We are Strengthened by Christ Jesus Colossians 2:5-16

I. Strange ideas about life’s meaning.

II. Tricky human ideas.

III. Read Colossians 2:8 and comment about churches and salvation.

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.”

IV. Read Colossians 2:9-10; John 1:14, 16-17; and 1 John 5:20 about Jesus.

Colossians 2:9-10 “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.”

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:16-17 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”

V. Soldier and boy see President during Civil War.

VI. God’s Son and a happy ending.

VII. Blessing of Baptism and Colossians 2:12-15.

Colossians 2:12-15 “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.”

VIII. Human solutions vs. Jesus and strength.