THROUGH THE BOOK OF COLLOSIANS.

TEXT: COLLOSIANS 2:1-23

Apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossae from prison in Rome where he is imprisoned for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul had never been to Colossae, but a servant of Jesus Christ known as Epapras from that church of Colossae travelled all the way from present day Turkey where there was that church, to Rome, Italy, to consult with Paul concerning some matters that affected that church of Colossae and a sister church of Laodecia.

There were threats of the central theme of the gospel of grace from:-

The Law of Moses: heresies that came to the newly birthed church that one could not get born again directly, but first become a Jews by keeps the Law of Moses circumcision and all other laws of Moses.
Human philosophies: education dominated human wisdom and if any teachings could not be supported by education philosophy it would not be accepted-(1^st Corinthians 1:22)
Traditional pagan worship: Before the preaching of the gospel the Colossians had a worship of traditional gods. What Paul addressed in the churches of Colossae and Laodecia, is a problem to the church in the world today:-

THREAT OF FAITH FROM WORLDLY WISDOM-(COLOSSIANS 2:8)

Proverbs 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is this, get wisdom and whosever you get – get insight.
Proverbs 9:10 says that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.” True wisdom according to heaven is only found in God. We show love for God by keeping His commandments-(John 14:15).
According to the standards of heaven the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. (1^st Corinthians 3:19). It is foolishness in God’s sight for the word of God says, “He snares the wise with their own cunning”. Human wisdom is earthy, unspiritual and demonic in orientation. In contrast, divine wisdom is Christ – centered and led by the Holy Spirit. It seeks to glorify the Lord not oneself.
1^st Corinthians 3:18-20 says that, if anyone among us seems to be wise in this age, let him/her become a foul that he/she may become wise.
God can not be known through human wisdom. No professor in the world has ever discovered God through research.
Modern civilization is rooted in worldly wisdom and because we live in it, it is easy to be deceit through human philosophies and derailed from our faith by human wisdom.
The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom-(1^st Corinthians 1:25).

THE FULNESS OF GOD DWELLS IN JESUS-(COLOSSIANS 2:9).

If anyone wishes to know God to any extend, he/she will best do it by looking at Jesus.
Wanting to know God the Father to the deepest, you get that knowledge by looking at Jesus. Wanting to know the depths of God the Holy Spirit, you get this knowledge all in Jesus Christ.
In Jesus the fullness of God was pleased to dwell-(Vs. 9). Jesus Christ fully embodies the divine nature and attributes of God. Christ is not merely a representation of God but rather the complete and perfect manifestation of God in human form.
Jesus Christ is not merely a prophet (as some called Him), a teacher (rabbi) a messenger of God or merely a King of the Jews, but God Himself in human form.
Us believers we are only complete in Jews-(Colossians 2:10).
Paul warns the church of shifting their focus from Jesus Christ who is God, to worship of angels. Angels are not to be worshipped. Jesus is God not an angel. All angels were created by God, Jesus is not an angel but is God-(Colossians 2:18).

NO ONE SHOULD JUDGE YOU ON FOOD, SABBATHS, SEASONS OR FESTIVALS-(COLOSSIANS 2:16)

Believers faith should not be judged for their dietary choice or observance of festivals (Easter, Christmas) by others as this goes back to legalism. It emphasizes freedom from religious legalism and shifts the focus of our faith to the grace of God. We are saved through grace, we are kept in salvation through grace. Without it no one would make it to the ideal level of godliness God expects- (Isaiah 64:6)
Foods:- There are cultic doctrines today about what foods God accepts and which He counts as sin. Some teach abstinence from meat, tea e.t.c Paul puts it clearly that this is an extension of the law. No one should pass judgement on a believer based on food- (1^st 4:3).
Sabbath:- Those who are in Christ have already entered into Sabbath (not the Saturday Sabbath day). Sabbath means rest and anyone who has given one’s life to Jesus has already entered the rest God requires (Hebrews 4:9). The Old Testament was a shadow of the ideal substance God required- (Colossians 2:17). Likewise the Old Saturday Sabbath was a shadow of the rest of a believer that God requires. If you are in Christ, you have entered a rest from the many works of the law.

CONCLUSION