Col 2:8-10: "Captive"

Intro:

How has the abounding in thanksgiving gone this week? I want to help you in your sanctification right now, turn to the person next to you, tell them something you are abounding in thanksgiving for that you recieved from Christ.

How has the fact that you have been rooted and are bing built you up this week established you a little more in the faith that you have been taught?

I was talking with one of my sons this week and asked him if he ever feels full. The kid can eat! There are those in life that do not have the sensation of being full. Me on the other hand, I do have the sensation of being full, yet, if I am honest, I don’t always follow that sensation. I had chinese this last week and as I was drawing near to the bottom of my to-go container I was faced with the dilemma, I am full, but it tastes sooo good.

Last week we talked about the fact that, “Walking with Christ does not start with a big “do” but with a big “done”. This week we find Paul cautioning the Colossians about what does go on in their lives because of what has been done by through Jesus.

Outline:

Do (Not): “Captive” (v. 8)

Done: “Fullnes” (vs. 9-10)

Summary: The fullness of life is only found in the fullness of Christ

Prayer:

Do (not): “Captive” (v. 8)

Be on Guard (v. 8)

See to it- “blepete” verb, pres, act imp (command) 2nd, pl, to watch carfully, to be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful

that no one takes- “estai” verb, fut, mid, ind, 3rd, sg, to be

you (pl) captive- “slyagogon” verb, pres, act, part, sg, nom, masc, to take control, loot, to become able to completely manipulate a person; concieved of as carrying someone away as plunder by any teaching that contrasts Christ.

This word only happens once in the NT

by philosophy- “phiosophias” a belief or system of philisophical beliefs accepted as authoritative by some group or school. Their view of Philosophy was more broad than our view, it referenced any system of thought.

Phila/sophia- the love of wisdom

empty deceit- deception that is vain or empty-handed, causing someone to believe an untruth.

Examples please!

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 2:8

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.

They are not empty because they don’t make sense. Quite the contrary, they speak to areas of human need, but they try to explain it without Jesus. Well, how can you say that Pastor Jeremy, well, keep reading...

according to (x3)

According to Humans tradition- a specific practice (of long standing) handed down from respected authroities

Traditions, ways of doing things that have been passed along over time and are emotionally charged. The Jewish culture is full of them! As we will get to later in this chapter

Fiddler on the roof

Colossians and Philemon 1. Spiritual Fullness in Christ (2:8–15)

What is clear is that the description is pejorative: the “philosophy” is the product of mere human speculation and does not put its adherents in touch with divine truth

According to elemental spirits- rudimentary principles, elemental forces or powers

There is some discussion about what is meant here as these are uncommon words in the in NT.

Fundamental components of the universe: air, earth, fire, and water, which were associated with spiritual beings as gods. Most compelling view.

Essential principles of a particular area of study. As a child under the Law and not recieved its inheritance yet. The idea is that the early elements of the law observance of Jewish holy days, obedience to certain rules, do not handle do not touch. All these were important until Christ came and gave something better.

Spiritual beings- most popular because of the contrast of spiritual beings in the context. As a child under the Law and not recieved its inheritance yet. The idea is th

of the world- the world’s system, the people constituting the world whose values, beliefs, and morals are in disctinction and revbellion to God’s.

not according to Christ

What they were receiving from the false teachers was very different than what they received in Christ.

Colossians and Philemon 1. Spiritual Fullness in Christ (2:8–15)

Christ is the one in whom God exclusively is to be found, the one through whom the world was created and through whom it is redeemed, and the one who has decisively defeated all the hostile powers. Any teaching that in any way detracts from Christ’s exclusive role is by definition both wrong and ineffective

Colossians and Philemon 1. Spiritual Fullness in Christ (2:8–15)

The teachers themselves are probably not denying that Christ was central to God’s saving purposes. They seem rather to be arguing that certain practices must be added on in order to achieve true spiritual fulfillment. But, for Paul, in this case, addition means subtraction: one cannot “add” to Christ without, in effect, subtracting from his exclusive place in creation and in salvation history.

Application/Implications:

What “untruths” have slipped into your life and carried you away as loot from the riches of Christ?

They are not empty because they don’t make sense. Quite the contrary, they speak to areas of humand need, but they try to explain it without Jesus

Have my desires for wisdom and spirituality taken me away from the one in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found and the fullness of God is pleased to dwell?

Who are the “respected authorities” in you life, on your instigram feed, in your podcasts, on your TV? We all have them by the way… are we following the authority of good moral living or the gospel of the one that created all things?

Transitional phrase: …The question is, what are these human traditions and elemental spirits of the world seeking to take us captive to? What is the topic of the human experience they are seeking to sway the Colossians and us towards without Christ?…The fullness of life…Boom, time warp, the problem with the Colossians is the same problem with Adam and Eve and everyone that would come after them! The Colossians, you and I, our kids, grandkids and people 100 years from now. Even in the end times, during the Millenial reign of Jesus there will still be some that think there is a better way of living life outside of Christ.

Done: “Fullness” (vs. 9-10)

In Him (v. 9)

For in him- what is your reasoning Paul, why should the colossians be on guard against philosophy and empty deceit that comes from human tradition or elemetal spirits of the world and not according to Christ?...

the whole (adjective) fullness (noun, “pleroma” completness) of deity (noun)

dwells bodily- “katoikei” verb, pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg, to dwell, to inhabit or live in

Colossians, there is one better than the elemental spirits of this world that peak your interest spiritually! In fact, he is not just elementry or rutimentry, He is the fullness of the real thing!

You have been filled (v. 10)

and you have been filled- “pepleromenoi” verb, perf, pass, part, nom, mas, pl, to be filled

in HIm- to be filled in him means there is no room for anything else

who is (presently) the head of all- all really means all!

rule- dominion

Authority- ruling authority or power.

There has to be a referrence here to something else in chapter 1

Application/Implications:

If what we have is better than anything else out there, then why are we trying to be filled by anything or anyone else?

The text is clear to be filled in Jesus leaves no room for any other rule or authority. it makes sense logically, but not always emotionally. And so we reach for more, why, because in reality we think and feel like we need a little more.

We are coming up on the season where this experienced and glorified the most. Anyone watching the Christmas baking shows?

God, through Paul, is commanding us to be on our guard against anything humans wisdom or spiritual interest that would take us away from Jesus! So what does that mean for you today?

Human wisdom: “You need to be true to yourself”, “if it feels good, do it”, “sexuality is a fundamental human right to be expressed in whatever way makes you happy”, “it is not hurting anyone, so what is the big deal”.

Elementary Spirits of the World/Spiritual interests: Carma, chance, evolution, psychology- taking the form of creation and applying a theory that does not involve its creator.

Do I do this because I have been filled by in Him, the head of all rule and authority?

In what ways do I feel I have not been filled and therefore reach for something “more” than Jesus?

Where are our desires for fullness or the lack thereof leading us today: physically, relationally, spiritually, sexually, financially?

Summary: The fullness of life is only found in the fullness of Christ

Song: Lamb of Glory

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. What is Paul warning them to keep guard on in verse 8?

3. What dwells bodily in Christ in verse 9?

4. Who have the Colossians been filled with in verse 10? How is He described?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. What are some examples of “human tradition” that could possibly carry you away from Christ?

2. Whar are some examples of “elemental spirits of the world” that could possibly carry you away from Christ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

What does it look/sound like for you to be on your guard against these things this week?

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