1. The Pre-eminence of Christ By Mike Mazzalongo Lesson #2 Chapter 1:1-2

2.  32-34 AD – Converted on the road to Damascus.  35 AD – Travelled to Jerusalem  36-42 AD– Returned to Tarsus to teach  42-44 AD– In Antioch as teacher with Barnabas  44 AD – Collection for the poor in Jerusalem  45-57 AD – Missionary journeys  58-60 AD – Detention at Caesarea  60-61 AD – Trip to Rome under Roman guard  61-63 AD – Roman house arrest  63 AD – Released from Roman jail.  64-66 AD – Return visit to churches  67 AD – Arrested and martyred in Rome

3. 1. Salutation – 1:1-2 2. Christ: pre-eminent in relationships – 1:3-29 3. Christ: pre-eminent in doctrine – 2:1-23 4. Christ: pre-eminent in ethics – 3:1-4:1 5. Conclusion and greetings – 4:2-18

4. “ 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

5. Introduction Vs. 1 – Apostle = Authority Position Vs. 2 – Saints = Relationship to God Faithful Brethren = Relationship to each other.

6. Heresies always have the objective of discrediting Christ and/or His teachings.

7. GRACE GRACE – what God provides PEACE PEACE – what man experiences The heresies were discounting the grace and upsetting the peace

8. LEGALISM No religion can improve on the gospel of grace so they always go the other way: LEGALISM

9. The Gospel declares 3 simple truths: 1. All are sinners – Rom. 3:23 2. No one can save themselves by “law-keeping” strategies – Gal. 2:16a 3. Salvation is only by grace through faith in Christ – Acts 4:12; Gal. 2:16b

10. “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:23 (NAS)

11. “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23 (NAS)

12. “ nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law…” Galatians 2:16a(NAS)

13. “ And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NAS)

14. “ but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” Galatians 2:16b(NAS)

15. God is the Creator of ALL but Only Father to Some.