Introduction to Studies in the Epistle to the Colossians, BY GRAEME TEARLE
 
The Epistle to the Colossians stands alone as a unique document in the New Testament collection.
 
Colossae was one of a group of three cities located in ancient Asia Minor, which is south-west Turkey today. The other two cities were Laodicea and Hieropolis.
They were clustered together in a circle of about 30 kilometres, and were approximately 160 kilometres east of Ephesus.
 
No mention is made of the specific founding of the churches at these places, but in Acts 19v10, when Paul was in Ephesus for two years, the gospel spread throughout Asia. Paul himself did not establish these churches, as seen in Col.2v1, but it is understood from Col.1v7,8 that Epaphras did. From Col.4v12,13 we learn that Epaphras was with Paul at the time of writing; and he also refers to the churches in these three cities.
Paul probably wrote this letter from prison in Rome about AD62.
 
We can deduct from the following verses that these churches were predominantly Gentile:

• Ch.1v21: they were estranged and hostile
• Ch.1v27: the riches of the glory of Christ are made great among the Gentiles
• Ch.3v5-7: the catalogue of sins mentioned here are characteristically Gentile and not Jewish.

 
The prime message of Colossians is summed up in Paul’s theme in writing, summarized in chapter 2v1,2:
He wanted them to know about his agonizing for their spiritual maturity and encouragement.
 
The two prime reasons for writing appears to be the following:

• He wanted to encourage them for their progress in the Lord, as in ch.1v3-6, 2v5.
• He wanted to warn them about heresies and errors which were developing amongst the churches at the time.
  • People were opposing the truth about the deity of Christ
  • People were claiming ‘special knowledge’ which was contrary to the gospel – these were the ‘gnostics.’
  • People were claiming the need to continue following laws of food, drink, rituals, worship of astrological elements; this led to polarity between ascetism and immoral living.

 
His teaching on doctrinal and ethical matters can be summed up in his statement in ch.3v3:
“For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
 
These studies will seek to explore what this message will have for us today as Christians, as we look afresh at the supremacy of Christ and the implications on our mind and our behaviour.

Some points to ponder...
Have you been struggling, as I have, to make sense of how head and heart seem to be at odds, when contemplating the options to choose from for our upcoming general election in September?
 
To exercise my 3-yearly democratic right this time round, I’m not only going to have to choose a candidate and a political party to vote for, I’m also going to be able to have my say on two life/generation-changing issues – End of Life Choice and Cannabis Legalisation and Control.

I feel strongly that it’s my civic duty to find out as much information as I can about these proposed legislation changes, but I must admit that I’ve found the whole process to be quite challenging, with so much computer and newspaper time required, to carefully process all the information that's available. 

Not to mention the essential process of separating fact from fiction.  For every argument ‘for’, I’d come across another which contradicted it, and seemed to suggest that the proposed changes were either not in the best interests of family well-being, or were ones which directly contravened Biblical principles.

So how should I vote - where to turn to next, for guidance? 
 
In the Bible, James 1:5 [NIV] says ..
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
who gives generously to all without finding fault,
And it will be given to you.

and in Psalm 25 we find these words, in verses 4 and 5 ..
Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for You are God my Saviour,
and my hope is in you all day long.

So I have my answer, and that's what I choose to do - ask God to guide me.  Thank you Lord, for reminding me that you are in control, that you do understand our human-ness and our indecisive-ness, and that you have the answer.  Thank you Lord, for reminding me to look for your truth, and to ask you for your wisdom and guidance in these matters, not to rely on my own understanding.

 Less of me, more of Him.     


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After six weeks of lock-down, we’ve got into our little routines, and sorted out our bubbles pretty well. The weather has thankfully been kind for people to go walking, and for standing outside in supermarket queues.
The covid19 virus seems to be waning worldwide, and people are starting to peep out of their hiding holes ‑ their homes, in most cases. Will it ever be safe to venture out into the big, wide world again?  Some say yes, while others are not so sure.
There is more to this than venturing outside our doors and into a less secure world though. Fear, in particular, could keep us inside even if the outside world is safe.  
Fear is probably the biggest threat to our peace and security.
There are different fears and worries we may experience. For some, the risk of illness is the biggest worry; and for others the risk of financial struggles, or even ruin, keeps them awake at night. Many people struggle with loneliness, and fear they won’t cope with yet more social isolation.
What would Jesus say to these fears? What did He say to His disciples struggling to keep their boat afloat in a severe storm on Lake Galilee? (John 6:16-21 Don’t be afraid!
What did He say during His sermon on the mount about financial provision? (Matthew 6:25-34)? Don’t worry!
A lack of worry isn’t the same as irresponsibility, nor does it mean a hazy resistance to facing reality.  A decision not to worry is a decision to trust. But – in whom do we trust?
Jesus said, (John 14: 25-27. NIV). ‘All of this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
Just as the threats are within, The Conqueror is also within, and He is the one who tells us not to be afraid.

The chair-lift carries its passengers through and over places that may be difficult or dangerous to cross; in this case, a park in Launceston, Tasmania.

2 Corinthians 13v14. ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen’
If I take a coin and toss it into the air, it may come up heads or tails, or it may land in an upright position. Sounds impossible. I’ve never seen it done. No one has ever done that before. The possibility is there nevertheless.                             
 Welcome to Christianity.
Along came a man named Jesus and turned the world upside down as we knew it. All of this world’s history points to this man. With all of life’s up and downs and round abouts, this man has become the corner stone of life to so many people.

• He healed all who came to him with all types of difficulties.
• He fed multitudes with very little provision.
• He confounded all those He talked with who thought they knew best.
• He confirmed scripture spoken many years previously.
• He also spoke about many things, which we know now,2000 years later, have been and are being fulfilled.

The Shepherd Heart of GOD is looking for you.
He tells us that the reason He came was so that The Holy Spirit could come to us, to guide us, teach us, empower us, to live within us, so that we could come to the place we were created to be, in righteous relationship with the one who created us and with each other, upright in His sight.
John 3v10 ‘If thou knew the gift of GOD, and who it is that saith to thee, “give me to drink”, thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.’
John 3v 14 ‘But whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’
John 6 v35 ‘I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.’
This time of communion, when we partake of the elements of the bread and the cup let us consider what we are really saying, and to whom.
Hebrews13v20, 21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our LORD JESUS, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through JESUS CHRIST; to whom be glory forever, Amen.” KJV
 From our bubble to your bubble!
By Mark G

Dear Tikipunga Baptist Church members and other visitors, welcome to our Blog site.  

As we settle into our 'new normal' (our individual/family bubbles), the words 'CoVid19 Level Four lockdown' are becoming all too familiar for us here in NZ.  Our Government has called for this drastic action for good reason, and we are called to obey those rules, for everyone's sake - people's lives really do depend upon it.   

These times have been called 'unprecedented' and are certainly unknown to us, but we’re all in it together, and together we can remain strong. We will certainly miss our fellowship together and other social interaction, but technology has brought us many different ways of interacting so hopefully you are able to keep in touch with your family, friends and fellowship during this time.

We are here for you too and our blog has two purposes:

1) To help each of us keep Our Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ, His Heavenly Father and The Holy Spirit clear in our focus.
2) To offer practical and emotional help for each other.   Social isolation is not our ‘norm’.   

Please be encouraged by this special verse from Jesus, when He promised to give us His special peace.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14: 27; NIV)

Secondly - please try to keep in touch with each other, but especially with those people who are on their own or those who are vulnerable for other reasons.  And please do keep in contact with us via our email form, we'd love to hear from you.  

A verse from Marlene today: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

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