THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
(Freedom in Christ - November 6, 2022)
Series Big Idea: "Humanity is only complete in God the Son"
Sermon Big Idea: "Continuous spiritual progress protects believers against deceit"
Key Scripture (Colossians 2:8-15)
As we travel deeper into our study of chapter two we see that this church at Colossae was in danger on a theological level because they were facing opponents with strong religious arguments that made them doubt the truth they had learned about Christ. In our passage, Paul is not expecting the Colossians to "turn over a new leaf" in their lives as if they could just decide to be good all of a sudden. The spiritual growth he prays for comes from a deeper appreciation for what God has already done for and in them.
(Colossians 2:8-15)
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. 9 For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, 10 and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 11 You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah. 12 Having been buried with Him in baptism, you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses. 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; He triumphed over them by Him.
Paul’s theme here is that everything we do should be centered on Christ. But to make Christ the center, we have to understand what He does in both the physical and spiritual worlds. Paul says that forces we can't see are trying to take over our minds. By actively looking for Christ, you can beat them. In this passage, we will open the gospel and learn to let Christ rule in our lives.
The word “captive” in verse eight carries with it references to war. Paul warns that Christians are vulnerable to capture like wartime plunder. Why would he use such a phrase? Because he knew that the Christians here at this church were confronted with philosophies based on human tradition, not on Christ. True Christian philosophy takes every thought captive and makes it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
If you stop to take notice of the people around you, you will find that they are always looking for ways to enhance their lives. Few people seem to be happy with who they are. Most people feel anxious because they have a strange inner emptiness that is hard to explain. Christ fills up that empty space! Jesus is fully divine, and we find personal fulfillment in him when we believe in him: "You are also complete through your union with Christ."
Paul then uses the example of circumcision in verses 11-12 to talk about how Christ has changed our lives. God's covenant with His people was symbolized by circumcision (Genesis 17:15–27). But Christ's work is "made without hands," unlike physical circumcision (Colossians 2:11). Paul then says, "Putting off the body of the flesh," which means to stop doing rituals, like circumcision. God's family no longer needs to do this (Colossians 2:8). Instead, we should acknowledge what Christ has done for us. He also uses this comparison to talk about baptism (Colossians 2:12). Both circumcision and baptism are ways to join the family of God. We have been buried and raised with Him. Our debt is paid. We no longer must suffer the consequences of our sins. We have a new guilt-free relationship with God!
When you know Jesus Christ, you don't have to look for God through other ideas that don't come from the Bible, like the Colossians were doing. Christ is life, so He is the only one who knows the real meaning of life. Christ is the only one who knows the true meaning of life because He is life. Christ is the only source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything more than what Christ has done to be saved. Even though it might not feel like it some days, the emptiness is gone because of Jesus. God's full power and presence now live in your mind and heart. You have become a new person, ready for life and happy in God.
Our nature was wicked before we accepted Christ as our Savior. We rebelled, disobeyed, and neglected Him. However, the Christian has a new nature. God has crucified the old rebellious nature and raised up a new loving nature in its place (Romans 6:6). (Colossians 3:9, 10). When Christ died on the cross, sin’s punishment also did. God has declared us innocent, therefore we no longer need to live under the influence of sin. We were slaves to our sinful nature before we were redeemed, but now we are free to live for Christ, according to Colossians 2:13–15.
Conclusion:
The growing Christian life isn't about having more Bible knowledge or theological clarity. It’s not about regulations. It’s not about excitement. Pride comes from all these things. It is also not about doing the right things day in and day out. Although these can make us look and feel spiritual, they can become distractions. No, the Christian life is about trusting and obeying. Life is hard, yet God wants us to trust and follow. The Christian life is a relationship with, and devotion to, Jesus Christ. Let’s keep focused on Him!
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
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English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
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