Colossians 1:16 (ESV) - For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

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

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

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

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 who holds all power and authority.

Colossians 2:16–23 (ESV) - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20If 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— 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23These 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.

Colossians 2:16–17 (ESV) - …let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

We tend to think we have to add to the work of Christ with some measure of our own work.

Romans 6:1 (ESV) - What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Romans 13:14 (ESV) - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 14:1–3 (ESV) - As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let 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.

Romans 14:5–6 (ESV) - One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Romans 14:10–13 (ESV) - Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

The external cannot make us more saved! Therefore, don’t put your trust in them.

Colossians 2:18–19 (ESV) - Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

The extra cannot add to the work of Christ!

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— 21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 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.

Embrace the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Don’t be deceived by winsome arguments only meant to satisfy the desires of the flesh.

Discussion Questions (Read Colossians 2:16-23 and pray before discussing)

1. In what ways would you characterize yourself as permissive, and in what ways would you characterize yourself as strict?

2. How would you explain to someone the difference between “religion” and true relationship with God?

3. In verses 16-17, how does Paul encourage us to respond to external things about which Christians can have a difference of conviction? (Read Romans 14 for helpful input).

4. According to verses 18-19, what is to be our response to those who say there is a greater spirituality beyond Christ? In what way do you see pressure to go beyond Jesus in the church today?

5. In your own words, describe Paul’s argument in verses 20-23.

6. What is one step you can take this week to be sure you guard you heart from living for the “externals” and not Christ alone?

7. What is one step you can take this week to be sure you are not embracing the “extras” through spiritual mysticism?