Paul’s 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.
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. 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. Let’s live like this is the case. Be bold in your witness today.
4. Rules, regulations and Pharisaic nonsense! Unfortunately the church has been affected by this cancer in every generation. 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 12 months. 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.
Cell Groups on break over the Easter holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Wedding and baptisms this Sunday.
2. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
3. New families as they settle into church.
4. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
5. Getting drawings into council.
6. Sunday’s message – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Preparation for next terms ministries.
2. More visitors to church on Sunday.
3. We praise God for the rain but pray for those travelling over the Easter break.
4. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Wedding and baptisms coming up 18th April at Church and Colleges Crossing. See Jay if you haven’t been baptized, but would like to be.
2. Gel blaster morning – RSVP 18th April. 8-12pm Sat 24th April – Wacol reserve. Contact Tim Freeman for more details 0403 682 909.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
