Rulers, Authorities or Christ
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Bibles please bibles
Open them to Colossians Chapter 2
I am not opposed to questions but if I think they are going to be long winded or if I think it is better answered one on one or in a group we will move quickly past them and I’ll get to you after.
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. 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.
16 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. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 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, 19 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.
20 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— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 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.
I am not going to read the passage tonight.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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. 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.
16 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. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 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, 19 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.
20 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— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 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.
Col 2:
It is up on the screen but most importantly I ask that you open your bible to Colossians chapter 2 and read along with me as I cover each verse.
Col 2:
It is up on the
I am not opposed to questions but if I think they are going to be long winded or if I think it is better answered one on one or in a group we will move quickly past them and I;ll get to you after.
Also please if I say something you don’t understand or you are questioning, please see me after.
Also if you think I am wrong on a point I am very willing to be corrected.
We all make mistakes.
Pray
I am not going to read the passage tonight.
It is up on the screen but most importantly I ask that you open your bible to Colossians chapter 2 and read along with me as I cover each verse.
Paul had been preparing the Colossians in chapter one in how they should;
Hold fast to the faith they had from the beginning when they had accepted the call and believed in Christ Jesus the Lord
faith they had from the beginning when they had accepted the call and believed in Christ Jesus the Lord
Hold fast to the love they have for Christ and the love that have for the other saints
Hold fast to all of which kept them grounded in the hope they have for the promises Christ made for forgiveness of sins, and a renewed mind which was focused on God the father with all humility and to bring Him Glory.
Paul assured the Colossians that Jesus Christ was the exact image of the invisible God, that he was with God from the beginning and that all things were created through Him, for Him and held to gather by Him.
Paul assured the Colossians that Jesus Christ was the exact image of the invisible God, that he was with God from the begining and that all things were created through Him, for Him and held to gather by Him.
Jesus is the head of the church, and the Colossians are part of the church who is His body
Jesus is the head of the church, and we are the church who is His body
God that he had been with God from the begining and He was he exact image of God who is invisible. Savior from the sins that lived in them
He is the redeemed or saved and the Colossians from sin and death
by living a sinless life and suffering for our sins, being put to shame by sinful men for all sinful men to see, he died on the cross, spilled His blood and accepted all our sins. He was buried in a tomb, sealed and guarded by men, yet on the third day God raised Him from death. For 40 days he was with those who believed and seen by more that 500 people before he ascended into heaven and is now at the right hand of the Father.
Savior from the sins that lived in them
Paul also points out that the Christ is the one who transforms or converts then. That by Him and Him alone they are made to repent, to turn away from the hostile mind that they had and from doing evil deeds.
Paul has been affirming to them in his letter urging them to be faithful and to listen to the faithful men like himself, Timothy, and Epaphrus who loved them and who were their ministers, their pastors to help make their faith stronger.
Paul had been writing all of this in his letter so that he could strengthen them against the false teaching
He is now going to expose and condemn this teaching for what it was, the pride of men.
He is going to continue proving that they are alive in Christ and that nothing is a substitute or to be added to Christ and what God has done in and through Jesus our Lord.
We are going to cover versus 8-15 tonight
I think we can break this into 2 distinct section
The denouncing of the false teaching (v. 8)
The Completeness and of the Believer in Christ (vv. 9–15)
According to Christ
So get back to Colossians Chapter 2 in your bible and will start in verse 6
To do this i want to start us in verse 6
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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.
Col 2:
The word “Therefore” at the begining of verse 6 is a word we must always key in on in the bible. It is a word that can also be translated “so.” Seeing one of these two words in the text means we need to look back and look ahead.
Remember I told you last week that this was a pivotal passage where Paul is going to start reaffirming things he had already told the Colossians and present new evidences for them to consider.
I’m not going to point out each one of these as we have already been through chapter 1, but I hope you will compare chapter 1 and 2 in order to see some of the links.
is a linking word
I. The Emptiness of False Philosophy (v. 8).
I. The Emptiness of False Philosophy (v. 8).
I’ll give you just one example; follow along in your bibles
Thanksgiving and Prayer
I. The Emptiness of False Philosophy (v. 8).
I. The Emptiness of False Philosophy (v. 8).
1:3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 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.
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.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
Paul wanted the Colossians to be secure in their justification or salvation, The justification they recieved when they first accepted Jesus and the sanctification meaning the holiness they were growing into as they walk with Jesus and become more like Him.
I can’t make it anymore plan than that. NO NO NO
2 versus, these 31 words give or take a few depending on the translation your reading is this:
Hey you, disciple of Jesus, we have heard first hand account of how much your life changed, how enthusiastically you accepted Lord Jesus, how extensively you responded in love to the other disciples who are Christ’s Church, which make up His body here on earth. We know that you are His we know He has called you and we know that you will continue to grow and be faithful and loving and hopeful if you stay on the path you have started and will be over joyed and thankful for what is to come. So don’t be distracted, don’t listen to those who are teaching things that you know are not true.
I can’t make it anymore plan that that.
Paul wanted the Colossians to be secure in their justification or salvation, The justification they recieved when they first accepted Jesus and the sanctification meaning the holiness they were growing into as they walk with Jesus and become more like Him.
aaaaaaa
Paul wanted the Colossians to be secure in their justification or salvation, The justification they recieved when they first accepted Jesus and the sanctification meaning the holiness they were growing into as they walk with Jesus and become more like Him.
Paul wanted the Colossians to be secure in their justification or salvation, The justification they recieved when they first accepted Jesus and the sanctification meaning the holiness they were growing into as they walk with Jesus and become more like Him.
It is not unusual for us to question ourselves when it comes to our salvation and even more so as we go about our walk with Him and how that leads us to sanctification or holiness. Paul is assuring the Colossians and us that we are justified and reaching sanctification.
He is building us up and helping us to see what is the truth.
When we start to look in detail at this false teaching that was dogging the Colossians it will become clear that the ones who were teaching or insisting on these false ideas were trying to make additions to Christ.
When we start to look more in detail at this false teaching that was dogging the Colossians it will become clear that the ones who were teaching or insisting on these false ideas were trying to make additions to Christ.
They were supposing or had been lead astray themselves in believing that Christ was not enough, that is why Paul had stressed in chapter 1:15-23 that Christ was exalted above all things and was all sufficient for saving us.
This point was so important to Paul and is so important to our faith that we are reminded of it again in this chapter that “we have been filled in Him who is the head of all authority.” v-10
POINT
I. The denouncing of the false teaching (v. 8).
I. The denouncing of the false teaching (v. 8).
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.
A. The nature of false philosophy
A. The nature of false philosophy
The idea of the gospel was not good enough for these teachers. They need to find some made-up deeper meaning that was far too difficult for the common person to understand.
A. The nature of false philosophy—“vain deceit.”
This fake philosophy was very concerning to Paul. He was afraid that the believers who had been transformed from Satan’s rule from being dead in spirit would be enslaved to these additional fake requirements instead of finding Christ as the one who saved and made them holy.
— “Vain deceit.”
— “Vain deceit.”
Gal
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
— “Vain”
— “Vain”
- deceit.”
- deceit.”
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
or empty deceit was of no use. It was no better than wasting energy or resources to sacrifice animals, or dancing around a fire.
It is likely that this philosophy was an early form of gnostic philosophy.
Gnostics or Gnosticism was not firmly established until the second century AD but they believed that matter was bad and the spirit was good and that if Christ was good he could not have been human but a spirit that was like a human.
This false teaching at Colossae also had a disastrous mix of legalism, asceticism, and mysticism plus Christianity.
One commentator writes “Paul’s exhortation to ‘beware of philosophy’ are appropriately applied to other alien systems of thought that have invaded Christianity down through the centuries since then.”
This same type philosophy is evident in the church today and we must be consistently on guard.
B. The source of false philosophy
B. The source of false philosophy
When we look at history we can see where men build upon other men’s ideas.
The Pharisees added rule on top of rule to surround and protect the laws of God.
The Mormon Church performs baptism of the dead by proxy.
One philosopher builds on to the work of previous philosophers.
Colossians: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Deficiency of Philosophy
Francis Schaeffer remarked, “One man would draw a circle and say, ‘You can live within this circle.’ The next man would cross it out and would draw a different circle. The next man would come along and, crossing out the previous circle, draw his own—ad infinitum
Francis Schaeffer remarked, “One man would draw a circle and say, ‘You can live within this circle.’ The next man would cross it out and would draw a different circle. The next man would come along and, crossing out the previous circle, draw his own”—and it just goes on and on…
we must also consider what the Apostle Peter had to say:
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
ESV
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
In this present generation we are constantly facing things that challenge our thinking.
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
In this present generation we are constantly facing things that challenge our thinking.
Evolution is one of these. A tradition which seems logical, lots of smart people endorsing it. Phrases like 13 billion years ago and BANG.
A more popular attitude today is the “it is all me” movement:
I make myself happy, I will be happy when I get that new thing, I will be complete when I have a boy that looks like that or a car that goes that fast or saves that much carbon emissions.
I’ll be happy when my church makes me happy
John MacArthur says “there were nothing more than ignorance and falsehood handed down from generation to generation and is nothing more than the....
—tradition of men.”
—tradition of men.”
—“tradition of men.”
—“tradition of men.”
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
2 The
You see Christ broke the traditions of the old convenient which required sacrifice and which the Pharisees had yoked the people with concerning the Law.
Man made traditions are “heavy burdens, hard to bear .” Matthew 23:4
The only source of truth is in Christ Jesus. “for his yoke is easy and His burden is light.”
Just because men believe something and pass it down from generation to generation does not make it the truth. Tradition usually result in continuing an error.
C. The substance of false philosophy:
C. The substance of false philosophy:
Paul says this philosophy was according to the elemental spirits of the world.
Let’s look at that for a moment
First the philosophy is “of the world.” It is not from above.
2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
James
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
he used
According to the New American Commentary,
The word stoicheia (stoi-khā'-on) translated (elemental principle or elemental spirits) has had several interpretations throughout the ancient Greek world.
At one point it was used to refer to the basic elements of; earth, fire, wind and water.
Later to the ABC’s or alphabet of the language.
In some Jewish circles it was used to refer to the supernatural beings that ruled over people.
Paul uses the same phrase in Galatians chapter 4
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
1. “Basic things of the world.”
1. “Basic things of the world.”
Paul was opposing this idea in Galatians chapter 4 where he says they are ‘no-gods.”
We are really given no other hints as to the exactly use of what Paul was trying to pass along but I think it was safe for us to say these false teachers were trying to revert the believers to things of man and not things of Christ, which is superior to all things.
“Rudiments of the world.”
“Rudiments of the world.”
“Rudiments of the world.”
“Rudiments of the world.”
They were from the rudimentary understanding of men,
And, being men these false teachers were thinking like men and not setting their minds on the things of God.
and simple like men they were thinking like men and not setting their minds on the things of God.
When Peter did this Jesus called him Satan and told him to get behind him. Mark Chapter 8
One commentary says this “philosophy was hollow and deceptive and nothing more that high-sounding nonsense.”
Were I come from it has a name and it comes from a bull.
The best answer is that Paul is telling us that these are just rudimentary things of the men of this world. Rituals and traditions born out of their childishness.
They are not from God and nothing more than men trying to impress men with their made up wisdom.
As a foot note: almost every commentary that I read indicated:
This is the only occurrence of the word philosophy in the NT. It would, of course, be a mistake to conclude that Paul intended his statement to be a condemnation of all philosophy. The word (philosophia) is a noble one, literally meaning “love of wisdom.” Here, however, because the reference is to the Colossian error, it has a derogatory connotation.
2. “Not according to Christ.”
2. “Not according to Christ.”
They did not represent what Christ had shown and taught to the Apostles.
V9-15
This is the only occurrence of the word philosophy in the NT. It would, of course, be a mistake to conclude that Paul intended his statement to be a condemnation of all philosophy. The word (philosophia) is a noble one, literally meaning “love of wisdom.” Here, however, because the reference is to the Colossian error, it has a derogatory connotation.
II. The Completeness of the Believer in Christ (vv. 9–15).
II. The Completeness of the Believer in Christ (vv. 9–15).
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
Col 2:
To make this clear Paul was simply repeating what he spelled out in v 19 of chapter 1.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
col 1:
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
God came to dwell among us in the flesh Jesus was the Christ.
The Greek katoikeō; (kä-toi-ke'-ō) means too “settle down and be at home” and the Deity or divine nature of God is continually upon Jesus.
katoikeō;
God came to dwell among us in the flesh -Jesus is the incarnation of God.
Jesus was completely God and completely man having all DEITY in His humanity.
A. In Him (vv. 10, 11):
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,
1. We are complete, when we are filled in Him
At the fall man became incomplete because:
1. Man is spiritually separated and has no fellowship with God.
2. Man is morally incomplete because he is incapable of living for God’s will.
He is morally incomplete because he is incapable of living for God’s will.
3. Man is mentally incomplete because he cannot know the final truth.
All men die. This is another result of the fall and man’s biggest and most pressing question is “is this it? Is all I have the one life I have on this earth?
That is the question that drives all religion, all philosophy.
It is the question that has driven men to the study of the universe.
Where is our escape from death and nothingness?
He is mentally incomplete because he cannot know the final truth.
Because he has sent His Son we must Thank God, “he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desires.” .
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2. We are circumcised.
Circumcision was the sign that Israel belonged to God. It was an outward sign to the other nations of the world that God was with them.
It was also according to John MacArthur it is “used symbolically to illustrate the desperate need man had for cleansing of the heart.”
Moses commanded the people of Israel
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
in Moses added
And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Deut 30
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
God’s greatest concern for man was his heart not a physical outward sign.
As we talked about several weeks ago it was a qualification for Paul to prove that despite being born and raised as a Jew being circumcised on the 8th day He was an apostle of Jesus.
But for the disciple of Jesus we are circumcised by the fact that God has called us and we have accepted that call. It is not an outward physical sign but a inward change of removing the old self and leaving the new tender self to be exposed and ready for the word of God to change you.
B. Union with Him (vv. 12, 13):
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. 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,
When Paul says baptism he was not saying that it as a necessary rite or requirement for salvation. It is not the physical act of baptism that Paul had in mind here but a spiritual baptism that occurs at a persons conversion.
If he did have a picture of the water baptism here he would be making it a physical requirement just like circumcision was for the Jew.
Our conversion is when we identify with the death of Christ and in our faith we anticipate a new life which God brings to the new believer.
Baptism places us in union with Christ and because of that we
1. We are buried with Him
2. We are risen with Him
3. and lastly we are with Him because of the power of God that not only raised Jesus from the grave but He is able to raise us from our death in sin (trespasses) and remove the hard covering of our fleshly desires by circumcising our hearts.
The idea of this baptism is this:
We were already dead in our sins, we had no hope
Jesus who is the incarnation of God came and lived among sinful man as a sinless spotless sacrifice
He was sacrificed on the cross and when he was buried all those who believed from the past, to the present and beyond were buried with Him.
Then
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
It is just a matter of time when we hear HIS voice inside from hearing HIS word or reading HIS word that we are quickened so that we maybe raised out of death and alive again with Christ.
Then it is just a matter of time when we hear HIS voice inside from the reading or hearing of HIS word that we are quickened so that we maybe alive again with Christ.
Rom
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
-Christ is all sufficient
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.
To close we now look at the what is done, what is changed, how we are transformed when we are justified in Christ
How Christ is all sufficient to see us through to our glorification.
When we are saved, justified or born again there are certain things that are instantly or immediately achieved.
It may take some people longer to realize and fully accept that they are justified.
But once the realization is affirmed these are given.
We may go to church for years and years, participate in bible studies, serve the church and others and not really be saved.
I know I wasn’t
a little testimony
However, once you have true faith and are saved there is no qualifier,
We are not required to pray a prayer or study a confession of faith, attend a class or do anything special or confess to priest.
Please don’t take offense to what I said about praying a prayer.
C. Through Him (vv. 13–15):
Many people I know and many in this room first came to believe and were encouraged to pray a prayer asking God to enter them and lead them in His ways.
But it is not required.
says it all “by grace you are saved-”
There are 3 divine things in given by God in saving us.
There are 3 devine things in given by God in saving us.
1. There is election - this is God’s will from before time begin from eternity past, God chose you as a disciple as one who would follow Him.
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
2. There is Justification - this also is by the will of God, from the moment He has quickened us and we are saved
2. There is Justification - this also is by the will of God, from the moment He has quickened by GRACE and the Holy Spirit in us brings us to faith only by His Grace.
says it “by grace you are saved-” GRACE and the Holy Spirit in us brings us to faith.
If you are saved, born-again as Jesus told Nicodemus
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:7
You have received grace, “God made you alive together with HIM.”
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
And with that grace and new life we have forgiveness of all our trespasses or sins.
By God’s grace the “record of our debt that stood against us with its legal demands.” This he set aside, nailed to the cross.”
The trespasses that came from sinning according to the law and its legal requirements is cancelled the slate is wiped clean. They are nailed to Jesus’ cross.
There was a tradition when someone was crucified the authorities nailed the charges above them so people could see what they were guilty of and why they were suffering death on the cross.
19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
In our legal system today we would say the judge has expunged the record of all our wrong doings our criminal record is gone and we have freedom from the LAW.
Or we might say the criminal has paid his debt to society and is now a free man.
3. Thirdly - this also is by the will of God - is glorification.
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!
Is glorification which happens when Christ returns and all people are resurrected and judged and condemned to hell forever or glorified with Jesus forever in Heaven
This is what happens when Christ returns and all people are resurrected and judged:
condemned to hell forever
or glorified with Jesus forever in Heaven.
The believer is glorified with Christ in the presence of God the Father.
If you will turn with me to .
I know I go here a lot but I think there is so much doctrinal truth and love that Christ showed for us here in the passage in the prayer He spoke to God before His death on the cross.
It ties so centrally to Christology the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ that I can hardly resist not going there.
4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
:
So we are chosen to be God’s from before time began, we are justified by God’s grace because we believe, have faith and are quickened by the Holy Spirit in us and finally we are glorified with Christ at the end of time.
There is one other step or process that I have left to talk about.
It occurs from the time of our Justification or salvation to when we are glorified.
It is NOT God’s work alone, we are full time players in this part of our walk with Christ.
We are sanctified by our obedience to Christ and by becoming more like Him
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
y us.
I am not going to say much about this but our sanctification is on us as the Christian and it comes from being HIS disciple. We are called to learn (that is what disciple means learner).
We are called to submit to Him as Lord and Master and walk closely with Him.
This is contrary to many churches today who try to make their teaching relevant to culture.
Churches that accept those who are not saved and refuse to submit to the will of God.
Churches whose members openly live vain and disobedient lives.
I am not going to call names but those who teach that God is only here to meet your request or demands,
those churches that accept homosexuality,
churches that insist on bending to the will of men.
I am not advocating works in this explanation
We are saved by faith alone through grace alone so that no one can boast.
But scripture is clear
Rom 6:15-
Turn over to Romans
19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
Lastly we have to deal with this last verse
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
1 the
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
3. There is glorification which happens when Christ returns and all people are resurrected and judged and consumed to hell or glorified with Jesus to eternity in Heaven - this also is by the will of God.
or
So as you can see Paul was making this argument to the Colossians that through Him and only Him, with no special qualification, no special knowledge, no philosophy of man, no kissing of the ring, no classes about the traditions of the church, no confession to pastor or priest required for us to know
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
We have to again come to an understanding of these rulers and authorities.
Jeff mentioned a few weeks ago that rulers and authorities in chapter 1:16 that these represnt Satan, demons or fallen angels.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Here in chapter 2 I have to agree because of all that I have read and not on my own interpretation.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
I have to agree because of all that I have read and not on my own interpretation.
and I have to agree because of all that I have read and not on my own interpretation.
My Greek is not that good.
But in this verse Paul is telling the Colossians and us that Christ Jesus has literally stripped Satan and the demons to shame.
The NASB reads:
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Paul was warning the Colossians that these rulers and authorities had been so decimated by Christ on the cross and in His resurrection that it would be shameful to allow them to enter into their thinking.
He was warning them that these empty deceitful philosophers were doing what Satan was leading them to do by teaching false doctrine and false things to add to Christ.
Christ and Christ crucified is all that the believers in Colossae needed to defeat these people who were attempting to deliver evil into their church.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 cor 1:22-
With Jesus having defeated Satan and his demons Paul was confidant and we must be also confidant in Romans chapter 8.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 8
This became very clear to me in the last few months as I have continued to grow in my own sanctification. As I have submitted more and more to Christ as my lord and master that we have deliverance from the power of evil spirits.
3. We have deliverance from the power of evil spirits.
The Devil and his demons have no hold on the believer. He is defeated.
3. We have deliverance from the power of evil spirits.
You and me, all we have to do is submit and walk with Him who saved us from sin and darkness.
Pray.