Colossians - Part 10

Combating Heresy

Reckoning it So! Holding fast to the Supremacy of Christ.

Colossians 2:16-23

Meeting Purpose

Discuss Colossians chapter 2 and warnings against legalistic religious practices.

Key Takeaways

-             Paul warns against judging others based on religious practices (food, drink, festivals) that are merely shadows pointing to Christ

-             False teachers promoted asceticism, angel worship, and visions - practices that don't truly connect one to Christ

-             Christians should focus on holding fast to Christ as the head, not on self-made religious practices

-             Spiritual disciplines can become problematic if done with wrong motives or to earn favor

Topics

Legalistic Religious Warnings (Col 2:16-17)

o  Paul warns against judging others over food, drink, festivals, new moons, Sabbaths

o  These practices were shadows pointing to Christ, who is the substance

o  Modern examples: Judging others for smoking, eating out on Sundays, celebrating holidays

o  Key issue is judging others, not the practices themselves

False Teachers' Errors (Col 2:18-19)

-             Three main errors identified:

1.       Disqualifying others/acting as judge

2.       Promoting asceticism (extreme self-denial)

3.       Worshipping angels

-             "Puffed up by sensuous mind" - pride in spiritual experiences/knowledge

-             Not holding fast to Christ as the head of the body

Dangers of Asceticism (Col 2:20-23)

o  Self-made religion that appears wise but has no value in stopping fleshly indulgence

o  Can corrupt development of Christ-like character by promoting self-satisfaction

o  Even good spiritual disciplines can become problematic if done with wrong motives

o  Key is to focus on Christ, not on external regulations

Holding Fast to Christ

o  Spend time with Christ daily in prayer and Scripture

o  Love difficult people as Christ would

o  Submit to God's will ("Not my will but yours")

o  Participate in the body of Christ (church)

o  Be aware of pride in spiritual practices

Next Steps

Beware of striving in your own wisdom and strength in orer to be more spiritually acceptable to God; for Christ has already made you acceptable through His completed work on the Cross!

Instead, strive to be more and more occupied with Christ letting the “light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” transform you into Christ-likeness.

(2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4b; Rom. 8:29)

A Godly friend of mine use to always say:

Do not - try, try, try ; instead - trust, trust, trust!

 - John will begin teaching on application of Colossians in two weeks

 - Next week: Special session with Dan Skoda and Paul Cary showing video from North Dakota