The Message to the “Real-

World”

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:25 – 2:8

ALL THINGS . . . CHRIST created 1:16

ARE for Him 1:16

CHRIST before 1:17

HOLD TOGETHER in Christ 1:17

RECONCILED to God by His death 1:20

GOSPEL proclaimed (to everyone) 1:23

CHRIST is ruler over (all authorities) 2:10

CHRISTIMAGE of the Invisible GOD 1:15

PRIVILEGED RULER over Creation 1:15

CREATOR of All Things 1:16

OWNER of All Things 1:16

SUSTAINER of All Things 1:17

SOVEREIGN LEADER of the Church 1:18

PRIVILEGED RULER from the dead 1:18

EMBODIMENT of the fullness of GOD 1:19; 2:9

RECONCILER of All Things by His Death1:20

GOD’S MYSTERY 1:27; 2:2

CENTER of all Wisdom and Knowledge 2:3

HEAD of All Rule and Authority 2:10

Colossians 1:15-2:10

 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:25 – 2:8

 We proclaim him,

admonishingeveryone

teaching everyone

with all wisdom,

so that

we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 

Colossians 1:28-29

To this end I labor, struggling with all his

energy, which so

powerfully works in me.

1. The message that we bring to the world is “Christ.”

2. The message is for everyone.

3. The most significant work in the world requires hard work and, possibly, suffering.

The Message to the “Real World”

NEW CREATURE

-10- 9- 8- 7- 6- 5- 4

+ 3

+ 1

- 3- 2- 1

+ 2

+ 4+ 5+ 6

ETERNITY

NEW CREATURE

-10- 9- 8- 7- 6- 5- 4

+ 3

+ 1

- 3- 2- 1

+ 2

+ 4+ 5+ 6

hInitial Awareness of Gospel

hRejection of God

hAwareness of Supreme Being

hGrasp of Implications of Gospel

hPositive Attitude Toward Gospel

hPersonal Problem RecognitionDECISION TO ACT

hRepentance and Faith in Christ

hPost-Decision Evaluation

hIncorporation into Body

hConceptual and Behavioral Growth

hReproduction

ETERNITY

REGENERATION NEW CREATURE

-10- 9- 8- 7- 6- 5- 4

+ 3

+ 1

- 3- 2- 1

+ 2

+ 4+ 5+ 6

hInitial Awareness of Gospel

hRejection of God

hAwareness of Supreme Being

hGrasp of Implications of Gospel

hPositive Attitude Toward Gospel

hPersonal Problem RecognitionDECISION TO ACT

hRepentance and Faith in Christ

hPost-Decision Evaluation

hIncorporation into Body

hConceptual and Behavioral Growth

hReproduction

ETERNITY

Revelation

Conviction Proclamation

Sanctification

GOD’S ROLE OUR ROLE

The Message to the “Real World”