What is necessary for Christ to have preeminence in all things in the local church:

*First and foremost: V4A: Members with faith in Christ. A church must be comprised of born again believers; if not it is not a church.

·       Col 1:2, 5 In his epistles Paul wrote to local churches and addressed the saints [Rom 1:7; 1Cor 1:2; 2Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:1]

·       John 3:7 .  .  . Ye must be born again.

·       Why the plural pronoun “Ye” in John 3:7? Because all (everyone)

Ø    V12 need to be made meet  to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light

Ø    Webster’s 1828: MEET, adjective [Latin convenio.] Fit; suitable; proper; qualified; convenient; adapted, as to a use or purpose.

Ø    Vs 13-14 need to be redeemed from the power of darkness

Ø    V21, Rom 12:2 need a renewed mind, me must think differently than the world thinks.

·       Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

·       Rom 8:11; Heb 13:15-16; 1Peter 2:5, 3:18 Only born again Christians, accepted by God through Jesus Christ and  quickened by the Holy Spirit, , are able to offer up spiritual sacrifices; the sacrifice of praise. 1Thes 2:11-13

**Second V4B: Must cultivate love for all the saints,

·       John 13:33-35; 15:12,17

·       1John 3:11, 14, 23 Commandment given by Jesus Christ. It is not our nature. Our old nature is to pick and choose who be befriend .

·       The first fruit of the Spirit is love. Gal 5:22

·       Gal 6:10 especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

·       Col 3:14 the love that gives 1Cor 13:4-8

·       Phil 2:2; Romans 12:1-3 and 1Cor 12:25

·       Heb 10:24-25

Eph 5:2, 21 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

***Third Vs 1:6-7: bringeth forth fruit through the gospel

·       Epaphras reported that the church in Colosse was continuing to bring forth fruit through the gospel. It is the gospel that bringeth forth fruit.