Who Are We In Christ? Book Of Colossians part 10
Good morning friends and welcome to part 10 of this study, "Who Are We In Christ?" that we have been doing from the book of Colossians. We want to thank all of you who have been joining us throughout these past weeks. I pray that this year is blessed for each of you, that these studies have encouraged you, and that you have a better knowledge of what the Bible is saying to you and your life. Prayer. If everyone can open their Bibles to Colossians 2:17 and mark that page and then turn to Galatians chapter 3. Last week, we looked at Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy chapter 14 and learned what the laws were on foods that could or could not be eaten, and some of the other things the Israelite's needed to obey. Here is the message for us today. Galatians 3:6-14 KJV Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (8) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (9) So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The purpose of the law was to give to sin the character of transgression and prove man helpless to save himself—not to save man. Man is therefore shut up to faith in the works of Christ our Mediator, as the only avenue of escape from the penalty of a broken law, for Christ has borne the curse of the law for us and we become the children of God through Him, not by any works of our own. Praise God! Jesus tells us in Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God!" Colossians 2:17 KJV Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Apostle Paul is sharing the things that we looked at last week. The Old Testament dietary laws and calendar laws, etc. were a shadow of what was to come. The substance is found in Christ. That is, the fulfillment of the Old Testament types and representations and even those items spoken of in the law, are ultimately found to be fulfilled in Jesus. Praise Jesus. Colossians 2:18 KJV 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, Here we go with some of the beliefs that were happening. Paul speaks of how the Colossians were not to be robbed through improper false humility, the improper worship of angels, and the improper education and reliance on visions. Friends, our faith is supposed to be in God alone. We are to worship no idols. Notice that these things represent the problems that were then affecting the Colossians. Today, the issues are similar, but are also different. There are undo forms of legalism, liberal thought, and false teachings in the Christian church that rob people of their freedom in Christ. We are not under a yoke of slavery. We are free from the requirements of the law and we are free to follow Christ in truth, not in the deception of the New Age, of Cults, or some of the TV evangelists. "Oh no brother Jim, I have been watching preachers on TV. Does that mean I am doomed?" I didn't say that, but it leads me into something that I love to talk about each week. Be in the Bible. Keep your place in Colossians, but please turn to 2 Timothy chapter 2. False doctrines brings bondage. This is why Paul is warning the Colossians not to be defrauded by following false doctrines. Instead, take a stand on Christ as found in the scriptures, not subjective experiences. 2 Timothy 2:12-19 KJV If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (14) Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. If we were to have read verse 3, we would see that Paul's letter to Timothy referred to those following Christ as good soldiers. This is possibly where the old hymn comes from (Onward Christian Soldiers.) Anyone heard it? I loved hearing that song played in church growing up. Church, Those who have work to do for Christ must stir themselves up as soldiers to do it, and strengthen themselves for it in His power. Lean on His strength, not on our own. They must count upon suffering, even unto death, and therefore must carefully train up others in the faith to succeed them who will approve themselves good soldiers. That sounds a bit harsh, but that was the lifestyle of the true followers in Paul's time, and I believe, because of what our media is finally starting to release on what is going on in other countries and starting in the US, we are in the same boat. Amen? Christians are being persecuted. Colossians 2:19 KJV And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Can anyone share what Paul is saying here? Anyone have a guess? He is saying that what was entering into the church was a couple of things. Part of it is that they didn't have an understanding of the Word (Jesus). And not holding fast to Jesus, and that the Colossians need to understand that their strength is found in Christ and also in His body, the church. Turn please to Hebrews 10:22. As Christians, we are not to forsake the gathering together of the people of Christ in the form of the church meeting. Hebrews 10:22-25 KJV Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. This does not mean that if you don't go to church you are in heinous sin. It means that we need the strength and fellowship in the body of Christ and that we need the fellowship of other believers through whom the Spirit of God can and does work. Do we understand this, friends? One point I want to really stress is fellowship. I want to share a quick testimony and I know this lady won't mind me sharing. There was a lady who was faithfully listening in to the services for about a year and she was getting the messages. I knew that she was alone and I knew of some of the issues that she had with another church that she had been going to. Through a few conversations with her and also emails back and forth with a pastor of a church that I did some research on, the pastor welcomed this woman in and arranged for transportation to and from the church, as she does not have a car. And Praise the Lord, there is a loving family there and she is learning. The reason I did this was to get her out of the house and to hopefully get her involved in some fellowship with people. Praise God! Friends, I am going to steer off in a different direction. Different, but all to do with who we are in Christ. As many of you know, on Cross Roads Fellowship we have a group called "Cover To Cover In 2015". I encourage all who are hearing this message, and those reading this on all the sites it is posted on, to be part of this group. Why? To understand the Word of God, but also to prepare you for many false doctrines that are running a muck throughout the world in many church buildings and being aired on radios and TV programs. Please turn to 2Peter 3:16. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, (Talking about Paul, letters) speaking in them of these things; (Here is the Holy Spirit through Peter speaking about Pauls Letters to the church) in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. It's not a good idea to wrestle with the scriptures. Amen? You're going to end up loosing. We see that when we wrestle with the scriptures, we do it to our own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Let me give you an idea where I am going with this. I have been trying for weeks to get this out, and I think this will help all of us. He's talking about people who were steadfast, but when you start listening to the wrong things and you hear people arguing about scriptures, you can be removed from being settled. Now your wondering. Now you're not sure of the truth. If you're not sure, you cannot have faith. When you start hearing people arguing about this verse and fussing about this scripture, you start questioning the Bible. We need to be careful what and from whom we listen to. Church, do you get this? (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Please turn to 2 Timothy 2:15, and we will look at similarities. 2 Timothy 2:15-18 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, (Ooops, what did it say? Study. What should we do? Study the Word of God). a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We saw in 2 Peter, that people who were unlearned and unstable and wrestled with the scriptures. Here we see that the Word must be rightly divided. How do we rightly divide a scripture with other scriptures? Where do you find the answers to Bible questions? In the Bible, Amen? Glory to God. That sounds too simple, doesn't it? Yet people get all confused because this theologian said this and this philosopher claims this and oh this a archeologist says this. Friends, we need to be full of answers. Not guesses, but the truth. People who are unstable and unlearned are not where we need to be studying from. What do the unlearned and the unstable do? We just read it. They wrestle with scriptures and it leads them to their own destruction. When we listen to this nonsense and we were stable and steadfast, we become like them. Now you will be wavering and wondering. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (What are you to do with profane and vain babblings? Shun them? Whens the last time you shunned them? I don't hear anything from you church. That is a long time.) (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: (Friends, catch this. These false doctrines will start eating you like a cancer. Words will get inside of you and eat at you like a cancer. Teachings that are wrong and some that bring on strife.) (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Friends, do we see this? Here we see two who were teaching a false gospel. A gospel saying that other than what yours and my Bibles say. Amen? Paul is saying what these two were teaching was like a canker (a cancer) and it was overthrowing people's faith. Friends, this is saying that they had faith, until they heard these teachings that the end times had already happened. I can think of several cults that teach a false doctrine, and people are clinging to it. Hymenaeus and Philetus were unlearned and unstable, and because there were those who were of faith and they heard these teachings and clung to them, they began to be unwavering in their faith and it was leading them to destruction. Church, these are not my words, we just read them. Overthrowing their faith. "Brother Jim, why are you sharing all this with us?" Because my friends, it's happening all over the world. Man's dumb religion. You've heard me say over and over to be in the Word of God. Daily! Friends, I don't want any of us, me included, to be ignorant of God's Word for our lives. It's medicine to our soul. I am closing now, but I want you to know this. There were many names for God in the Old Testament. God is still all of these.
We love you and want to prepare you for the battle that is ahead of us. Prayer. Communion.
2 Comments
Denny Bluemel
1/4/2015 07:47:12
Thank you, real good study
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Harold Howland
1/4/2015 08:54:32
Brother Jim, the Lord through you is doing a great job in Preaching to your people and myself in preparing them for the days ahead. I enjoyed your Preaching here. You are pleasing the Lord and not man.
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