Vision of Victory

Background

Paul writing to the church at Colossae (Colossians is a letter)

Paul had never been to the church and so he relys on the appointed leaders (Epaphras) to share how things are going

Epaphras shares of the faith, endurance and struggles of the church

Colossae is struggling with false teachings (specifically about spiritual forces)

False teaching - perform rituals

Resurrection of Christ isnt enough

Original teachings that you live how you want then you make a sacrifice

Paul opens with encouragement of thankfulness, prayer, and wisdom

Paul then transitions to Jesus and who he is

Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Creator, Sustainer, Beginning and End, Jesus is the head of the church,

Through Jesus Gods plan of redemption was carried out, and because of Christs death we are able to be redeemed

Jesus calls us to endure

Paul explains that with Christ he is able to endure in the sufferings for the ministry of the church

God revealed himself to Paul and has been tasked with helping to lead the church of Christ

With God, through Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit Paul continues to teach, preach, and shepherd the church

Paul is relating to the church that although they have never seen him, Paul has struggles but that the faith in Christ is what enables him to push on in his minisry

Today we are going to look at what it is like for us to have faith, to be with Christ, and to push on with a vision of victory

Turn to Colossians 2:6-15 “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. 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. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 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, 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. 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, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Illustrations of Faith

Therefore, - Read Colossians 2:5 “For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”

Firmness of your faith in Christ - Paul is affirming and encouraging them that they have faith and that the church of Colossae is being firm even through the false teachings.

Paul encourages that because they have recieved Christ, they should walk, be rooted, and built up in Christ

Three illustrations that are key to long lasting faith

Walk - When you walk with Christ, you are in his word and are on the right path. If you want to stay on the right path, you need to continue that walk with Christ (Hand Holding)

Rooted - When we are rooted in Christ, we are able to to stay strong and withstand any storms. Deep Roots in scripture will protect our doctrine and beliefs. When others tray to sway us from the faith, the roots dont allow us to give in.

Built Up - As we walk with Christ, we are able to build a faith and truth that has Christ as the foundation. Without Christ and apart from Christ, the entire structure will fail.

And as we are walking, rooted, and built up with Christ we are able to live out a strong faith

Notice Paul gives us an established date of faith but there is no end to it

Companies put established because thats when the company started, do you notice how they dont have an end date because they are still operating! What companies are tryign to communicate is that they can be trusted, that they provide good service, that their products withstand the market. That even with the crash of 08 and recessions we still stand. We are successful

So is to be the same of our faith - That it is established when we come to faith in Christ alone and there is no spiritual end date.

Every believer in here has an established faith - date, many of you remember the exact date, place, occasion, timeframe, of when this took place. How is your walk since that established date? Are continuously deepening your roots and building on Christ Jesus? Is your faith stronger now than it was when it was established?

If the answer is no to any of these, I encourage you to check your posture of thankfulness.

Verse 7 ends with abounding in thanksgivng

When we are thankful for our established faith, and that the established faith is only made possible because of Jesus, then the walking, rooting, and building will follow.

Paul knows that the church of Colossae hs been taught this, I know you church have been taught this, so my enocuragement to you is to build your faith.

Build your faith that is established so that you know you are on the right path, so that you cant be swayed, and that you are continuoulsy growing.

As you do this you do need to beware:

Caution for Believers

Colossians 2:8 “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.”

See to it (In other words) - Be on guard - Do not let - This is a command

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

We know that Satan and his demons are at work - we know that he is targeting the church.

Satan works to twist and manipulate - In Genesis he is first described as crafty.

Satan takes what is good and twists it for evil

Philosophy - Philosophy is not bad

Philosophy should be taught and is very practical in a human sense

When philosophy starts to be brought into the church and is starts to be “in addition to” or “explanation” of things in addition or replacing scripture is when it is wrong

John Davenant (English Academic and Bishop): Philosophy is, therefore, to be listened to when it pronounces about things subject to itself according to the light of right reason. But when it would determine concerning human justification, reconciliation with God, the mode of divine worship or of other matters relating to faith, it is to be exploded because, in those things which are beyond the grasp of reason and depend wholly on the revealed will of God, it brings nothing solid or true but betrays itself to be altogether vain and deceitful.

When man tries to bring their own philosophy into the word of God we need to be on guard.

The church at Colossae was hearing philosophies that Jesus alone wasnt sufficient and that there are more spiritual forces in addition to Jesus that they needed to to tap into.

Paul is exhorting them to be on guard for such philosophies

Church, you need to be on guard with what you listen, read, and follow in regards to the church.

Empty Deceit - False Promises

Many, if not most philosophies are full of empty deception (false promises)

Right now there is so much twisting of the word of God but with that is the twisting of what God says regarding his promises and truths.

Paul notes three these false philosophies for the church of Colossae and we will apply them to modern day

Human Traditions - Customs and Opinions of man that is man made. In other words it didnt come from God.

Human traditions are traditions are passed down from generation to generation

The church of Colossae was being hammered by human traditions of pagan sacrifice

The church of Colossae was also being hammered with traditions of legalism

Paul is warning against the gentile christians having their freedoms held captive by religious groups and man made rules

The Jewish traditions were really strict and a lot of rules were added to the torah (scripture)

The pharisees added all kinds of rules that werent in scripture and twisted to try to be more “righteous”

In Greek, Captive sulagōgeō Synagogue synagōgē - play on words

Paul is warning against the gentile christians having their freedoms held captive by religious groups and man made rules

We know at the height of the reformation, it was a goal to get the word of God into the hands of all the people.

At the time only the pope and the priests had scripture and so the people were at the mercy of the their teachings.

As martin Luther and the other reformers read scripture, they noticed that many of the rituals were created by the church and werent established anywhere in scripture

We want to clarify that these traditions are man made, they did not come from God

Rather, we should focus on Godly Tradition which is the tradition of passing down the word of God

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (Written by Paul) “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

Modern Day - What isn’t found in scripture is that women must wear skirts and men must wear formal jackets to worship

There are man made traditions that are established (while they may be made in good intent) they can be used for an individual but individually you cant force that onto someone else. That conviction isn’t a divine tradition set forth by God.

We do have scriptural traditions:

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

We have traditions like raising our children in the church. This is found in scripture and is taught and passed down. (100 year old grandpa)

Matthew 28:16-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

We have traditions of the saraments - communion and baptism. This is found in scripture and passed down.

Human Traditions are often times the hardest things to distinguish and the easiest empty philosophy to fall into because many of the traditions can sound as if it is coming from scripture.

This is why we must be in the word.

There are great preachers that I listen to and follow. These preachers are to preach the word of God and from scripture, explain what the original intent of the scripture is and how it is applicable to life.

In a real sense I trust the preachers that I listen too. I trust the books they write. I trust the podcasts I listen too.

They are supplemental to the word of God, they do not replace the word of God.

They are supplemental in interpreting scripture not adding to it

If I was to ever hear one of them say “This needs to be added and applied to the scripture” I should run

I dont know what outside influences you have in your life that you use in addition to scripture but even if you trust them you need to be on guard that it is truly the word of God they are preaching and not their own thoughts/beliefs.

What must be passed down is the gospel of Jesus Christ and we should be on guard not to fall into any human tradition that tries to twist it or do away with it.

Next Paul mentions to be on guard against the elemental spirits of the world

Paul understands that the teachings and rituals of pagan gods had a foothold in Colossae

Leaders were trying to combine the elemental pagan spirits with the spirit of Jesus Christ.

Most theologians point out that this refers to the elements of the eath (earth, water, wind fire,) regardless it points to cosmic forces that are in addition to Jesus.

This is to say that Jesus was his own spirit and did not have control over these other forces.

That is why Paul clarifies in Vs. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

In modern day application we can look at the belief in “mother nature”

There is a belief that we exist to serve to the world rather than that the world was created for us.

We as humans do have a responsibility to take care of the world but understand that we are not bound to it

It is here for our enjoyment

Pastor Dave Marriott of Lakewood Baptist Church in WI notes that it is interesting that humans reject God because a loving God allows bad things to happen but the same humans embrace nature that causes storms, tornados, floods, freezes, and other natural disasters that take life.

The human nature and logic of trying to reason and put things together will often lead us astray because we fear what we do not know. And so curiosity drives people to try to explore the spiritual realm, not fully grasping the dangers of it.

Ouija boards are still a thing, in some cultures sacrifices are a real thing.

We can spot those easily and we know to not come near it but “spirituality” is the knew popular term. Are you spiritual? Spirituality in the elemental sense has spilled over into things that dont seem harmless.

Horoscopes, beliefs centered around the sun and moon, and anything else that seeks to exist as seperate from the design of God or from under his authority is a danger to us.

Thats why, thirdly, Paul writes that we should stay away from any empty philosophy that is not according to Christ.

That is, not Christ centered

It is easy to get entangled and twisted in the things of the world when we are not Christ centered.

That is to put Christ at the center of everything we do.

The reasons why Christianity gets watered down today is that we try fit everyone into Christianity in the name of love and justice rather than holding to the teachings of Christ and in his name.

We need to understand that once we are saved, we are to live according to Jesus and his word because He is in control of all things, Jesus has the whole fullness of deity and is above all.

Individually, your life decisions should be based on the word of God.

That is our philosophy, our reasoning for living a christian life

Christ should influence your decisions concerning family, career, friendships, entertainment, money, education, church, etc.

Ususally when you make a decision without Christ at the center of one area of your life, its going to spill into other areas of your life

To make decisions in these areas apart from God’s teaching is to be outside of God’s intent and leads to a road where you can be captured.

As a church, our beliefs and decisions should be based on Jesus Christ.

Every belief should be rooted in scripture

We have scripture and we also affirm the SBC Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Section 1 The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Section 15 All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Revelation 1:8 ““I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.””

Section 18 Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. Genesis 2:23-24 “Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Section 18 Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Jeremiah 1:5 ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.””

If you have never heard it before I want you to hear it from me.

The Bible is Gods true word!

God is Lord over all!

Marriage is between a man and a woman!

Of life starting at conception!

Thease are not political or denominational issues, these are biblical issues where we must keep Christ and God’s word at the center.

The world will bring in their philosophies and logic as to why we are wrong

The world will try to justify their position

The world will try to say that we are not loving

At the very root of their position, it is not God centered which means it can include human tradition or other elemental forces that are full of lies and false promises!

We must be on guard against such things!

Lord help me stand up night and day when someone tries to teach something that is not of Jesus because I believe Jesus is the main thing.

If we are willing to compromise or settle for one thing that is apart from Jesus then where do we draw the line?

We need to understand that individually and as a church, we must have Christ at the center of all of our beliefs and decisions.

At the end of the day, we believe vs. 10 “and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Paul is telling the church of Colossae that they do not need to offer sacrifices, they do not need to worry about Jesus being powerful enough spritually.

Jesus is the head of all rule and authority and he is in us.

We are in full submission to Christ’s authority.

We are in full submission of God’s plan

Alive in Christ

Vs. Colossians 2:13-14 “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, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

The church had already been taught this but drive the point home Paul reiterates that they are alive because of Christ and that he is in them.

Church you might already know this but to drive the point home

YOU were made ALIVE!

We were dead! We werent drowning, we werent hanging by one hand, not barely breathing, we were dead!

We need to be born again, but to be born spiritually because we are dead!

We are born spiritually uncircumcised and we do not have the power to take off the flesh

It does us no good to be under water that is apart from Christ

There is no possible way that we can pay our debt to get to heaven!

The answer is and always will be Jesus

Jesus - it is Jesus who circumcised us without hands and took off the flesh.

It is Jesus who who we are buried with in baptism.

It is Jesus who pays the debt of our sin with his life.

It is because God the Father and his plan of salvation to send Jesus to forgive our trespasses by being nailed to the cross!

It was God’s plan to fulfill the law

It was Gods plan to cancel our debt

It was Gods plan to forgive us

God makes us alive and together with him through Jesus!

This entire text is about Jesus with us!

Vs. 6 walk IN HIM, rooted and built up IN HIM

Vs. 9 for IN HIM

Vs. 10 IN HIM

Vs. 11 IN HIM

Vs. 12 buried WITH HIM - raised WITH HIM

Vs. 13 together WITH HIM

Vs. 15 IN HIM

We are ALIVE IN CHRIST THROUGH HIM AND BECAUSE OF HIM.

We walk, rooted and built up in the faith, guarding against empty philosophies because He is in us and Jesus has saved us.

We have done nothing but sin, we have done nothing to contribute to our salvation

It is in our very continued state of sin that we realize daily our need for Jesus and yet, also recognize that we are in full access With Him.

HE IS IN US!

It is in Gods plan that the victory is won!

Vision of Victory

Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

The law demands justice and the law was fulfilled

The rulers and authorities who thought had killed the son of God is put to shame by his very death and resurrection

There is no spirit greater than Him

There is no injustice because of Him

The victory for all eternity has been won through Him

It is because of this victory that we have hope, that we have faith, and that we have vision

You might be hearing this word vision a lot in the coming months as we transition to New Day Church.

It would not be beneficial to merge and just continue to do the same things we have been doing.

Rather a vision is cast in order to continue the work of Christ set before us.

The leadership is in prayer over this vision and we would encourage you to pray as well.

As the vision is cast, we dont know the details but here is what we do know....

It will be a vision that is rooted in the word of God

It will be a vision guarded to proclaim the true gospel of Jesus Christ

It will be a vision that is only possible because of Jesus who conquered sin and death and has proclaimed victory.

The vision that will be cast will be a common vision among us because it is Christ who dwells within us

You, believer, have the full diety of Christ within you and you have hope even through struggle because the victory is already won

Do you believe that?

How is your faith?

Maybe your here today and you dont have Christ, it is possible.