As we walk through this book together, our aim is simple and weighty: to glean all we can from the Holy Spirit as He teaches us, and to see Jesus in all His beauty, majesty, and unmatched glory. Colossians is not ultimately about improving your life, fixing your habits, or winning culture wars. It’s about seeing Jesus rightly—and letting everything else fall into place behind Him.
Paul writes this letter to a local church under pressure. They’re being bombarded with propaganda about Jesus—ideologies, philosophies, half-truths, and spiritual-sounding lies. And Paul wants them to see clearly what culture is trying to blur:
Jesus is not a god. He is the one and only God.
This letter is about the supremacy of Christ in all things. Not you. Not me. Jesus.
A CHURCH LIKE OURS
Colossae was a crossroads city—religiously diverse, culturally busy, spiritually confused. Roman roads connected it to the world, allowing ideas, beliefs, and false gods to collide. Sound familiar?
America is much the same. We’re a religious people—but not necessarily a reborn people. Roughly 82% of Americans claim some kind of spiritual belief. There are countless ideologies floating around, all claiming legitimacy. But they are not equal. Anything that diminishes Christ—anything that adds to Him, competes with Him, or replaces Him—is empty, vain, and ultimately demonic.
The message then is the same now: “All roads lead to heaven” is false. “Jesus is love, therefore anything goes” is a lie.
Jesus welcomes sinners—but He never leaves them in their sin.
Culture doesn’t usually attack Jesus outright. It reshapes Him. Softens Him. Redefines Him. That’s exactly what was happening in Colossae—and Paul steps in to correct the record.
WHY THIS WAS DANGEROUS
Rome allowed you to worship any god you wanted—as long as you didn’t claim your god was the only one. The moment you said, “Jesus alone is Lord,” you threatened the system. Rome wanted your allegiance. Paul preached a gospel that said Rome was not in charge—Jesus was.
That’s why Paul was imprisoned. That’s why the gospel is always subversive. When Jesus is supreme, everything else gets demoted.
Rome ruled the known world for over 1,500 years. People put their hope there. Paul shows up and says, “Don’t.” Empires fall. Christ reigns.
PAUL’S TENDER STRENGTH
Paul didn’t plant this church. He didn’t even know most of them personally. His connection was their pastor, Epaphras—faithful, concerned, protective of his flock. When Epaphras brings his concerns to Paul, Paul responds not with rage but with prayer.
Twice in the opening paragraph, Paul says, “We are praying for you.”
This bold, confrontational apostle shows deep tenderness. He loves this church. He thanks God for their faith, their love, and their hope—not in Rome, but in Jesus.
A growing church had begun to drift—not in behavior first, but in belief. And belief always drives behavior.
THE BIG IDEA: JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING
Paul lays out a foundational truth: Jesus is supreme over all kingdoms, histories, philosophies, theologies, and allegiances—and when we get that, it changes our marriages, our identities, our work, our families, and our purpose.
From that truth, Paul prays three things for them—and for us (Colossians 1:1–14).
1. Know Jesus More (vv. 9–10)
Paul prays that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. That implies something important: you can be saved and still not full. Still shallow. Still running on fumes.
This knowledge isn’t just facts. Biblically, to “know” means mental, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. Adam knew Eve. This is relational knowing.
Many people know about Jesus. Few truly know Him.
That’s why the Christian life can feel exhausting—start, stop, stall, repeat. It becomes spiritual whack-a-mole. You knock down one sin, and another pops up. Without intimacy with Christ, growth becomes willpower-driven and joyless.
Paul shows us the cycle: You know Christ more, you walk with Him, you bear fruit, which drives you back to knowing Him more.
Even stumbling forward is still walking. Babies fall when they learn to walk—and we celebrate them. God does the same with us. When you fall, the gospel matters more than ever. Grace picks you up. Repentance isn’t a place you visit—it’s a place you live.
2. Walk With Jesus Powerfully (vv. 11–12)
Paul assumes life will be hard. He prays for strength, endurance for circumstances, and patience for people.
That’s real life.
And he prays it would all be marked by gratitude—something radically opposed to our negative, cynical culture. Why? Because we’ve been qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints.
We get heaven.
Look ahead. A hundred years from now, most of what weighs you down won’t matter. The glory coming will outweigh the struggle now.
3. Embrace Your Gospel Identity (vv. 13–14)
Paul starts by calling them saints. Not because they’re perfect—but because of their position in Christ.
You are not your past. Not your income. Not your failures. Not your marital status. You are who Jesus says you are.
You’ve been rescued from darkness. Transferred into Christ’s kingdom. Redeemed. Forgiven. That answers the deepest question of the human heart: Who am I?
And the answer is found only in Jesus.
FINAL WORD
Principles won’t change you. Rules won’t sustain you. Only Jesus will.
Get under the goodness of God in Christ. Be stunned by His grace. Let His supremacy reorder your life. It’s all about Jesus.
Pastor Chris Williams
To learn more about Pastor Chris and his teachings, visit us online at fcfamily.org and be sure to subscribe to receive these weekly encouragements in your inbox.