Nothing Trumps Christ

A. Why are we in Colossians?

B. Warnings are a part of daily life.

C. Our spiritual lives have warning and dangers to which we are to be aware.

D. Paul is now giving us three warnings to heed if we want to enjoy our fullness in Christ.

Colossians 2:16–17 ESV

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. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

I. Let no one pass judgment on you (Col. 2:16-17).

A. The first part of 16 is the basis for our freedom in Christ.

B. The second part of 16 speaks to the bondage of legalism in spiritual matters.

C. Verse 17 speaks to the blessing of grace we have in Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:18–19 ESV

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, 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.

II. Let no man disqualify you of your reward (Col. 2:18-19).

A. Man does not make the rules, he is not the umpire of the game. (18)

B. Jesus is the head of the body, we are the body, for the body to function it must stay connected to the head. (19)

Colossians 2:20–23 ESV

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— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 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.

III. Let no man enslave you in spiritual regulations, Christ set you free (Col. 2:20-23)

A. The Christian position, we are dead to this world and alive in Christ. (20)

B. The spiritual rules of man are ridiculous and futile (21-22)

C. Beware of the deception of self-discipline(asceticism).

Conclusion

A. This section closes the second chapter of Colossians on which the emphasis was on danger.

1. Paul defended the preeminence of Christ.

2. He negated the false teachings of ll

a. Legalism trumped by spiritual reality of Christ,

b. Mysticism trumped by spiritual union with Christ,

c. And asceticism trumped by out position in Christ through his death burial and resurrection.

B. Will we put this into daily practice?

C. Let us pray.

D. Is Christ preeminent in your life? Are you drawing on His spiritual power, or depending on some man-made “religious” substitute?