Alive in Christ
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
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. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:1-10)
In this chapter, Paul gets to the heart of the problem and denounces the false teachers. He asserts clearly the sufficiency of Christ for every need. He sounds three warnings, and these warnings are needed just as much today as in his day.
For the next three weeks we will explore Paul’s warnings to the Colossians
I. Beware of Empty Philosophies
II. Beware of Religious Legalism
III. Beware of Man-made Disciplines
I. Beware of Empty Philosophies (Colossians 2:1-10)
So burdened was Paul, he was in spiritual conflict, wrestling in prayer against Satan who was seeking to lead these believers astray. Paul knew how to overcome Satan — prayer and the Word of God.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV)He longed to see the saints united in Christ, enjoying the riches of blessing in Him. The false teachers had their fascinating philosophies, but in Christ we have “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).
Any man-made philosophy that has no place for Christ is unworthy of our consideration. We are rich in Him; why lower ourselves to follow man-made doctrines? Let religious teachers come along with their “hidden doctrines”; we have all wisdom hidden in Christ, and we are “hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3).
Man’s philosophies are attractive. They give a show of wisdom and intelligence, and too often young Christians are “beguiled” by these “enticing words” (Col. 2:4). How tragic it is when young people go off to secular schools and fall prey to man-made philosophies that deny Jesus Christ and the Bible. “Beware lest any man take you captive” (spoil you — Col. 2:8), warns the apostle. How is the believer to overcome these philosophies?
The culture of our time has embraced a very human centered philosophy.
“At the end of the day, if there was indeed some Body or presence standing there to judge me, I hope I would be judged on whether I had lived a true life, not on whether I believed in a certain book, or whether I'd been baptized. If there was indeed a God at the end of my days, I hoped he didn't say, But you were never a Christian, so you're going the other way from heaven. If so, I am going to reply, You know what? You're right. Fine.”
– Lance Armstrong (currently 2 minutes and 30 seconds off the lead in 18th place in the Tour de France after stage 6)
“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first -- rock and roll or Christianity.”
– John Lennon (in all respects a philosopher of the 60’s)
A. Walk in Christ (Col. 2:6).
As you were saved by faith, so walk by faith. As you were saved by the Word, so walk according to the Word. As you were saved through the work of the Spirit, so walk in the Spirit. The Christian life continues as it began, by faith in God.
B. Grow up in Christ (Col. 2:7).
Have roots that dig down into the richness of the Word. Have foundations that are strong, laid upon Jesus Christ. How important it is to be taught the Word of God! Believers fall prey to religious philosophies unless they are rooted in Christ, grounded in the Word, and built up in Bible truth.
C. Make Christ the test (Col. 2:8).
Test every high-sounding religious system by asking, “Does it give Christ the place of preeminence?” Almost every religious system today gives Christ an eminent place, but only true Bible Christianity gives Him the preeminent place.
D. Draw on His fullness (Col. 2:9-10).
Realize that there is no substitute for Christ and that in Him we have all that we need. When believers drift into worldly living, or are taken prey by man-made systems, it is usually because they feel they lack something that Jesus Christ cannot supply. “You are made full in Him!” What a wonderful position we have in Christ!
Empty philosophies show up in different ways. I heard somewhere that when the Greeks got the Gospel they turned it into a philosophy; when the Romans got the Gospel they turned it into a government; when the Europeans got the Gospel they turned it into a culture; and when the Americans got the Gospel they turned it into a business
Beware of empty philosophies!
“I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”: There is no great new revelation of truth in this world. There never has been. But once, the Truth became flesh and walked among us, and “you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
From Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines
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