Northeast Christian Church
The Colossians were being taught that Jesus wasn’t enough. They were being distracted with man-made religion. They were drifting with their culture. They were buying into the false hope that the Roman empire would offer them ultimate comfort and security. Although Paul had never been to Colossae he was concerned out of his love for the people of this church. He set out to write a pastoral letter from prison that would remind them that God had already accepted them by way of their connection and identity with Christ alone. What those in the church at Colossae needed to be taught and reminded of then, we need just as much today. In the face of opposition, distractions, and false teaching, we are to stand in Christ and KEEP IT SIMPLE.
The number one warning in the whole New Testament is the warning against false teaching.
Colossians 2:1-15 NIV
WHY PAUL KEEPS REPEATING HIMSELF:
1. To encourage, unite and REMIND. vs 1-3
-The Gospel is simple but not simplistic.
2. So the disciplined aren't DECEIVED. vs 4-5
-A fine-sounding argument is close enough to the truth to be respectable yet far enough from the truth to be devastating.
3. So the thankful aren't TAKEN. vs 6-8
-How are you to receive Christ Jesus as Lord?
-Christ takes my sin and I get His righteousness.
-False teaching litmus test: Where is the cross in the teaching and what does the teaching do to the cross?
-People who have a firm foundation in Christ are naturally grateful people.
4. To build up the BODY. vs 9-11
-The fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ; there is nothing else to add to Him.
5. To remind the REDEEMED. vs 12-15
1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV
TAKEAWAY: Identify your philosophy.
Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV