Talk Notes - Colossians 1:24-2:19

-What we believes -> what we do. What we do has consequences
-ex. Jumping off a building cuz I think I can fly
-The same affects our spiritual lives – but much more insidiously –
-our experiences
-our feelings
-our preferences
-the seemingly wise thoughts of Christian teachers/authors
-Series
-MBI – Jesus must be Lord over all we think.
-To do – Cling to the Scriptures as true, and be skeptical of spiritual ‘truths’ not defended by Scripture.
-3 points
-Pray

-Knowing about Paul’s suffering shows us what to think (1:24, 2:1)
-examples of suffering – 2 Cor. 11:23-28
-weird! What’d you think if someone was telling you about how much they -suffered for you. Like your mom talking about labor?
-2 Purposes:
1) to show off Jesus’ suffering
-filling up what is lacking (1:24)
-redemption not lacking. (see 1:13, 14)
-actual physical presence lacking (Phil. 2:30)
-we lack Paul, but have his writing!
-Harry Potter knew of his mom’s suffering for him by word and by the suffering of others for him
-The example of Paul shows us reality of Jesus
-it supplements Paul’s service of the church, which is preaching the word (1:24- 27)
-Service always has the word in it!
-word is about this thing humanity has waited for – Jesus bringing us to glory (1:26, 27)
-example? None – there is nothing as great as this news – Jesus bringing us to God to enjoy him forever
2) to cause them to not be deceived by other worldviews (2:1-5)
-His struggle’s goal is their knowing Jesus, and perseverance of the saints (2:2, 3, 5; 1:23)
-He says he struggles for this so that other arguments lose force (2:4).
-Struggle is proclamation (1:28) and resulting suffering he’d endure
-You only suffer for something you believe.
-Suicide bombers
-Paul’s saying that his suffering indicates his sincerity – he was commissioned by God as an apostle!
-Thus, his message, vs. other reasonings/thoughts/feelings/traditions, is authoritative.
-(repeat point)


-To persevere in faith, Jesus must govern our thinking
-In treating Jesus like Lord in how we live (2:6, 7)
-You accepted the gospel (received) (v. 6)
-You need to continue living with Jesus as Lord
-passives – him causing the growth (incl. doctrine) (2:7)
-active – giving thanks (vs. being grateful) (2:7)
-Ex: Getting married because of love. Keep loving your spouse.
-In not being taken captive by worldly philosophy
-which is from human tradition (2:8) (define)
-(examples from books (virgin birth, God as a risk taker))
-demonic(!) (2:8)
4 reasons to not be taken by worldly philosophy – (repeat point throughout)
-1) Christ is God (2:9) (all of God! Treat him like it! Source of truth!)
-2) Christians have been filled ‘in him’ – the head of all things
-2:10
-i.e. – we don’t lack. Salvation is ours!
-we try to get happiness because we believe we lack
-sex, money, showing off, ministry, thru worship
-we forget that Jesus is giving us all happiness in him
-belief often comes from desire. We’ve been filled in Christ. Don’t desire other things
-3) Christians have been forgiven through him (2:11-14) – explain
-we’ve been cut out of the old world (v. 11)
-this is by dying and rising with Christ through faith (v. 12)
-not baptism (but a picture and confirmation it is)
-without hands
-not main verb – made alive thru faith is
-justification is thru faith alone (rom. 4, etc.)
-that life is by Jesus’ dying in our place (vv. 13, 14)
-4) This forgiveness thru the cross is God’s triumph over philosophy
-human philosophies are demonic (rulers, authorities – table of demons – Satan being a liar)
-God glorified himself in the shame of philosophies –
-salvation was always around
-Satan’s goal – destroying God’s glory by killing his image
-but now salvation is sealed by the cross!
-the cross and resurrection
-answers the problem of evil
-shows infinite love
-shows infinite justice
-gives meaning (forgiveness, death to this world, glory)
-is a historical event – not mere philosophy
-repeat point

-Jesus must be Lord over our spiritual lives
-What were the false teachers teaching?
-v. 16, 17 – explain
-v. 18 – explain
-Sounds foreign a bit – but why did they teach these things?
-experience
-growth (v. 19)
-Big mistake - advocating things Scripture doesn’t command to experience God/grow
-2nd Commandment (explain)
-doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy God’s creation (1 tim 4:1-5 - explain)
-does mean we seek to experience God and grow by what he’s commanded alone
-Scriptures (God communicates savingly)
-Prayer – we respond verbally
-Fellowship – we talk about what he’s revealed
-The Lord’s supper/Baptism
-So Jesus must be Lord over how we seek him. As we cling to him, he will cause us, corporately, to grow. (v. 19)

-To conclude, we’ve seen that Jesus must be Lord over all we think and do.
-3 points…
-Our response must be to cling to the Scriptures as true – and be skeptical of any spiritual ‘truth’ not taught in Scripture.
-Remember 1:21-23. (explain) (Christ’s cross work renews our minds, so we’ll be presented before God as blameless – if we persevere in the faith.)
-Pray