Colossians: Verse by Verse

By Dr. Jack Hetzel

The reason for this writing was to hopefully give fuller understanding of every major subject Apostle Paul mentioned in the book of Colossians by writing a short chapter on each subject. At times when Paul used a word, I would write a chapter on that particular word. Not that I am smarter than the reader, but perhaps placing what knowledge I ha

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Sep 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781954371965

Dr. Jack Hetzel

Born in West Monroe, Louisiana, on November 18, 1921, to Rev Mrs. R. Hetzel. Jack's father was a church planter who planted several churches in Louisiana, fourteen in Texas, two in Mississippi, and one in Arkansas. Jack spent three years in the US Army Air Corps, three years in the US Air Force, and fourteen years in the US Army. Retiring from the Army as a teacher of military science at A&M University of Texas. He has eight books in print and others written that need publishing. Through the internet, Jack is ministering to thousands of individuals in many nations of the world and getting many fond statements concerning these short writings. He has ministered in most of Western Europe, including England, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and Spain. Korea, Japan, Australia, and the first ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God of the USA. Also, Ghana, West Africa. And is presently pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Big Sandy, Texas.

Book preview

Colossians: Verse by Verse

Copyright © 2021 by Dr. Jack Hetzel

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 978-1-954371-98-9

ISBN Hardback: 978-1-954371-97-2

ISBN eBook: 978-1-954371-96-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

Bible verses in English are from the King James Version.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

ReadersMagnet, LLC

10620 Treena Street, Suite 230 | San Diego, California, 92131 USA

1.619.354.2643 | www.readersmagnet.com

Book design copyright © 2021 by ReadersMagnet, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Ericka Obando

Interior design by Mary Mae Romero

FOREWORD

As a young Bible college student, I made the acquaintance of a man who would impact my life perhaps as much as any I would ever know. Jack and Lillian Hetzel would come in and out of my life over the next 48 years at various critical times to bring encouragement and challenge to our faith. It is an honor to write this brief forward to this important study on the work of the Holy Spirit.

This book has three features that make it unique. 1. It is a book birthed from the practical life experience of the author. He is not teaching something that is theory only but that which he has demonstrated and lived out in his life. As God worked through his life and ministry Jack has literally circled the globe from Japan to England, from the United States to Africa and to many other places in between preaching and teaching others about the work of the Holy Spirit. Although he never had the backing of a major evangelistic organization the message that he taught and preached was a demonstration of the faithfulness of God to meet their needs. When others said it couldn’t be done Jack declared that with God all things are possible. 2. The subject matter of this book comes at a critical time in the life of the church. While many have begun to pull back from the daily operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives and their churches, Jack continued to maintain that we serve a God that does not change. These teaching make clear that the work of the Holy Spirit is just as critical for the church today as it was on the day of Pentecost. With the events that are daily unfolding in the world how desperately do we need a fresh wind of the Spirit. His school of ministry has continually given itself to pastors who needed this vital teaching. 3. Unlike many books Jack makes clear what the scripture teach about the operations of the gifts in each of their function as they relate to individual believers. Yes the gifts are for the church but the gifts operate in individuals within the church. His teaching of the word helps us to understand that when you have the Holy Spirit baptism in your life you have the potential for what ever gift is needed as you face life’s difficulties. He sets forth a clear teaching on what each of the nine gifts are and how they function. This book gives the author’s answer for when, where and how the Holy Spirit can transform your life today. Perhaps the highest compliment I can offer is to say that principles embedded within this book are characteristic of the man. I highly recommend you carefully read and give thought to what God has in store for you in the life of the Holy Spirit.

Tony Shreffler Pastor, Missionary and friend

Everything in living as a born-again believer in Christ, our Lord, is important to the Kingdom of God.  Certainly the essentials are primary to our transition into God’s universal family of discipleship.  Those essentials include our conviction of sin and repentance, surrender and submission to the Almighty through Jesus Christ, and baptism by the Holy Spirit that ushers us into the circle that will never be broken, lasting throughout eternity. Yet, for the sake of God’s glory and His sacred and sovereign purposes, how will a fallen world know us as a believer in Christ and respond to our acts of discipleship?

God’s Word is quite definitive in the importance of this matter.  The concept of fruit-bearing is, in fact, mentioned in the 11th and 12th verses of Scripture in the account of Creation’s third day in the Bible (Genesis 1:11-12).  The Apostle Paul cited in Galatians 5 primary examples that are, indeed, examples of Godly human behavior: …the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law (vv 22-23).  In Romans 7:4, Paul exhorted us …that we should bear fruit to God.  Thus, bearing fruit of the Spirit is inviting, absorbing, and exerting the power of God’s Holy Spirit in virtually everything we do in life as believers in Christ Jesus.

As inspiring as those words may be to us, however, the responsibility and action of doing what that description calls for is much easier than reading it.  Yet reading it, thinking about it, and certainly praying about it is a great beginning to letting God’s Spirit work in and through us, all for God’s purposes alone.  Any other benefits are surely His blessings to us as we struggle mightily through this lifetime in quest of the eternal one.

Hopefully this foreword will prepare you, the reader, for embarkation to a journey on the subject of fruits of the Holy Spirit that few can do as well as the author of this book.  Jack Hetzel is a gifted theologian and writer on this subject so near to the heart of God.  In the pages that follow, he will lead, guide, inspire, and encourage you about bearing fruit for God in your life.

I am proud to have been invited to pen this foreword.  I have known Jack for quite a number of years as a colleague in ordained ministry, as a living example to follow in Christian discipleship, and as a good friend.  May the journey you take through the passages of Jack’s book introduce or reinvigorate a desire for you to make bearing fruit for the Lord a priority in your life each and every day.

Thanks be to God—our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustaining Spirit in life now and to come forevermore!

Rev. Dr Charles Christopher Anthony

Chaplain & Director of Ministerial Services

Eastern Gate Ministries and Counseling Services

Stanwood, Washington

INTRODUCTION

When reading this letter written to the Church at Colossae, there are several subjects covered and it is this writer’s intent to do a chapter on each major subject. Hopefully, this will help us to understand what Christian living is really about.

You will notice in this writing that much scripture is used. What I say makes little to no difference, however when we know what God says on any subject, then we can ask according to His will.

 14.  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15.  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:

When we study the book of Colossians, we find that God places little value on the good deeds we do, the days and seasons we keep, but He wants us to see that He is at work in us, working His will in, with and through us.

The key phrase in this book is "God in us. Is the indwelling Christ with all His power, glory and abilities living inside of us and doing what only He can do with our life. Also, He is working to cause others to see His good work.

Remember the words of the old song: Naught of God which I have done. Nothing but the blood of Jesus. When we grasp this thought and allow it to take hold in our life, God will show His strength through us.

There is too much preaching today about doing your best and that will please God. Your best has nothing to do with the Word of God. Our good deeds are as filthy rags in His sight. However when we allow Him to work through us, this gives all the glory to God and not to man.

For many years, I tried to live the Christian life to no avail but when I learned that my good works were not sufficient, it had become work. It became laborious. It became an impossible task, however, when I turned my life over to God it has been an upward swing with little effort on my part. Depending on the power of God in me without wavering in faith.

There is a mystery that has been hidden for many ages and especially in this day Satan has wanted to keep it hidden from the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The key verseses.

25.  I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--  26.  the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  27.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:

THE INDWELLING PRESENCE

OF GOD

When one gets this thought of the indwelling presence down deep into their spirit, it takes the labor out of being what God wants us to be.

No way could I ever see myself as perfect. Neither can I see myself as good and godly, but when God looks at me after I have been born again by the Holy Spirit arresting me and leading me  to Jesus so  that I could cry: Guilty of sin and coming short of His glory. Then accepting the cleansing blood of our Lord, He comes in to take up abode in my being to live through me.

9.  For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10.  and you