Sermon Tone Analysis

*A Christ-Centered Church*

/Colossians 2:6-15/

 

I.

Introduction

            A.

ILL: Alexander the Great

                        1.         For Alexander the Great, there was a connection between name                                                and conduct.

2.         If you carry the name Alexander, then your conduct should match                                              the name.

3.         There is a direct connection between name and conduct.

B.

In the mid 1990’s the Christian group Newsong came out with a song that                                 reflects this same idea.

1.         The chorus says -

                                                We wear His name \\                                                 The name above all names \\                                                 We wear His name \\                                                 In a world that's lost \\                                                 In hopelessness \\                                                 We are called to be the light \\                                                 We wear His name

                        2.         This song makes the same connection – wearing Christ’s name                                      invokes a conduct consistent with that name.

3.         Jesus is the Light of the world and has called us to be the same.

4.         Why?

Because we wear His name.

C.

Our text

                        1.         Paul is addressing Gentile Christian community that has truly been                                              positive examples of commitment to Christ.

2.         However, some false teachers have come on the scene and are                                      causing doubt and dissention within the church.

3.         The false teaching seeks to undermine the sufficiency of the person                                 and the work of Christ.

4.         So, Paul is calling the Colossian believers back to a Christianity that is totally centered on Jesus Christ, because without the foundation of Jesus Christ, the church will be rendered powerless in accomplishing God’s mission in this world.

D.

Two More Characteristics of a God-Centered Church

II.

Will Be Loyal to her Lord (2:6-7)

A.        *Big Idea*: To embrace Christ as Lord is to have His Lordship inform every aspect of our conduct.

B.         ILL

1.

Although he commends them for their faith, Paul cannot remind people enough – “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him”

            a.

You have received the truths of Christ from Epaphras, you        have embraced these truths in faith, and have           acknowledged that Jesus is the way, truth, and life.

b.

Now – Walk in Him!

2.         Walk in Him

            a.

The word “walk” is a command and deals with everyday           life conduct.

b.

NIV renders the word “continue to live in Him” which is a         good translation.

c.

The truths of Christ are not simply to be relegated to      intellectual propositional statements.

d.

The truths of Christ are to permeate every facet of our lives.

C.

Application Interlude

1.

As we embrace the truths of Christ, will it change the way we view our role as husband or wife?

2.         As we embrace the truths of Christ, will it change the way we view our work ethic, even if we are union?

3.         As we embrace the truths of Christ, will it change the way we view all relationships?

            a.

Instead of bitterness, we will be marked by forgiveness.

b.

Instead of revenge, we will be marked by unconditional             love.

c.

Instead of tearing down through gossip, we will build one           another up with edifying speech.

d.

Instead of my individual rights, we will seek the best      interest of others.

4.         As stated previously, embracing the truths of Christ is more than agreeing to intellectual propositions – it means submitting to His Lordship.

D.

Two reasons why Christ’s Lordship ought to inform every aspect of our                                    conduct.

1.         Nature of Christ’s work (vs.

11-12)

                                    a.

Vs 11 – Difficulty lies in that the NIV translators not only                                                           translated this verse but decided to make an interpretive                                                            judgment.

1)         NIV interprets Christ as the one performing                                                                               circumcision on us – a spiritual circumcision of the                                                                     heart.

a)         NIV renders the Lit.

“Body of flesh” as our                                                                               sinful nature or flesh.

b)         This is a circumcision performed by Christ –                                                                  he performs the act of circumcision on us.

c)         Romans 2:29 - Paul does speak of                                                                                            circumcision of the heart but that it is                                                                             performed by the Spirit.

2)         However, the verse could also be read as Christ                                                                        being the recipient of circumcision.

a)         The only other time “body of flesh” is used                                                                                in the NT is Col 1:22, which clearly speaks                                                                               of Christ’s physical body.

b)         Verse 12 – refers to the burial and                                                                                            resurrection of Jesus, so it seems that verse                                                                               11 completes the triad – the death, burial,                                                                           and resurrection of Jesus.

c)         Couple the metaphor of circumcision (which                                                                  was literally a    small minor incision) with                                                                                   the verb “putting off” which literally                                                                                             “stripping away” – you have a very horrific                                                                          picture of the brutality of Christ’s physical                                                                                  suffering and death.

b.

The POINT

                        1)         Christ does not seem to be the one performing the                                 circumcision in vs 11; he is the one receiving it!

2)         Paul says we have received this circumcision of the                                heart because we died with Christ, were buried with              Him, and were raised in Him.

                        3)         Paul uses the metaphor of circumcision to describe                                the horrific brutality of Christ’s suffering and death.

c.

Therefore in vs. 11-12 Paul informs us as to why Christ’s          Lordship ought to inform every aspect of our conduct -    because of the nature of Christ’s work.

D.

Nature of God’s Work in Christ (vs.

13-15)

                        1.         Paul balances the triad of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection by                               specifying three things God has accomplished in Christ.

a.

God made you alive in Christ (vs.

13)

                                    b.

God cancelled the written code that was against us (vs.

14)

                                    c.

God made a public spectacle of the powers and authorities                                                        (vs.

15)

                        2.         “Written Code”

                                    a.

Many have suggested that this refers to the Law and its                                                  regulations, but Christ did not come to abolish the Law.

b.

However, Paul seems to be using commercial trade                                                                   language of the day.

c.

Written Code refers to an IOU – a note of indebtedness that                                         acknowledges the obligation to pay a debt and is signed by                                                        the debtor.

d.

Paul seems to be making the case that Jew and Gentile                                                  alike share the same indebtedness to God, for there is none                                                   righteous – no not one!

e.

And unlike a commercial IOU – this debt cannot possibly                                                          be paid by sinners.

f.

PTL – God cancels the debt!