We Are Dead With Christ

Colossians 2:20-23,20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

I.       If ye be dead with Christ

A.    The translation closer to the Greek would be “since ye be dead with Christ”. (Every Christian has died on the cross)

B.    God is telling us since we are dead; do not return to pre-cross living.

C.    This death with Christ is more than simply dieing with Him. It is dying to or from something

1.     Romans 7:6, But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

a)     We have died to Christ when we got saved

b)     We died from the letter of the law which was in the Old Testament

D.    What are we to “die to” as Christians?

1.     To sin - Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2.     To self - 2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

3.     To the law – Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter

4.     To the world – Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world

Which now leads to point II

II.     Being subject to ordinances

A.    Paul is asking the Jews why are living lives of legalism?

B.    Many Jews of the Colossian church were practicing legalism

1.     They were attempting to gain righteousness through self-denial

2.     They kept going back to the law

3.     They wanted people to think they were religious

III.    Show of Wisdom

A.    The word “show” means appearance (do I look like a Christian?)

B.    The Jews that where doing this look Holy and righteous in appearance only

C.    Matthew 6:16-18,16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

1.     That is how they are to live a Christian life, as unto the Lord and not men

2.     If we put God first, we will be Christ like

D.    It seems that man would rather go far out in left field and do things that show suffering, than yield up their wills to God

1.     Man wants to do everything him self, which he messes up every time

2.     God just wants us to yield to Him and He will take better care of us better then we can ever do

3.     The Bible is full of exsamples like these

E.     Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1.     All the things man holds so close to him self are perishable

2.     The things of God are eternal

Conclusion:

We that are saved are dead in Christ. We are to live that type of life in Him.

Remember when we got saved, we died with Christ on the cross. Act like it.

Praise God we are not under the law any more. So lets praise God and live life as unto Him

Sunday morning Biker Service 8/17/08