A Faithful Community

May 2, 2010

Background Scripture: Colossians 1
Lesson Passage: Colossians 1:1 – 14

The Sunday School lessons this quarter have been focused on the community of faith. We have examined lessons from the Old Testament as well as from the gospel accounts. In this unit of study we will look more specifically at the New Testament church as a community of faith. Today’s lesson is from one of Paul’s prison epistles. It was written during Paul’s first imprisonment. This letter is addressed to the saints and faithful brethren who comprise the church at Colosse. In this letter, Paul writes a statement that seems to indicate that he had heard about this local church but he had not visited them. So when he refers to them as faithful it is based on the testimony of others who were familiar with them. This letter, like several others written in the first century A.D., addresses—or more appropriately, refutes the false doctrine of Gnosticism or salvation through knowledge. Here, Paul also warns the church concerning the practice of worshiping angels. Paul reminded them of the hope that all Christians share. This hope is of future reward that is a part of the gospel message that believers have accepted. Our hope is part of our life transformation or sanctification. For we yield ourselves to the work of the Holy Ghost in us in obeying the scriptures in love because of this hope. Obedience to God’s word brings forth much fruit in the life of Christians who receive the word by faith and walk in it. It was this walking example of love that evidenced the faith that was in the Colossians. Paul credits Epaphras as their faithful teacher for the fruit they were bringing forth in their lives. (God has so designed the interdependence of Christians such that no one matures spiritually without help from other Christians.) It was Epaphras who told Paul of the faith of the Colossians. Just hearing of their faith and their knowledge of God’s grace was enough to cause Paul to celebrate and intercede in prayer for them. Paul gives us an example to follow. When we find those who faithfully walk in obedience according to faith, we should be prayerful for them knowing that the adversary prowls around seeking to devour.

Christians should also thank God because he is changing us into the image of his son Jesus that we might be partakers in the inheritance of the kingdom with Jesus. Jesus is the central and singular focus of the New Testament church. He is the one who unites us together as one in his body. We are called to walk worthy of Jesus and to seek to please him through our living. If for no other reason, in Jesus’ atoning death, we have the forgiveness of sin.


Robert C. Hudson
April 26, 2010

Inclusion in Community

April 25, 2010

Background Scripture: Luke 14:1 – 24
Lesson Passage: Luke 14:15 – 24

Today’s lesson concludes this unit’s study of Jesus’ teachings on the community of faith. The background scripture provides much needed context for the parable that is included in the lesson passage. As Jesus entered the house of a Pharisee to share in a Sabbath day meal, he found himself faced with a man who had a medical condition. Jesus was also being watched by the others that were in the house. Rather than immediately heal the man, Jesus posed a question to the religious leaders that placed them in his position. Is healing on the Sabbath day lawful or not? They wisely kept silent and Jesus went on to heal the man. Jesus then asked them how they would handle the situation on the Sabbath day if it were one of their beasts of burden which had fallen into a pit. Again, they were silent. He then reversed the situation around. They were watching him but now he began to watch them. He noted how some of them sought the best seats in the house. From this observation, he taught two lessons. First, to the invited guests, he taught the proper behavior for guests to prevent embarrassment and to position them for the possibility of being honored in front of others. Next, to the host, he taught him the proper way to make a guest list. Jesus recommended that hosts should not invite those who could return the favor. This would be of no benefit to them to exchange niceties one with another. Instead, he recommended that the guest list be composed of those who could not host their own affair and subsequently return the favor. The host would receive an eternal reward for such a gesture. Things were going well until one of the other guests decided to say something that perhaps he thought might be inspiring to Jesus. The guest spoke concerning a supper in the kingdom of God. Since Jesus is an expert on his own kingdom—that is the kingdom of God that he was announcing and inviting them into he took this opportunity to explain the guest list and responses for the supper the man made reference to without necessarily understanding what he was talking about. Jesus talked about the supper, the initial invitations that were extended and apparently accepted, the final invitation once the supper was prepared and the various responses from the original invitees. He talked about the host angrily inviting others who did not have an excuse so that his supper would be successful and he would have a full house. Some of those that heard Jesus speak were undoubtedly on the original guest list but they did not recognize Jesus as the servant going forth to bid them to come because all had been made ready. Because of their various excuses, the guest list has been greatly expanded to include the “whosoever will” crowd. The current guest list truly exhibits inclusion in the community of faith. All those that Jesus said a host should include are on his list. The invitation was first extended by Jesus about two thousand years ago and the invitations continue to be extended by the Holy Ghost as he convicts, convinces, and judges the world of sin. Do you know that you are also included on that list? Have you received your invitation? Did you RSVP?

Robert C. Hudson
April 15, 2010