Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.

Colossians 2:8-15 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.

Legalism is far more than the conscious belief that “I can be saved by my good works.” It is a web of attitudes of heart and character. It is the thought that God’s love for us is conditioned on something we can be or do. It is the attitude that I offer certain things—my ethical goodness, my relative avoidance of deliberate sin, my faithfulness to the Bible and the church—that support Christ’s work and contribute to God’s goodwill toward me. - Keller

Legalism creates systems where man is trying to reach God by justifying himself by keeping a list of rules. When Christianity is really about God reaching down to man in love through Christ. - Guzik

Colossians 2:17 These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

White-knuckled Righteousness = working hard to get God to be happy with you.

Colossians 2:18-19 Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.
 Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us. (Colossians 2:18-19 MSG)

Don’t let anyone impose on you a program of spiritual development that does not have Christ at its heart.

You are complete in Christ. This is a FACT to be enjoyed, not a status to be achieved.

Gospel Facts:

#1. You were dead

Colossians 2:13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,

What did it mean for (your name here) to be dead?

Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”

Romans 5:12-15 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned— For if the many died through the one man's trespass…

Ephesians 2:1-3 You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.

A spiritually dead person is unresponsive to God.

We were not just sinking in sin but dead in our trespasses. Unable to respond to God.

#2. God made you alive together with him

Colossians 2:13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him,

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

#3. Your IOU was paid (You are forgiven)

Colossians 2:13-14 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.

Each of the Ten Commandments has, as it were, united with the rest to draw up an indictment against us. The first commandment says, ‘he has broken me.’ The second commandment says, ‘he has broken me.’ The third- ‘he has broken me,’ and the whole ten together have laid the same charge against each and every one of us; this is the handwriting of the law condemning every man… while he remains in a state of nature. - Spurgeon

Colossians 2:14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Romans 5:17-19 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous

Sermon Series || Colossians Series - From The Shadows To The Substance: The Good News of The Gospel || Colossians 2:8-23 “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. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’ (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

How can we recognize counterfeit teachings about earning God’s righteousness- and how can we stay grounded in the righteousness of Christ?
Paul said the old laws were a shadow of what was to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to hang on to shadows instead of resting in the fact that you are complete in Christ?
Have you ever judged someone or been judged by someone based on spiritual disciplines or practices?
Example: I felt like I was not as complete in Christ because I didn’t ________ like that person. (Celebrate feasts, sabbath-keeping, see visions in worship, etc.) Or, I felt like I was more complete in Christ than that person because I ___________.
Have you ever thought that you have a boring testimony? Explain why this idea may be well-meaning but how it undermines the gospel's good news.
Practice sharing the gospel with one another by using Paul’s power-packed summary in Colossians 2:13-15. Remember the facts. Dead, Alive, IOU paid- Forgiven.

November Series: Staring Contest

Power Verse: Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Week 1 Lesson: Eyes Glued (Matthew 14:22-33)
What had the disciples seen Jesus do before this boat ride? miracles!
Who did they think they saw coming toward them on the water? a ghost
Who was it really? Jesus
What happened when Peter looked away from Jesus? he started to sink
When can you keep your eyes glued on Jesus?

November Series: Staring Contest

November Series: Honor

Pre-K Power Verse: "Give and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap." Luke 6:38
Learn the Luke 6:38 hand motions here!

Week 1 Lesson: Zacchaeus
1. What was different about Zacchaeus?
2. Who was coming to town?
3. What did Zacchaeus do to see Jesus?
4. Did Jesus find Zacchaeus?
5. What did Jesus tell him?
6. What did Zacchaeus do during dinner? 7. How can we honor God?
8. What does it mean to honor God?

answers

Twos Power Verse: “Give thanks with a grateful heart.” Psalm 9:1
Learn the Psalm 9:1 power verse here!

Threes Power Verse: “Give and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.” Luke 6:38
Learn the Luke 6:38 hand motions here!

Lesson all month in both classrooms: Jehoshaphat
1. Who was Jehoshephat?
2. Was he a man of God?
3. When the enemy approached, what did Jehoshephat do? 4. What happened to the enemy?
5. What are ways we honor God?
6. What is your favorite worship song?
7. Can you say Jehoshephat 3 times fast? :)

answers

1| a general in the army 2| yes 3| He put the best worshippers at the front of the battle to worship Gpd instead of killing Jehoshephat’s army 4| they got confused and killed each other instead of Jehosphephat’s army 5| tithe, worship, serve

NEW!! Pick up an November parent resource page from your child’s class!

What Makes Israel Desire a King?

Why Did the Lord Close Her Womb?

From The Shadows To The Substance: The Good News of The Gospel

Speakers

Sarah Blount

Lead Pastor

Worship

When You Walk Into the Room

Bryan & Katie Torwalt

The Wonderful Blood

Tiffany Hudson

Come and Get Your Glory

Kory Miller

Notes

Gospel Facts:

#1. You were dead

#2. God made you alive together with him

#3. Your IOU was paid (You are forgiven)

Table Talk

Adult Table Talk

Boom Town

November Series: Staring Contest

Threshold

November Series: Staring Contest

Pre-K

November Series: Honor

Twos & Threes