Colossians 1:2

The book of Colossians chapter 1 and verses 1 and 2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God and Timothy is our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ, which are at Colosset. Grace be unto you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless to us His sacred and holy word. This morning. Years ago, in England, there was a beautiful young woman who attracted the attention of a very wealthy gentleman. He was determined to make her his wife, even though she was from a poorer class of people. She was a woman who always pinched pennies to make ends meet. Well, they married. And her husband opened a bank account for her and put a thousand pounds. in the bank account that she could draw upon whenever she wanted or needed. However, being from a poor background, she spent her money very, very carefully. And after several months had gone by, she’d only spent 50 pounds. One day her husband talked to her about her managing of her account, her checking account. And she said, have I been too extravagant? And he said, no, most women. and it would have drawn and already spent the thousand pounds already. And her husband said, you’re married to a rich man, don’t be afraid to enjoy my wealth. You know, our original background through Adam left us in a broke position. Stuck us with an ocean of debt spiritually. But we’re married to King Jesus. We’re married. married to one who is the heir of all things. And he has put a checkbook of promises into our hand, and we may draw upon the riches of divine grace. Our text is a case in point, because divine blessings are available to us as the people of God. But sadly, like the poor woman who married the rich man, we were often reluctant to draw. upon the riches of God’s spiritual wealth and grace. Let me begin by saying, as we look at the second part of verse 2 here, that you are given a spiritual greeting here. Grace be unto you in peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, this is something. somewhat of a common salutation. Salutations were commonly used in letters by both Jews and Greeks. It was very common at this time. They classified them as well wishes for the person who was the recipient of the letter. It was a desire for something good for that person. The best things they knew of would be wish such as health or peace or well-being. King Nebuchadnezzar when he wrote to all the nations in his kingdom in Daniel 4, he said, Peace be multiplied unto you. King Artaxerxes of Persia. When he wrote to the Canaanites who were opposing the Jewish remnant of the land in Ezra, chapter 4, verse 17, when he wrote, he said, peace at such a time. David’s message, when he spoke to Nabol and asked to share in some, of the wealth when he was doing his sheep’s hearing, he said, peace be to thee in thy house and peace to all that thou hast. Christ told the disciples, when they went out and went into a city, wherever they stayed, they were to salute the people and say, well, say peace under this house. So these greetings were greetings that you find of common friendship often in Scripture. In the 1960s. during the so-called peace movement, I remember vividly the hippies would greet one another by saying peace and give the peace sign. It’s not uncommon today to see letters where someone might wish someone peace or good health or success and their endeavors. And this is why these salutations are frequently used. Certainly it’s a common courtesy that we find. But I have to say that this particular salutation is not just a common courtesy, for it is a Christian salutation. Christ himself instructed disciples to use common salutations. But using the same phrases and form of speech, they were to convey a greater good than the common courtices that the Greeks and the Jews often used. While the world uses salutations, they’re only concerned with what’s carnal, what’s earthly. However, Christ elevates these expressions to convey what is spiritual, what is heavenly, what is inward. Christ’s greetings to his disciple after his resurrection. was this, peace be unto you. And as he said in John 1427, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. So Jesus, when he said, peace be unto you, he said, I’m not giving you the common salutation of the world. I’m not giving you the common, I hope everything’s well with you, or I wish you well. Now, I am pronouncing a spiritual peace upon you. you. My peace isn’t like the world’s peace. He makes a distinction here because it is spiritual in nature. Christ’s peace is a divine peace, a peace from God himself. There’s no higher form of peace. Paul, in following Christ’s example, when he pronounced a salutation of peace upon the disciples, he pronounces peace here in our text. notice he carefully defines this peace and this grace as from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not ordinary grace or peace here, but this is the grace or peace from God himself. For Paul speaks of peace with God, purchased by Christ’s blood, a peace that passes all understanding, as the scripture tells us in Philippians 4-7. Now, you’ll notice that Christianity here does not abolish all human customs or the common customs of man, but it certainly spiritualizes them. It certainly elevates them to a higher level. So that if we give a salutation, it is a spiritual connotation to it is a spiritual connotation to it. It’s not a carnal salutation. And therefore, it’s been a part of a salutation. believers, we should seek to put a spiritual emphasis on the common and the ordinary things of life. Every aspect of our life, in a sense, should be Christianized, right? We should bring it captive to the mind of Christ, reflect a spiritual mindset. Whatever we do, we don’t do it as the world does it, as Jesus said, but we put a higher and a spiritual purpose. us upon what we do. This may require some careful study on our part on how we may best do this. Spurgeon mentions a man who claimed to be a teetotaler for a long time. However, there were some people who dotted his claim. So his friends asked him, well, how long have you been upstainer from alcohol? And he said, well, on and off for 20 years. And a big smile came on the faces of his friends. And upstainer on. and off is absurd. Either you’re abstainer or you’re not. His example didn’t stand for much. Certain people who profess faith in Christ or sort of like on and off Christians, they turn it on, they turn it off. Their testimony does not stand for much before the world. This is why we must seek to be consistent in our profession, to bring Christ into every aspect of our lives. And so you are given here a spiritual greeting. Now, you’ll notice that you are given a spiritual blessing in this greeting. Grace be unto you and peace. Find a spiritual blessing from God pronounced here upon the people of God. This is what we call an apostolic blessing. The apostles were the patriarchs of the New Testament Church. Christ being the chief cornerstone, but the apostles being a foundation of the church according to Ephesians 220. As patriarchs, as spiritual fathers, they can pronounce a blessing upon their children. And that is the idea that we have here. Remember how the Old Testament patriarchs would bless their children. Remember Jacob when he was about to die, remember he had, he brings his 12 sons in and he pronounces a blessing on each one, or at least he gives each one a statement. Some of them he didn’t have a lot of good things to say about, but he pronounces a blessing. And so we see this idea of pronouncing a blessing on their physical children in the Old Testament. That’s carried over as a spirit. blessing here with regard to the people of God. Paul blessed Timothy as a spiritual child. He says to Timothy my own son in the faith, grace and peace. And 1. Timothy 1.2. That which more clearly confirms this is a blessing is how closely it conforms to the blessing of the high priest in the Old Testament. Now look with me at the Book of Numbers chapter 6, if you would. Number 6. I want to read verses 23 to 26. Here’s what the Lord said to through Moses. He said, speak unto Aaron and unto his son, saying, on this wise, shall you bless the children of Israel? And say unto them, the Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. They shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them. Now, if you look carefully as to the substance of this blessing in the Old Testament, you’ll see how much it is like the apostolic blessing we have here in the New Testament. Jehovah’s face is likened under the sun, and when you have the sunshine, things grow, things flourish. And so to have God’s face shine upon us is to have his favor rest upon us. And then he defines that as to be gracious unto us here. And then he says, the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. So the final fruit of God’s favor is peace. But what are the two principal things he pronounces upon the Israelites here? grace and peace. What are the two things that Paul pronounces on the people of God in the New Testament? Grace and peace. It’s the same idea. Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was sent to bless his people according to Acts 326. He represents a higher priesthood than that of Aaron. Isn’t he our high priest? aren’t the apostles, the ambassadors of Christ, so aren’t they actually conveying our high priest’s blessing of grace and peace upon us as the true Israel of God? Isn’t this the same concept? Yes, I think it is. And clearly, the substance of the blessing is the same in both Testaments. So you can conclude that this is more than just a salutation. This is, This is a divine blessing as well upon the people of God. So you find a spiritual blessing from God pronounced upon the people of God. You have the spiritual blessings of grace and peace conveyed here. Let’s look at grace. Grace is the favor of God according to the good pleasure of his will. It speaks of the gracious acts. of God’s favor and love, granted the poor sinners who are chosen in Christ. And it speaks also of the gifts of God’s grace that are granted to us as well. So that it speaks of God graciously, accepting us in Christ, pardoning our sins, granting us everything necessary for the Christian life. All those things would be included in this idea of grace. grace are you saved? We’re justified freely by grace and so forth. And we’re continually provided with gifts of grace such as faith and love and perseverance and patience and so forth. Every one of us, according to Scripture, is given grace according to the measure of Christ, Ephesians 4.7. Now obviously the Colossians have already been saved by God’s grace. and yet they still needed gifts of grace. They needed a constant supply of grace every day in order to sustain their Christian life, enable them to live a godly life. Peace. Peace is always the fruit or the effect of grace. Peace grows out of grace. We’re giving grace in the salvation of our souls and then what comes from that is that we have peace with God. right? And this implies an inward peace or peace of conscience being justified by faith we have peace with God, Romans 5-1. Our sins are forgiven. We’re in good standing with God. It also can refer to the idea of peace with one another as members of the church. A unity and the harmony and the harmony and body of Christ that he is the God of peace and not confusion that there wouldn’t be division in strife. among us, but indeed peace. And finally, we could even talk about the fact that he would wish for them to have, and the blessing would be external peace, that we could be live peaceably in the world. We’re in 1. Timothy 2, verses 1.2, we’re to pray for kings and for those in authority that we may live a peaceable life. And so all those things could be included in this idea of peace. So you have conveyed the spiritual blessings of grace and peace. Now, you may derive several spiritual lessons from this. The first is this. You find God’s grace eventually provides peace. There are shows where people renovate homes for their owners. They come in and they get into a house and sometimes they’re pretty run down and they tear it off. apart and they fix it up and make it really beautiful. And inside and out. Normally at first there’s great excitement. The homeowners are anticipating the changes and they see the drafting or the pictures of what it’s supposed to look like when it’s all done and they’re all excited. However, the enthusiasm fades when the demolition part comes in and walls are being torn down. And very various rooms are moved and the water lines are replaced and the electrical wiring has to be put in and sometimes things are so bad that the homeowners regret that they ever decided to undergo any of these changes. They wish things were back in the original condition. However, eventually the work is completed and relief comes. The house is beautifully done and they’re truly amazed by the result and now they have this beautiful house in which to live. So what happens when God’s grace comes into your life? It is true that when God sends grace, we have peace with God. But God’s grace at work sometimes can be messy in the sense that first God’s grace comes in and there has to be some demolition in your life. Because God has to remove a lot of things out of your life. And you find that grace comes and begins to tear down walls in your life. Exposes all sorts of flaws and hidden sins are discovered. But you didn’t realize perhaps existed and you cry out with Isaiah, woe is me, I am undone at that point. Everything about you is revealed and it’s not always a pretty sight. The point is this, though. Spiritual renovation can be messy before a good result is achieved because the good result is ultimately peace. Because God is working in your life, removing sin, in order that you may draw closer to the Lord. And so grace always flows into peace. But grace may bring some things with it when it works in your life that may make big changes. Some renovation has to take place. You find the importance also of seeking the best gifts. It’s essential to note what Paul considers the most vital thing. What am I going to ask for these people? What is the first thing that he mentions that he wants them to have? What is the blessing that he wants them to have? Grace and peace. Of all the things you request, when you make requests, where is grace and peace in your request? Matt Emmons, who was an Olympic gold medalist in rifle. shooting in 2004 was set out to win another Olympic medal in Athens. And he had a commanding lead and he hoped to get a bull’s eye shot on his last target. But something went wrong and here, though he hit the target, he actually shot at somebody else’s target. He shot at the wrong target. And because he lost his focus, he dropped to eighth place and out of metal contention. Friends, Paul reproves here the folly of the world because all of them wish things for themselves and their friends that are earthly. It relates to, you know, riches or honor or even health at times, as if that’s the major priority. Many Christians often shoot at the wrong target. And they ignore the greatest spiritual blessings, which are grace and peace. Christ command you to seek first the king. kingdom of God, not the corn on earthly things. They are of secondary value. It’s not that we can’t pray for these things. But don’t forget the best gifts, our grace and peace. People mine for precious metals such as silver and gold and they have these mines. When they’re digging through all the ore, they not only find silver and gold, but they offer fine copper and they may even find nickel in the mine as well. Now, it would be the height of folly to concentrate on the baser metals and set aside the gold and silver. Say, well, boy, look at all the copper I’m getting. Yeah, but you’re neglecting the gold and silver. Isn’t that the most important thing? Now, when it comes to prayer, don’t settle just for the secondary things. Remember to pray for the primary issues here. The grace and peace. So you find the importance of seeking the best gifts. So you were given a spiritual blessing, an apostolic blessing here. The third thing I suggest you is this. You’re given the source of all spiritual blessings from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, you find grace and peace comes from the Father and the Son. God does not bestow spiritual blessings merely as the Creator. No, grace and peace are specifically reserved for his people, his children. He is a father in Christ to us. It’s not everyone that can complain this privilege for grace is particular, and there is no peace, say, if my God, to the wicked. The children’s bread here is not given to the dogs. It’s for the sins. saints and faithful in Christ Jesus that he just mentioned previously in this verse. Every good and every perfect gift is from above, of course, comes down to us from the Father of Lights. He is the God of Grace, verse Peter 510, and he is the God of Peace, Hebrews 1320. Now, the Lord Jesus Christ is always the channel through which God’s grace and peace flows to us. As Scripture says in Ephesians 1 3, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who have blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. So these spiritual blessings are for those who are in Christ, those who have submitted to Christ’s Lord, those who have believed on Christ. These things are not for those still in rebellion against the kingdom, of Christ. Christ is the Prince of Peace for his people. Grace and peace are what Christ purchased on the cross, that we might have these spiritual blessings. Notice that the reason that the Holy Spirit is admitted here is because his office and work is to convey the grace and peace given by the Father, purchased by the son. So he is the conveyor in of the, he communicates the grace and peace, that is given to us by the Father and the Son. So you find grace and peace comes from the Father and the Son. Now, you might derive several spiritual lessons from this. One is this. You see the sad condition of those outside of Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 1-2. Grace and peace comes through a true and saving knowledge of God, and Christ. Without that knowledge, how can one have grace and peace? Those who are unenlightened, those who are uninformed about the gospel of Christ, can never draw upon these spiritual blessings. They’re cut off from them. If you turn away from the sun, you lose the light and the warmth of the sun. You turn away from Christ. You lose spirit of God. light and spiritual warmth. You lose grace and peace. In order that you may approach the throne of grace with assurance, God must be entreated. We must be able to come to him as our father. And Christ, our mediator. There’s a sad condition of those outside of Christ. What hope do they have? None? You find the best Christians need a continuous supply of grace and peace. Now, Paul has sought a blessing for these people not because they’re all weak saints, not because they are the most feeble of the Christians. No. Even the most faithful, because he says they are faithful here. Even the most devoted Christian needs grace and peace from God, the Father, and Christ. Do you already have grace and peace? Do you already have peace with God through faith in Christ? Still, there are times when there is guilt and there may be doubt in your minds about your daily sin and your faith, while real, may at times be mixed with unbelief. What need there is for Christ as the Prince of peace to speak a word to you and say peace be unto you. You need assurance that his blood cleanses you from all sin. That God is faithful and just to forgive you of all sin by his grace. We struggle with overwhelming trials at times in this life. Our soul may be plunged into a state of despair and state of darkness, even depression. We need Christ’s assurance that he will grant you more grace. and we will come to realize the truth, my grace is sufficient for you and your ire of trial. The Apostle has shown you what you desperately need, so don’t fail to seek daily grace and peace from the Lord. Let us close with a word of prayer.