The Walk

The Walk

Colossians 2:6–7 — 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.

Are you an envelope Christian? Envelope Christianity

Picture of Envelope

__ Giving offering __ Brought Bible

__ Read Bible daily __ Studied lesson

__ Attending worship service __ Visitors brought

Is this what makes a “good” Christian?

__ Don’t cuss/swear __ Don’t smoke/chew/run with those

__ Don’t drink __ Don’t have sex outside of marriage

2020

__ Listen to Christian podcast/read a blog

__Pray for a person __Help a person

__ Wear a Christian-themed shirt, bracelet, cap

Is this what make a Christian “good”? --cause of change

Colossians 2:6–9 — 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so WALK IN HIM (COMMAND), 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 (love of wisdom) and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and NOT according to CHRIST.

Someone is trying to take your eyes off Jesus.

Someone is redirecting your faith off Jesus

and back on yourself.

9 For IN HIM the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

Colossians 1:19 — For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell . . .

10 and you have been FILLED IN HIM (made complete, KJV, NASB), who is the head of all rule and authority.

God’s fullness dwells in Jesus and

Jesus now dwells in you.

Ephesians 3:14–17 — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of His glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit (baptized/immersed in the Spirit) in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—

Colossians 2:10–23 — 10 and you have been FILLED IN HIM (immersed in Him), who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In HIM also (as you were immersed) you were circumcised with a CIRCUMCISION (cutting away of flesh) made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh (sin nature/disposition toward sin), by the CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST,

Something changes in you when you respond to Jesus.

Freed from sin’s domination or influence.

Not freed from sin’s influence.

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.

Water baptism symbolizes the spiritual union/baptism that occurs at the point of faith

13 And YOU, who were dead (past tense) in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, GOD made alive (quickened) together with him, having forgiven US ALL our trespasses (faltering), 14 by canceling the record of debt (certificate) that stood against us with its legal demands. This HE set aside (perfect verbal form), nailing it to the cross.

Think about the cross—PICTURE OF THE CROSS

Jesus claimed your debt—once and for all

Jesus accepted God’s judgment for ALL your sin.

Marvel at God’s work of salvation on your behalf

and give thanks

FAITH in Jesus appropriates His work toward your life.

15 He (GOD) disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

Jesus’ death affects your past, but also

your present and future—freed you to become

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.

Don’t misplace your focus—diets, days, religious duties

17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance (reality) belongs to Christ.

18 Let no one DISQUALIFY you (Beguile you of your reward, KJV, deprive you of the prize), insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

Super spirituality—focused on subsequent spiritual experiences—taking their eyes off Jesus.

19 and NOT HOLDING FAST to the HEAD (JESUS), from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, GROWS with a growth that is from God. (Through Jesus)

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? Saved by Jesus, are you now focusing on lists?

23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body,

Admit it, keeping lists can make us look good.

but they are of NO VALUE in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Rules don’t change the heart.

Envelope Christianity doesn’t work.

(Right) Rules have a role to play—

point us in right direction.

Ephesians 4:25–32—Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The issue is one of FOCUS. WALK in JESUS

Colossians 2:6–7 — 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. (PLAN OF ACTION)