QT 17/09/2024 Tue. Colossians 1. The Supremacy of Christ. 基督至高无上.

QT 17/09/2024 Tue. Colossians 1
http://www.esvbible.org/col1

The supremacy of Jesus Christ compels us to rejoice. It also compels us to worship Him alone, and labour diligently in God's work for us. Instead of paying undue attention to strict but dead rules regarding thinking framework, eating, drinking and festivals, Paul wants the Colossians to focus on the supremacy of Christ.

REFLECTION: Many different people and ideas surround us, each driven by different motivations. Now then, what drives you?

Christ's supremacy is manifested as follows :-

By His SUPERIOR position over all of creation (Col 1:15);

He IS the reason and purpose for creation (Col 1:16);

He SUSTAINS creation (Col 1:17);

He HEADS the church and, rightfully, over everything else (Col 1:18);

He is the MEANS for creation to be reconciled to God again (Col 1:20), through the gospel (Col 1:21-23).

This truth MOTIVATED Paul to be diligent and rugged: He SUFFERED for Gentile believers (Col 1:24) in spite of Jewish opposition. Paul followed Jesus' example of suffering for God's cause. Now, the world hated Paul. Paul continued to present the fullness of God in his preaching (Col 1:25-28) relying on the God who "works in me" (Col 1:29).

REFLECTION: God gives you 168 hours per week. What are you doing with them?

星期二 2024年9月17日 今日读经：歌罗西书书1章. 基督至高无上.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians 1&version=CUVS

耶稣基督的掌权促使我们喜乐。它也促使我们单单敬拜祂，并努力勤奋地去做神所赐的工作。相反的，保罗不要我们把精力投入在严苛死板的，关于思考模式、吃、喝和节庆的教条，保罗要歌罗西人专注在基督的掌权。

反思:有许多的人和想法围绕着我们，每个的推动力也不一样。那么，现在的你，背后的推动力是什么？

基督的掌权显明在以下的项目中:-

祂在一切被造的之上(歌1:15);

万有本着祂造也为祂而造(歌1:16);

万有靠着祂而存在(歌1:17);

祂是教会的头，也在凡事上居首位(歌1:18);

万有都透过福音(歌1:21-23),借着祂与神和好(歌1:20)。

这个真理激励保罗发奋图强：他为着外族的信徒受苦(歌1:24)，即使面对犹太人的反对。保罗跟随耶稣的榜样为着神的缘故受苦。现在，世界都恨透了保罗。保罗继续在他的讲道中呈现神的完全(歌1:25-28)，按着神”在我心中运行”(歌1:29)的动力，竭力奋斗。

反思：神给了你每周168个小时。你如何使用？