Exposing The Lie
Colossians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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As previously discussed, this portion of our study is going to focus on the differing beliefs that were being thrown at the Christians in Colosse. These doctrinal issues mainly stemmed from a group we now know as Gnostics.
The word Gnostic comes from the Greek word gnosis, which simply means “to know.” The Gnostics thought that they had special knowledge that could be revealed only to those who were initiated into their secrets.
The use of this word gnosis, in this way, led T. H. Huxley to coin the word agnostic. A gnostic is a man who says that he knows; an agnostic is a man who says that he doesn’t know.
Intellectualism (2:8-10)
Intellectualism (2:8-10)
It’s Danger (2:8a)
The word “cheat” here signifies being overtaken and carried away. It could be worded as “look out lest someone rob you.”
It is word used in the Greek of kidnapping, or of the plundering of a house.
As we begin our journey with Christ, there are many questions that fill our minds.
There are questions concerning Christ Himself and the trinitarian Godhead.
There are questions concerning the Bible: its validity, dependability, meaning, and its current application
There are questions concerning our current lives and how becoming a Christian now changes how I speak, act, think, interact with others, and even my convictions.
The enemy knows that the time immediately following the salvation of a precious soul is of the most critical nature.
These individuals are seeking answers, guidance, and help. If we as a Church, as parents, as friends, and as brothers and sisters in Christ cannot, or will not, point them to the truth through God’s Word, someone else will.
It’s Deception (2:8b)
Gnosticism sought to have people think for themselves, which is not all together a bad thing. This is also why it was so effective. “Don’t let others tell you how to think. Use logic and reason to come to sound decisions.”
Gnosticism attacked Christ and the Church through this mindset.
“Listen to what they are saying. They are telling you that God became a man. This is absurd. Do you really think an Almighty God would degrade Himself to such a disgraceful position? God would never do this. If God became a man, He would no longer be God. Just sit and think about it!”
Their refusal to listen to the message of Christ and His followers, led to a conclusion that refused the possibility of “Jesus - The Christ”.
To my knowledge, the word philosophy is used only here in this text. Paul uses the word because his adversaries used it. He used it and then discarded it forever as a worldly, unbiblical concept of the first century.
To the Greeks, it “denoted the highest effort of the intellect.” It was a word totally inadequate to be the vehicle to convey divinely revealed truth. Paul refers to it here as “empty/vain deceit.”
What would you say are some examples of this type of devilish deception seen today? What contributing factors have led to these deceptions being accepted as valid truths?
“You are the truth, because God is in you.”
“Human tragedy is not a result of sin but of ignorance. As one grows smarter, they become more equipped to avoid degradation.”
It’s Deficiency
It is not according to Christ (vs. 8c)
48 I am the bread of life.
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Jesus encompasses all that God is (Trinitarian Godhead)(vs. 9)
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
30 I and My Father are one.”
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
We are complete in Christ (vs. 10)
He is the head of all things Godly and therefore is supreme in power and authority.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Ceremonialism (2:11-17)
Ceremonialism (2:11-17)
It’s Danger
It’s Deception
It’s Deficiency
Mysticism (2:18-19)
Mysticism (2:18-19)
It’s Danger
It’s Deception
It’s Deficiency
Legalism (2:20-23)
Legalism (2:20-23)
It’s Danger
It’s Deception
It’s Deficiency