Still Alive in Christ Jesus!

Introduction

* written by the apostle Paul in AD 59–61 to the church at Colossae

* In the first century AD, Colossae was a small agrarian town (LBD)

* the church at Colossae was closely connected with the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col 4:13)

* the church at Colossae was a small relatively new church

* Paul wrote to them to combat an errant theology that seemed to deny the supremacy of Christ in all matters of life.

Like the church of Colossae living in the mist of a world with all kinds of errant theologies, even in the church, DPCC can learn a how we are to live from the words of the apostle Paul in our own post modern, post church era.

I. Live in light of the teaching of Christ Jesus the Lord! (vs. 6-7)

Colossians 2:6–7 ESV

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.

Colossians 1:15–18 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

A. Rooted

B. Built Up

C. Established in the faith

D. Excelling in thanksgiving

II. Beware of being taken captive by anything/one other than Christ. (v. 8)

Colossians 2:8 ESV

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. Philosophy

B. Empty Deceit according to human tradition, elemental spirits of the world (cf. Col 2:20-23)

III. In Christ dwells the fullness of deity bodily (vs. 9-15)

Colossians 2:9 ESV

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

A. Deity is the state of being god, divine character/nature (BDAG) (v. 9)

Colossians 2:10 ESV

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

B. You have been filled in Him. (v. 10a)

C. He is the Head of all rule and authority. (v. 10b)

Colossians 2:11 ESV

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,

D. In Him you were circumcised having been: (v. 11)

1. buried with Him in baptism (v. 12a)

2. raised with Him through faith in the working of God. (v. 12b)

E. You were dead, but: (v. 13-15)

Colossians 2:13–15 ESV

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.

1. God made you alive together with Him.

2. God forgave all your trespasses.

3. God cancelled the record of debt that stood against us.

4. God set it aside by nailing it to the cross.

5. God disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to shame by triumphing over them in Christ.