10/30/2022 - Dogma

(Welcome)

Welcome to Central. If this is your first time, I want to say, “Welcome Home!”

As an expository church, we prioritize preaching and teaching that focuses on a Christ-centered, holistic, and sequential approach to Scripture.

We enjoy preaching through books of the Bible and tackling each passage with a high view of Jesus Christ and an intent to be led into worship and transformation by what we find therein.

(Opening Prayer)

Heavenly Father, be glorified this morning as we open your Word.

Open our ears to hear it. Open our minds to understand it. Open our hearts to believe it. Open our mouths to confess it.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You today.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

(Series Introduction)

Today we continue our Colossians series.

(Opening Context)

Paul is writing to a church he has never visited. He doesn’t know these people.

Paul wrote Colossians between 60-62 AD during his first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28).

Paul also wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon during this time.

Pastor Epaphras planted the Colossian church and came to Paul because they had problems that needed to be addressed.

Paul writes this letter in the midst of their many heresies with one solution in mind - Correct Christology.

A low view of Christ was the problem, Paul gave us a high view of Christ.

(Colossian Context)

Paul was concerned that no false teacher take the Colossian believers captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy (v. 4).

He wrote here not against all philosophy but against false philosophy, as the Bible also speaks against false religion (James 1:26).

The particular false philosophy at Colosse was “hollow” (kenēs, “empty”), “deceptive,” and based on human tradition … rather than on Christ.

True Christian philosophy “take[s] captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Philosophy is the love of wisdom, but if one loves wisdom that is not Christ (the Sum of all wisdom, Col. 2:3), he loves an empty idol.

Such a one will be “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7).

This kind of philosophy is based on the world’s basic principles (stoicheia, “elementary principles” or “elemental spirits” Col. 2:20; Gal. 4:3, 9).

This may refer to the evil spirits who inspire such heresy and over whom Christ triumphed (2 Cor. 4:3–4; Eph. 6:11–12).

Such a philosophy is demonic and worldly, not godly or Christlike.

Unless believers are careful, such philosophy may ensnare them, taking them “captive.”

Listen to what Paul says to the Colossian church.

Colossians 2:8–15 (ESV)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him.

1. Christ Is Fully God and Fully Man

Colossians 2:8–10 (ESV)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

(Dogma vs. Conviction Story)

A couple of weeks ago I was sharing with someone about the importance of the truth of Christ being, fully God and fully man, and they said to me, “I can see that this is a great conviction of yours.”

I thought about it for about two seconds and responded, “No, this is dogma.”

What does it mean for something to be “dogma?”

(Dogma Definition)

A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (δόγμα)

DOGMA, δόγμα, a command, an ordinance, a decree.

Dogma (Core Teaching) is something worth dying over

(i.e. Christ is fully God and Fully man, Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to Scripture alone for the glory of God alone).

Doctrine (Teaching), although very important, is only worth debating over

(i.e. Initial Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Pre-Trib vs. Mid-Trib vs. Post-Trib, Calvinism vs. Arminism).

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2

The very nature of God is fully present in Christ. False teachers may have asserted that Christ was one of many divine beings or that God’s fullness was distributed throughout supernatural beings, not just Christ—claims that Paul rejects.

Ephesians–Philemon Section Outline

Paul warns against false teaching with an array of negative terms that leaves no doubt about his perspective. This verse is a stark contrast to verses 6–7. Paul’s implication is that, if believers follow his instructions in the previous verses, they will be immunized against error. Scholars generally agree that the reference to “philosophy” suggests that false teachers described their teaching with this term.

Ephesians–Philemon Section Outline

The reason (“for”) the Colossians are to reject such teaching is that everything it offers can already be found in its true form “in him” (Christ). The verse recalls the incarnational theology of 1:19 by means of common words (katoikeō, “dwell”; and plērōma, “fullness”).

There is no “fullness” (plērōma) in philosophy based on vain human reasoning.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives.

Hence only in Christ can one have fullness.

Apart from Him is emptiness.

As philosopher Jean Paul Sartre put it, “Life is an empty bubble on the sea of nothingness” (Ecc. 1:14–18).

The word for “Deity” is theotētos, a strong word (used only here in the NT) for Christ’s essence as God.

The full deity of Christ is nonetheless in bodily form—a full humanity (Col. 1:22).

Both Christ’s deity and humanity were challenged by this early Gnostic-like heresy.

Those heretics diminished Christ to an angel whose “body” was only apparent, not real.

Paul affirmed here that Christ is both fully God and truly man (1 John 4:1–6).

Who Jesus Christ Is, Is Worth Dying For.

(The Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ is not debatable, it’s dogma.)

2. God Has Raised the Dead

Colossians 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Not only is all the “fullness” (plērōma) of God in Christ (v. 9), but also believers have been given fullness in Christ.

Their fullness of life comes from Christ’s fullness.

Paul builds on his reference to “fullness” with the statement that the believers have been “filled in him.”

They partake of the divine nature through Christ (2 Peter 1:4), for “from the fullness of his grace we have all received” (John 1:16).

This, of course, does not mean believers become God but simply share in Him.

They have or share in the goodness of the nature which He is.

They share in the body of Him who is the Head (Col. 1:18) over every power (archēs, “ruler”) and authority (exousias, “ruling power”) (1:16; 2:15), including those who would talk the Colossians into living according to the world instead of according to Christ.

There is nothing more the Colossians need to find anywhere else.

Paul also makes further reference to Christ’s headship over spiritual realities, using language reminiscent of 1:16–17.

There is a measure of repetition in this epistle, apparently to ensure that the Colossians have understood the false teaching surrounding them in light of the full significance of Christ’s rule over all things.

In his epistles, Paul employs several different images to express the experience of believers in union with Christ.

Here he takes up the OT rite of circumcision.

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant and a distinctive mark of Jewish identity.

It is clear from Galatians that there was considerable pressure on some early Christians to undergo physical circumcision.

While Paul does not address this issue as directly in Colossians as he does in Galatians, he does indicate here that the Colossian believers have already experienced circumcision, but not physical circumcision.

The implication is that Christ has fulfilled all that circumcision pointed to Colossians 2:12.

Within the same sentence, Paul switches from circumcision in Christ to burial with Christ in baptism and resurrection.

This verse is significant for the discussion of the relationship between circumcision and baptism and also has implications for the appropriate mode of baptism.

I will make no attempt in this limited space to resolve this issue.

However, exegetically we can observe that Paul’s main focus is on the believers’ union with Christ.

Paul reminds the Colossians that they have been raised to new life in Christ by the same power of God that raised Christ physically from the dead.

This experience of death and resurrection in Christ marks a radical new start in the experience of believers.

God Raising Jesus Christ From the Dead, Is Worth Dying For.

(The powerful work of God to raise Christ from the dead must be believed to be saved - Rom. 10:8-9)

3. God Has Made Alive

Colossians 2:13–15 (ESV)

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him (Christ), having forgiven us all our trespasses,

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

In Colossians 2:13, Paul describes the past predicament of the Colossians; their situation was bleak.

The statement “and you were dead” is virtually identical in Colossians 2:13 and Ephesians 2:1, with only one minor difference in word order distinguishing them.

Paul is clearly not speaking physically, but that is not to say he is speaking metaphorically.

The death he speaks of is a real death, a spiritual death.

While Ephesians 2:1 refers to “trespasses and sins,” Colossians 2:13 refers to “trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,” referring back to the mention of circumcision in 2:11.

Paul highlights the Gentile background of at least some of his readers.

Paul goes on to explain that the transformation that has taken place is the result of God’s powerful act (1:12–13; 2:12).

Paul’s theology of the gospel, while giving full importance to the role of Christ, is nevertheless consistent in ascribing the initiatory role to God the Father.

Paul identifies “trespasses” (that is, breaches of God’s standards) as the reason for the original condition of spiritual death, and thus these trespasses must be dealt with if the believer in Christ is to experience life.

At this point, Paul simply declares that God has forgiven these trespasses (1:14).

He will go on in the following verses to explain how this has been achieved.

Verses 14 and 15 contain a striking number of unique or rare terms.

Paul explains that a “record of debt” (cheirographon) stood “against us” (Paul shifts to first-person plural pronouns as he describes the experience of every believer).

This record was perfectly legitimate, conforming to legal regulations.

However, to bring new life to believers, this record of debt had to be “wiped away” or “canceled” (exaleipsas).

God did so by “nailing it to the cross.”

Although Paul does not explain the mechanics in fine detail, we can see the broad contours of a doctrine of substitutionary atonement: we were guilty; God canceled the debt; he did so by the cross of Christ so that we were no longer obligated to the debt.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 2

certificate of indebtedness The Greek term used here means “handwriting,” but it denotes a written record of indebtedness. The initial image is one of tearing up or burning a debt record, although later in the verse this document is nailed to the cross. Paul is confirming the significance of the crucifixion: Through His sacrificial death, Jesus both embodies the debt of human sin and wipes it out (compare Rom 8:3; 2 Cor 5:21). It is also possible that the expression refers to the regulations of the Mosaic law, which Paul also discusses in Col 2:20–23. In this case, the law functions like a record book of humanity’s sins (compare Rom 4:15; Gal 3:19–22).

But it was not merely debt that was dealt with on the cross.

This verse is an important statement of the victory of Christ on the cross over the powers opposing him.

Paul declares that the rulers and authorities were disarmed and put to shame.

The language of triumph presents the picture of a Roman triumphal procession in which those who were defeated would be last in line, awaiting the final blow.

Paul declares that the various powers that might appear to hold authority in this world are in fact already defeated.

God Bringing to Life Everyone Who Places Their Faith In Jesus Christ, Is Worth Dying For.

(We can never deny the work of God, but must receive it by faith.)

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 2

Through Christ, we, who were dead in sins, are quickened. Christ’s death was the death of our sins; Christ’s resurrection is the quickening of our souls. The law of ordinances, which was a yoke to the Jews, and a partition-wall to the Gentiles, the Lord Jesus took out of the way.

Pauls says, “you, who were dead,” this statement points to the state of separation from God as a present condition of those outside of Christ.

This dreadful condition had been caused by their sins and the desires of their sinful nature.

Sins are acts of rebellion against God, while sinful nature speaks of the state of disobedience; the Colossians had been both heathen and godless.

But now because of the death of Christ God has made them alive in him. Because of Christ, we are alive in Him!

He has graciously forgiven all ‘our’ trespasses (those of Jews and Gentiles alike) and therefore the cause of spiritual death has been done away.

God has not only removed the debt; he has also destroyed the document on which the debt was recorded.

(Response)

(Invite Worship Team)

(Compass Story)

300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon The Gospel Must Be Our Compass (Psalm 119:92; Proverbs 4:13)

In the southern seas an American vessel was attacked by a wounded whale. The huge monster ran out for the length of a mile from the ship, turned around, and with the whole force of its acquired speed struck the ship and made it leak at every timber, so as to begin to go down. The sailors got out all their boats, filled them as quickly as they could with the necessaries of life, and began to pull away from the ship. Just then two strong men might be seen leaping into the water. They swam to the vessel, leaped on board, disappeared for a moment, and then came up, bringing something in their hands. Just as they sprang into the sea, down went the vessel, and they were carried around in the vortex, but they were observed to be both of them swimming, not as if struggling to get away, but as if looking for something, which at last they both seized and carried to the boats.

What was this treasure? What article could be so valued as to lead them to risk their lives? It was the ship’s compass, which had been left behind—without which they could not have found their way out of those lonely southern seas into the high road of commerce.

That compass was life to them, and the gospel of the living God is the same to us. You and I must venture all for the gospel; this infallible word of God must be guarded to the death. Men may tell us what they please, and say what they will, but we will risk everything sooner than give up those eternal principles by which we have been saved. The Lord give all of us his abundant grace that we may take fast hold of divine instruction.

We are called, to recognize Who Christ is, Recognize and receive what He has done. This is the gospel!

(Closing Tension)

Christ Is Fully God and Fully Man

Who Jesus Christ Is, Is Worth Dying For.

God Has Raised the Dead

God Raising Jesus Christ from the Dead, Is Worth Dying For.

God Has Made Alive

God Bringing to Life Everyone Who Places Their Faith In Jesus Christ, Is Worth Dying For.

(Response Card)

1. Would you like to become a believer in Jesus Christ? (Yes/No/Already Am)

2. Do you recognize Jesus Christ as Fully God and Fully Man? (Blank Lines)

3. Do you believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the Dead? (Blank Lines)

4. Do you believe in faith that God has given you new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

(Blank Lines)

5. How do you need to respond to the preached Word today? (Blank Lines)

6. Do you have any prayer needs today? (Blank Lines)

(Closing)

(Give Response Card instructions, etc.)