Colossians 2- The Sabbath

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Let 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: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.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, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, Colossians 2:16-18

Christians are often very confused when it comes to the topic of Keeping the Sabbath” I actually did a whole teaching on this topic on my YouTube Channel. So to first understand this topic, we need to understand , what is the Sabbath? And what does it mean to Keep the Sabbath? If you ask a Hebrew Roots person or Seven Day Adventist, how do you Keep the Sabbath? Most likely they will say, they worship God on a specific day and don’t work

So as you can probably guess, most Christians on Sunday worship God and don’t usually work, so are they still Keeping the Sabbath? Well in a spiritual sense, Yes, but the legalist will say No, you must observe Saturday as your Sabbath. I would like to first start with some more questions, what Covenant are you in? Hopefully you said your in the New Covenant with Christ. Then , when did Jesus or the Apostles command us to Keep the Saturday Sabbath in the New Testament? The fact is nobody ever commanded the Sabbath to be kept in the New Covenant.

In Exodus 31:13, God told Moses “Tell the Children of Israel, to Keep my Sabbaths as a sign between me and You” So who was this command for? The Israelites and why? Because it was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant. As the Apostle Paul teaches here “Let no one judge you in regard to what you eat, or drink, or regard to a feast, new moon or Sabbath” (v16) Why? Because we are in the New Covenant with Christ, we are not in the Mosaic Covenant with Moses. As the author of Hebrews says “He (Christ) is a mediator of a Better Covenant which was established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6) and also says “By calling the covenant New he made the first one obsolete” (Hebrews 8:13)

So what was the purpose of the Sabbath and all the rituals of the Mosaic Covenant? As Paul says here “Which are a shadow of things to come” The Sabbath was a foreshadow of Christ, just as the sacrificial system was a foreshadow of Christ, just as the temple was a foreshadow of Christ. Jesus Christ is our Rest (Hebrews 4, Matthew 11:28)

So how do we keep the 4th commandment? We abide in Christ, we are Born Again in Christ. As Jesus said “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I (Christ) will give you Rest”(Matthew 11:28), Amen!

Colossians 2- Nailed To The Cross

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Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:14-15

Why is the cross of Christ central to our salvation? Why is the cross so offensive to so many people? It’s very simple, because of Christ’s death on the cross, as the Apostle Paul says “blotted out” or other translations say “having canceled the debt” of our sins. Jesus our Passover Lamb is the atonement for the penalty of our sins, without the cross of Christ, there is no forgiveness of sin

The reason the cross is so offensive to the world, is because the world loved their sin. To accept or acknowledge the cross, is to admit or understand our sinful nature. The symbol of the cross is banned in multiple countries throughout the world, why? Because it’s typically countries that reject Jesus Christ as Lord. Those who reject the cross, typically won’t repent of their sins, because they believe they are already righteous by their own account.

To understand the great sacrifice Christ made for us, we need to understand our sinful nature. As the Apostle Paul said “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) When you understand your sinful nature and understand you are deserving of eternal Hell, then you understand how precious the salvation of Jesus Christ truly is. Without sin, there is no need for the cross. Without the cross, there is no repentance. When we look at the cross, we should reflect upon how much God loves you, to take upon the penalty of your sin, and give you the gift of grace

When you truly become Born Again, when you truly repent and turn away from your sin, what happened to your past? As Paul says here it was “blotted out”. Your sin was remembered no more, as the Psalm says “As far as the east is from the west, so far he has removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12) How far is the east from the west? It’s eternal, there is no end from the east to the west, if you tried traveling from one end to the other, you would just keep going in an infinite cycle.

When Jesus Christ said on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) The debt for your sin has been paid, as Paul says “Christ took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross” Your sins have been nailed to the cross with Christ, this is why being saved is a transformation, your old self dies on that cross, and your new self is risen with Christ

Worthy is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world, Worthy is the Lamb who blotted out your sins and nailed them to the cross at Calvary, Amen!

Colossians 2- Circumcision of Christ

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In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12

One of the great questions that arose from our Family Bible studies is “What is the purpose of circumcision”? And while it’s found that there are many health benefits to circumcision, this is why it’s still a standard practice today, ultimately it was a another foreshadow pointing to Christ

The sign of the Abrahamic covenant was circumcision, it was a requirement for males to become circumcised to be in the Covenant, and this command was inherited into the Mosaic Covenant. So is this a requirement for the New Covenant? The Apostle Paul teaches here “You are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands” The circumcision Paul is teaching here is a spiritual circumcision and not a physical one

So , why did God command Abraham the sign of Circumcision? To point us to Christ, you might ask how? As Paul said “Putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ”. So think about the physical act of circumcision , the removal of the foreskin, now apply that in a spiritual sense. When you become Born Again in Christ, you are no longer dead in your sins, the removal of your carnal self now being transformed and led by the Holy Spirit

Notice here Paul then teaches about Baptism, as Paul says “Buried with him in baptism, where also you are raised with him in faith” The symbolism of Baptism is your lowered into the water, a symbol of the death of your old self. And when you are raised out of the water, you are raised with Christ, to walk in the newness of life

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:13

Before you become Born Again in Christ, you are dead in your sins. Notice the analogy Paul uses here, the uncircumcision of your flesh, meaning without Christ you are still physically and spiritually dead. However in Christ, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you become circumcised in Christ spiritually. Your old self dies and your new self is risen to Christ

You will not be saved by physical circumcision, you can only be saved by becoming Born Again through Jesus Christ , Amen!

Colossians 2- Walk In Christ

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As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

When you become Born Again in Christ, it’s not just a one-time decision, it’s a daily walk. As Paul says “You have received Christ Jesus, so walk in him” This is not about joining a club or labeling yourself a “Christian”, this is a total transformation of your life. This is about denying to your old self and becoming totally transformed in Christ

As the scripture says “Rooted and built up in him (Christ)” Our entire life is built upon Jesus Christ. The foundation of our faith is built upon the Rock, The Lord. Whatever storm comes in our life, we are rooted in Christ, whatever trial or tribulation, we are built on the solid ground of Christ alone

Part of the walk, is learning and growing in Christ. As Paul says “stabilized in the faith, as you have been taught”. We build our faith upon the foundational truths and doctrines of Christianity. Christ died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again, all our hope is the Risen Lord

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:8-10

Paul reveals two foundational truths about Christianity here, God is Triune and Jesus is God. As Paul says “For in him (Christ) dwells ALL fullness of the Godhead (Trinity) bodily. What is the Godhead? It’s describing the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) (Matthew 28:19) 

Paul gives the warning “beware lest any man spoil or take captive through philosophy or vain deceit. Part of your Christian walk is not departing from the foundation teachings you have been given through the Bible. Many false prophets will come and say Jesus is not God or God is not Triune, beware of their philosophy or false doctrine. 

Walk in Christ, and Christ will walk in you. When your Born Again, the Holy Spirit, the living God lives inside of you. Walk in a manner worthy of The Lord, Amen!

Colossians 2- Knit Together In Christ

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For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Colossians 2:1-3

It’s been said, the greatest gift you can give to someone, is to pray for them. When we study the Epistles of Paul, we notice a pattern, that he honestly loved his brothers and sisters in every Church, and he prayed for them continually. This should be our example and pattern as believers in our Church and fellow Churches. We should continually be praying for brothers and sisters in Christ unceasingly.

Notice Paul said many of these Christians have not even met him in person, yet he still loved and prayed for them. We often hear the expression “they are with them in spirit” well this is an actual example of that. Even though Paul wasn’t physically at these Churches, he was a part of their community through prayer and teachings. We should use this as an example for our communities also

What was Paul’s main objective? As he says “their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love”. Being a Christian in a godless world is not easy, including the other burdens in life. The Church should be a Christ centered community to comfort and lift each other up. This is why I believe “virtual Churches” are a failure, we need human interaction, we need companionship of other believers. How do you ‘break bread” without the rest of the body of Christ? 

Another aspect of the Church as Paul points out is the teaching, as Paul says “acknowledgment of the Mystery of God” Continually learning and growing in The Lord is part of our Christian walk. We should constantly be seeking to know more about God, this is why we go to hear a sermon and read the scriptures. As Paul shared his wisdom and understanding of Christ with all the Churches , including those he never saw face to face including us!

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Colossians 2:4-5

One of the big issues with Christians today and what Paul warns here “Lest anyone should beguile or deceive you with enticing words or smooth rhetoric. Alot of Christians who refuse to join a Church or community are often deceived by false teachers online. It’s very easy to be persuaded when there is no accountability for the preacher or student. Make sure whoever your listening to , is not deceiving you with false doctrine. 

Find a community of believers, grow with them in Christ, be knit together in Christ, Amen!

Colossians 1- Body of Christ

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Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:24-27

Think about how much God loves you, the Church! Christ suffered and died, to give you eternal life. This same love should be trickled down through the Church, starting with those who are shepherding or leading the Church. Notice what Paul says “Rejoice in my sufferings for You” Who is You? It’s the Church, the body of Christ, the Ekklessia. Paul suffered not only for Christ but also for the Church, why? Because Jesus Christ said the whole law is summed up in 2 commandments, Love God and Love your Neighbor (Matthew 22:40)

We love the Church because Christ loves us, it’s not because we like certain people or because it’s our job, we love the Church because its the body of Christ. As Paul says “The afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for His (Christ) body’s sake, which is the Church” As the Bible reveals clearly over and over again, the Church is the body of Christ. You are not your own, you were bought with a price, you were bought by the blood of Christ and belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Paul was made a minister or servant for Christ for you (The Church). We don’t get called to become Pastors, Preachers, Bishops, ect to exhort ourselves, we get called to serve The Church. Remember as a Born Again Christian, you belong to God, you are part of the body of Christ, you were called to fulfill your role in the Kingdom of God. 

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Colossians 1:28-29

What is the foundational role of our calling? We preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, as Paul says “We preach, warning and teaching everyone in all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus” We warn and teach everyone that salvation is found only in Christ alone. I know most of us Christians take that knowledge for granted, however when you talk to many non-believers, they don’t know the gospel. They don’t know Jesus is the only way to salvation, as Paul also says “How will they hear, unless a preacher tells them” (Romans 10:14)

Has God put a calling on your life? Answer the call, not just for the love of Jesus Christ, but also for the love of the body of Christ, the Church, Amen!

Colossians 1- Reconciled

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And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet wnow hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Colossians 1:21-23

One of my favorites hymns is “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” especially the line that says “Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled“. It’s important for Christians to understand that we were not just unsaved, we were enemies of God. As Paul said “were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind” We were total separated from God because of our sinful nature

So what hope did humanity have? We were stuck in our sinful condition, we were enemies of our Creator, we were depraved and wretched. THis is why the coming of Christ is the good news, the gospel. Christ is our only hope for salvation, Christ is the only way we can be reconciled back to our Heavenly Father. Christ is the only way we can become Born Again through the Holy Spirit. Nobody comes to the Father God except through Christ (John 14:6)

As Paul also said “ God demonstrated his own love towards us, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) Think about that, even though we were enemies of God, even though we were dead in our sins, Christ died for You! The death of Christ paid the penalty of your sins so you can be reconciled back to God our Father

To present you holy and unblameable in his (Gods) sight! Wow , think about that! You know how wretched and miserable you were, but Christ presents you as holy and blameless before The Father! Can you even begin to grasp how much God loves you? Can you even grasp this great gift of grace? We are not worthy of being saved, but Christ saved us anyway, because we were called by our Heavenly Father

So what’s next, after we become Born Again? As Paul says “Continue in the faith , grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” Now that you are made “Alive in Christ”, now begins your walk with Christ. It’s not going to be an easy walk, but we continue or remain in Christ. We won’t fall away because the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, the Law of God is written on your heart, you are a new Creation in Christ, Amen!