Plan to attend our Good Friday Service at 7:00 PM on March 29.

September 21, 2014

Alive and Satisfied in Christ

Speaker: Steve Bice Series: Colossians: The Glory of Christ Topic: Colossians Scripture: Colossians 2:8–2:15

NOTE: AUDIO IS POOR after 36'

“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. 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, 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. 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, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:8–15 ESV)

Key Thought:

As those who have been united to Christ we share in all the benefits of Christ and now have entirely what can alone satisfy.

Main Points:

Preliminary point (v. 8): See to it that you're not taken captive by THE philosophy that says Jesus isn't enough for salvation or to satisfy. That philosophy is so very prevalent and is, as Paul says, of human tradition and ultimately demonic.

So, how are we not taken captive? By knowing and remembering:

  1. Our Fullness in Christ (vv. 9-10)
  2. Our Unity in Christ (vv. 11-13)
  3. Our Freedom in Christ (vv. 14-15)

Application Questions:

  1. What is THE philosophy? And what are its dangers?
  2. Where do you see THE philosophy in your life?
  3. What do you do with the philosophy when you recognize it?
  4. How does the truth that "in him [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" and that we have been "filled in him" shed light on the lie of THE philosophy?
  5. What do you feel that you lack in life versus what our text tells us we lack?
  6. How does adding anything to Christ cause us to lose the fullness found in him?
  7. What is it that Paul is getting at when he speaks of all those who are in Christ being circumcised? What kind of circumcision is it? Who did it? And what is the result?
  8. What is the hope/truth that Paul holds out regarding our sinful flesh?
  9. Explain and discuss what it means to be in union with Christ? Both in his life, death, and resurrection?
  10. Explain what Paul means by "the record of debt." And then discuss the grace-soaked reality of what our union with Christ means regarding it.
  11. According to the text what is the condition of the enemy of our souls? In what ways does that (or could that) encourage you?
  12. Consider the grammar throughout this text regarding our standing in Christ. How does the truth behind the grammar give you hope?

other sermons in this series