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.

Colossians 2:9 (ESV) - For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily...

Colossians 1:19 (ESV) - For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV) - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

John 1:16 (ESV) - For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Colossians 2:10 (ESV) - …and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.

Colossians 2:11 (ESV) - In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

Romans 6:6, 17-18 (ESV) - We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin… 17But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.
2. God has cut away your slavery to sin.

This fulfillment is in Christ – that means it is presently true and has a future fulfillment.

God doesn’t eradicate the flesh – he cuts away it’s power over you.

Colossians 2:12 (ESV) - …having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.
2. God has cut away your slavery to sin.
3. You have been raised to new life and now live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 2:13 (ESV) - And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.
2. God has cut away your slavery to sin.
3. You have been raised to new life and now live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. You are forgiven of all your sin.

Colossians 2:14 (ESV) - …by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.
2. God has cut away your slavery to sin.
3. You have been raised to new life and now live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. You are forgiven of all your sin.
5. The legal demands of your debt against God have been cancelled.

Colossians 2:15 (ESV) - He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Matthew 28:18 (ESV) - And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Grace Upon Grace in Christ:
1. You have been filled in him.
2. God has cut away your slavery to sin.
3. You have been raised to new life and now live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
4. You are forgiven of all your sin.
5. The legal demands of your debt against God have been cancelled.
6. All this is granted to you by the one to whom all power and authority has been given.

Discussion Questions (Read Colossians 2:9-15 and pray before you begin)
1. What are some ways you go about making sure something you read or hear is grounded in the truth of Scripture? Perhaps this is a new habit you are forming. How can this group help you?

2. What do verses 9-10 tell us about the nature of Christ and why is this important?

3. Verse 10 says, “you have been filled [completely] in him.” Discuss the significance of this truth. Why do you think we are sometimes tempted to think or act as though Jesus is not enough?

4. If God has “cut away” our slavery to sin, what does that mean for us now? Does it mean we are no longer tempted to sin? Why or why not?

5. Describe what the new life in Christ looks like from a biblical perspective. What biblical examples can you give or other verses can you share?

6. Describe your reaction to the truth that, in Christ, all your sin is forgiven and the legal demands of your debt against God have been cancelled.

7. How will you keep these grace upon grace truths in mind this week as you live each day?