familiar practices of circumcision and baptism to highlight that when we are united to Christ, we experience freedom from sin.

Colossians 2:9-10 After warnings about the empty deception and false claims of false teachers, attention is called to the freedom we have in Christ. In particular, we have all that we need to live a life to the glory of God.

Colossians 2:8- The Colossian church was being endangered by Gnosticism. It, just like all forms of false teaching, deludes people into following an empty, sham religion. Whether it’s Mormonism or Darwin Fish, the language is subtly deceitful, the system of reason logically compelling, and enticingly moral — these are the hallmarks of the great cults today, and Paul gives three explanations as to why these types of philosophies are empty and deceitful.

Colossians 1:28-29 Paul gives a great overview of what faithfulness in the ministry looks like. In particular, there are three main ingredients in shepherding with a sense of purpose.

Colossians 1:24-27 Though specifically about Paul’s ministry, we discover in this passage the very heart of what ministry is about still today. It provides for us three non-negotiable characteristics a faithful minister must exhibit if he is seeking to be pleasing to the Lord.