Colossians 1:1–8 | A Culture of Gratitude
A Culture of Gratitude: Colossians 1:1–8
What shapes you more than anything else?
Your city, your career, and your social media feed all have a vision for the good life — and they're all competing to form you into their image. The church at Colossae felt that same pressure. So do we in Boston.
In this opening message of our Colossians series, Pastor Steven Castello shows that before Paul gives any doctrine or correction, he gives thanks. That's not an accident. A gospel-centered church is developing a culture where grace is noticed and gratitude is normal.
Paul points to four things worth giving thanks for:
God himself — the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the giver of every good gift. None of us have a perfect record before God. But in Christ, we receive his. God did not spare his own Son so that you could be a son or daughter of God. That alone is worth daily thanksgiving.
The fruit of God's work — faith, hope, and love working together. Hope in Christ's finished work is the foundation. Faith is the bridge that connects us to it. And love — costly, sacrificial love — is what flows out. As N.T. Wright says, the solid facts of future hope are a powerful motivation for constant faith and costly love.
God's word — the gospel is only good news because it's true news. The word does the work. Hear it, trust it, let it grow.
Faithful people — Paul honored Epaphras by name. We should do the same. Pray for your leaders. And when someone's faithfulness has blessed you, tell them.
We live in a world bent toward cynicism. The antidote isn't willpower — it's drinking deeply of God's grace until gratitude becomes your default.