Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sermon Text: Colossians 3:1-11 (NIV)
[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [11] Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Initial Reflection On The Text
This passage seems to pour out with teaching about the believers new walk in Christ. In what way is the believer raised with Christ? When does this occur in the believer’s life? What are the implications of being raised with Christ? How does our position in Christ empower us to “put to death” our “earthly nature”? And what are some practical ways that we can “put on the new self”?
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007 Colossians 2:16-23
Sunday, September 23, 2007 Sermon Text:
Colossians 2:16-23 (New International Version)
[16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. [18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. [19] He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
[20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. [23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Initial Reflection on the Text
The false teachers practiced a form of spiritual elitism. They had certain boundary markers that set themselves apart from everyone else. Paul tells the Colossians, “do not let anyone judge you” in these inconsequential matters (v.16). Persons are not made spiritual by keeping certain religious traditions. In fact, the ceremonial rituals of the Old Testament were but “a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (v.17). The problem with a “rule keeping” religion is that it promotes “false humility” (v.18). The errorists in the church were puffed up and actually unspiritual rather than super-spiritual. Outward religious forms have “an appearance of wisdom” (v.23) but they do not have any power, “they lack value in restraining sensual indulgence” (v.23). Where then does the believer receive power? From realizing that the believer has “died with Christ to the basic principles of this world” (v.20). As believers we are not to turn back to a form of legalism, but instead, realize that our old nature has been crucified with Christ!
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Colossians 2:16-23 (New International Version)
[16] Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. [18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. [19] He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
[20] Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: [21] "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? [22] These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. [23] Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Initial Reflection on the Text
The false teachers practiced a form of spiritual elitism. They had certain boundary markers that set themselves apart from everyone else. Paul tells the Colossians, “do not let anyone judge you” in these inconsequential matters (v.16). Persons are not made spiritual by keeping certain religious traditions. In fact, the ceremonial rituals of the Old Testament were but “a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (v.17). The problem with a “rule keeping” religion is that it promotes “false humility” (v.18). The errorists in the church were puffed up and actually unspiritual rather than super-spiritual. Outward religious forms have “an appearance of wisdom” (v.23) but they do not have any power, “they lack value in restraining sensual indulgence” (v.23). Where then does the believer receive power? From realizing that the believer has “died with Christ to the basic principles of this world” (v.20). As believers we are not to turn back to a form of legalism, but instead, realize that our old nature has been crucified with Christ!
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007 Colossians 2:8-15
Sunday, September 16, 2007 Sermon Text:Colossians 2:8-15 (New International Version)
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007 Colossians 1:24-2:7
Sunday, September 9, 2007 Sermon Text:
Colossians 1:24-27 (New King James Version)
Paul's Ministry, Proclaiming the Mystery of Christ
Colossians 1
[24] I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, [25] of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, [26] the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. [27] To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. [29] To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Colossians 2
[1] For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, [2] that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. [5] For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 1:24-27 (New King James Version)
Paul's Ministry, Proclaiming the Mystery of Christ
Colossians 1
[24] I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, [25] of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, [26] the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. [27] To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. [28] Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. [29] To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Colossians 2
[1] For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, [2] that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. [5] For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, [7] rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
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