Title: “How to walk in freedom in a world constantly entrapping you”
Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23
(Commentary helps listed at the end)
Bottom line: Walk in freedom in Christ and avoid the dangerous ways of the world apart from Christ by remembering who you are and what Christ has done for you.
If I was to yell at the top of my lungs, who would you say that I am? Dave Ramsey? Nope. I’d be Mel Gibson playing William Wallace in the movie Braveheart.
Today we’re answering the question, “How do I walk in freedom in a world trying to intrap me and contain me and control me?“
Opening story:
I was listening to the Knowing Faith podcast with Jen Wilkins, Kyle ?, and JT English. They were all asked what book of the Bible they find themselves re-reading a lot and why. JT, author of Deep Discipleship, answered Colossians. He said in effect, it addresses things we’re going through today and gives us the answer to the philosophies of this world: the supremacy of Christ. A high Christology is the answer to the “isms” of this world.
Would be good to share a story about being entrapped in something of this world like a cult like Mormonism, a conspiracy, false religion like Jehovah Witnesses, Christian nationalism, …
Amazingly, when Epaphras visits Paul who then writes this letter about being free in Christ, Paul is physically in prison!
Story of a little girl enslaved physically and spiritually that led to a Jailer and his family being freed spiritually. See Acts 16:16-38
“Paul recognized that civic freedom did not always equate to authentic liberty.”
“Perhaps this understanding of true freedom was most influenced by his experience in Macedonia with Silas (Acts 16:16-38). As they were spreading the gospel, they were harassed by a young girl who was enslaved in every way. Physically, she was a slave to her masters who were exploiting her for financial gain. Spiritually, she was possessed by a demonic spirit who had seized control of her life. By the power of Christ, Paul instantly freed her from both.
As a result, Paul and Silas were flogged and imprisoned. The Scriptures vividly describe how they were heavily guarded, thrown into the most secure area of the jail, and their feet were shackled with chains. Yet none of these could restrain their hearts from worshiping. As they expressed their praise to God, an earthquake shook the prison, the doors opened, and their bonds were broken. While others may have fled and sought what they supposed was freedom, Paul and Silas continued to operate in the spiritual liberty they had never lost. Paul reassured the jailer that they had not escaped, and the guard responded with a request for true freedom, salvation in Christ.” -Pace, p. 70-71
Paul and Silas, arrested and imprisoned in the most secure dungeon in Philippi, maintained their joyous freedom in Christ despite their outward circumstances. This was because of leading this twice-enslaved girl to freedom in Christ and led others to freedom in Christ as well.
Outline: (based on Willmington)
Paul WARNS 2 churches against 4 dangerous -ISMS or philosophies that rob us of our freedom in Christ.
From railroad crossing signs to skull and crossbones on bottle of rubbing alcohol, we’re surrounded by warnings.
Children need to be taught to heed these warnings while adults need to be reminded that familiarity breeds contempt. -W Wiersbe
Paul gives us 4 warnings against losing our freedom in Christ. (Based on Willmington’s Outline)
Gnosticism (8-10)
Fiction (8): Gnostics diminish Christ to an angel.
Facts (9-10): Christ incarnate was God in bodily form. Jesus of Nazareth was God in the flesh.
Legalism (11-17) “Let no one judge you”
Paul describes the LOVE of Christ (11-15)
We’ve been CRUCIFIED and RAISED to new life with him (11-12).
He has FORGIVEN our sins (13).
He has “CANCELED the charge” against us “NAILING it to the cross” (14-15).
Paul describes the LIBERTY in Christ (16-17). Because of this, believers should not criticize (aka judge) each other…
In matters of diet (16a): Food or drink like alcohol, meat, pork, sugar, caffeine, etc.
In matters of days (16b-17): Sabbaths, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Passover, the liturgical calendar, feasts, etc.
Mysticism (18-19) “Let no one disqualify you”
Fiction (18): Mysticism teaches that God can be KNOWN through 2 METHODS:
Through worship of ANGELS (18a…in addition, myths abound…
.People DO NOT “get their wings” and become angels at death.
Christ was NOT a super angel. HE CREATED angels!
Through seeing of VISIONS (18b)
Fact (19): One can only know God THROUGH CHRIST, who is the head of the body, the Church.
Asceticism (20-23) “let no one enslave you”
Fiction (21-22): Asceticism teaches that one can PURIFY the spirit by PUNISHING the body.
Facts (20, 23):
The spirit cannot be purified by PUNISHING the body. (23)
The believer’s body and spirit have been CRUCIFIED with Christ. (20)
Conclusion
Bottom line: Walk in freedom in Christ and avoid the dangerous ways of the world apart from Christ by remembering who you are and what Christ has done for you.
“Until I first read Colin Urquhart’s book, In Christ Jesus, I had never realized how significant that little word “in” is in the New Testament. Understanding that, as a Christian, you are “in” Christ Jesus revolutionizes how you see yourself, your self image, your identity and how you understand your value to God.”
“Take out a piece of paper, write your name on a piece of paper. Take hold of your Bible to represent Christ. Place the paper in the book and close it. You are in Christ. Where the book goes you go. Where the paper goes he goes. You are not part of the book, but you are now identified totally with the book.” —Nicky Gumbel
Pray
Lord’s Supper, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32
Other
Pace Outline:
Bottom line: “Through the power of the gospel and according to our identity in Christ, we have been delivered from the demands of religious performance and are free to live for his glory through loving obedience.”
I. Our death in Christ releases us from the law. (16-23)
A. We are free from the shackles of reputation. (16, 18)
B. We are free from the bondage of religion. (16-19)
C. We are free from the chains of regulations. (20-23)
All of these admonitions hinge on the conditional clause in v. 20: “If you died with Christ…”
The finished work of Christ
+ Their corresponding participation in his death
= Frees them from the related obligations of the false teaching
Hughes’ outline:
The Guarding of Your Treasure
A warning against legalism. (16-17) “Do not let anyone judge you”
A warning against mysticism. (18-19) “Let no one disqualify you”
A warning against asceticism. (20-23) “Let no one enslave you”
OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS:
“Several years ago Royal Robbins, a professional mountain climber, wrote an article for Sports Illustrated(March 6, 1978) that demonstrates the importance of seeing ourselves and life as we really are. He wrote:
‘If we are keenly alert and aware of the rock and what we are doing in it, if we are honest with ourselves beyond what we know is safe, then we will climb safely. For climbing is an exercise in reality. He who sees it clearly is on safe ground, regardless of his experience or skill. But he who sees reality as he would like it to be, may have his illusions rudely stripped from his eyes when the ground comes up fast.’
This reality is this: ‘In him (Christ) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,’ and him we have been made full (2:9, 10). But we can lose the benefits of that fullness very easily. We can fall to legalism…” -Hughes, p. 292
As I reflect on Tim Keller’s summary of Larry Hurtado’s main points in his book, I see a lot of wisdom to help me lead our church going forward.
I learned about this article while having lunch with Neal McGlohon. He summarized the o
5 points in a slightly different order . Neal shared it this way:
1. The early church was multi-racial and experienced a unity across ethnic boundaries that was startling. (Democrat, Progressive concerns)
3. The early church was famous for its hospitality to the poor and the suffering. (Democrat, Progressive concerns)
2. The early church was a community of forgiveness and reconciliation. (What both sides thinks it’s doing when in fact what we see is fighting for power)
4. It was a community committed to the sanctity of life. (Republican; conservative concerns)
5. It was a sexual counterculture. (Republican; conservative concerns)
MAIN COMMENTARY HELP:
Exalting Jesus in Colossians by Scott Pace
Preaching the Word: Philippians, Colossians and Philemon commentary by R. Kent Hughes
ESV Global Study Bible
Bible in One Year by Nicky Gumbel
Bible Knowledge Commentary
The Outline Bible, Wilmington
Paul for Everyone, The Prison Letters, NT Wright’s commentary on Philippians and Colossians
