Christ is the Qualifier

We often treat the good news of Jesus like leftovers. We take what we learn in church, put it in Tupperware, and place it on a shelf. We access it when we’re spiritually hungry, but ignore it otherwise. If we only eat when we have a spiritual need, we miss the colossal implications of Jesus work; we miss the opportunity to be spiritually resurrected to Him.

Colossians: Being Like Jesus Part IV: Treating the Good News like Leftovers (Colossians 2:8–23)

Christ should be the center of everything we do. To make Christ the center, we have to understand His role in the physical and spiritual realm. According to Paul, powers we don’t perceive are working to take our minds captive. By actively seeking Christ, they can be conquered. In the next eight studies of Colossians, we will open up the gospel and learn to let Christ reign in our lives.

v.6

“as you recieved Christ Jesus”

RECIEVED: gk Paralambano - to take along or bring along, to receive as an inheritance.

WALK: gk Paripateo - to live or behave in a specific manner

THE BELIEVERS LIFE WITH CHRIST WILL BE HEALTHY WHEN THIS IS DONE.

EXERCISING FAITH AND WLKING IN OBEDIENCE

1. We Walk FULLY in Christ

Christians live victorious when they are exercising faith and walking in obedience.

FAITH: must be exercised just like any other muscle group in our body. When faith is not exercised we we fail to life fully rooted and built up in Him.

HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE WALKING FULLY IN CHRIST

Live in Dependence upon Him: We cannot walk in him’ except in his strength.

Live in Deference to Him: We must always respect him and his Word because he is Lord.

Live in Defense of Him: We uphold the Saviors Glory as Paul does now in this epistle. (the preeminent Christ)

All Christians have, in profession at least, received Jesus Christ the Lord, received him as Christ, anointed by Bod to reveal his will; as Jesus the great high priest, and Savior from sin and wrath, by the substitutionary sacrifice of himself; and as Lord, or sovereign and king, whom we are to obey and be subject to.

RECEIVE HIM: consented to him, taken him for ours in every relation and every capacity, and for all the purposes and uses of them.

The Great concern of those who have received Christ is to WALK IN HIM. as we have received Christ, or consented to be his, so we must walk with him in our daily course of life and keep up our communion with Him.

as we have

The more closely we walk with Christ the more deeply rooted and established we our in our FAITH.

2. We are Rooted FULLY in Christ

v. 8

“Take Captive”: to become able to completely manipulate a person to the point of taking control of or carrying off as in loot.

Paul is deeply concerned about the false teacher and calls for vigilance. They are in danger of being deceived by human wisdom that is based on an unbiblical worldview.

The more closely we walk with Christ the more deeply rooted and established we our in our FAITH.

The more closely we walk with Christ the more deeply rooted and established we our in our FAITH.

“The aim of the deceiver is to weaken our trust in the Son of God.” Paul rings the warning bell ding, ding, ding, ding.

EMPTY: Kinos - devoid of significance, point, or benefit.

CAPTIVE: much like a prisoner of war. What can we be taken captive by?

Colossians: Being Like Jesus Lesson 1: Elemental Spirits and Christ

The phrase “elemental spirits” (στοιχεῖα, stoicheia) could refer to spiritual beings, but it could also refer to a set of philosophical principles. Paul certainly was arguing against “human tradition” as a way to worship Jesus, but he could have also been saying that human tradition is used by spiritual beings to lead people astray. (The philosophy Paul had in mind was likely stoicism, which proposed that following a set of principles was the way to be enlightened by the gods.)

FILLED WITH THE FULLNESS OF GOD

“you have been filled in Him”, this remarkable statement affirms that believers share in Christ’s power and authority over every rule and authority by virtue of their union with him.

FILLED WITH THE FULLNESS OF GOD

KEY TEACHING IN COLOSSIANS: We have everything we need in Christ we have no need for anything else.

DWELLS: to settle in, colonized, inhabit....

WHEN CHRIST IS IN YOU THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ANOTHER ON THE THRONE OF YOUR HEART.

When Paul say’s that you have been filled, he is saying that Christ’s work happened in the past - it is complete. But Paul also has present results in mind: Christ’s work is continuing to happen - he is still filling us up, making us complete every day.

Believers are Complete in Him

Believers are complete at Conversion: it is not by works but by faith alone that sinners are saved ()

Believers are complete only in Christ: Spiritual Growth has a location and it’s in Christ.

All Believers are Complete: There is no class or ‘caste system’ in Christ. ‘God completed believers through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who applied the positional benefits of Christ’s redemptive work to them.

How do believers avoid being caught up with cults that detract from the biblical doctrine of the deity of Jesus Christ?

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

*Be sanctified in the truth of the word of God

*Be protected by your Spiritual Armor.

Ephesians 6:10–17 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

3. We have our Debt FULLY cancelled in Christ

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

Jesus fully wiped out the handwriting of requirements that were against us’, God’s law no longer condemns us (there will be no bailifs at our door!). Christ has cancelled our debt and the law has no grounds to accuse us.

Romans 8:1–4 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Satan is a defeated foe. (he is not put out of existence’, for we still wrestle with him even now (), but Christians will have the final victory as they are on the winning side.

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The doctrine of the atonement is fundamental to the gospel.

COMPLETE IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:10 ESV

and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

*Circumcision illustrating regeneration: was the outward sign of the covenant made with Abraham and the seal of membership of the covenant people of God. The spoilers said that converts must be circumcised, as it was essential to salvation. The circumcision that Paul speaks of is spiritual and is in the heart; it represents regeneration in the elect people of God and inner spiritual circumcision made without hands’.

Philippians 3:2–3 ESV

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

*Baptism illustrating resurrection: v12 Buried with him in baptism’ is one of the two ordinances in the New Testament, the other being the Lords Supper (communion). Baptism is expected to follow conversion as soon as possible and is to be performed in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a perfect illustration of the resurrection, indicating the end of the old life and the start of a new life in Christ. Baptism is the outward sign of inward grace.

*Forgiveness illustrating reconciliation: v13 having forgiven you all trespasses. Without Christ’s death and the work of regeneration the hearts of men are spiritually dead ‘in…trespasses’. This speaks to man’s deviation from God’s righteous plan causing us to be son’s of disobedience’ and therefore enemies of God.

4. We experience Freedom FULLY in Christ

Proper Christian Freedom (2:16)

We often measure our Christian success by our involvement in church. Although involvement in church is a must - for accountability and being used by Christ for the greater good- what we do is not what defines our relationship with God. Our relationship with God is defined by what Christ has done on our behalf.

Our Churches are imperfect because flawed people like us are involved. When our churches care for other people we get a small glimpse into God’s ultimate goodness, love and mercy.

PAUL MENTIONS 3 OBSTACLES TO BELIEVERS IN HIS DAY.

Food, 2. Drink, 3. Festivals.

What religious practices do you use to pass judgement on other people?

*The substance of what we do in church needs to be centered on the personhood and work of Christ.

Growth is Defined (2:18-19)

*warning about focusing on practices that focus on us, instead of God (asceticism).

The use of this word on inscriptions found in Ephesus clarify it’s meaning to denote the higher stage of mystery cult initiations that involved entering the inner most sanctuary of the pagan temple.

Many of us focus on practices that may not be worshiping in pagan temples but we may be guilty of an emotional experience that focuses on us instead of the Glory of God.

Religion Kills - Jesus Saves (2:20-23)

We often confuse religion with Christianity. Likewise, we often confuse spirituality with Christianity. Religion leads us to believe that if we do what our church requires of us, we will be more holy and righteous. In the process, we can become dogmatic, hypocritical and judgmental. We also fall victim to thinking that if we just focus on our devotional time, or community service projects, that God will think more highly of us.

Doing more does not make us more valuable to God. We are all equal - sinners in need of grace. No matter what we do, we can’t be good enough to earn God’s grace.

We are called to strip ourselves of religiosity and self-focused spirituality.

We are called to arm ourselves with an authentic and honest relationship with Jesus Christ.

What side of the spectrum are you struggling with: religiosity or self-focused spirituality? How can God transform this part of your life?

OBSTACLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Running from a bad church situation (the gospel is what should shape to leave or stay in a church, we do not worship a religious institution, many leave because they are focusing on religiosity or self focused spirituality)

Stay away from Churchianity (when church becomes a place to rally the troops put on the smiles of the hidden reality of sin and brokenness in our lives we need to get back to Jesus and His gospel message)

Resist worshiping the comfort of worship (for too long the church has been seeker sensitive, have it your way, the mentality has been find a church that meets your needs. The seeker sensitive church is the Hollywood marriage without the prenup.

A true gospel community is not about convenience and comfort and chai lattes in the vestibule. It’s about pushing each other forward in holiness and striving together for the kingdom, joining along in the ongoing work of the Spirit in this world. Those interested in mere comfort and happiness need not apply. Being the church is difficult.

What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything of the sort. Christians come together, not because they form a natural collocation, but because they have been saved by Jesus Christ and owe him a common allegiance.

WHAT BEING THE CHURCH MEANS

Looking outside of yourself. Serving someone beyond yourself. Putting aside personal comfort and coming often to the cross. This is what being the church means.