Embracing Freedom: The True Essence of Christianity

Devotional

Day 1: Freedom in Grace, Not Legalism

True Christianity is rooted in the grace of Christ, liberating believers from the burden of legalism. Legalism is the belief that one can earn God's favor through strict adherence to religious rules and rituals. However, the gospel teaches that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of our works. Our best efforts are insufficient, and the gospel frees us from the need to perform for acceptance. Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient, and our faith should rest in His finished work. As believers, we are called to embrace the freedom that comes from grace, recognizing that our worth is not determined by our ability to follow rules but by Christ's love for us. [53:52]

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: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's favor through your own efforts? How can you begin to rest in the sufficiency of Christ's grace today?

Day 2: Embracing True Humility Over Asceticism

Asceticism promotes self-denial and extreme discipline as a means to spiritual growth, yet it binds rather than frees us. True humility and discipline are valuable, but they must be rooted in the gospel, not as a means to earn salvation. Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate act of self-denial, and our efforts should reflect gratitude for His grace. The gospel calls us to live in the freedom of Christ, where spiritual growth is a response to His love, not a requirement for it. By embracing true humility, we acknowledge our dependence on Christ and allow His grace to transform us. [01:02:39]

Colossians 2:20-23 (ESV): "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch'... These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

Reflection: What self-imposed rules or disciplines are you relying on to feel closer to God? How can you shift your focus to gratitude for Christ's sacrifice instead?

Day 3: Christ-Centered Worship Over Mysticism

Mysticism seeks spiritual experiences outside of Christ, but only He is worthy of worship. The gospel provides a direct connection to God, and any attempt to find spirituality apart from Christ is misguided. Mysticism can distract from the centrality of Christ, leading believers away from the truth of the gospel. True worship is Christ-centered, acknowledging Him as the sole mediator between God and humanity. By focusing on the truth of the gospel, believers can avoid distractions and deepen their relationship with Christ, who alone is worthy of our devotion. [01:06:27]

1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV): "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Are there spiritual practices or beliefs in your life that distract you from focusing on Christ? How can you re-center your worship on Him alone today?

Day 4: Christ as the Head of the Church

Severing Christ from His role as the head of the church leads to spiritual death. Just as a body cannot function without its head, the church cannot thrive without Christ at its center. Our traditions and practices must align with the gospel, ensuring they do not drift into heresy or empty ritualism. Christ's leadership is essential for the church's vitality and growth. By keeping Christ at the center, believers can ensure that their faith communities remain vibrant and true to the gospel, fostering spiritual health and unity. [01:12:56]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: How can you contribute to keeping Christ at the center of your church community? What steps can you take to ensure your traditions align with the gospel?

Day 5: The Sufficiency of Christ

Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Our faith is not about what we do, but about what Christ has already done. Believers are called to hold fast to Him, allowing His truth to guide their lives and worship. The sufficiency of Christ means that nothing else is needed for salvation or spiritual fulfillment. By embracing this truth, believers can experience the freedom and peace that come from relying solely on Christ's finished work. As we reflect on our own traditions and beliefs, may we seek the freedom that only Christ can offer, surrendering our efforts and embracing His grace. [01:16:12]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: What beliefs or practices are you holding onto that suggest Christ is not enough? How can you fully embrace the sufficiency of Christ in your life today?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Colossians 2:16-23, we delved into the essence of true Christianity, contrasting it with the false teachings that plagued the early church in Colossae. The core of our discussion centered on the freedom found in Christ, which liberates us from the constraints of legalism, asceticism, and mysticism. These false teachings, collectively known as the Colossian heresy, attempted to add human traditions and self-imposed regulations to the gospel, thereby distorting its truth.

Legalism, as we discussed, is the attempt to earn God's favor through strict adherence to religious rules and rituals. However, the gospel teaches us that salvation is a gift of grace, not a result of our works. Asceticism, on the other hand, is the belief that self-denial and extreme discipline can bring us closer to God. Yet, true freedom and spiritual growth come from Christ's sacrifice, not our self-imposed hardships. Mysticism, with its focus on spiritual experiences and angel worship, distracts from the centrality of Christ, who alone is worthy of our worship.

We emphasized that any attempt to sever Christ from His rightful place as the head of the church leads to spiritual death. Just as a body cannot function without its head, the church cannot thrive without Christ at its center. Our traditions and practices must always be examined in light of the gospel, ensuring they do not drift into heresy or empty ritualism.

Ultimately, the message is clear: Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Our faith is not about what we do, but about what Christ has already done. We are called to hold fast to Him, allowing His truth to guide our lives and worship. As we reflect on our own traditions and beliefs, may we seek the freedom that only Christ can offer, surrendering our efforts and embracing His grace.

Key Takeaways

1. denial as a means to spiritual growth, yet it binds rather than frees us. True humility and discipline are valuable, but they must be rooted in the gospel, not as a means to earn salvation. Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate act of self-denial, and our efforts should reflect gratitude for His grace. [01:02:39]
3. Freedom from Mysticism: Mysticism seeks spiritual experiences outside of Christ, but only He is worthy of worship. The gospel provides a direct connection to God, and any attempt to find spirituality apart from Christ is misguided. We must focus on the truth of the gospel, avoiding distractions that lead us away from Him.

4. Christ as the Head: Severing Christ from His role as the head of the church leads to spiritual death. Just as a body cannot function without its head, the church cannot thrive without Christ at its center. Our traditions and practices must align with the gospel, ensuring they do not drift into heresy or empty ritualism.

5. The Sufficiency of Christ: Jesus plus nothing equals everything. Our faith is not about what we do, but about what Christ has already done. We are called to hold fast to Him, allowing His truth to guide our lives and worship. As we reflect on our own traditions and beliefs, may we seek the freedom that only Christ can offer.

** [62:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:58] - Introduction and Personal Updates
[43:18] - Understanding Tradition and Legalism
[46:21] - The Colossian Heresy
[49:39] - The True Gospel vs. False Teachings
[53:52] - Freedom from Legalism
[57:24] - The Law as a Shadow
[60:21] - Freedom from Asceticism
[62:39] - The Role of Self-Denial
[66:27] - Freedom from Mysticism
[69:47] - Christ's Victory Over Evil
[72:56] - Christ as the Head of the Church
[76:12] - Reflecting on Our Traditions
[80:00] - Invitation to Respond and Worship

Sermon Clips

"People tried to reach God through the social structures of legalism based on rigid rules. Extreme self-denial called asceticism, mystic spirituality, and various other ideas that cut Christ off from being the head of the church. All of this combined to form what scholars call the Colossian heresy, and it claimed to be traditional." [00:44:58] (21 seconds)

"Human tradition, with all its rules and ideas, focuses on what we do. And as Christians, we must inspect our theology. Because right theology about God, it informs right worship of him. Tradition, whether you're a sports fan, whether you're a first century Jew, but Jesus says it's what I have already done and that's where the freedom is." [00:45:24] (26 seconds)

"The true path to spiritual maturity is found in holding fast to Christ as the head. The world might be wise in recognizing the fallen condition and sinful nature of humanity, but they're foolish in their attempts to try to earn favor with God by good works when Jesus paid it all." [00:51:16] (18 seconds)

"So we're going to look at a few different things that Paul says that Christ provides freedom from. And the first will be legalism, which is finding God by religious structure and following rules. And we'll see this in verse 16 and 17. It says, therefore, let no one pass judgment on you in regards to questions of food or drink, regard to festival or a Sabbath." [00:51:43] (20 seconds)

"Isaiah 64 6 says that our best works are like filthy rags before God. In Philippians 3, Paul reflects on his life as a Pharisee with disdain and calls it rubbish, which means dung or worse. Our works are nothing before a holy and righteous God. But the beauty of the gospel is they don't have to be. They never could be." [00:54:04] (21 seconds)

"Paul makes it clear there's freedom in Christ concerning what foods we eat or drink, as well as the festivals we celebrate, and how we consider the Sabbath. And this would have been earth-shattering for a first-century Jew. I don't want to breeze past that. You see, in addition to the annual festivals, the Sabbath and new moons were observed at the, you know, the start of every week, the start of every month." [00:55:47] (22 seconds)

"Let's just say the pastors here would laugh me off if I asked for all of that PTL, okay? It's not going to happen. There was a lot to do. And this didn't just dominate your calendar. It dominated your life, the way you thought. And there's no reason for the Gentile to adopt these customs as Christ sets us free from the law." [00:56:30] (20 seconds)

"The elements of this practice were found in how Jesus and John the Baptist especially lived. And it's at the heart of the call to discipleship in Luke 9.23. To take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow wherever Jesus would lead. You see, Paul even teaches to the Corinthian church that they should discipline their body, that it's the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should honor it as such." [01:02:11] (23 seconds)

"The problem is that many who practice this did not do it as an aim to get closer to God, but as its own religion to try to become saved or become less human and more divine. This is what was happening in Colossae. In verse 23, which we'll soon see, it says that trying to stop the indulgence of the flesh, it just won't work." [01:02:54] (19 seconds)

"Similarly to legalism, it's a case of misapplied efforts, doing the right things for the wrong reasons. Jesus commands us to keep his commandments and to deny our flesh many times. But neither of these provides the salvation and freedom. Only he can. We don't work for it. He gives it to us." [01:04:35] (17 seconds)

"The Colossian heresy is like that mysterious casserole that a family member makes. There's a lot of weird stuff in there. You're not sure what it is. And it's dangerous. But this is way worse. There were heretical ideas floating around called Gnosticism or knowledge that said that Jesus was not fully God and that angels are worthy of worship too." [01:05:31] (20 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?