Sanctified In Christ

“Sanctified In Christ”: Colossians 2:16-23

Illustration

· Man knew he was living a sinful life

· As much as he tried, he couldn’t change his lifestyle

· Went to church

· Church gathered at the Community Center

· Saw man entering

· Saw he was dirty, ragged clothing

· Remembered seeing him drunk, cussing, etc

· He can’t come in here

Main Text

Colossians 2:16-23

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Overview

· Text: Paul is addressing sanctification: Spiritual growth and maturity; becoming more and more like Jesus

· The false teachers taught they following the O.T. and observing Jewish traditions must be added to our faith in Jesus for true salvation and spiritual growth and maturity

· VS 2:16-23: Also goes into detail what the false teaching is – details from VS 2:4 and 2:8

· We’ve learned that anything added to our faith is man-made works; That what Christ has done on the cross isn’t sufficient for spiritual growth and salvation

· Legalism – we saw in story

· Ultimately, these man-made works results in unbelief because they don’t know who Jesus truly is and all He has accomplished on the cross

VS 2:16-19

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

· “Therefore” - J.B. Phillips: “In view of these tremendous facts”

· Because of all I have been writing about – especially VS 2:1-15

· Which, in a nutshell, is Paul teaching about the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ and our position “IN HIM” when we come into a saving faith

· Paul instructs us to not be fooled or influenced by the false teachings in the church that adds man-made works to our faith in Jesus

· When we focus our attention on works based salvation and for God’s approval, it leads to stress, always worrying about how God views us

Romans 7:4

4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

· That there is nothing we can do to make God love us more and no sins we commit to make God love us less

· However, focusing on Jesus and what He’s done gives us joy and peace

· “The cross covers it all”: Christ is all sufficient for redemption and salvation

· Paul explains that these rules and regulations are just a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality is found in Christ.

· A shadow is temporary, lasting until the real substance arrives.

· A shadow is inferior in that it imperfectly resembles it’s true form, in this case Jesus.

· Jesus has fulfilled the shadows of rules and regulations

· Believers no longer need to obey and observe them to be genuine Christians and grow spiritually

Hebrews 10:1 – Explains this the best

10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.

· Illustration of shadow: Baby and milk

· The ultimate problem with these false teachers and anyone who is taken captive by them lies in VS 19

· Not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

· The improper understanding of the Gospel message and what Christ alone has accomplished on the cross for our redemption and salvation

· As well as an improper view of who Christ truly is – God

Question:

Do you have a true understanding of the Gospel?

A true understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done?

Application

Hebrews 12

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, (O.T. Biblical figures whose faith was in God: let us also lay aside every weight, (Weight of legalism and man-made works) and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Galatians 3:23-29

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.