In this compendium of six Bible talks, first broadcast on Premier Christian Radio in June and July 2000, various members of the "Truth for Today" team consider in a practical way the message of Paul's letter to the Christians in the church at Colossae. Each speaker expounded their allotted passage as the Holy Spirit directed. Some took a verse-by-verse approach, while others a more thematic one. In bringing this collection together, the individual approaches have been retained; but, to enable the book to be used for both devotional and reference purposes, the verses under consideration are clearly indicated. George Stevens provides an overall Introduction to the letter, followed by a look at the first part of the letter, which culminates with the great statement that Christ is pre-eminent in everything. Douglas Pettman explores the subject of reconciliation, and the secret of the Church and its future with its Head. Ernie Brown opens up the simplicity of the Christian message: nothing but Christ is necessary, for Christ is everything. This has practical implications, and George Bell looks at the reality of what it means when Paul writes that Christ is our life. Gordon Kell explores the way in which service for Christ is worked out in our families and occupations. Finally, David Anderson closes the studies, underlining the way in which prayer is necessary to under-pin actions and speech which testify that Christ is, indeed, everything.
