#7~ Col.2:16-23~ CHRISTAINS ARE NOT BOUND BY LEGALIZISM~ 1-5-14
* Let's review just a little to do with of study.
In 61a.d. - a devastating earthquake hit the area, destroying Colossae, Laodicea, and Heiropolis, probably just after Paul wrote his letters to the Christians of that area. -- According to historians, all three cities were destroyed.
Laodicea, and Heiropolis were rebuilt, but Colossae never was. It is never referred to in Christian or secular documents after 61a.d.
It was named for Laodice, the wife of Antiochus II (261--247 b.c.), - when the city was destroyed by an earthquake in a.d. 61 (along with Colossae and Hierapolis), it alone refused aid from Rome for rebuilding (compare the self-sufficient attitude of the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:17)-- The site of Laodicea is now a deserted heap of ruins that the Turks call Eski Hisar, or "old castle." -- The city was finally abandoned because of earthquakes. -- The greatest ruins are not in Colosse or Laodicea but in Hierapolis. --
The location of Colossae is known, but to this day the site has never been excavated apparently because no one thinks it's worth the trouble. -- Nothing significant is known to have occurred there.
* To do with our study of Colossians, Paul had never visited the church at Colossae, which was founded by Epaphras. (1:4--8; 2:1).
-------
~ Paul wrote all four Prison Epistles, as their often referred to, during his first Roman imprisonment.
Colossians, and Ephesians, and Philippians, and Philemon.
-------
~ While Paul was in prison in Rome, Epaphras came too Paul as he needed Paul's help, he explained to Paul that some new doctrines were being taught in Colossi and were invading the church and creating problems.
~ So Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians in order to refute these heretical teachings and establish the truth of the Gospel.
~ We've already talked some about these problems.
------
~ In the little epistle of Philemon we have the account about Onesimus.
~ When Onesimus fled from his master Philemon to Rome, he met the apostle Paul. --- Paul witnessed to him, and Onesimus became a Christian.
-------
~ In his letter to Philemon, Paul spoke of Onesimus as "my own heart" (Philem. 12), indicating that Onesimus had become like a son to him.
~ Paul convinced Onesimus to return to his master Philemon. ---- He also sent a letter with Onesimus, encouraging Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother rather than a slave.
~ Paul implied that freeing Onesimus was Philemon's Christian duty, but he stopped short of commanding him to do so.
~ Onesimus accompanied Tychicus, who delivered the Epistle to the Colossians as well as the Epistle to Philemon.
~~ This is how the epistle of Philemon comes about.
-------
~ The person referred to as a "slave" or "bondsman" in the New Testament was legally bound to a certain master, almost always for a limited period of time, until he could obtain his freedom. --- Onesimus was for some reason in debt to Philemon, and was considered to belonging to Philemon until the debt was paid.
==========================================
~ The heresy that threatened the peace and purity of the Colossian church was a combination of Eastern philosophy and Jewish legalism, with elements of what Bible scholars call Gnosticism (NOS-ti-cism).
~ This term comes from the Greek word gnosis (KNOW-sis) which means "to know." (An agnostic is one who does not know.)
~ These Gnostics were the people who were supposedly, "in the know" when it came to the deep things of God. --- They were the "spiritual aristocrats" in the church. -- Or so they said.
---------------
~And so, Paul's letter, "Colossians" was to refute the trouble makers in showing that Christ is preeminent, -- He is first and foremost in everything--and the Christian's life should reflect that priority, because believers are rooted in Him, alive with Him, hidden in Him, and complete in Him.
~ Paul also wanted this epistle to be read in the neighboring church at Laodicea. (4:16).
========================
~ Colossians is possible the most Christ-centered book in the Bible.
In it Paul stresses the preeminence of the person of Christ and the completeness of the salvation He provides
--------
~ Every book of the bible has a key verse or verses, in Colossians the key verses are,--
> Colossians 2:9-10 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Also;
> 3:1-2 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.
--------------------
~ There are no Old Testament references in this epistle.
~Paul in 2: verses 16-17 are applying the truth of Jesus' victory in light of the Colossian heresy.
16Let 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:
~ Notice, it says [Sabbath days,] plural, there's more Sabbath days than just Saturday.
17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
-------
~Because Jesus won such a glorious victory on the cross, we're not to let anyone judge us in food or in drink or in other matters related to legalism.
------
~ There are some denominations that frown of women wearing slacks. --- that comes from man made doctrine, [teaching] -- we see ladies wearing slacks all the time, in church and out of church, some won't wear slacks in church but they will out of the church. -- My thought on that is what's the difference? -- If it's wrong inside, then it's wrong every where else. -- Any reasonable thinking person sees nothing wrong in it, their dressed in women's clothes.
---------
@@@ Deuteronomy 22: 5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, --- it don't say, slacks. --it says, pertaineth unto a man,
-- neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: -- men are not suppose to wear WOMENS CLOTHS.
-- for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
~ Women that wear men's clothes --- or men that wear women's clothes are an abomination in Gods way of looking at such.
--------
~ This verse has caused divisions and confusion among sincere Christian brethren. --- Some have used this verse to imply that women should not wear slacks. -- Slacks are women's clothing, not men's.
~ I would look ridicules in Margaret's slacks, if I some how managed to get it on.
~ What this verse teaches is the importance of maintaining a proper distinction between the sexes, --- the lack of which is an abomination unto the Lord thy God.
~ Notice, this warning does not refer just too clothing styles alone, but to that which pertaineth unto a man, that is, "a man's things."
~ This refers to the practice of transvestism, a rebellious sexual behavior which is seen in the dress and behavior unnatural for one's own gender.
~ Now days some men even have a sex change operation, I've saw such as this on TV. --- They'll put on women clothes, make up and all, this is certainly an abomination to God. -- And is enough to make people sick. ****
~ God considers sacred the distinction of the sexes, as shown in His creative design of man and woman, although both were created in the image of God, yet are also uniquely and differently designed. -- And we men praise the Lord for that.
---------------
* Back to the teaching in Colossians.
~A life that is centered on Jesus and what He did on the cross has no place for legalism.
~ It makes no sense at all for people who have reaped the benefit of Christ's victory, to put themselves voluntarily under the control of the powers which he had conquered.
~The Old Testament law had certain provisions that are done away with in Jesus, regarding such things as food and Sabbath days.
--------
~Certain days, and foods, as observed under the Mosaic Law, are not binding on New Covenant people. --- The shadow has passed, the reality has come.
So for the Christian, all foods can be ate if they so desire, they can eat if they want to, but they don't have to.
>1st.Tim.4:4-5 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: -- 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
>>Col.2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward [ rob you of your reward--bring judgment against you] in a voluntary humility [willingly of our selves] and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [senseless pride]
~ These aspects of false humility and the worship of angels were parts of the false teaching troubling the Colossian Christians.
~ This is why Paul touches on these themes throughout the letter of Colossians from time too time. ---- The remedy for both of these false teachings is simply more of Jesus, exalting Him above angels, and realizing that because of His finished work there is nothing to take pride in.
~ These heretics probably insisted that their worship of angels rather than the supreme God was an expression of humility on their part. -- they taught that man was evil, and that God could not associate with evil man, in their way of thinking a man was unworthy to come into fellowship with God, and prompts him to worship angels.
---------------
~ Paul say's Col.2:18 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,
This describes the spiritual arrogance of these false teachers and those who believed what they taught. -- The Gnostic [know it all's] prided himself upon the supposedly special visions of secret things which were not open to the eyes of ordinary men and women, or so they wanted the Colossians to think.
------
19And not holding the Head, [Christ] from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
~ The person that does this, lacks a vital connection with Christ, and has never been a part of the body. ---The figure of the body emphasizes both its unity and its diversity. --- Christ supplies: the body, the church, with nourishment, life and energy; unity, knitted together; and growth, which is the increase of God.
~This is not the case under the Head, Jesus - He wants all the body to grow together. -- If we'll remain faithful and connected to Jesus (our Head), then God will give the increase.
----------
~ In verses 20-23 -- Paul rebukes the essence of legalism.
20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, -- such as--
21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; - 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
----
23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; - not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
~Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations?
"Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using.
~ Don't do this, and don't do that: --This is a description of legalistic religion, defined more by what we don't do, than by what we do.
~ Christianity is a moral religion; it has clear moral boundaries, but at its foundation, Christianity is a religion of positive action. -- Nothing to wonder or guess about.
------
~ Paul say's-- These things do have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
~ Legalism doe not restrain the flesh; it feeds the flesh in a subtle, powerful way.
Self-imposed religion is man reaching to God, trying to justify himself by keeping a list of rules.--- Christianity is God reaching down to man in love through Christ.
~We died with Christ from the basic principles of the world: --- here is the key to living above legalism, and that is, our identification with Jesus in both His death and resurrection, and becomes the foundation for our Christian life, instead of our law-keeping.
