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Text: Colossians 1:2
The contrast of immortality versus mortality. It is the contrast of what is in Christ and very much alive versus what is in Colosse and long forgotten. Colosse today is literally a pile of dirt and a handful of architectural stones covered by weeds and bushes. The only memories of this once busy metropolis are buried and gone. Just one life twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. I get the principle, but would change it to say, only what’s IN Christ will last.
Alive versus dead: Christians of Colosse are very much alive in Christ, the city of Colosse is dead. Immortal versus mortal: Christians of Colosse are immortal souls waiting physical redemption, the city of Colosse was a mortal city now buried under the dust. Remembered versus forgotten: Christians of Colosse are remembered in Christ, but the city of Colosse is forgotten.
In this verse you have immortality set in the context of mortality. You have eternity set in the context of vanity. You have living Christians set in the context of a dead city.
Eternal reward set against the backdrop of forgotten riches. What is the return on investment?
Colosse
- James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
- Ecclesiastes 6
- Has riches, but his health fails.
- Has riches, but his children are made the worse for it.
- Has riches and spends all his time trying to protect it from thieves and disasters.
- Four things are true of the riches of Colosse as the riches of the world: 1) they won’t last, 2) there is very limited ability to enjoy these riches 3) the riches never satisfy, they can’t be enough, 4) at death everyone will wish they had made eternal investments
Christ
- Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…
- Hope of glory in 1:26-27
- Faithful brethren would receive a part in the inheritance that is everlasting in 3:24.
- Colossians 2:18
- 1 Corinthians 3:8-15
- Hebrews 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
- John 14:1-4
- Joshua 12-24 a picture of Judgment Seat of Christ, Judgment of Nations and inheritance divided out
- Luke 19:15-23
- 2 Timothy 1:11-12
- Revelation 22:12
