Survey of Bible

Colossians: TRIUMPHANT IN JESUS CHRIST

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
History of Colosee:
Nearly 2,000 years ago in Asia Minor, which is today, Modern-day Turkey, was a small market town called Colosse.
The town was a mix of Phrygians, Greeks and Jews that made up a small bible believing church. We simply call it the Church of Colossians.
The whole area was stained with the scars of past volcanic activity. Within several years of Paul writing this letter, the town of Colosse would be destroyed by an earthquake.
We might have never heard of this place had Paul not penned the inspired words of God to this church at Colosse for the site has never been excavated.
The background for writing this letter:
The more one flounders in sin the more warped and bent that person becomes.
Satan has been on the rampage to destroy anything Godly for 6,000 years and his hatred for God and man has become more bitter than ever.
Though unseen to the human eye Satan reigns in the unseen world, governing over countless fallen angelic beings.
Some of these beings have unbelievable super powers.
Satan’s schemes are driven by his contempt and hatred for God.
As the god of this world and the father of lies, this intellectual genius is the one behind all false religions and philosophies and sin.
He not only has concocted the great lies of the universe such as atheism, Marxism, Babylonism, evolution and humanism but he has concocted the white religious lies that sow doubt in people’s heart then despair, then destruction and finally death.

As the master at mingling truth and error, He will appear three ways to man:
1 - To some people he will appear as an angel of light to captivate their attention by his beauty and miraculous power.
2 - To others he will terrify them with fear as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
3 - And still to others he will deceive them and topple them as a wise and subtle serpent.
When JESUS CHRIST came into the world, TRUTH came into the world.
What Jesus said was written in the Bible and is absolute truth by which man should live.
After Jesus’ victory over Satan, the Holy Spirit of God came to establish the Church of Jesus Christ on this earth, His bride.
The Spirit of God convicted men and converts those who receive Christ by faith.
This great light of God, the Church, was put on this earth as an instrument in God’s hand to keep the Evil One in check.
Given to the Church was the great power to combat and control Satan’s seat (Matthew 16:13-18).
The Church can do this through prayer, worship and righteousness.
A - When Israel was running the show Satan recognized the power available to them by God and thus, his goal was to compromise Israel. History reveals that he succeeded.
B - When Christ was on the earth Satan focused all his attention towards the doubt, denial, dispersion of Israel and the death of Christ.
He succeeded but unbeknown to him it was to his own defeat.
C - When the Church began Satan knew that this empire would be his ruin if he did not compromise it and stamp it out.

For 300 years he hurled great persecution at God’s church trying to destroy it but he failed.
Satan thought the church would be easy to conquer, for it was made up of ordinary people like you and me.
It was made up of carpenters and bakers and butchers and fisherman. Thank God that inside of these very ordinary people was the Spirit of the living God.
Their great power was the instrument of prayer that God gave them. Every time God’s people fell on their knees Satan’s kingdom shook.
For God gave to His Church the greatest power in the world. “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be open unto you.”
Satan concluded that he could do only one thing to destroy the church. He had to compromise it if he was to corrupt it.
So he took religious people, not spirit filled, not blood washed, but religious people who had knowledge but not the Spirit of God.
They were kind and often loving people that kindly denied and distorted and debased New Testament truths.
They added to or they took away from Christ’s doctrines.
They attempted to get the focus of the church off Jesus Christ and on anything else (politics, social activity, clubs, games, money).
Folks we need to keep our focus on Christ, yea on “things above.”
We need to live for Christ and like Christ. We need to read His words daily and many times a day. We need to pray and pray and pray.
We need to keep our hearts clean and sins confessed minute by minute.
We need to keep a sweet moment by moment fellowship with our Lord and Savior.

NOW, in the Church of Colossians a group of men and women came in professing Christ. This church like many churches took them in with open arms only to discover later that something was seriously wrong.
The pastor, Ep’ a phras, was a tremendous man who loved the Lord but when he was confronted with the intellectual Gnostics and their philosophies it made his head swim. He didn’t know what to do.
Had the philosophy been raw paganism, Epaphras could have dealt with it. *Paganism related to those who worshiped false gods, demon spirits and many gods, statues and images.
Had it the philosophy been obsolete Judaism, again he could have dealt with it. *Judaism was the worship of the Old Testament feast, ceremonies and circumcision which was now dead.
But, the Gnostics mixed truth and error so subtly that Epaphras needed help and guidance and wisdom.
He went to Rome to where the Apostle Paul was in jail and shared his heart with this wise old man.
Paul in turn sought God’s face and sent a letter back to the Church. God gave the apostle wisdom to unravel this confusing tangled web of error and truth weaved by the Gnostics.
In this letter Paul would tell the people what they should be doing. He admonished them to seek eternal things. And he exposes the errors of the Gnostics that was destroying the church.

I - Let’s commence with the errors of the Gnostics:
To understand better the little book of Colossians it is important that we first understand Gnosticism.
In their pride the Gnostics claimed to “Improve” on Christianity.
Let’s examine the five major errors of Gnosticism:
1 - Intellectualism 2:8-10
They claimed to know more and have greater insight to scriptures.
They added to Christianity in many different ways, thus Paul writes…
8 Beware lest any man spoil (corrupt) you through philosophy (intellectualism) and vain deceit (pride), after the tradition (customs, practices) of men, after the rudiments (ground rules) of the world, and not after Christ.
They subtlety through Philosophy (intellectualism) and deceit (falsehoods) told the Christians at Colosse they needed to bring the Old Testaments traditions and New Testaments teachings together.
They said…
1 - “Since Jesus was Jewish and came from the Jews bloodline to the Jewish nation, we must mix Judaism with Christianity to fully please God and have salvation.”
2 – “They needed to accept the writings of the Talmud and the Apocrypha mixed with Greek culture to understand fully what Christianity is all about.”
3 - They should worship the feast days, the fast days, the new moons, the holydays, etc.
We that know the Scriptures know the Scriptures teach that we are not to go back to the Old Testament ways. They were all shadows of the Christ who came. (The Book of Hebrews)
Paul tells us in Hebrews 5:12-14 that the traditions are for babes that drink milk. Now, it is time for the Church to eat meat.

Col 2: 9 For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
We are complete in Christ. We are to worship Jesus. We are not to empty our houses of leaven, build booths and have Jewish ceremonies.
Application today: Many who have their PhD’s boast that those who still believe in Christ’s deity or the inspiration of the scriptures or who hold to the old KJV is just ignorant. Well that is nothing new. The critics and the Pharisees will always be with us.
2 – Ritualism - 2:11-13
The Gnostics majored on circumcision for Salvation. This was just one of their rituals.
We know that is false today, but it was a major practice of the Gnostics and of many who tried to mix Judaism with Christianity in the first century.

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, (spiritual, not physical) in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Judaism gave birth to Christianity as an acorn gives birth to a mighty Oak. We don’t sit under the shade and admire the acorn; we sit under the shade of the Oak and admire its beauty and strength.
3 - Legalism 2:14-17
They added to grace. They said you must 1) keep the feast, 2) the law, 3) the ceremonies, 4) eat according to the dietary laws and 5) keep the sabbath to be saved and to be right with God.
But Paul writes…
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
When Jesus died on the cross he took all those old ways and rituals of Judaism and nailed them to the cross, never to be practiced by Christians again.
They are to never practice the sin offering or the meal offering or the peace offering. They are never to offer the sacrifices. They are to never practice the feast. It has been nailed to the cross.
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Paul reveals a tremendous truth in verse 15. When Jesus defeated Satan, he dragged him openly in the heavens in front of his demonic cohorts revealing to them that Satan is defeated and Jesus is victorious.

Then Paul says…16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
That is clear enough if you are saved. The Gnostics said, “We are more spiritual than you because we practice the feast and we keep the Sabbaths and we observe certain Old Testament holydays and you don’t.
Paul was saying the old ways were a shadow that picture Christ. Therefore, quit living in the shadows and live in the Light.

4 - Mysticism 2:18-19
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Another false teaching of the Gnostics was to worship angels and to seek the supernatural.
Today religions including some within the realm of Christendom pray to and worship angels or dead men, called saints.
Other mystic religions include Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Christian Science, Catholic, Scientology, Masonry, Reincarnation, and Mormonism. (Be careful Christian not to buy, pray to or believe that angel jewelry will some how protect you.”
5 - Asceticism, 2:20-23.
Asceticism is the discipline of repressing lust.
It says, no meat, no marriage, no wine, and no sex.
It is obviously taught in Catholicism as the priests are forbidden to marry and to eat meats on certain days. (They leave the wine part out. And we must wonder about the sex-part).
When “mother Teresa” was given a motel to house the poor, she tore out the carpet and threw away anything beautiful. She was an ascetic.
They think if it is comfortable it is wrong. Many avoid comfortable and modern clothing because they consider it to worldly.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
I’ve heard preachers preach against wearing a red dress. My wife has one and I love it.
I’ve heard them say, “Don’t wear anything will frills. Don’t wear jewelry or make up, it is worldly.
I’ve heard some preach against the type of underwear people wear. That is silly. I’ve heard some say women shouldn’t wear sandals or show their toe in church. The Bible never says anything like that. It is ascetic.
Friend if what you wear is modest and if your make-up is modest and if you truly wear it for God’s glory don’t worry about what people say. They are ascetic.
Now when you read Colossians you will understand why Paul wrote this letter and why the Holy Spirit leads him to say exactly what he says.

II – Let’s Continue with the Exhortation to the Colossians.
OUTLINE:
I – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CHRIST 1:15-29
In the first 14 verses Paul exalts God and at the same time exposes many falsehoods of the Gnostics. Paul reveals the deity, death and demands of Christ.
He praise the Lord… 1:3 …Give thanks to God … for our Lord Jesus Christ, v 4 and show …Faith and love… think about 5 …the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, and the…love in the Spirit.
He pronounces to them… 10 …Walk worthy of the Lord and … in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
And be… 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
And… 12 Giving thanks unto the Father,… 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Thus Paul makes it clear in the introduction of this letter that we are to rejoice in our free Salvation through the blood of Christ and not according to the teachings of the Gnostics.
A. Paul brings out the Deity of Christ (15-19)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The Greek is saying, “When you see Jesus, you see God.” It is saying that Christ is Immanuel. Yea, God became flesh and dwelt among man.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
God created the world. Jesus created the world. How can that be? It is called “Trinity.”
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
He always has been and He always will be. He is creator and God. The Gnostics are hating this preaching.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
And then Paul ends by saying Jesus is the head and the Church is His body. We submit to Christ, not dead ordinances and man-made doctrines.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
The reason Paul majors on the deity of Christ is because the Gnostics did not believe in His deity. They believed that the body was sinful but the spirit was sinless. Thus, Christ could not have had a physical body. Any person or organized religious group that denies that Jesus is God is false.
Therefore, they concluded that any sin of the flesh is justified because God made us like He made us and we may fulfilled all of our fleshly desires.
That is what many religion people believe today. They believe “my spirit is saved,” therefore I may live to please my flesh. That philosophy is satanic and it will send a person to hell.
B. Paul brings out the Death of Christ (20-22)
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Paul makes it clear that we are saved, reconciled, made holy and blameless because of what Jesus did and that alone.
Man can add nothing to their salvation. Jesus paid it all! Can’t you see those Gnostics sitting in the service cringing at the preaching and getting more angry with every word?
C. Paul brings out the Demands of Christ 23-29
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Study, learn, grow, and mature so when you stand before Christ you will stand with honor and dignity for the one who died for you. Be a faithful soldier of the cross.

II – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CULTS 2: 1-23
A. We are to experience doctrine 2:1-7
Paul says I know of the conflict you are going through therefore… V 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
You were saved by grace through faith and you should walk by His daily grace by faith. Don’t get caught up in Gnosticism. Serve by love.
B. We are to expose deceit 2:8-23 Refer to pages 2-5.
III – THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN 3:1-4:6
A. Our Sight 3:1-4
Seek Christ - 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
True satisfaction in life is found in everyone’s soul who truly seeks to know the ways and will of Christ in their life.
You see, living for eternal things bring great security to a man’s soul. The reason there is so much fear today in this world is most people are living for self, to please self. They want this and that and therefore they live for this and that and when they lose their health or wealth or friends they are miserable because none of those things are eternal.
Live for the eternal and the joy of the Lord will fill your soul.
Set your Affections - 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Who is to be worshipped, honored, bowed to and given first place in our lives? Exodus 20:1-3 – God! Remember God will honor those who honor Him.
Steadfast - 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When you are dead to your self, nobody can hurt you, nobody can hinder you, nobody can stop you from living a life for the Lord. We only get hurt when our flesh is controlling our spirit rather than our spirit controlling our flesh.
Secure - 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
If you are only looking for love and joy and peace and purpose in this world you will be a sad and lonely person. True love and peace comes from above. It comes from a wonderful relationship with Jesus Christ. If verses 1-3 is true in our lives, we will greatly desire our Lord’s appearance.
B. Our Steps 3:5-4:6
1 – Personal life 3:5-14
Paul preaches we should die to the flesh and live in the Spirit.
Paul stresses that fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: is still sinful and should be shunned by the believer. He continues to name sins that are not to be displayed by the Christian… anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 12 Put on … holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
2 – Spiritual Life 3:15-17
What will happen to someone who dies to self and lives for Christ?
a. God’s peace will flood your heart: 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
b. You will begin to sing and praise the Lord: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3 – Domestic Life 3:18-21
Your home life will become wonderful. Love will be discovered. Children will become obedient. How? Why? When? When Christians quit living after the teachings of the world and start living according to Jesus Christ.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
4 – Business Life 3:22-4:1
Employees treat the employers with respect and visa versa. As you learn Christ you begin to understand why you have the job you have. You work to please Jesus and not your boss (22-24). Employers treat your employees justly. Treat them as Christ would treat them.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
5 – Secular Life 4:2-6
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

The Christian’s spiritual life and secular life of a Christian should go hand in hand.
The Christian is not to live one life at church and another at work or on the weekend. That is Gnosticism.
That is willful sin. It is not Christianity.
Your talk at church should be your talk at home and you walk at church on Sunday should be your walk during the week.