Colossians 1:19-23, “Reconciled”

Text: Colossians 1:19-23

Intro: In this message we look at the beautiful and rich theme of reconciliation. In Christ we are reconciled to God and to one another. And then, as if that wasn't spectacular enough, we are given the ministry of reconciliation so that through us God makes his appeal to a broken and alienated world.

19  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

In Jesus we have all we need. Christ is sufficient. Paul was battling a false teaching gaining traction in the Colossian church that apparently was leading people to believe that something or some knowledge or experience was needed to complete a Christian’s life in Christ.

In our day, we must be on guard that we do not detract from the work of Christ on the Cross and his sufficiency by adding other things as functional saviors, whether they be blessings, spiritual gifts, worship styles, or whatever. 

However, we must also not let a robust view of the sufficiency of Christ cause us to be spiritually passive and lazy. There is always more of Christ and the Godhead for us to experience. Salvation is the beginning of a process of progressive sanctification, which should be the pursuit of every Christian. 

20  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross.

Everything eventually gets reconciled to Jesus.

Does this teach that all are saved? No. I do not believe that is what the verse is saying. There are numerous passages that are clear that not all are saved—that judgment awaits those who do not repent and believe in Jesus.

• Matthew 25:31-46Philippians 2:10-11

RECONCILED IN THREE WAYS:

21  And you, who once were alienated, hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22  he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23  if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

1. To God (Romans 5:9-11)

2. To One Another (Ephesians 2:11-22)

3. Through us to a broken world (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)