Paul is always concerned about new Christians that they grow in their understanding about who Christ is and the significance of what He has done for them. In this chapter he explains how we become truly alive in Christ.
Colossians 2:
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Alive in Christ
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 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.
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
11 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,
12 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.
13 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,
14 by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Let No One Disqualify You
16 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.
17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
18 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,
19 and 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.
20 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.
Things to think about…
1. Assurance of our salvation is vital. We can never be strong in our witness if we are not secure in our faith. In Col 2:1-5 Paul makes this point very clear. Are you fully assured of your salvation? What areas of doubt and fear do you have in your life? Let’s get rid of them. The best way to do this is renew your mind, Rom 12:1,2 and exercise your faith by reading studying God’s word on a daily basis.
2. It’s important to understand that when Paul says in Col 2:14 that Christ cancelled “the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands”, the legal demands Paul refers to is the judgement of hell and separation from God for eternity as result of sin – which we all have inherited from our first parents Adam and Eve. This truth must be preached so people understand the consequences and the payment required for sin. This payment will either be made by them for eternity or by Christ by Him “nailing it to the cross”.
3. Paul challenges us to be fully alive in Christ, look at Col 2:6-15. Look at what happened at the cross. He put Satan to open shame, vs 15. This verse, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him”, has a military context to it. A conquerer of a city would ride in with the captured enemy following them, generally in chains and often naked. This was the “open shame” that came about with a humiliating defeat. This imagery is what Paul is saying Christ has done to Satan viw the cross. Jesus has put Satan to open shame. As such we should also live like this is the case. Be bold in your witness today. Satan is defeated. Let’s not give him any ground in or hearts, thoughts or actions., by holding every thought captive to Christ.
4. Rules, regulations and Pharisaic nonsense! Unfortunately the church has been affected by this cancer in every generation. Religious rules and regulations that blurr the view of grace and are tainted with the pollution of religious works have no place in the life of any Christian or grace centred church. We have full freedom in Christ, Col 2:16-23. Let’s not have a “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch”, vs 21 mentality when the gospel says we have freedom. We have certainly seen the effects of this mentality with mask wearing etc over the past 2 plus years. But Paul here is concerned with these rules being imposed that supposedly make us more favourable with the Lord. It is simply not true. Paul says these things are perishing with the use, vs 22 and are a result of man-made religion, vs 23. Yet these things still have “no value in mortifying the flesh”, vs 23. So why would we ever bother with such nonsense.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Be careful what you eat” – Reading Prov 23:1-8
1. Graham said on Sunday that where you put your money, that’s where your heart is. In the light of Prov 23:4 where is your heart on this. If someone looked at your bank account would they see your obvious love for Jesus and His Great Commission?
2. Have you known people that have gained and lost wealth quickly – maybe a lotto windfall or inheritance? You cannot serve both God and money – you either love one and hate the other or vice versa. How would you understand and apply Prov 23:5?
3. Read Prov 23:6-8. What is your understanding of the meaning of these verses? Give some examples?
4. God so loved the world that He gave us His Son. Discuss how we might give and love as a church better by giving ourselves to the gospel.
Prayer Points
1. Covid and flu recovery
2. Ministry leaders within the church.
3. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Graham’s preaching on Sunday
2. Give thanks for Sam and Krystal Beatty – a wedding that honoured Christ, was a real joy to be part of.
3. Many returning back to full health.
4. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Paul, Suzy, Gina, Zac, Richard, Bec, and Tim.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Members’ meeting 28th August after the morning service.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for August...
Q. 7. What is hell? A. A place of dreadful and endless punishment & torment.
