This coming Sunday we will continue our studies in the Epistle to the Colossians, and our text will be Colossians 1:28-2:5. As we probe these verses together, we will consider some very important questions related to the life of the Church that this passage prompts us to reflect upon:

First: What is a pastor to do?

Second: What is the main goal of a local Church like ours?

Third: How do we know when we have reached our goal as a body of Christ?

Fourth: Is Christ enough for us? Or is there something or someone else that we need in order to make our lives complete?

While to us these may appear to be simple questions with obvious answers, the truth is that even within conservative Protestantism, there are some divergent answers given to these fundamental questions related to the Christian faith and Church. For example, some have argued that the pastor of a local Church is to function in much the same way as the head of a business or corporation. And some are now promoting the idea that the Church exists to transform our culture, and to ensure the well-being and ‘flourishing’ of the city. And, as you know, others measure the success of the Church’s mission numerically—by how many members or attenders there are. And then, some have suggested that there is more to the Christian life than conversion and a life of sanctification, followed by the promise of our future glorification. A ‘second blessing’ or experience is needed, or even a more rigorous adherence to certain laws or unwritten expectations. So this is certainly not a tempest in a teapot! These are bigquestions, and getting the right answers is essential.

So please study this passage and pray that the Spirit of the Living God would illuminate His Truth to us this Lord’s Day.