Colossians 1:1-14: Faith, Love, and Hope in what? In Christ!

Rev. Dr. Paul Deterding, pastor and teacher at St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to begin our study of Colossians.

Faith & hope needs a source. The church in Colossae had faith and hope, but the source was wrong. A source based on knowledge and a denial of physical realities. Their pastor, Epaphras, had visited Paul while in jail and expressed concern that the church had focused more on knowledge than their incarnate, crucified, and physically risen Savior. Paul encourages the Colossians to re-focus their attention on the content of their faith & hope, Christ and Him crucified, because from that content they receive real redemption, that is, forgiveness in Christ. “Lord Jesus Christ, Your incarnation, death, resurrection, body and blood is where our hope is founded. By Your Holy Spirit, keep us grounded in the true faith so that Your love will be given to others. In Your name, Amen”