A. INTRODUCTION
1. The Colossian church had four problems. This chapter addresses the four problems of the church.
a. Mystery religions.
b. Philosophy.
c. Legalism (asceticism) and
d. Worship of angels (gnosticism).
2. Why God gives warnings to Christians?
a. To correct Christian beliefs and practices.
b. To protect from spiritual and physical harm.
c. For future perpetuity of church.
d. To please God by obeying His commandments and teachings.
3. To answer false doctrine.
a. Positive teaching, chapter one.
b. Negative warning, chapter two.
B. WATCH OUT FOR FOUR ATTACKS
1. The problem of mystery religions (2:1-7).
a. “Lest anyone should beguile you with enticing words” (2:9).
b. Gnosticism/mystery religions:
(1) Hidden truth.
(2) Special code.
(3) Emotions or esoteric.
(4) Dreams, trances, etc.
c. (2:2) “Comforted” strengthened against erosion. “Knit together,” unity of belief against false doctrine. The Bible “mystery” is in the Father and Christ, i.e., knowable (1:26).
d. (2:3) “Hid” our treasures are stored in Christ. He has all wisdom and knowledge.
2. The problem of philosophy (2:8-13).
a. “Beware lest any man spoil you with philosophy” (2:8).
? God does not reveal Himself through reason.
? So you cannot find God by using reason.
? But correct doctrine is always reasonable.
? Christianity is always rational.
b. (2:4) “Beguile” means reason alongside with enticing words.
c. 2:5) Your “order,” a military term meaning not breaking ranks. “Steadfastness,” a military term meaning “Stand against a foe.”
d. (2:6) Two arguments against heresy.
(1) “Jesus” the historical humanity of Jesus.
(2) Christ the historical accomplishments of the cross.
e. (2:7) “Rooted . . . establish,” permanent faith.
3. The problem of legalism (2:14-16, 20-23). “So let no man judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths” (2:16).
a. Why legalism will not work.
? Christ forgave all the law. “Blotting out the . . . ordinances” (2:14).
? The law was only temporary, “Shadow of things to come” (2:17).
? You are dead to the law (2:20).
? The law will perish (2:22).
? The law never worked. “The law self-imposed worship, it’s false humility, it’s denial of the body, it’s complete inability to restrain lustful indulgence” (2:23, ELT).
4. The problem of angel worship (2:18-19). “Let no man beguile you in . . . worship of angels” (2:18).
a. The gnostic did not recognize the deity of Christ but assigned him the highest rank in the order of spirits between God and man.” They by-passed the biblical doctrine of angels (messengers of God) and prayed directly to them.
b. (2:18) “Intruding into those things which he hath not seen” i.e., visions, hallucinations, etc. “Fleshly minded” is literally, the thinking of the flesh.
c. (2:19) “Head” -Christ is not like angels, He is the Head of the body.
THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS
? We all have a guardian angel (Matt. 18:10).
? Angels are God’s messengers, i.e., they carry out His work (Heb. 1:14).
? Angels deal with the physical and the Holy Spirit deals with the spiritual.
? Angels are around us (Heb. 13:2).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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