THE TRIAD FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
- Pastor Henry L. Allen, Sr
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
April 6, 2025
SERMON SERIES: BEING ALL GOD WANTS YOU TO BE
Book of Colossians
SERMON # 1: THE TRIAD FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Colossians 1:1-8
Colossae was a city located in the Lycus River Valley in Phrygia---a part of modern-day Turkey. The church in Colossae was not established by Paul but by co-worker Epaphras (1:7; 4:12-13). It is clear that Paul was imprisoned while writing Colossians (4:3, 18). Many scholars agree that Paul most likely wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon (the Prison Epistles) while he was imprisoned in Rome in AD 60-62 (see Acts 28:30).
Paul wrote Colossians from jail to deal with some heresies that were circulating among the churches---particularly one false teaching about the uniqueness and deity of Jesus Christ. Such teachings involved a blending of Jewish and Greek ideas with a small quantity of Christian perspective that resulted in a watering down of the truth about Christ. Paul counters this with a striking argument for the deity of Jesus— “he is the image of the invisible God” (C0l. 1:15) who was responsible for creation and is the head of the church. He is King over all of His kingdom. Paul therefore calls the Colossian believers to reflect Christ’s character in every area of their lives, to put the truth into practice.
Paul presents Jesus Christ as the absolute authority and the complete sufficiency for being all God wants us to be. After introducing himself in verse 1, Paul reveals the spiritual triad required for being all God wants you to be.
I. A SAVING FAITH v. 2-4
A. There are faithful saints or believers in the church (v. 2a). This letter is written to the saints at Colossae. The word saints (HAGIOS, hag-ee-os) means “set apart,” or “consecrated,” to God. This refers to those who had set their lives apart to Christ and had continued on.
B. There are two basic spiritual needs (v. 2b).
1. Grace refers to God’s unmerited favor and blessings of God.
2. Peace – If we don’t have peace from God – inner tranquility – we’re not all God wants us to be, and it’s not God’s fault. Experiencing God’s grace results in peace form God.
C. Paul compliments their faith in Christ Jesus (v.4a). This refers to the saving faith the Colossian believers demonstrated when they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.
You must “get on board” by faith, trusting Christ to get to heaven. Are you on board right now?
The first part of the triad for spiritual growth is a saving faith.
II. A STEADFAST HOPE v. 5-6
Commitment and stability in belief – confident expectancy.
A. The believer’s hope is inseparable from his faith. The Gospel not only offers the hope of eternal life but also rewards us in this life. The Gospel is the Good News of Christ’s victory over Satan, sin. and death.
B. Paul tells the Colossians the Gospel is producing fruit all over the Mediterranean world, just as it did among them. The fruit refers to the saving effect of Gospel preaching and to the growth of the church. The Gospel is not a mixture of faith and works because salvation is by grace alone (Eph. 2:8).
The parts of the triad for spiritual growth include: a saving faith, a steadfast hope, and…
III. A SUPERNATURAL LOVE v. 7-8
A. Being the person God wants you to be has three requirements, two I already mentioned: faith and hope. Now, love is the third requirement. These three parts are like a three-legged stool; if one leg is missing you will topple over spiritually.
B. The Colossians believers were true believers, so they were filled with love in the Spirit of God. This is a supernatural love. To love in the Spirit is to allow God’s love flow through us. Read 1 Peter 1:22, “Now you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart (NIV).
Being all God wants you to be requires the triad for spiritual growth.
1. A Saving Faith
2. A Steadfast Hope
3. A Supernatural Love
Responsive reading: Colossians 1:1-8
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