COLOSSIANS SERIES

TEXT: Colossians 2:4-15

Have you ever known someone who became a Christian and was seeking to learn more about God when someone from a cult or false religion came along and enticed them away with a “new revelation” a “deeper wisdom”- this is the issue that Paul addresses. He wanted the Colossians to know how to walk in victory. He wants us to know the same.

WALK CAREFULLY

 

·         Why? Walk so you won’t be deceived (taken captive)

·         By False Philosophies – vs. 8a

·         The Greeks were greatly influenced by philosophers and philosophies - Plato, Aristotle and Socrates

·         “philosophy” simply means, “to love wisdom”

·         There’s nothing wrong with loving wisdom - the problem for the Colossians was that “philosophy” was exalted above God - they were seeking to conform Christ and the Christian faith to their system of logic

·         Christ is above all and informs everything else – Col. 1:17-18

·         1 Corinthians 1:21

·         Walk carefully that you won’t be deceived - follow the Word of God and focus on Jesus and you won’t be led astray by false philosophies

·          By Trivial Traditions  - vs. 8b

·         The Jewish faith was full of traditions. Most of these traditions had become sacred to them but had nothing to do with God’s Word or God’s will - that’s why Jesus often got in trouble with the establishment, He didn’t follow the traditions of men.

·         The “Judiazers” were present in Colossae trying to bend the church toward these traditions - a system of do’s and don’ts as to how you look, what you wear, when and where you worship and how you worship.

·         Paul said to walk carefully so you won’t be deceived.

·         By Worldly Ways – vs. 8c

·         There was a movement to worship astrology - today’s application: horoscopes, astrological charts, Ouija boards, fortune telling, crystal balls, seances, etc.

·         Paul says walk carefully so that you won’t be deceived

·         Why? Walk so you will be determined – vs. 5

·         military terms  - “order” (arrangement in ranks) and “strength” (battle formation, presenting a solid front to the enemy)

·         We must walk carefully so that we can be effective soldiers of the cross

·         Ephesians 6:10-11

·         We’re to walk carefully!

 

WALK IN CHRIST

 

·         How?

·         By Faith - vs. 6
How did you receive Christ? By faith!

·         Ephesians 2:8

·         By Focusing – vs. 7 - on three things
Grounded – vs. 7a - “rooted” draw nourishment and hold firm in your faith

·         Growing – vs. 7b - “built up” Jesus is the foundation on which a life is to be built

·         Grateful – vs. 7c - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

·         Reasons for being thankful 1) It’s dangerous not to be 2) It’s delightful to be

·         Why? 1) Jesus is the Fullness of God (vs. 9) 2) We are Full (complete) in Jesus (vs. 10)

·         We’re to walk carefully! We’re to walk in Christ!

 

WIN WITH CHRIST

 

·         Through Association

·         Circumcision – vs. 11,13

·         Baptism – vs. 12

·         Resurrection – vs. 12

·         Through Annihilation

·         When Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose from the grave He did two things: 1) He destroyed the debt of sin (vs. 14) He defeated death 2) He disarmed the dominion of Satan (vs. 15)

·         We walk in victory because of Christ.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Paul gives a word triumph (vs. 15). You and I share in Christ’s victory over sin, death and the devil. We ought to walk as conquerors in victory. Are you walking in victory? You can.