Embracing Freedom and Pragmatism in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today's scripture lesson from Acts 16 and Colossians 2 delves into the themes of pragmatism and the regulative principle in the Christian faith. We began by examining the historical context of the Council of Jerusalem, which settled the dispute over whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised to become Christians. The council's decision was clear: one does not need to become Jewish first to follow Christ. However, Paul circumcised Timothy for pragmatic reasons, to avoid unnecessary barriers in their ministry among Jews.
Pragmatism, often seen negatively, is essential in spreading the Gospel effectively. Churches must adapt their methods to reach different cultures and communities while maintaining core theological and moral doctrines. This adaptability is crucial, especially in a world where many churches are struggling to survive.
We then turned to Colossians 2, emphasizing that in Christ, we have everything we need. Paul warns against being deceived by fine-sounding arguments and hollow philosophies based on human traditions rather than Christ. He highlights that Christ has triumphed over all principalities and powers, setting us free from the Old Testament's legalistic constraints. The Old Testament laws, including dietary restrictions and Sabbath observances, were shadows of the reality found in Christ.
The regulative principle, as understood in the New Testament, limits the church's authority to what is explicitly commanded in Scripture. This principle serves as a charter of liberty for Christians, ensuring that no human traditions or self-imposed rules can bind us. Our focus should be on Christ, who has fulfilled the law and set us free from its curses.
In conclusion, the essence of our faith is found in Christ alone. He is the head of the church, and in Him, we have all we need. If you have Christ, you have everything; without Him, you have nothing. Seek Him, trust in His sacrifice, and live in the freedom He provides.
### Key Takeaways
1. Pragmatism in Ministry: Pragmatism, often viewed negatively, is essential for effective ministry. While core doctrines remain unchanged, our methods must adapt to different cultures and communities to spread the Gospel effectively. This adaptability is crucial for the survival and growth of the church. [02:31]
2. Christ is All-Sufficient: In Christ, we have everything we need. Paul emphasizes that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. Without Him, no matter what we possess, we have nothing. This truth should anchor our faith and guide our lives. [06:09]
3. Freedom from Legalism: Christ's triumph over principalities and powers has set us free from the Old Testament's legalistic constraints. The laws were shadows of the reality found in Christ. Our obedience to God is now marked by radical freedom and liberty in Christ. [13:59]
4. The Regulative Principle: The regulative principle limits the church's authority to what is explicitly commanded in Scripture. This principle ensures that no human traditions or self-imposed rules can bind us, serving as a charter of liberty for Christians and a restraint on church leaders. [29:33]
5. Living in Christ's Victory: Christ has triumphed over all principalities and powers, and we no longer need to fear or obey them. Our focus should be on Christ, who has fulfilled the law and set us free from its curses. In Him, we find true freedom and security. [16:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:16] - Historical Context of Acts 16
[02:31] - Pragmatism in Ministry
[05:08] - Introduction to the Regulative Principle
[06:09] - Christ is All-Sufficient
[07:09] - Warnings Against Deception
[09:36] - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities
[13:59] - Freedom from Legalism
[16:47] - Living in Christ's Victory
[19:11] - Misunderstandings of the Sabbath
[23:07] - Shadows and Substance in Christ
[29:33] - The Regulative Principle Explained
[35:23] - Conclusion and Call to Faith
[36:21] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 16:1-5 - "He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."
2. Colossians 2:6-17 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the Council of Jerusalem's decision regarding Gentile converts and circumcision? ([01:16])
2. Why did Paul decide to circumcise Timothy, even though the Council of Jerusalem had decided it was not necessary for Gentile converts? ([02:31])
3. According to Colossians 2, what are believers warned against, and what is the basis of these warnings? ([08:44])
4. What does Paul say about the Old Testament laws and their relation to Christ in Colossians 2? ([13:59])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the decision of the Council of Jerusalem reflect the principle of pragmatism in ministry? ([02:31])
2. In what ways does Paul’s circumcision of Timothy illustrate the balance between maintaining core doctrines and adapting methods for effective ministry? ([02:31])
3. What does it mean that Christ has "disarmed the powers and authorities" and "triumphed over them by the cross"? How does this impact our understanding of spiritual warfare? ([16:47])
4. How does the regulative principle serve as a "charter of liberty" for Christians, according to the sermon? ([29:33])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to adapt your approach to sharing the Gospel to better connect with someone from a different background. How did it go, and what did you learn from the experience? ([02:31])
2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on human traditions or philosophies rather than on Christ? How can you shift your focus back to Him? ([08:44])
3. How can you live out the freedom from legalism that Christ provides in your daily life? Are there specific "rules" or "traditions" you need to let go of? ([13:59])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of not letting anyone judge you by what you eat or drink or how you observe religious days. How can you apply this principle in your interactions with other believers who may have different convictions? ([18:22])
5. How can you ensure that your church remains focused on Christ and not on human traditions or self-imposed rules? What steps can you take to encourage this focus within your community? ([29:33])
6. Think about the concept of living in Christ's victory. How does this truth affect your daily struggles and fears? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this victory? ([16:47])
7. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Christ's all-sufficiency in your life? Are there specific areas where you struggle to believe that "in Christ, you have everything you need"? ([06:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Adaptability in Ministry
Pragmatism in ministry is often misunderstood as compromising core beliefs, but it is essential for effectively spreading the Gospel. The Apostle Paul demonstrated this when he circumcised Timothy, not because it was necessary for salvation, but to remove barriers that might hinder their ministry among Jews. This act of pragmatism allowed them to reach more people without compromising the core message of Christ. Churches today must also adapt their methods to different cultures and communities while maintaining their theological and moral doctrines. This adaptability is crucial for the survival and growth of the church, especially in a world where many churches are struggling to survive. [02:31]
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
Reflection: Think of a cultural or community barrier that might be hindering your ministry. How can you adapt your approach to better reach those around you without compromising your core beliefs?
Day 2: Christ's Sufficiency
In Christ, we have everything we need. Paul emphasizes that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. This means that our faith and lives should be anchored in Him, not in human traditions or philosophies. Without Christ, no matter what we possess, we have nothing. This truth should guide our lives and decisions, reminding us that our ultimate fulfillment and purpose are found in Him alone. [06:09]
Colossians 2:3-4 (ESV): "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been seeking fulfillment outside of Christ. How can you re-anchor your focus on Him and trust in His sufficiency?
Day 3: Freedom from Legalism
Christ's triumph over principalities and powers has set us free from the Old Testament's legalistic constraints. The laws, including dietary restrictions and Sabbath observances, were shadows of the reality found in Christ. Our obedience to God is now marked by radical freedom and liberty in Christ. This freedom allows us to live in a way that honors God without being bound by the old legalistic rules. [13:59]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Are there any legalistic practices or beliefs that you are holding onto? How can you embrace the freedom that Christ has given you and live in a way that honors Him?
Day 4: The Regulative Principle
The regulative principle limits the church's authority to what is explicitly commanded in Scripture. This principle ensures that no human traditions or self-imposed rules can bind us, serving as a charter of liberty for Christians and a restraint on church leaders. It reminds us that our ultimate authority is Scripture, and we should be cautious of adding human traditions that can become burdensome. [29:33]
Matthew 15:9 (ESV): "In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
Reflection: Consider a tradition or rule in your church or personal life that may not be rooted in Scripture. How can you align your practices more closely with the teachings of the Bible?
Day 5: Living in Christ's Victory
Christ has triumphed over all principalities and powers, and we no longer need to fear or obey them. Our focus should be on Christ, who has fulfilled the law and set us free from its curses. In Him, we find true freedom and security. This victory allows us to live confidently, knowing that we are no longer bound by the powers of this world but are free in Christ. [16:47]
Colossians 2:15 (ESV): "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: What fears or powers are you still allowing to control your life? How can you shift your focus to Christ's victory and live in the freedom He provides?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If you have Jesus, you have everything you need. If you don't have Jesus, no matter what you have, you have nothing. That's the essence of Colossians 2." [06:09] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You don't have to be afraid of the principalities and powers. You don't have to obey the principalities and powers because they've been defeated by the Lord Jesus Christ. And when Jesus nailed all of the curses, all of the curses, all of the curses of the Old Testament to his cross, he set you free from the curse. The curse of the law. You're no longer under a curse. You're under a blessing." [17:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, your Savior, the eternal Son of the eternal God, truly God and truly human in one person, he is the substance of everything in the Old Testament and the New." [23:51] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you're watching today on the internet I have a word for you and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. He's everything you need. Everything you need. If you have the Lord Jesus Christ you have it all. If you don't have Jesus you've got nothing at all." [35:23] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Let me give you the key to security. You must look for the Lord Jesus Christ this morning. Ask him to come into your heart. Ask him to take over and trust that when he died on the cross he died in your place and his blood cleanses you from all sin." [35:51] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Pragmatism means doing that which works. Now, in many places, pragmatism is a bad term. But I submit to you, and we'll see further today why that's so, pragmatism is a good term. Why do things that don't work?" [02:31] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our doctrine in terms of theological doctrine, our doctrine in terms of moral doctrine, that does not change. It never changes. But how we reach people with the gospel, should change as we encounter different cultures and different kinds of people. We should be flexible." [05:08] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Christ took, where you go to Matthew on this side and Malachi here back to Genesis, he took this and he nailed it to the cross. And let me tell you what that means. That doesn't mean that the Old Testament ended. It means that every single thing in the Old Testament passed through the matrix. What is a matrix? Not talking about the matrix. We're talking about the movie. Matrix is the womb. It passed through the womb of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ." [13:17] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The regulative principle is so important because it regulates what the church can tell you to do. It regulates the ideas the church would put on you and say you need to do this, you need to do that, you need to do the other. The regulative principle is really the charter of liberty for every single Christian. And it's a charter of restraint on every leader of every church everywhere throughout all ages." [34:52] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You need to say when I tell you, you know, Bob, you don't need to do that. Or Becky, you don't need to do that. Or Kendall, you don't need to, Nathan, you don't need to do this. You need to say, hey preacher, show me that in the Bible. Where do you get that in the Bible? That's what you need to do." [29:33] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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