Colossians - Chapter 2

Neither philosophy nor ritual

Colossians – Chapter 2

Review

1. History Review
1. When : 62 A.D
2. When : When Paul was in prison (either in Rome or in a Roman prison)
3. Who : to – Church (specifically Christians) at Colosse.
4. Who: wrote it – Paul
2. Chapter 1
1. Encouraging, greeting, and the Gospel
2. Characteristics of Christ

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Colossians?
2. What’s your opinion of Colossians (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?  Compare it to Daniel or Romans, etc as well as your impression of it on its own.
1. Getting pretty serious.  This is a much “stronger” chapter than 1.
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1.  
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1.  

Lesson

1. vv. 1-3 [READ – Col 2:1-3] The head and heart
1. Head - “know”, “understanding”, “true knowledge”, “wisdom”
2. Heart - “encouraged”, “knit together in love” (what a great phrase!), “assurance”
3. What is the relationship between the “head terms” and the “heart terms”?

                                                               i.      The head drives the heart.  If the head understands, then the heart follows along.  Is this true for everyone?  Is Paul saying that this is the way it SHOULD be for everyone?

                                                             ii.      Your heart (emotions) should NOT drive where your head goes.  KNOW what God has said, done, promised, etc.  Take comfort (heart) in that no matter the circumstances.

                                                            iii.      Certainly, God made all of us differently, and some will have to work harder at this.

4. What “mystery”?

                                                               i.      The Gentile church.  Non-Jews would be saved.  Just like in Romans, there were those that would have the Gentiles believe they had to do more or special things or become (like) Jews to be saved.  Nope.  God had a plan for the Gentiles – Jesus Christ.

2. vv. 4-15 [READ – Col 2:4-15] Fancy and High Talk (Philosophy and “enticing words” (KJV))
1. What is “persuasive argument” (or as in KJV “enticing words”)?

                                                               i.      Logical, legal, psychological, or philosophical talk that is in error.  Paul will hit these more in a bit.

2. How should we deal with “persuasive argument”?

                                                               i.      Having received Christ as our Savior (this is first)

                                                             ii.      Be disciplined in our faith

                                                            iii.      Be stable in our faith

                                                            iv.      Walk in Christ.

                                                             v.      Be firmly rooted

                                                            vi.      Be built up in Him

                                                          vii.      Established in our faith

                                                         viii.      Receive good instruction

                                                            ix.      Be full of gratitude

3. Captive through (v 8):

                                                               i.      Philosophy

1.       Nietzsche: God is dead

2.       Kabbalah: http://www.kabbalah.com/what.html

3.       Etc.

                                                             ii.      Deception

1.       Prosperity Gospel

2.       Slain in the Spirit / Charismatic movement

3.       Ecumenicalism

4.       etc.

                                                            iii.      Traditions of men

1.       Circumcision?

2.       Pharisees (ie with Mosaic Law)

3.       Traditional vs. Contemporary music (preferences are akin to traditions)

4.       Dancing, TV, alcohol consumption, etc. (These things are not wrong in themselves, but they can be used wrong.  Traditionally, the Church has thrown these out entirely.)

5.       see also: v 16.

6.       Etc.

                                                            iv.      Principles of the world

1.       Tolerance

2.       Liberalism

3.       Etc.

                                                             v.      What are some examples of each of these? (see above)

                                                            vi.      “rather than according to Christ”

1.       We’re still captive.  Paul says often that we were slaves to sin, but now we’re slaves to Christ.  THAT is the freedom we have.

4. In Him:

                                                               i.      …all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (v 9)

                                                             ii.      …you have been made complete (v 10)

                                                            iii.      …He is the head of all rule and authority (v 10)

                                                            iv.      …you were also circumcised (v 11)

1.       Literally or figuratively?  What’s he talking about here?

2.       As in Romans – circumcision of the heart.

                                                             v.      …Buried and raised (v 12)

                                                            vi.      …made you alive (v 13)

                                                          vii.      …forgave our transgressions (v 13)

                                                         viii.      …canceled our debt (v 14)

                                                            ix.      …an example was (and will be) made of rulers and authorities (v 15)

3. vv. 16-17 [READ – Col 2:16-17] So???
1. We are not judged by man, but by Christ.  So, when they (man) comment, judge, ridicule, etc Christians because they do or do not do something everyone else does, it’s no matter.
2. Food, drink, festivals, new moon, Sabbath – These are traditions of the day.

                                                               i.      What’s Paul saying here?

                                                             ii.      Do not do things that are simply tradition or ritual if they have no value to the body of Christ.

                                                            iii.      What might those things be in our culture today?

1.       Drinking alcohol to excess?

2.       Crude language, jokes, discussion?

3.       Acceptance (and appreciation) of violence, nudity, sexuality everywhere?

4.       Etc.

4. vv. 18-23 [READ – Col 2:18-23] Paganism, the Occult, and other stuff that doesn’t matter…
1. Don’t be caught humiliating yourself by falling prey to invitations to worship something (in this case, angels) other than Christ.
2. Those people talk about things they really don’t know anything about. (have not seen).
3. They are puffed up and prideful
4. They are disconnected from “the Head” – Christ.
5. These people will tell you to do this, don’t do that, stay away from this thing or that, but get one of these (which only I sell).  It’s nonsense.  Remember, Christ is complete and you died and rose up with Him.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 8
2. How do you feel about Colossians Chapter 2 now?
3. Paul states in v 1 and v 5 that although he doesn’t see or know these fellow believers, he prays, rejoices, struggles, etc for them.  Do we do this for ones that we don’t see?  What about Brad Horne (missionary to the Ukraine)?  What about ones that have moved away?  What about folks you don’t see in class, but may see in Worship?  In fact, what about the ones you DO see?
4. What’s the point of this chapter?
1. To be on guard.  But how do we have to get “on guard”?  We have to know our side and well enough to understand when their story doesn’t match up.  We have to be confident in what we DO know (even if it’s not everything) and not be shaken by it.
5. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?

Print | posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 5:15 PM |