Be Careful of What and Who You Listen To!
Colossians: Christ Alone • Sermon • Submitted
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· 1,040 viewsChrist is the powerful answer both to erroneous philosophy and empty ritual.
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Introduction
Introduction
I want to talk to you for a moment this morning from the statement of “Be Careful of What and Who You Listen To.”
“Be Careful of What and Who You Listen To.”
It should concern you to see the growing deception and divisiveness the enemy uses to lead people a way from the Word of God.
It is seen on the Internet, Social Media, You Tube, TV and in Music.
People have grown dim and callous to the Truth of the Word of God.
Now more than any other time should we stand and proclaim the truth of God’s Word!
Paul feared the Colossian believers would allow themselves to be caught in a web of deception cleverly spun by people promoting false doctrine.
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Paul is not struggling because he is in prison. His struggle is not external; his is an intense inner struggle on behalf of believers.
Paul had his eyes open to the presence and the appeal of false teaching.
He was concerned that the Colossians not have their eyes closed.
Like Paul we need to have a wide-eyed awareness of the appeal of error.
We have no excuse for having our eyes closed to the existence of error, because the Bible is full of warnings:
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Romans
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
1 Timothy 6:
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John
In verse 2-4 Paul tells how to avoid being deceived. These verses contain three elements which add up to a loving, learning community.
Colossians 2:2
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Paul’s goal is that believers be:
Paul’s goal is that believers be:
(1) comforted in heart which happens as they are
(2) Knit in love,
(3) and as they are settled in their understanding of the truth.
Comforted (Encouraged) means to be strengthen. They need strength to equip them to stand strong against the error they face.
Strengthening takes place as believers are Knitted (united) in love. United in love translates a Greek participle rendered “by being united in love”
The imagery of united is that of a body being held together by ligaments to make a strong unit. Unity and solidarity create strength. False teaching is naturally divisive. A person left alone, with no support, is much more vulnerable than a cohesive unit.
What creates unity? Love! Concern for one another. Relating to one another as brothers and sisters, with loyalty and support. When we are united in love, we will be strengthened in heart. Then we will have assurance in understanding.
A loving, learning community will produce believers who are settled in their understanding of the truth. Believers who link themselves with fellow believers, who care for one another, and who grow in their understanding of Jesus Christ will stand a good chance of remaining stable and confident.
The Definite Object of Understanding is Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In contrast to the false teachers at Colosse, who said that wisdom and knowledge were hidden away in mystical experience and higher knowledge, Paul says that all wisdom and knowledge are hidden, or deposited, in Christ. He is all we need.
In , we see that Jesus is the Lord of creation and reconciliation.
In , Jesus is the fullness of deity, the forgiver of sins, and the conqueror of satanic forces.
In , Jesus is the resurrected Lord, and our life.
In , Jesus is the one worthy of devoted service.
The false teachers claimed that spiritual experience was found in “secret” knowledge, available only to the initiated elite. Paul says that the only mystery (literally “secret”) we need to know is Christ.
Paul writes even though I’m not there I rejoice in your steadfastness.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The more times change, the more they stay the same; there will always be those who wish to plunder Christians with the bait of so-called “deeper” thoughts and “better” understanding .
Christ is the answer to philosophy. The remainder of the chapter will show that
He is the answer to ritual. The answer to philosophy is for the head; the answer
to ritual is for the heart. Christianity has always been in the danger of sailing
between Scylla and Charybdis. On one extreme Christianity is in danger of
evaporating into a philosophy—then it becomes nothing but steam. The opposite
who wish to plunder Christians with the bait of so-called “deeper” thoughts and
danger is that it will freeze into a form and become nothing more than a ritual.
There is a real peril on either side. But the Lord Jesus called Himself the Water of
Life. He is neither steam nor ice—neither can sustain life. That is why we need to
guard against following the line of philosophy or following the line of ritual.
“better” understanding
(v. 8). “Beware lest any man spoil you (plunder you, it might be rendered,) … through philosophy and [vain] deceit, ‘Beware of those who pretend that they are going to enrich you, but whose real object is to plunder you.
might be rendered,) … through philosophy and [vain] deceit, ‘Beware of those
Believers face the very real threat of being captivated by false teaching and lured away from an unswerving devotion to the absolute supremacy of Christ.
Paul’s warning now becomes direct: See to it that no one takes you captive. Captive means “to carry away” or “kidnap.” Here it refers to someone being carried away from the truth into the slavery of error.
who pretend that they are going to enrich you, but whose real object is to plunder
They say that they will give you advanced thought, deeper ideas, a system more relative with the age; but it is’ …
you. They say that they will give you advanced thought, deeper ideas, a system
after the tradition of men,
more congruous with the age; but it is’ … after the tradition of men, after the
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ‘What do you want with their
‘What do you want with their traditions? Christ has revealed his truth to you.
What do you want with the world’s rudiments?
traditions? Christ has revealed his truth to you. What do you want with the
world’s rudiments? You have gone beyond such elementary, useless knowledge
You have gone beyond such elementary, useless knowledge as that, for you have got the truth itself’”
as that, for you have got the truth itself’”
In chapter 2: Paul is dealing with Philosophies and Rituals
“In the first fifteen verses of this chapter we will see that Christ is the answer to philosophy.
The remainder of the chapter will show that He is the answer to ritual.
The answer to philosophy is for the head;
the answer to ritual is for the heart.
When false teaching attacks, it usually attacks on two fronts:
(1) the person of Jesus Christ and
False teachers fail to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God and undermine his uniqueness as the God-Man.
(2) the believer’s identity in him.
False teachers propose that “something more” is needed to make the earnest disciple complete.
Paul addresses both lies in verses 9–10
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
He tells us that we are full in the full one.
where he tells us that we are full in the full one. Jesus Christ is completely God, and we are complete in him. We just need to grow. The Christian always grows by nutrition (feeding on his Word) and not by addition.
Jesus Christ is completely God, and we are complete in him. We just need to grow. The Christian always grows by nutrition (feeding on his Word) and not by addition.
Paul tells the Colossians that because in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, they have no excuse for being deceived. The sum total of deity resides in Jesus, the incarnate Word of God
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
, ).
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:14).
Believers can avoid the deception of verse 8 not by just maintaining a solid front but by moving forward with steady progress. When we stop going forward, we stall; when we stall, we can fall.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6
We Need To Walk In Him
We Need To Walk In Him
We received Christ Jesus as Lord. Now we are to continue to live with him as our Lord. Live literally means walk. Step by step, day by day, we are to conduct our affairs in conscious submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Life is a journey, and we are not expected to sprint through it. We are just to make steady progress.
We received Christ Jesus as Lord.
Now we are to continue to live with him as our Lord.
Live literally means walk. Step by step, day by day, we are to conduct our affairs in conscious submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Life is a journey, and we are not expected to sprint through it. We are just to make steady progress.
We Are To Be Rooted and Built Up In Him and Stablished in the Faith.
We Are To Be Rooted and Built Up In Him and Stablished in the Faith.
Steady progress is possible when we are grounded or rooted.
Christians are not to be tumbleweeds with no roots, blown about by every wind of doctrine.
We avoid this when we are firmly rooted in Jesus Christ.
Roots don’t exist for themselves: they exist to give the plant strength and help the plant grow.
We are to be rooted and then built up and strengthened.
We are to grow.
How are we to grow? We are to grow in the faith [we] were taught.
We have no need to seek secret or “higher” knowledge.
We are to grow in knowledge of the truth already revealed in Christ.
Finally, We Are To Be Overflowing With Thankfulness
Finally, We Are To Be Overflowing With Thankfulness
This comes when we recognize that we are complete in Christ, that we have every opportunity to grow spiritually in him.
A thankful believer is not easily led away from Christ.
A discontented, grumbling, whiny believer, however, will be easy prey for false teachers who are more than willing to offer “just what you’ve been missing.”
Imagine for a moment that your city is surrounded by enemy forces who aimed to destroy you. And you are aware that enemy sympathizers live and work in the city with a view to undermining the city's defenses. And suppose you discover that there is a song which the enemy and their sympathizers cannot tolerate or approach. Whenever they hear it, they pull back and run the other direction.
Imagine for a moment that your city is surrounded by enemy forces who aimed to destroy you. And you are aware that enemy sympathizers live and work in the city with a view to undermining the city's defenses. And suppose you discover that there is a song which the enemy and their sympathizers cannot tolerate or approach. Whenever they hear it, they pull back and run the other direction.
Isn't it certain that you would want to learn this song? And after you learned it, you would sing it when you went to bed at night and when you got up in the morning. You would sing it on the way to work, and whenever you were among strangers. And as your confidence grew you would even venture outside the city and sing it as you walked boldly through the enemy lines on your way to another town. The more deeply embedded in your mind the song became, the more steady and deep and serene and fearless your life would become. Others would see and hear and learn the song from you. And in the end you would conquer the enemy, and there would be no threat at all.
Well, we are surrounded by the enemy—Satan and his forces. He is "the father of lies" (). His weapons are deceit and delusion. His aim is the destruction of your faith and love.
And there are enemy sympathizers inside the city of our own souls—namely, the desires of the old self.
And there is a song that Satan and his sympathizers cannot tolerate or approach—namely, the song of thanks to God.
Well Preacher what do you have to be thankful for?
Christ is All
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Because in Christ He is my all in All.
Christ is the Lord of All
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians
Christ is God’s Way of Peace
Christ is the Lord of All
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans
Christ is King of All.
Christ is Our Righteousness
Christ is God’s Way of Peace
Christ is Our Righteousness
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah
Christ is Our High Priest
Christ is Our High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Cornithians 1:30
Christ is Our Substitute
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Christ is the Atoning Sacrifice
Christ is the Destroyer of Death
Christ is the Resurrection and the Life
I'm Thankful because He is the Conqueror of Satan