Fulfilling Our Mission Through Spiritual Growth part 2

Big Ideas about Fulfilling Our Mission:

The mission is the spreading of the Gospel.

We must commit to prayer, submit to God’s authority and become functioning church members.

Last week were saw that we must walk in Christ Jesus in order to fulfill our mission.

Meaning that we need to make a conscience choice to walk in Him daily; our spiritual walk rooted and founded on the firm foundation of Christ Jesus.

This morning we are going to finish this series by looking at Colossians 2:8-15

One of my favorite young actresses was in the news a lot this week. Gina Carano is a former MMA fighter turned actress who has been in a number of action films.

Unlike many of the actresses in action movies, Gina’s action scenes are believable because she’s not only a trained fighter who can do her own stunts, but she is built like a normal human being, not some emaciated beauty queen. Which, by the way, makes her one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, IMO.

Anyway, she was fired from her role in the Star Wars series The Mandalorian because of statements she made that Disney found controversial and offensive. I’m not going to examine the statement this morning, but I think you’ll agree that what she said is hardly a firing offense, and many of us would also agree with what she said.

Truth be told, Disney and the woke mob has been trying to fire her for awhile, because she is an outspoken conservative, which makes her persona non grata in many Hollywood circles. So, her statements were just an opportunity for the leftists to attempt to make an example out of her.

Their point is clear: If you don’t share our worldview, then we will destroy you and your career.

It really comes down to beliefs. Everyone has a belief system. Even atheists have a belief system. And our belief system, not only drives our thinking, but it drives our behavior as well. And, the society around us seeks to influence our belief system everyday.

Each generation of people face different pressures by the prevailing belief systems to conform to their way of thinking. This is true today, and it was true in Paul’s day as well.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

So, in Colossians 2:8-15 Paul has much to teach us about guarding against the false belief systems that will seek to influence us in the time and place where we live.

Read Colossians 2:8-15

Big Idea: In order to fulfill the mission that God has for our lives we must guard our hearts and minds against false belief.

The Problem

In this section Paul examines the false teachings threatening the church in Colossae.

Paul never really goes into too much detail about the specifics of the false teachings, but there seems to be a mix of influence from different groups:

Judaizers

Local religious cultic groups

Verse 8

In this first verse of the section we see that Paul sees this not as a passive or tacit challenge, but as a purposeful, organized attack.

Notice the words “takes you captive”…

As a matter of fact, all false teaching should been seen as a purposeful attack on the truth, because the author of false teaching is not God, but Satan!

This isn’t a condemnation of philosophy in general (all religion is a philosophy) but a warning against Christians putting their belief and fears behind the philosophies of the day, especially those that contradicted the completed work of Christ.

Paul saw this particular philosophy as leading to an impotent life. This was because it was empty, i.e. worth nothing.

Why? Paul shows three reasons why it is worth noting:

Its origin was the human mind, not God.

It was elementary, meaning it was an inferior system of worship in comparison with Christ.

It is non-Christian, meaning it doesn’t fit with the teachings and work of Christ.

This is a great test for any philosophy today!

In the end, this philosophy was an attack on the theology of salvation in Christ Jesus alone.

The Solution

Verses 9-14

The solution is a theology based on the saving message of Christ! Paul says much about that message here:

V. 9 – The fullness of God is upon Jesus alone.

Just in case anyone missed Paul’s theology about the deity of Christ, you can’t miss it here: the whole fullness of deity dwell bodily!

If this is hard to fathom then you’re beginning to understand something vital about God: God will not be completely comprehended by human minds…otherwise He would not be God, we would be gods.

Paul is stating here that Jesus is every bit God.

Jesus is every bit God, but Jesus is not all there is to God…

V. 10 – Believers are filled with Jesus, thus have no reason to fear the false teachings.

We have a unique fellowship with Jesus because He has filled us with His Holy Spirit, who not only draws our hearts and minds to Christ continually, but allows us to have an intimate fellowship with God that would be impossible without Him.

Why would we embrace false teaching when what we have is far superior to anything the world could offer?

Vv. 11-14 – This section can be confusing if not read carefully.

Paul is using it as a metaphor to the believer’s death to the old self and new life in Christ.

In Judaism the first requirement of the law is circumcision, because they were taught that no one could keep the requirements of the law without having been circumcised.

The Greek word here translated as “putting off” translates to “unhandmade” which points to a spiritual act done by God, not man.

In Paul’s theology, circumcision that mattered was the circumcision of the heart that could only come through Christ Jesus.

This circumcision is a cutting off of the sinful self, done in the heart by Christ Jesus.

Then Paul likens this to baptism.

Not the event of water baptism per se, but addressing the spiritual meaning that undergirds it.

This is the spiritual baptism that occurred at salvation in the heart of the believer. Like circumcision of the heart.

Our water baptism corresponds to this, it is an outward picture of an inward reality.

What Paul is saying here is that when it comes to salvation, God does the work, and believers trust God to act and follow His commands.

Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe…

Therefore, the answer to false teaching when it comes to salvation is a biblical theology based on the atoning work of Christ Jesus.

Look closely at verse 14, as it is one of the most powerful in this letter!

Consider the visual image of God taking our record of sin debt against Him and nailing it to the cross as Jesus hung there paying our debt.

That record now reads: Paid in full!

Verse 15 is a great summary statement of this reality.

In doing this, Jesus has forever overcome any that may attempt to lay claim on our spiritual life.

They cannot steal what Jesus has won!

This picture of “put them to open shame” is powerful because it fits with the culture context so well.

A Roman general upon conquering an enemy would often force the enemy to march behind his chariot as he paraded back into Rome. It is a sign of utter domination.

Jesus utterly dominated all earthy and spiritual powers on the cross! Satan was defeated.

As Luther penned, “Lo, his doom is sure.”

Challenge

What must a person do to be saved?

No need?

Good person?

Religious devotion?

Faith in the saving work of Christ?

What does the believer possibly have to fear?

Nothing, because Christ Jesus has won the victory.

So, let’s all serve with passion and confidence, guarding against the philosophies of today that desire to take captive millions today.

The solution: The saving message of Christ Jesus!