Kent Hughes tells the story of a colleague he once had in the ministry who stopped discussing the meaning of Scripture with him or others because he said he now had a “higher hermeneutic” than others did. He believed that he had gotten to the place in his study of Scripture where he could see … Continue reading Rooted and Built Up in Him
Brothers, God has put in us from birth a desire to protect. That is standard equipment for men. When a man is protecting his family, it is a picture that makes sense and fits with the reality of God’s divine plan. When a woman is left to fend for herself or she tries to assume … Continue reading Men as Protectors
Paul said to the Colossian church, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” It starts and ends with Christ because He is Lord. He is all. Christ is preeminent. The goal of our ministry and indeed our very lives, is to know Him and grow in … Continue reading Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ
It has been argued that Colossians 1:15-20 was an early hymn or poem the church knew well and recited or sang regularly, for it is a summary of the preeminence of Christ in all things. It starts with the critical truth about Christ, that “He is the image of the invisible God.” Image is the word … Continue reading He is Lord of All
The primacy of prayer is in view in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul wrote that since he had heard of the faith of the Colossians, he had been praying for them without ceasing. The Apostle was in prison and could not go to the church in Colosse but he knew that even if he could, his greater work was prayer. And he … Continue reading How to Pray Like Paul
Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.” Remember, Paul is in a Roman … Continue reading Living Between the Steps
J. Mark Fox 