Sermon Tone Analysis

"Rooted in Biblical Christianity"

Colossians 2:16-23

February 27, 2022

Ryan Fregoso

Good morning!

We will be in Colossians 2, verses 16-23 this morning.

This week, I came across a modern-day proverb called "The Path."

I'll do my best to summarize it.

A man was walking down an unfamiliar path.

Along the way, he entered and became stuck in a bed of quicksand.

Slowly he began to sink.

Gratefully another traveler came along, and the man called out for help.

It was the Chinese philosopher Confucius.

Confucius told him in response to his plea, "that should be evidence that men should stay out of such places."

He continued along his journey.

Then, Buddha came along!

The man cried for help, and Buddha's reply was simply "kill the desire to live which you have and you will be alright" then he too continued along his journey.

So, as the man continued to sink, Mohammed walked by, and as the man cried for help again!

Mohammed replied, "I can do nothing, it is the will of Allah," and he too continued along.

Finally, the man sank to his shoulders and only his arm and head were still visible, but one more traveler came by.

This time it was Jesus, and when the man cried out, Jesus reached down and pulled him out, and He walked with the man to his destination.

This story helps us to see that when we rely solely on our processes and procedures and principles in our faith, we are left sinking, but when we rely on Jesus, we can continue walking.

In our passage this morning, we are going to see Paul's warning against these false teachers that continue to add to the finished work of Jesus.

In doing so, they are at jeopardy of losing sight of their Savior.

Join me as we read Colossians 2:16-23:

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.

17 THESE ARE A SHADOW OF THE THINGS TO COME, BUT THE SUBSTANCE BELONGS TO CHRIST.

18 LET NO ONE DISQUALIFY YOU, INSISTING ON ASCETICISM AND WORSHIP OF ANGELS, GOING ON IN DETAIL ABOUT VISIONS, PUFFED UP WITHOUT REASON BY HIS SENSUOUS MIND,

19 AND NOT HOLDING FAST TO THE HEAD, FROM WHOM THE WHOLE BODY, NOURISHED AND KNIT TOGETHER THROUGH ITS JOINTS AND LIGAMENTS, GROWS WITH A GROWTH THAT IS FROM GOD.

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?

23 THESE HAVE INDEED AN APPEARANCE OF WISDOM IN PROMOTING SELF-MADE RELIGION AND ASCETICISM AND SEVERITY TO THE BODY, BUT THEY ARE OF NO VALUE IN STOPPING THE INDULGENCE OF THE FLESH.

Here is our main idea that I want to talk through this morning:

We are rooted in Christ when we don't add to Jesus.

You may recall the mathematical equation I quoted last week:

Christ plus nothing, equals everything.

WHY JESUS PLUS NOTHING?

1. Biblical Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.

(16)

a.

The dictionary definition of religion is "a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes"

b.

That's really what we saw in that story a few moments ago, isn't it?

c.

In verse 16, we see that these false teachers and other influences were not only adding to the faith that the Colossians had, but they were also using the Law to do so.

d.

They were putting emphasis on keeping the dietary restrictions and the Sabbath's and the ceremonial feasts, instead of relying on the finished work of Christ.

e.

Not only this, but the phrase "PASS JUDGMENT" here denotes someone acting as a judge over others.

f.

This is to say that they were the final authority on how you practice your faith.

g.

Now, the Scriptures do tell us that we ought to judge one another - as Christians - but, only when it comes to sin.

Not, on what someone wears, or eats, or drinks, or if they "observe the Sabbath" or a ceremonial "feast."

h.

We do this in the Church today too.

i.

How about those churches that will only accept a specific English version of the Bible?

ii.

Or those churches that have an unwritten rule that men are to wear a suit and tie?

iii.

Even those super Christians who don't dance or smoke or drink alcohol and judge those who do.

i.

We're no different than some of these that Paul is warning about.

Next, in verse 17, we see that ....

2. The Law points us to Jesus.

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a.

This idea of a shadow speaks to a picture of Christ (this Greek word is where we get the word "photograph" from.

It is an outline.

A sketch.

Something that we see but can look forward to the real thing.

Like the pictures I shared with the kids this morning.

b.

Allow me to point you to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17: DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO ABOLISH THE LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I HAVE NOT COME TO ABOLISH THEM BUT TO FULFILL THEM.

i. Jesus fulfilled the Law, so as we saw last week, it is complete.

No need to dwell on them.

c.

The phrasing of verse 17 is a bit difficult to translate.

At least for me, the phrasing is hard to understand at first.

But, what we see is that it points to the idea that a shadow has no substance, and that the substance is only found in the body of Christ.

i.

So, Paul is contrasting the idea of a shadow (or picture) and a real Person, in Christ.

d.

The NLT does a good job of paraphrasing this: FOR THESE RULES ARE ONLY SHADOWS OF THE REALITY YET TO COME.

AND CHRIST HIMSELF IS THAT REALITY.

e. So, if these rules were merely a picture of Jesus, again there is no need to live there, let alone be judged for them.

f.

Next, verse 18 points us to the fact that ...

3. Following Jesus requires faith and works, not faith plus works.

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a. Paul is warning against those who teach that you must do something to earn your salvation.

b.

The Bible is very clear.

Faith is a gift from God, by the grace of God.

We cannot - because we are unable - to do anything to earn our salvation.

c. Paul is warning the church to not let anyone deny your salvation if you aren't practicing asceticism (a false humility, and in some cases a self-harm or imposing self-deprivation to be "more holy"), or the worship of angels because of their extensive visions, which only leads to a prideful attitude.

d.

Paul, drawing back on the section that we covered last week, affirms that this salvation is already final, no one can take that from you.

i.

That's what that term "DISQUALIFY" is addressing here.

The term is used when an umpire or official strips you from your prize.