Title: Nailed to the Cross
Theme: To show how Jesus took our sins to the cross. Our trespasses are forgiven at the cross.
Text: Colossians 2:6 – 15.
Introduction
In chapter 2 of Colossians, Paul begins with a warning to the Colossi church. He says he longs to be there in the flesh but is only now in writing. You can feel the love and compassion for the church.
Paul’s purpose of writing this chapter is a warning. A warning against worldly philosophies that have crept in the church. Worldly teachings that have taken the place of God’s word.
Paul challenges the church to stay focused on Christ and in His teaching. In Vs. 6- 11 Paul reminds them that it is in Christ and Christ alone that they (we) are complete. Look with me there.
In Him
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (7) rooted (go deep) and built up (grow strong) in Him and established in the faith (be settled), as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving (celebrate what God has done). (8) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, (to spoil, capture, lessen, take aways from, sell short)
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
From Dakes Bible on Colossians 2:8
(Paul lists) Seven Ways that People Can Spoil Christians:
1. Through philosophy (Col_2:8)
2. Through vain deceit (Col_2:4, Col_2:8, Col_2:18-19)
3. Through human traditions (Col_2:8)
4. Through human religion and world principles contrary to the gospel (Col_2:8, Col_2:14-23; note, Gal_4:3)
5. Through circumcision (Col_2:11-13; Act_15:1; Rom_4:9-16; Gal_5:1-11)
6. Through the law of Moses, demanding observance of the laws on meats, drinks, holy days, new moons, feasts, and sabbaths (Col_2:14-17)
7. Through false cults that puff up and imitate the gospel (Col_2:18-23)
(9) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (10) and you are complete in Him, (we are complete in Christ and in Christ alone, we don’t need any addition, this should keep us from looking for approval or acceptance from any other person. They don’t complete us but we are complete in Christ) who is the head of all principality and power. (notice the all).
Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul continues . . .
Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
Circumcision has always been a sign to the Jews of their separation with God. Sadly it became for them almost a “eternal security”. They were more focused on the act than the relationship with God Himself. Paul deals with this in other books.
(12) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
There are two kinds of baptisms listed in scripture:
1) Spiritual baptism. When we are saved we are baptized and washed in the blood of Christ. Our sins are forgiven.
2) Physical baptism. The act of baptism shown here.
So buried with Him but also raised with Him. Powerful. Symbolic. Life changing. We are a new creature.
(13) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
We were dead but Christ has made us alive. With Him. Forgiving all of our trespasses.
Trespasses: overstepping boundaries
How?
(14) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us,
The "handwriting of ordinances" described in our text above is the Greek word cheirographon. It was a legal document of the Roman empire that signified an obligation that must be paid. If an individual borrowed money or owed taxes, a document would be drawn up that would formalize his debt. When the debt was paid off, a magistrate would write across this, cheirographon, Tetelestai, teh-teh-less-tie or "finished." Similarly if someone were guilty of a crime, this "handwriting of ordinances" would be prepared to document their offense and the sentence. This document would be nailed above the cell for all to read. If one was sold into slavery, his master would hold the cheirographon. Only in the event that a redeemer appeared to buy the slave out of bondage would the document be canceled. – From Institute for Creation Research website https://www.icr.org/article/18923/
Tetelestai “It finished”
which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
These charges were nailed to the cross. They were contrary (against) us. Yet Christ has nailed them to the cross.
Never to be remembered.
Even more
(15) Having disarmed principalities and powers,
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ
I am not bound I am free
Take it a step further
He made a public spectacle of them,
Paraded them before people.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Your enemy has been made public. He thought he would take you out with the things that you have done, instead it was what has taken him out by the blood of Christ. By the cross.
triumphing over them in it.
All things work together
Conclusion
Ephesians 4:8 – 10 reminds us that Jesus set the captives free. We are free today in Christ Jesus. If you don’t feel free then Jesus is here to remind you and set you free. Free from sin. Free from guilt. Free from expectations of others.
I Claim The Blood
Song by Paul Williams
I Claim the Blood
I have a source of strength when I am weak,
that takes me through when life is pressing me
I have a source of power from above, I'm covered over by a shield of love.
Chor. I claim the blood Jesus shed on Calvary,
those precious blood stains were made there just for me.
For all my sins, my sickness and my pain,
When I need healing I claim those precious blood stains
2. I do not know how others make it through
Who do not go to Calvary as I do
For there's a healing, cleansing stream that flows,
with peace that only His redeemed can know.
Illustration: I put a cross in front of the church. People came and nailed their sins to the cross.
