November 7, 2021
Lessons Learned
Colossians 2:16-23
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. Paul’s two warnings in chapter 2.
· “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.” Col. 2:4
· “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.” Col 2:8
2. In verses 9-15 Paul points out that the believer’s spiritual life is rooted in Christ alone.
· In Christ, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. V 9
· You have been filled in Him. V 10
· Circumcision made without hands. (The sinful nature removed by Christ.) V 11
· Buried with Him in baptism & raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God. V 12
· You were dead but God made you alive together with Him. V 13
· He canceled your record of debt—nailing it to the cross. V 14
· He disarmed rulers and authorities (demonic powers)—triumphing over them by his resurrection. V 15
3. Legalism—emphasizes rules and prohibitions as the standard for spirituality. Anyone who breaks the rules is judged as unspiritual.
4. Asceticism—teaches that spirituality is attained through renunciation of physical pleasure and personal desires while concentrating on spiritual matters. It is a practice of strict self-denial for the purpose of gaining spiritual awareness.
5. Only Jesus can transform people from darkness to light.
6. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
7. “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Heb 1:14
8. Shadow—An image cast by an object which represents its form.
9. Man-made religion always has an element where man must appease God by doing something to make himself acceptable to God.
10. What we believe is reflected in the way we live.
11. “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4
12. Spiritual and emotional experiences are not the standard for genuine faith. We trust Jesus by faith, not by sight.
13. “It’s not what you do or do not do that makes you a Christian, it is what Christ has already done for you.” Dr. Bob Utley
14. Application:
· Do not allow legalistic people to define for you how to live a spiritual life that pleases God.
· Beware of doctrine that does not hold Christ in the highest position.
· Beware of any doctrine that teaches you must do something in addition to believing that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose on the third day.
