EXALTED NATURE

July 28, 2020

 

  1. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6.

 

  1. Praying from: Colossians Chapter 2.

         

Kindness for the Church

“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;

2     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;

3     In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4     And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Saints’ Fellowship

        5     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.

6     As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

7     Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Vanity of Philosophy

8     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.

9     For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10     And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11     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:

12     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.

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

Ceremonial Law Abolished

      14     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;

15     And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Warnings Against Formalism and Mysticism

      16     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:

17     Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18     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,

Dishonoring Christ

      19     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.

Ceremonialism

20     Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

21     (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22     Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

23     Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. “

 

 

  1. THE CONFLICT—vv. 1–5

Kindness for the Church

  1. Problems—v. 1. Paul suffered much for preaching.
  2. Plan—v. 2. Comforted and joined together.
  3. Power—v. 3. In Christ are all treasures of wisdom.
  4. Peril—v. 4. Beware of smooth-talking deceivers.

Saints’ Fellowship

  1. Pleasure—v. 5. Paul continues to pray for these people, plus being with them in the Spirit.
  2. THE COMMAND—vv. 6–7
  3. Right walking. Walk according to God’s Word.
  4. Religious walking. Practicing holiness.
  5. Rooted in walking. Rooted and grounded in His Word.

III. THE CONFUSION—vv. 8–15

Vanity of Philosophy

  1. Deception—v. 8. Be careful you are not spoiled by the various things mentioned in this verse.
  2. Divine—vv. 9–10. In Christ dwells the fulness of the Godhead. We are complete in Him.
  3. Death—vv. 11–13. Buried in baptism. A sign of a death to the old life.

Ceremonial Law Abolished

  1. Destruction—vv. 14–15. Sin against us destroyed.
  2. THE CRITICISM—vv. 16–19

Warnings Against Formalism and Mysticism

  1. Rules—vv. 16–17. The Old Testament had many symbols of the coming Christ.

Dishonoring Christ

  1. Reality—vv. 18–19. Follow God’s way, not man’s.
  2. THE CONVERSION—vv. 20–23

Ceremonialism

  1. The laws—vv. 20–22. The Jewish laws and tradition are not for today. They were for the Jews only!
  2. The living—v. 23. These laws do not help. They only hinder. They bring spiritual pride, which is sin! The Jewish ceremonial laws were for the Jews and the Jews only. Jesus did not teach any of these laws. He denounced these man-made laws.

 

  1. THE AMEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27

16:20         “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

16:24         “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

16:27         “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.”