Colossians 1-4: Not on Earthly Things

Paul's letter to the Colossians is to the church in Colosse that he has never met in person, but he knows about them through Epaphras and has been praying for them, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. - Col. 1:4-6 NIV

This is a letter of encouragement as well as a letter lifting their understanding of the gospel to a higher plane.  Christ is supreme, he tells them.  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. - Col. 1:15-18 NIV

Paul wants the Colossian church and the nearby church in Laodicea to be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. - Col. 2:2-3 NIV

'Don't settle for less than the whole gospel,' he tells them:  Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col. 2:18-19 NIV) But Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.( Col. 4:1-2 NIV) and  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:16-17 NIV)

'Do it all in the name of the Lord,' Paul says.  Forget about the fluff, the false humility, the worshipping  of angels.  Instead, set your hearts on things above, filling your hearts with the word of Christ and songs of gratitude to God.  Concentrate of the mystery of God and Christ the source of all wisdom and knowledge.