Sunday Morning

Colossians 2:18-19 We see another aspect of the false teaching in Colossia, that of mysticism. Mysticism is not the same thing as the recognition that certain aspects of our faith, or about God, are mysterious. We get a glimpse into it, and its forms in early church history.

Colossians 2:16-17 Paul knew that the mixing in of legalistic, Mosaic Law-based practices with the message of the gospel was a terrible danger, that Christians would end up in bondage instead of enjoying their liberty in Christ. He gives a stern warning that Christians must guard their freedom, and two keys to successfully doing so.

Colossians 2:15- Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul lays out the truth about Satan and his wicked ways. He makes it clear that we need nothing but Christ, for in Him we are free from the bondage that false teaching brings. We enjoy freedom from oppression.

Colossians 2:13-14 Of all the events in human history, no event is more monumental, more immense, more titanic in significance than Christ’s atoning death on the cross. Due to the value of the Christ’s work at Calvary, we enjoy the tremendous benefit of freedom from guilt.

Colossians 2:11-12 Paul draws on the familiar practices of circumcision and baptism to highlight that when we are united to Christ, we experience freedom from sin.

Colossians 2:9-10 After warnings about the empty deception and false claims of false teachers, attention is called to the freedom we have in Christ. In particular, we have all that we need to live a life to the glory of God.

Colossians 2:8- The Colossian church was being endangered by Gnosticism. It, just like all forms of false teaching, deludes people into following an empty, sham religion. Whether it’s Mormonism or Darwin Fish, the language is subtly deceitful, the system of reason logically compelling, and enticingly moral — these are the hallmarks of the great cults today, and Paul gives three explanations as to why these types of philosophies are empty and deceitful.

Colossians 1:28-29 Paul gives a great overview of what faithfulness in the ministry looks like. In particular, there are three main ingredients in shepherding with a sense of purpose.

Colossians 1:24-27 Though specifically about Paul’s ministry, we discover in this passage the very heart of what ministry is about still today. It provides for us three non-negotiable characteristics a faithful minister must exhibit if he is seeking to be pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 1:21-23 After identifying Christ’s pre-eminence over life, we now see the relation of Christ to individual people. More specifically, this is a reminder of what was, is, and will be accomplished because of Christ’s atoning work.