Fullness And Freedom Series

Above All: A Study of Colossians

Colossians 2:8-15

Pastor Jefferson M. Williams

Chenoa Baptist Church

05-29-2022

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In Mississippi, I used to drive over to a friend’s church on my lunch break and sit in his auditorium. They had worship music quietly playing and it was a place of peace in the middle of my hectic days.

Brad, the pastor of of the church, would come in and check in with me but would leave me alone to be with God.

One day, he came in and sat down next to me and said, “You love the Spirit, I can tell. But you only dip your toe in the river. God wants you to dive in head first.”

I knew what he was trying to say. He would have agreed that I was definitely born again, but he wanted me to know that there was “more.” For him, the more was speaking in tongues and other charismatic gifts which I didn’t have but needed to go “deeper with God.”

I don’t remember exactly what I told him but it was basically, “Jesus plus nothing equals everything.” I didn’t need another experience, deeper knowledge, or to read a book of the secrets to fullness of God.

This attitude isn’t new. In fact, it’s as old as the letter to the Colossians. False teachers were telling these new believers the same thing.

It was a mix of Jewish legalism, Gnosticism, local folk religion, and Christianity.

Gnostics believed that they had special insight into spiritually realities. They would say that Jesus dying on the cross was wonderful and I’m glad you believe that. But that’s not enough.

We know this from Paul’s use of the term “fullness,” that we will see it our study this morning. Obviously, these teachers were spreading the idea that putting your faith in Jesus was just the first step and there were additional, secret steps, you needed to take to be a real Christian.

Paul answers by showing the Colossians the absolutely supremacy and sufficiency of Christ for their salvation and their walk in this world.

Review

Last week, Paul gave his first command to the Colossians:

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live (walk) your lives in Him.”

He then gave four word pictures to show what that walk looks like.

Tree - rooted

Building - built up

Student - established in the faith

Overflowing River - overflowing thankfulness for what God has done for us in Christ

Remember, if you miss a sermon, you can always watch it on demand on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or on our website.

Turn with me to Colossians 2:8-15.

Prayer.

3. Watch out for Pirates

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Col 2:8)

The first thing Paul wants to make clear is that these false teachers deny Christ.

“See to it” can be translated “watch out” or “beware” or “if you value your spiritual freedom, stay away.” The implication is that these believers hadn’t fallen for the false teaching…yet.

The word translated “captive” is only used here in the Bible and it is a vivid word picture that would have terrified the Colossian Christians.

It’s the picture of pirates attacking a ship and taking everyone prisoners. Or a slave trader kidnapping people. Or a victorious general taking humans as plunder back to his land.

How is this done? Through “hollow and deceptive philosophy.”

“Hollow” means empty, devoid of intellectual, moral, or spiritual value.

Don’t read this as Paul thought “philosophy” was bad. Philosophy means love of wisdom. It’s a way of organizing ways of thinking about the world.

Today, millions of people follow modern day philosophies espoused by people like Oprah, Joel Osteen, Dr. Phil, Tony Robbins, and Jordan Peterson, and others. Brilliant, charismatic, but in the end, their self help advice is spiritual impotent to affect heart change.

Paul gives us three elements of the false teaching in Colossae:

It was “according to human tradition.”

[Fiddler on the Roof clip - Tradition]

First, it’s important to note that tradition isn’t bad. It can ground a person or group. But when the traditions become entrenched, “We’ve always done it that way,” they become a barrier to growth.

Jesus didn’t hold anything back when confronting the Pharisees about their traditions:

“So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’