The Power Of His Cross!

English Standard Version (Colossians 2:8-15)

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. There were a lot of manmade rules that existed during the Apostle Paul’s day.

The Pharisees and the Scribes and why they formed.

To protect the Jewish religion.

In doing so they added on a load of laws to the Word of God.

Circumcision.

Washing with unwashed hands. SOme load of people condemned in Irving I can tell you.

They were then perverting the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REASON THAT THE BOOK OF ROMANS WAS WRITTEN? DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REASON THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS WAS WRITTEN? DOES ANYONE KNOW THE REASON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS WAS WRITTEN?

2. The Apostle paul warned of being taken captive by these manmade rules.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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.

Rob you or kidnap you.

This is important because we have so much of this today.

3. There are a lot of manmade rules that exist today as well.

i. Manmade rules that lead a persont to trust in a works based salvation.

Sprinkled by water.

ii. Many people believe that they are just good people.

Go to church.

Read my Bible.

Give some money.

Have my name written on a book in the church.

LIsten none of those things in and of themselves can wash away sin.

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD!

4. There is only one thing that can save the soul.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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,

i. There is a law that was against us.

Some put manmade rules against us. But there is a law that is against us.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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.

HOW DID HE DO THIS?

English Standard Version Chapter 2

This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

ii. Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities in the sense that the things that held over the people had no power.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

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

iii. Jesus disarmed the prioncipalities and powers in the sense that every spiritual power

5. There is only one thing that can change a persons life.

You can try all you want too!

There is power in the Cross of Christ!