To the Colossians

In this introductory sermon to the book of Colossians, Pastor Joel establishes the historical context and primary purpose of Paul's letter written from prison around 63 AD. He emphasizes that Paul wrote to combat false teachings infiltrating the Colossian church—both pagan philosophies questioning Christ's divinity and Judaizing teachings that added requirements to faith in Christ alone. Pastor Joel stresses the critical importance of being grounded in God's Word to withstand false doctrines, particularly relevant in today's media-saturated world where believers face constant exposure to teachings that either diminish Christ's sufficiency or add human requirements to salvation. The central message is clear: salvation and righteousness come through Jesus alone—not Jesus plus religious rituals, dietary laws, feast-keeping, or any other human additions. He warns against contemporary false teachings including the Hebrew Roots Movement, easy-believism, and various forms of works-based salvation, emphasizing that genuine faith rests solely on Christ's finished work and transformation through the Holy Spirit.