Guarding Our Faith: The Supremacy of Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the book of Colossians, focusing on the theme of the supremacy of Christ and the importance of heeding the warnings found in God's Word. We explored the dangers of false teachings that were infiltrating the church at Colossae, teachings based on human traditions and philosophies rather than on Christ. These deceptions, if not recognized, could lead believers astray, taking them captive and away from the truth of Jesus Christ. Paul, in his letter, emphasizes the need to be vigilant and discerning, reminding us that our faith should be rooted in the Word of God, not in the teachings of man.
We examined three areas where our freedom in Christ is threatened by false teachings: Old Testament regulations, man-made philosophies, and man-made restrictions. Paul reminds us that we are no longer bound by the Old Testament law, as Christ has fulfilled it, offering us grace and freedom. This freedom, however, is not a license to indulge in sin but a call to live responsibly within the boundaries set by God. We are encouraged to enjoy our freedom in Christ, using it to serve others humbly and to live as God's servants.
Furthermore, we discussed the importance of testing any new teachings or revelations against Scripture, as God's Word is the ultimate authority. False humility and claims of special revelations, such as the worship of angels, were prevalent in Colossae and continue to be a danger today. We must remain skeptical of teachings that do not align with Scripture and measure everything by the Word of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Heeding Warnings in Scripture: The warnings in God's Word are crucial for our spiritual well-being. Just as Paul warned the Colossians about false teachings, we must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring our faith is grounded in Christ and not in human traditions or philosophies. [26:21]
- Freedom from the Law: In Christ, we are free from the Old Testament law, which was a foreshadowing of the grace found in Jesus. This freedom is not an invitation to sin but a call to live in the fullness of God's grace, understanding that our salvation is through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. [31:10]
- Testing New Teachings: Any new teachings or revelations must be tested against Scripture. False humility and claims of special revelations can lead us astray. We must remain skeptical and ensure that all teachings align with the Word of God, as God's revelation through Jesus is complete. [42:55]
- Enjoying Freedom in Christ: Our freedom in Christ should be a source of joy, not a burden of legalism. We are called to live joyfully, embracing the life Christ has given us, and not to judge others based on man-made rules or traditions. [53:24]
- Responsible Use of Freedom: While we are free in Christ, we must not abuse this freedom. It is essential to live within the boundaries set by God, using our freedom to serve others and to live as God's servants, avoiding willful sin and setting a good example for others. [01:17:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:00] - Introduction to Colossians
- [10:30] - The Importance of Warnings
- [15:45] - False Teachings in Colossae
- [20:00] - Freedom from Old Testament Law
- [26:21] - The Danger of Deception
- [31:10] - Grace Over Legalism
- [36:38] - Unity in Christ
- [40:04] - Special Days and Judgments
- [42:55] - Testing New Revelations
- [48:00] - False Humility and Angel Worship
- [53:24] - Enjoying Freedom in Christ
- [01:00:00] - Responsible Use of Freedom
- [01:10:00] - The Role of Boundaries
- [01:17:03] - Baptism Celebration and Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 2:13-17
- Matthew 24:24
- Galatians 2:16
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three areas of freedom that Paul mentions are threatened by false teachings in Colossians 2:13-17? [31:10]
2. How does Paul describe the false teachers in Colossae, and what are their characteristics according to Colossians 2:18-19? [42:55]
3. What does Jesus declare about food in Mark 7, and how does this relate to the freedom from Old Testament dietary laws? [33:28]
4. How does Paul use the example of the Sabbath and special days to illustrate freedom from Old Testament regulations? [40:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of being vigilant against false teachings, and how does this relate to the spiritual well-being of believers? [26:21]
2. How does the concept of freedom in Christ differ from the idea of legalism, and what implications does this have for living a life of faith? [31:10]
3. In what ways does Paul suggest that false humility and claims of special revelations can lead believers astray, and how should believers respond to such claims? [42:55]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the responsible use of freedom in Christ, and what boundaries does God set for believers to live within? [53:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed to contradict Scripture. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to ensure your faith remains grounded in God's Word? [26:21]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you might be tempted to fall into legalism. How can you embrace the freedom found in Christ while still living responsibly within God's boundaries? [31:10]
3. Have you ever experienced or witnessed false humility or claims of special revelations within a church setting? How did it affect your faith, and what can you do to discern truth from deception? [42:55]
4. Think about the freedoms you enjoy in Christ. How can you use these freedoms to serve others humbly and live as God's servant? [53:24]
5. Identify a specific man-made restriction or tradition that you have followed in the past. How has your understanding of freedom in Christ changed your perspective on this tradition? [40:04]
6. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions align with the teachings of Jesus, especially when faced with societal pressures or cultural norms that contradict Scripture? [53:24]
7. Reflect on the boundaries God has set for your life. How do these boundaries provide safety and freedom, and how can you communicate this understanding to others who may view them as restrictive? [53:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Vigilance Against Deception
In the book of Colossians, Paul warns the believers about the dangers of false teachings infiltrating the church. These teachings, based on human traditions and philosophies, threaten to lead believers away from the truth of Jesus Christ. It is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our faith is grounded in Christ and not swayed by human ideas. The warnings in Scripture serve as a guide to protect our spiritual well-being, reminding us to test everything against the Word of God. [26:21]
Colossians 2:8 (ESV): "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Reflection: What are some philosophies or traditions in your life that might be subtly influencing your faith? How can you actively guard against them today?
Day 2: Embracing Grace Over Legalism
Paul emphasizes that in Christ, we are free from the Old Testament law, which was a shadow of the grace found in Jesus. This freedom is not an invitation to sin but a call to live in the fullness of God's grace. Our salvation is through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Understanding this allows us to embrace the grace offered to us and live joyfully in the freedom Christ provides, without being burdened by legalistic practices. [31:10]
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 areas in your life where you are still living under the burden of legalism? How can you embrace the grace of Christ more fully today?
Day 3: Testing Teachings Against Scripture
The Colossians faced false humility and claims of special revelations, such as the worship of angels. These teachings, if not aligned with Scripture, could lead believers astray. It is essential to test any new teachings or revelations against the Word of God, as His revelation through Jesus is complete. By doing so, we ensure that our faith remains rooted in truth and not in deceptive practices. [42:55]
1 John 4:1 (ESV): "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: How do you currently test new teachings or ideas you encounter? What steps can you take to ensure they align with Scripture?
Day 4: Joyful Freedom in Christ
Our freedom in Christ should be a source of joy, not a burden of legalism. We are called to live joyfully, embracing the life Christ has given us, and not to judge others based on man-made rules or traditions. This freedom allows us to serve others humbly and live as God's servants, reflecting His love and grace to those around us. [53:24]
2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Reflection: In what ways can you express the joy of your freedom in Christ today? How can you use this freedom to serve others?
Day 5: Responsible Use of Freedom
While we are free in Christ, it is essential to live within the boundaries set by God. This freedom is not to be abused but used to serve others and live as God's servants. By avoiding willful sin and setting a good example for others, we honor the freedom Christ has given us and demonstrate the transformative power of His grace in our lives. [01:17:03]
1 Peter 2:16 (ESV): "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."
Reflection: How can you ensure that you are using your freedom in Christ responsibly? What practical steps can you take to live as a servant of God today?
Quotes
Now, some warnings are really important, aren't they? We need to really pay attention to them. Some maybe aren't that serious. But we know that when it comes to the warnings in God's Word, if we're going to be serious followers of Jesus Christ, we need to take those warnings seriously. We need to pay attention to the warnings that we find there. [00:24:13] (23 seconds)
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. He's saying there's a danger here at this church where there are some people who are coming in with some false teaching. [00:25:17] (23 seconds)
And you can't let yourself be deceived because here's the problem. If you are deceived, you can be taken captive or enslaved by the false teaching. And so I want us to pick up with what he continues to teach us about this warning, because this is a warning that is repeated over and over again in Scripture. [00:25:46] (20 seconds)
Paul wept over this deception that was coming in and leading people away from the truth about Jesus Christ and what it would do to people if they were deceived by this false teaching. And as your pastor, I don't ever want anyone under our care at Lakeshore, under our influence and our teaching, to not be equipped to recognize those deceptions and not be deceived to the point that you're led into false teaching. [00:27:29] (28 seconds)
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. [00:28:28] (18 seconds)
The reality, however, is found where? In Christ. The fulfillment, the reality, the completing of these things is found where? In Christ. So, there are three areas of freedom that are threatened at this church by the false teachings that's going on there. And there are three areas that we're still in danger in today. [00:29:25] (23 seconds)
When you know the truth about how the things in the law were a foreshadowing of something better that is fulfilled in Jesus, then you understand why we can be free from the law. He's not free from the law to go to something worse or to go to some terrible things. We're free from the law to move into something better that God was leading us to through the law. [00:30:39] (25 seconds)
The law was given by God to show us we are in need for a Savior because we cannot keep the law perfectly. And so to try to go back under the law again would be foolish for us to do because we've got something better. Now, even if we don't keep the law perfectly, we have grace, we have forgiveness, we have the blood of Christ to cleanse us and renew us. [00:32:06] (27 seconds)
Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law because by the works of the law no one will be what? Justified. You're never going to be justified by making sure you keep all the days that you're supposed to keep perfectly under the law. [00:42:55] (26 seconds)
There are some false teachers there and we still have them in our world today. And two characteristics of these false teachers at Colossae were this that Paul points out. One was they had false humility. You know what false humility is? Right? You're acting humble when in fact it's kind of a passive-aggressive thing. You're really trying to puff yourself up and elevate yourself in the opinion of others. [00:44:17] (29 seconds)
We know better than what you were taught originally in the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we've got some superior knowledge that they didn't have and humbly we want to present that to you and ask you to consider maybe coming along with us and following us as your leaders now. So they they had false humility and they also practiced the worship of angels he said. [00:45:09] (23 seconds)
I love what Paul said in Hebrews 1 most scholars believe Paul wrote it but there are others that think maybe somebody else did in Hebrews 1 beginning of verse 1 it says this in the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways but in these last days he has spoken to us by what his son whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom also he made the universe in these last days how did God speak to us through Jesus the revelation of Jesus that's how God's message comes to us today so people that keep claiming visions and signs we need to be a little skeptical of that and we need to put it to the test of these scriptures I just read if God said it's wicked to even look for those things why would he be sending them to us through anybody and so we need to be skeptical and put it to the test of scripture God says to test the spirits to see whether they're from him from God God's word says you've got to test this don't just accept it because somebody claims it along the way I always I kind of have fun with this more fun than I should but you know I kind of like sarcasm a little bit and I have people all the time over the years as a pastor who have come up to me and said something similar to this a variation of this God told me to tell you this [01:22:43] (88 seconds)
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