Rooted in the Work of Christ

"Rooted in The Work of Christ" Colossians 2:6-15 February 20, 2022 Ryan Fregoso Go ahead and find Colossians chapter 2 this morning. We'll be in verses 6-15. When I first became a follower of Jesus, I did everything I could to stay close to Him. I attended as many bible studies and small groups during the week as I could. I served anywhere that I could. I bought the biggest Study Bible that I could find. I started buying books and tapes and CDs. I worked at my pastor's home just so I can learn from him and listen to and read his resources. I served in the nursery and the children's and youth groups. I led bible studies, and even changed the plastic pages on the overhead projector during worship. I loved church. I loved the people of God. I loved the Word of God. The problem, however, is when life happens, we begin to re-prioritize our love for the church, for the people of God, for the Word of God. Other times, we may allow the culture to influence our faith. Paul, as we've discussed, is writing to a church that allowed this very thing to happen. His concern was for the souls of the saints in Colossae. And because of that concern, he writes these words, beginning in verse 6 of chapter 2: 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. 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. 9 FOR IN HIM THE WHOLE FULLNESS OF DEITY DWELLS BODILY, 10 AND YOU HAVE BEEN FILLED IN HIM, WHO IS THE HEAD OF ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY. 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, 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. 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. Here is the main idea from this passage: We are rooted in Christ when we hold on to Christ, and Christ alone. This is yet another great passage. Paul here is - once again - bringing the Colossians back to Jesus. He's making it incredibly clear here that they are saved by Christ, and Christ alone. He is asserting that the finished work of Christ is enough. I think it was John MacArthur who said: "Christ plus nothing equals everything." There are some observations in this passage that I believe are important to note. First, we see that Paul gives us the first command in this passage. Did you see it? Verse 6 - THEREFORE, AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM Yes, "WALK IN HIM." But, before we camp there, we need to read this verse along with verse 7: THEREFORE, AS YOU RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK IN HIM, ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM AND ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH, JUST AS YOU WERE TAUGHT, ABOUNDING IN THANKSGIVING Quick reminder - these two verses are the theme verses of this sermon series. Because they are so dense with practical details of the Christian faith, so we're going to camp here for a few minutes. Again, we see the first command of this epistle - which is to WALK IN HIM. Notice, however, the rest of these verses. There is a wonderful progression involved in the maturing of the saints. It begins with walking in Him, only after we have received Him (Jesus). This idea of walking with Christ calls us back to John 15, where Jesus says we are to abide in Him. This idea of abiding is to make a permanent residence with Jesus. We are to be living with Him. Think about what that means. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father. He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell inside us. This is to say that He is present in the lives of Christians. True Christians who have received Him. Now, Paul has talked about this receiving of the Gospel already but notice here that he speaks of receiving Christ. So, Paul is saying, "since you've received Him, you must walk in Him." Another way of looking at this, is to live out your faith. Living out your faith can happen in a number of ways. This might mean making difficult decisions on behalf of your family or in your job. This might mean breaking off relationships that remove you from focusing on Christ. This might mean you remove a hobby or activity in your life that takes your focus off Christ. After I became a Christian back in 1999, I eventually had to leave my friends behind. They were no good for me, and I didn't want to be associated with them any longer. This is made possible, only through being rooted in Him. We've talked about this a number of times in this series already. Paul says that we are to be, "ROOTED AND BUILT UP." What's interesting about this phrase is - first, that it seems contradictory to the idea of walking - but more specifically, it is one phrase, one thought process that Paul is discussing. He is saying that once we have a firm and rooted foundation, we are able to grow. We are able grow outwardly. We are able to grow in our faith. In our influence. And in our reach for the Kingdom. It is essential that we are sharing our faith with others. You can do that in a number of ways. Maybe at work, you pray before your meal. This may lead to someone asking you why you do this, and it may give you an opportunity to share your faith with someone. When you are going about struggles or difficulties, how are you dealing with them? Are you joyful? Or bitter? How you respond, may determine how others perceive you, and they may want to learn more about this joy. Or maybe you travel a lot. There's a soul that you can witness to on that plane. Ask the Lord to give you these opportunities. Then, Paul reminds the church that they have been established in the faith. This idea of established means that they have been fully convinced of the Gospel and the Man of Christ. Throughout this epistle, Paul is reminding the saints here that they have heard the Gospel (from the Apostolic teachings), they have received Christ, and they are true believers because they have been fully convinced and established in their faith. Because of this, he says, that they ought to be abounding in thanksgiving. We've seen this idea already twice before in this epistle. In chapter one, verse 3, Paul expresses his thankfulness for them, and in chapter one, verse 12 Paul encourages them to be thankful. This thankfulness is - in a way - the least we can do for the gift of salvation. Paul is exhorting this church to live out their faith. Obviously, there is a reason for this set up. Paul is about to warn them about a critical issue in their church. Naturally, each week, there has been a verse that has stood out or that is difficult, so there is no surprise that we see it here in this passage as well. When we get to verse eight, we read these words: 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." This verse is a direct call back to verse 4, which we read last week: I SAY THIS IN ORDER THAT NO ONE MAY DELUDE YOU WITH PLAUSIBLE ARGUMENTS. The language in the Greek is a lot more powerful than what we have here in the ESV. This idea of "SEE TO IT" would be better translated "beware" or "be on guard" or "pay attention." It is a strong warning of these false teachers. This idea of taking you captive means to be led away as prey. So, this implies that predators are the ones who are trying to lure Christians away from the faith, and from the truth. There are hints here in the language of robbing or plundering. So, Paul is saying, don't let anyone rob you or lure you away from what you have already received. This was done to this church by PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT. How? ACCORDING HUMAN TRADITION, ACCORDING TO THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS OF THE WORLD. In its most simple definition, philosophy means the "love of wisdom." According to the Scriptures, wisdom is not a bad thing. In fact, in 1 Kings 13, Solomon was gifted with the most wisdom afforded to man, and the Lord was pleased with his prayer for wisdom. Paul is not warning about wisdom - as he himself said in chapter one verse twenty-eight that he preached Christ in spiritual wisdom, for the maturity of the saints - rather he was warning against being fooled by the wisdom driven by the traditions of man, rather than Christ. This idea of ELEMENTAL SPIRITS in verse eight is quite interesting. What is Paul talking about here? There are three possibilities based on the Greek word used here. First, it may refer to the basic elements of knowledge (almost literally, the ABCs). Second, it may refer to the material and physical elements of the world (like water, earth and fire). The third possibility is that he is referring to spiritual powers, like demons and angels. It's hard to truly determine what Paul is speaking about here, but there might be some internal evidence to help us. First, Paul makes the concluding point in verse eight that these influences are NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST. This is key because it allows us to understand that whatever the influence, if it is not according to Christ, it is meaningless and false. But, in the next section (which we will get to shortly, I promise), Paul spends a lot of time on the traditions of man. He will talk about circumcision and baptism, for example. Next week, we will see verses 20 and 22, Paul addresses "REGULATIONS" and "HUMAN PRECEPTS AND TEACHINGS." So, regardless of what Paul is specifically addressing with the language of "ELEMENTAL SPIRITS" (or principles), his primary point is that they are not in accordance with or in Christ. So, what we see in this next section is the antidote to being led astray, and maybe just as important ... HOW TO STAY ROOTED IN CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE 1. Be full in Christ. a. Paul makes it very clear in verses 9-10 that Christ is the fullness of God and that Christians have been filled with Him. b. We saw this a few minutes ago, didn't we? c. This whole idea, i. One, points us to Christ's deity and ii. Two, points us to the finished work of Christ to those who believe. Because His death and resurrection has made us whole. His death and resurrection aligns us with God's will. His death and resurrection saves us from God's wrath and eternal punishment. Again, for those who believe. iii. This idea of fullness and being filled paints the picture that we are complete. That the work has been finished. If something is completed and finished, then nothing more is to be done. iv. Paul is saying, don't add to Jesus. v. Christians, we fall victim to this as well. We align ourselves with various viewpoints from our favorite teachers or interpretations too. The next thing Paul warns about is that we ... 2. Don't fall victim to human tradition. a. Paul speaks to two church/human traditions. To be sure, none of these two things are bad, Paul is simply making the point that the work completed in both circumcision and in baptism is the work of the Lord, made possible in Jesus. b. In verse 11, Paul says that they were not circumcised by hands. This is a call back to several Old and New Testament passages that speak to the circumcision of the heart, not a physical circumcision. i. Deuteronomy 30:6 comes to mind: AND THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEART AND THE HEART OF YOUR OFFSPRING, SO THAT YOU WILL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, THAT YOU MAY LIVE. ii. Jeremiah and Ezekiel also speak to this idea of a circumcised heart. iii. This was also addressed in the early church. Acts 15 speaks to this very issue of an outward condition for salvation. Paul is saying, "No!" c. He then speaks in verse 12 about being buried in baptism and raised with Jesus, how? IN THE POWERFUL WORKING OF GOD. i. Paul talks about this idea in 1 Corinthians 12:13 when he addresses the unity we have in Christ Jesus. He says this: FOR IN ONE SPIRIT WE WERE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY - JEWS OR GREEKS, SLAVES OR FREE - AND ALL WERE MADE TO DRINK OF ONE SPIRIT. ii. Paul is saying that we are baptized in Christ, the moment we believe. iii. This is a change of our hearts, in Christ, by the grace of God. Part of this process requires that we .... 3. Deny the old nature. a. J Vernon McGee said this: "Salvation is not the improvement of the old nature; it is the impartation of a new nature" b. The old nature consists of: i. Old habits ii. Old desires iii. Old testing and temptations c. We are to put away these things (we'll see this more in a couple of weeks). d. We also cannot ignore what we see in the closing verses of this section: 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. i. Clearly, we see here again that God is the Actor, and we are the participants. We were made alive in Christ. We were once dead, now we live. Walking IN HIM AND ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM. e. This whole section is a call back to the crucifixion of Jesus. i. Notice the careful language of Paul here. 1. Christ cancelled the record of debt. a. This is a call back to the Law, and this record that we cannot keep. You know, those human traditions that were twisted by the religious leaders. b. Recall that Jesus was handed over by these religious leaders for His fulfillment of the very Law that these men were supposed to protect. c. This record of debt was nailed to the cross with Jesus, just like they nailed His charge on the cross in which He bore for us. ii. Verse 15, Paul calls out these leaders and rulers that sent the Savior to the cross, and through the resurrection of Christ, He was victorious over the powerful people of their day. iii. Paul says, don't. Don't walk away from this. Don't walk away from the finished work of Christ. Stay firmly planted and grow. Our main idea today was: We are rooted in Christ when we hold on to Christ, and Christ alone. I am convinced that there are at least two things we can do today to help us to hold on to Christ, and Christ alone. HOW TO HOLD ON TO CHRIST 1. Evaluate your relationships a. Who do you spend your time with? b. Are you involved in fellowship with other believers? c. Do you have a Spiritual mentor? d. Do you have close relationships with people who lift you up? e. If you don't, then consider what these people are feeding you and putting into your lives. Pray for God's wisdom in these relationships. 2. Evaluate your resources a. Where are you getting spiritually fed? b. Are they reliable? How do you know? c. We must be careful on what we are putting in our minds. If it does not point us to Jesus, then we must seek His wisdom. I don't know where you are spiritually today. I don't know if you struggle with outside influences that take your focus off Christ or not. I don't know. But I would like to. Pastor Pat or the elders would like to. Like Paul, we at Thornydale Family Church care about your maturity. Let us be a part of equipping you. Let's pray. 2