Memory Verse: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

INTRO: There is an unsurpassable greatness the “gospel” of Jesus, which Paul describes as a “mystery.” Notice in chapter 1 of Colossians, beginning at verse 26 and concluding in verse 28. Let’s read this passage and see how it connects to our memory verse this week. (READ from Bible, Colossians 1:26-28). Paul talks to believers about “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations.”

Q: What is this mystery, and what all does it envision—for the individual and for the universe? How does this “mystery” relate to the gospel that Paul has so passionately proclaimed?

Q: Paul urges the Colossians to remain “steadfast” in their faith as followers of Christ. Is that admonition still applicable to us today. If so, why? If not, why not? How does this teaching address the popular notion of “once saved always saved?”

Q: If Paul talks about Christ’s redeeming power over sin on our behalf, how are believers to respond to God’s marvelous act of “grace” toward us? When Paul refers to our “growth” in the “knowledge” of Jesus Christ is he talking about “information” or something much deeper than facts.

CLOSING SIDEBAR:

“He has now reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”
— Colossians 1:22 (NKJV)

“Reconciliation in Paul is not simply a matter of individual forgiveness but the re-creation of relationships that have been shattered. God’s action in Christ addresses the deep rupture between God and humanity and, at the same time, the ruptures among human beings themselves. The cross is the place where this repair is decisively accomplished. Reconciliation thus has communal and cosmic dimensions.”
— Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Our Mother Saint Paul

Through Christ’s sacrificial death, God restores broken relationships and offers new hope. Reconciliation draws believers into renewed fellowship with God and with one another. As the church lives out this reconciling grace, unity becomes a visible sign of the gospel’s transforming power.

NEXT WEEK, we’ll look at Paul’s powerful theme of our “Completeness in Christ.” My thanks to Naomi Cueto and Faith Montes, our program engineers, and to all of you for listening in. Until next time, for the “Good Word,” I’m Phil Muthersbaugh.