Sermons on Colossians 1:5
The various sermons below converge on the understanding that the hope referenced in Colossians 1:5 is not a vague or distant wish but a present, secure reality grounded in Christ, which serves as the foundation for both faith and love. They emphasize that this hope is deeply intertwined with Christian identity and spiritual growth, often using vivid metaphors such as a building’s foundation, a tree’s roots, or the chiseling of marble to illustrate how hope anchors and shapes believers’ lives. Several sermons highlight the sacrificial and unconditional nature of agape love as flowing directly from this hope, while others stress that a “heavenly mindedness” or focus on Christ’s sufficiency enables believers to love deeply, even in difficult circumstances. A notable nuance is the psychological and theological interplay between faith and hope, where hope is presented as the objective reality that awakens faith, rather than faith simply producing hope. This dynamic is further enriched by the distinction between hope as an act, an object, and a guarantor, underscoring the security and assurance believers have in the inheritance and glory promised in the gospel.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in how they frame the temporal and experiential aspects of hope. Some emphasize hope as a present, confident assurance that frees believers from fear and enables active love now, while others wrestle with common misconceptions, clarifying that Christian hope is neither mere wishful thinking nor escapism but a living, victorious person—Christ—already reigning in heaven. There is also a difference in focus regarding motivation: one sermon critiques the idea that gratitude alone drives Christian obedience, arguing instead that hope for future reward is a legitimate motivator, whereas another leans more heavily on gratitude as primary. Additionally, while some sermons personify hope directly in Christ and explore the linguistic depth of the Greek terms, others lean into practical exhortations about maintaining a heavenly perspective to sustain faith and love. The tension between hope as a present experience and as a future inheritance, as well as the relationship between hope, faith, and love, is handled with varying degrees of emphasis and nuance across the messages, leaving room for further reflection on how best to communicate these intertwined realities in preaching.
Colossians 1:5 Interpretation:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) interprets Colossians 1:5 as emphasizing that hope is not merely a future anticipation of heaven, but the very foundation and anchor of Christian faith and love. The sermon uniquely personifies hope as Jesus Christ himself, describing him as the "personification of hope" and the "anchor" for believers. The preacher uses the metaphor of a building's foundation, stating that if faith and love are not built on the hope found in Christ, the entire structure is "trash." The Greek word for love, agape, is explored in detail, highlighting its sacrificial and unconditional nature, and connecting it to the hope that motivates such love. The sermon also draws a parallel between the process of spiritual growth and the chiseling of marble, suggesting that the gospel continually shapes believers, refining their faith, love, and hope.
Living in Gratitude: Embracing Christ's Sufficiency and Leadership (Crazy Love) offers a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the causal relationship in Colossians 1:5: faith and love "spring from" the hope stored up in heaven. The preacher highlights that a "heavenly mindedness" is what enables believers to love deeply and sacrificially, even when it is difficult. He uses the analogy of people who are able to give generously and love others because their minds are set on heaven, not on earthly possessions or comfort. The sermon also challenges the congregation to examine whether their hope is truly in Christ or in earthly things, and asserts that the sufficiency of Christ is the core of the hope that produces faith and love.
Rooted in Christ: Confidence, Wisdom, and Joy (Jason Baker) interprets Colossians 1:5 by connecting the "confident hope" of heaven to the ability of believers to love one another well. The preacher uses the analogy of a tree's growth rings and roots, explaining that just as a tree's health and ability to withstand storms depend on deep roots, so too does a Christian's ability to love and bear fruit depend on being rooted in the hope of salvation and the word of God. The sermon emphasizes that this hope is not a daily uncertainty but a settled confidence, which frees believers to love without fear.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) provides a notably nuanced interpretation, questioning common assumptions about "hope." The preacher distinguishes between hope as mere wishful thinking, hope as a future reward, and hope as escape from hell, ultimately arguing that Paul's "hope laid up for you in heaven" is a present, secure reality in Christ. He uses the analogy of Princess Leia's message in Star Wars—"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope"—to illustrate that Christian hope is not vague or self-referential, but is anchored in a living, present person (Christ) who is already victorious and seated in heaven. This hope, the preacher argues, is what enables believers to love as family now, not just in the future.
J.I. Packer: A Legacy of Faith and Hope (Desiring God) does not provide a direct or extended interpretation of Colossians 1:5, but it does briefly reference the verse in a discussion about Christian motivation. The sermon contrasts J.I. Packer's view that gratitude, rather than hope of gain, is the primary motivator for Christian living, with the preacher's own view that Colossians 1:5 teaches hope for heaven is a legitimate and biblical motivator for love and obedience. However, this is a passing reference and does not constitute a full interpretation or unique analogy of the verse.
Colossians 1:5 Theological Themes:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) introduces the theme that hope is not just a future expectation but the present foundation and anchor for faith and love, with Jesus Christ himself as the embodiment of hope. The sermon also explores the Greek term agape, emphasizing that true Christian love is sacrificial and unconditional, flowing from the hope found in Christ.
Living in Gratitude: Embracing Christ's Sufficiency and Leadership (Crazy Love) presents the theme that a heavenly perspective—being "heavenly minded"—is the wellspring of both faith and love. The preacher adds the facet that love for others, especially when difficult, is only possible when one's hope is fixed on Christ and eternity, not on earthly gain or comfort. He also critiques the tendency to add to Christ, arguing that the sufficiency of Christ is the true content of the hope that produces faith and love.
Rooted in Christ: Confidence, Wisdom, and Joy (Jason Baker) highlights the theme that confident assurance of salvation (hope) liberates believers from fear and self-doubt, enabling them to love others freely and deeply. The sermon adds the angle that being rooted in hope, the word, and the Spirit is what produces lasting spiritual fruit and resilience.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) develops the theme that Christian hope is not merely future-oriented or escapist, but is a present, secure reality in Christ, who is already victorious and reigning. The preacher adds that this hope is transformative, enabling believers to live as a loving family now, reflecting the future reality of life with Christ. He also introduces the idea that hope is not self-generated but is received through the gospel, and that it motivates not just faith but active, sacrificial love within the Christian community.
Faith, Hope, and Love: A Divine Interconnection (Desiring God) introduces the distinctive theological theme that hope, as an objective reality, is the generative ground for both faith and love. The sermon challenges the common sequence that faith produces hope, instead arguing that the presentation of hope in the gospel awakens faith by offering a "taste" of future glory. This theme is further developed by exploring the psychological dynamics of faith and hope, suggesting that the compelling vision of future grace and glory is what enables believers to trust Christ and love others sacrificially in the present.
Hope: The Foundation of Faith and Love (Desiring God) adds a fresh facet by meticulously distinguishing the three senses of "hope" (act, object, guarantor) and asserting that Colossians 1:5 refers to the object of hope—specifically, the inheritance, forgiveness, kingdom, and glory secured by Christ. The sermon also highlights the theological security of this hope, emphasizing that it is "kept" in heaven by God and thus cannot be lost, which grounds the believer's assurance and perseverance.
J.I. Packer: A Legacy of Faith and Hope (Desiring God) brings a new angle by engaging in a theological debate about the role of hope as a motivator for Christian living. The preacher critiques Packer's statement that gratitude, not hope of gain, is the true driving force of Christian obedience, arguing instead that Colossians 1:5 and other passages present hope for future reward as a legitimate and biblical motivator. This introduces a nuanced discussion about the interplay between gratitude and hope in Christian ethics.
Colossians 1:5 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) provides detailed historical context about the city of Colossae, noting its destruction by an earthquake before 70 AD and the fact that the church was founded by Epaphras, not Paul. The sermon discusses the cultural pressures of Greek philosophy and Gnostic teachings infiltrating the church, and the need for the Colossians to resist cultural syncretism. The preacher also explains the context of Paul's imprisonment and the co-authorship of the letter with Timothy, situating the letter around 62 AD.
Rooted in Christ: Confidence, Wisdom, and Joy (Jason Baker) offers historical context about Colossae as a busy trade city with a diverse population, including a significant Jewish community and strong Roman cultural influences. The preacher notes the challenges faced by the young church as it navigated various philosophies and traditions brought in by new converts from different backgrounds.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) provides context by linking Colossians with Philemon, noting shared individuals (Epaphras, Archippus, Onesimus) and emphasizing the familial approach Paul takes with the church. The preacher also references the broader context of early Christian communities, highlighting Paul's focus on forming loving, unified communities rather than just saving individual souls.
Hope: The Foundation of Faith and Love (Desiring God) provides historical and contextual insight by explaining that "laid up in heaven" does not mean believers will only enjoy the hope after death, but rather that it is securely kept by God in the heavenly realm, awaiting full realization. The sermon also situates the Colossian hope within the broader New Testament expectation of a new heavens and new earth, where God's presence will dwell with his people, thus connecting the passage to first-century Jewish and Christian eschatological hopes.
Colossians 1:5 Cross-References in the Bible:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) references several passages to expand on Colossians 1:5. Hebrews 6 is cited to describe hope as the "anchor of the soul," connecting it to Jesus as the high priest. Colossians 3:14 is used to emphasize love as the binding force of Christian unity. Matthew 28:18-20 (the Great Commission) and 2 Corinthians 5 (ministry of reconciliation) are referenced to highlight the outward fruit of the gospel and the call to evangelism. James is mentioned to distinguish between mere belief and saving faith, and Jeremiah 3:15 is quoted to describe the role of faithful pastors.
Living in Gratitude: Embracing Christ's Sufficiency and Leadership (Crazy Love) references Ephesians 1 to discuss believers as God's inheritance, Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want") to illustrate sufficiency in Christ, and John 13:34-35 to highlight the command to love one another. The sermon also alludes to Galatians 5 (fruit of the Spirit) and Luke 9:23 (denying oneself to follow Christ) to support the call to live according to God's will and bear spiritual fruit.
Rooted in Christ: Confidence, Wisdom, and Joy (Jason Baker) references John 13:34-35 to connect the Colossians' love for one another to Jesus' command, and Galatians 5 to describe the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of spiritual growth. The preacher also alludes to Colossians 2:5-7 to reinforce the importance of being rooted in Christ.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) references Colossians 3 to explain the present reality of hope in Christ, and Acts 1 (the ascension and promised return of Jesus) to illustrate the future aspect of hope. The preacher also draws on Exodus language to describe deliverance from darkness, connecting it to the Old Testament narrative of Israel's exodus and the promise of inheriting the land. 1 Peter and other New Testament passages about inheritance and glory are alluded to in discussing the ultimate hope of believers.
Faith, Hope, and Love: A Divine Interconnection (Desiring God) references Hebrews 11:1 ("faith is the substance of things hoped for") and Hebrews 1:3 (the use of hypostasis), using these passages to argue that faith is the present experience of the future hope. The sermon also draws on the example of Moses in Hebrews 11:24-26, showing how faith and hope work together to empower obedience by focusing on the reward. These cross-references are used to support the interpretation that hope is the ground of faith and that faith is a present embrace of future realities.
Hope: The Foundation of Faith and Love (Desiring God) references 1 Peter 1:13 (the act of hoping), Acts 28 (the object of hope as the "hope of Israel"), and Colossians 1:27 (Christ as the guarantor of hope). The sermon uses these passages to distinguish the different senses of hope and to clarify that Colossians 1:5 refers to the object of hope. Additional references to Colossians 1:12-14 are used to specify the content of the hope: inheritance, kingdom, forgiveness, and glory.
J.I. Packer: A Legacy of Faith and Hope (Desiring God) references several passages to support the argument that hope for future reward is a biblical motivator: Colossians 1:5 (love because of hope), Matthew 5 (rejoice for great is your reward in heaven), Philippians 3 (straining toward the prize), and Hebrews 11 (faith as the substance of things hoped for). Each passage is used to counter Packer's claim and to demonstrate that the New Testament presents hope for future gain as a legitimate motivation for Christian living.
Colossians 1:5 Christian References outside the Bible:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) explicitly references Adam Clarke, quoting his description of the gospel as a "traveler" rapidly spreading throughout the Roman world. The sermon also cites R. Scott Pace, who argues that awareness of one's own undeserving nature leads to greater evangelistic urgency, and Dave Bearden (from the Manthena Center for Church Revitalizations at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), who outlines three marks of a faithful pastor: making disciples, caring for God's people, and proclaiming the gospel.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) explicitly references theologian Tom Wright, who observes that Paul is interested in forming and shaping early Christian communities rather than merely saving souls. The preacher also quotes Rico Tice, who defines real hope as "joyful confidence and expectation," and references a previous sermon by Shabu on grace transforming relationships.
J.I. Packer: A Legacy of Faith and Hope (Desiring God) explicitly references J.I. Packer, quoting from his book "Knowing God" about the essence of Christian hope being the presence of Jesus and the Father in heaven. The sermon also discusses Packer's views on motivation from his writings, including his statement that gratitude, not hope of gain, should drive Christian living. The preacher interacts with Packer's perspective, offering both appreciation and critique. Additionally, the sermon references other Christian authors and theologians such as John Bunyan, C.S. Lewis, Richard Baxter, and J.C. Ryle, primarily to illustrate Packer's influences and legacy, though not all are directly tied to Colossians 1:5. Packer's editorial "Why I Like My Pie in the Sky" is also quoted, where he laments the lack of heavenly-mindedness among modern Christians and encourages anchoring one's heart in heaven.
Colossians 1:5 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Rooted in Christ: Faith, Love, and Hope (Cross Keys Baptist Church) uses the analogy of a car to illustrate the difference between mere belief and saving faith, comparing faith in a car starting (based on maintenance and preparation) to faith in Christ (based on his finished work). The preacher also uses the metaphor of chiseling marble to describe the ongoing process of spiritual growth and refinement. Additionally, a story is shared about a church member helping another with gas money, illustrating agape love in action, and a Lifeway Research survey is cited to discuss evangelism habits among American Christians.
Living in Gratitude: Embracing Christ's Sufficiency and Leadership (Crazy Love) employs the analogy of inheriting all of Bill Gates' wealth and still wanting a music stand to illustrate the absurdity of seeking fulfillment outside of Christ. The preacher also references the "Got Milk?" advertising campaign and its various church-themed parodies ("Got Love," "Got Haggai") to humorously critique superficial church slogans and encourage genuine love in action. The Star Wars analogy is not used in this sermon.
Rooted in Christ: Confidence, Wisdom, and Joy (Jason Baker) uses the analogy of a tree's growth rings and roots, drawing from personal experience working in a sawmill, to illustrate spiritual growth and resilience. The preacher also references the TV show "Cheers" to contrast worldly and godly love, and uses the image of an orange being squeezed to explain that what is inside (Christ) will come out under pressure, regardless of external labels.
Living Hope: Unity and Transformation in Christ (Canterbury Gardens Community Church) uses the Star Wars character Princess Leia's message—"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope"—as an analogy for Christian hope. The preacher explains that, like Leia's hope in a living, present rescuer, Christian hope is anchored in the living Christ, not in vague optimism or self-reliance. The analogy is used to highlight the difference between hope as wishful thinking and hope as a secure, present reality in Christ.