from the pulpit at Donnels Creek

19 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Old Self, New Self

Date: September 14, 2025
Lord’s Day: 37
Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ
Title: Old Self, New Self
Text: Colossians 3:5-10; Matthew 26:41
 
Opening Remarks
As a pastor, it is my desire to keep the main thing, the main thing.  The MAIN thing here is Jesus Christ, our Savior.
There are certainly moments when SOCIAL matters find their way into the church body and when they do, it is wise for us to consider them and discern what we must do. This week past week is one of these moments.   
On Wednesday I watched with great difficulty and sadness, as the events unfolded in Orem, UT with Charlie Kirk.  Because I watch very closely, every day, social matters, I have remotely followed Charlie Kirk and his organization Turning Point USA, from its very beginning.
I say remotely because this organization has a focus on high school and college age people.  For those of you who are not aware, in about 13 years he grew this organization from an event that had 200 people to 14 events yearly that had 10,000 people.
Charlie would respectfully take questions from audience attendees on a wide range of topics.  I admired him for he was incredibly knowledgeable, humble, respectful, thorough and above all, he represented Christ well.
If I had to think of a modern-day Paul, from Acts, when he would go to the Areopagus and face opposition while standing for truth, it would be Charlie.  He has done this for years, going from campus to campus all over these United States. In these campus’ he would freely exchange ideas and defend the faith.
As you may know, Charlie was shot Wednesday while doing one of these college events.   In my opinion, he was killed instantly and is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior.
In the hours after this incident, I monitored many reactions. Most of that reaction was great sadness.  A significant portion is celebration and mockery.
I wanted to address this with the congregation for several reasons:
Firstly, the description of what happened to Charlie Kirk has been labeled an assassination. I do not agree with this.  Charlie held no political office, nor was he running for political office.  He did support various political candidates through the years.  He also discussed political matters in relation to faith, for so much of our political focus today absolutely bleeds over into morality and matters of faith.
For this very reason, Charlie was not assassinated.  Charlie became a martyr.
Charlie represented the faith and morality of Scripture, and it cost him his life.  There are many people who die as martyrs every day on this earth, but rarely do we witness one this public and in the United State of America. He absolutely, represented Jesus well and also Scriptural truths.
Charlie was just a man. He was heard often confessing freely he was a sinner saved by the Grace of God. Just like you and me he was ONLY perfect in Christ. Every public moment I witnessed, He represented Christ very well. 
Secondly, because of this, I want to pray for his family.  He leaves behind his wife, two daughters and a father and mother.  Because the internet is forever (as far as we know), the video of the husband and father to these children will forever be there for them to see. It is hard for me to fathom this. 
Not only will they have to experience the remainder of their life without their loved one, the videoed events which unfolded Wednesday will be a constantly available reminder.
Thirdly, Charlie did not leave this earth one second earlier than our Lord had planned.  God is sovereign over all things.  He is Almighty, Creator God. There are things regarding His rule that we do not understand and for me, this is one of those things.
This has been hard for me to process. My prayers this week have sounded a little like Habakuk questioning God.
But I trust in the Lord. I have faith in Him. Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” And Psalm 135:6 states, “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the deeps.”
As a congregation this is one of those moments where we must stand firm even when it is difficult to grasp; even when it does not make sense.
I want to pray for the Kirk family and all those close to him; His wife, children, parents, siblings and others.  I also want to pray for this country and its leaders.  The fall out of this moment has an extraordinary possibility to expand into a much more serious matter.
Would you please pray with me?
Lord, we come today with humble hearts and heavy hearts.  The condition of the world around us and even in our own country has been stretched and strained. There are wars and conflicts abroad and at home and we long for peace.
At this moment we pray for the Kirk family and the tragedy that they faced this week.  There is no emotional relief for them for some time to come as this event will play out in the media and courts and in the political arena for the foreseeable future.
We pray for peace for that family.  As I voice this prayer, I do believe that Charlie is with you.  He had all the visible fruit of a devout Christ follower.  Because of this, we pray that you comfort his wife, children, parents, extended family and coworkers.  The visions of Wednesday will remain abundantly available.  We pray for those who were at the event Wednesday, the students and the attendees, that for those who have been traumatized by what took place, you would comfort them as only you can.
We pray for the leaders of this country.  We pray that you, Jesus, as you reign as Lord, that you would act and bring peace.  Help us to trust in Your sovereignty. Strengthen us that You know best. 
May your Church grow in number and influence.  May it grow here in Springfield, in America and in the World.  Isaiah says that of the increase of Jesus’ government and of peace there will be no end, that on your throne you will establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness forever more.  That the zeal of the Lord will do this. We say Amen, come Lord Jesus.
We turn our attention to this text in Colossians and ask your blessing on our time in Your word.  I sincerely ask a blessing upon myself as I deliver these thoughts. 
It is in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
This is the Reading of God’s Word
Colossians 3:5-10 and Matthew 26:41
Colossians 3:5: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 
Matthew 26:41:  “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation”
This has been the world of the Lord 
I would like for you to think about Samson, the Bible character from Judges who was strong.  He had to take a Nazarite vow and his strength was in his hair.  As long as he did not cut his hair he would have miraculous strength.
For just a moment, I would like you to picture in your mind what you think Samson looked like.  There are no wrong answers because we are not told and there are no pictures in the Bible, but just imagine what you think he looked like.  If you need to shut your eyes you can. 
Alright, you have a mental image?  Does he resemble Arnold Swarzenegar?  Does he look like the Rock or Andre the Giant?  Is he really big and muscular?
That was the image I had for most of my life.  When Samson came to mind I thought of a very large (the fit large) kind of man.  But when I consider it further, I don’t think so.  I think Samson looked like every other average man out there during his day. 
If you remember the story Samson defeated Israel’s enemies the Philistines.  They were always trying to find a way to get him so there came Delilah.  Samson was sweet on her and she kept trying to trick him.
What was she trying to find out?  What is the source of your strength Samson?  Please tell me, how are you so strong?
If he were the Rock or Andre the Giant, there would be no doubt that Samson was strong on his own strength. There had to be a mystery as to the source of his power because they tried tricking him many times to get him to reveal what it was.  He was 100% dependent upon God for his strength. (Which is true if he were little or big I just think he was average or small because it baffled people as to how he was so strong.)
Textual Observation
We return to our text of Colossians 3 and we see here in verse 5 that we are to put to death what is earthly in us.  We have been on this section and this verse for several weeks. Today I want to address how can we put to death what is earthly in us?  There is the old self and this new self, what does this mean?
From the beginning I would like to say, the source of the strength Samson had during his time is the exact same source of strength for us to put to death what is earthly in us. It is God!!!!
In our text a list is made of what we are to put to death:
Sexual immorality, Impurity, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness (which is idolatry.
So the issue here is, is Idolatry pointed at covetousness or the entire list?  The answer is yes to both.  In one sense, the way the sentence is constructed, covetousness IS idolatry. 
What is coveting? When you strongly yearn for something.  It is an unusual yearning.  It is not a yearning like, I would like to have a skyline hot dog.  I would like to have that Carhart shirt because it looks nice. To covet is to have such a desire to have a thing that you would sin to get it.  It places that thing FIRST.  Any affection that is before God is an idol.
Therefore, The things that begin that list, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire can be things that are coveted. Also Idols.
Put away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk and lying. The first list is sexual in nature. The second list is anger and speech related.  There is a righteous wrath of God judging these things.  There will be an accounting for these things.
Except, for those whose lives are hidden with Christ in God (3:1-4).  What is true for those who find themselves IN CHRIST they are a new creation. 
The old self looked like one thing, the new self looks like another.
Now, I have some people who are going to assist me today. 
What a beautiful day to have Milani baptized into Jesus.  She has symbolized today this new birth.  We have been given a visual presentation of what happens to the believer.  They are buried and raised just as Jesus was.
I have asked her and some others to come up and help me today. 
Point 1) Your greatest enemy is your sin:
The flesh has desires.  This list that I just read is a reality.  Paul in this letter is telling the believers, put these to death.  HOW CAN THEY DO THAT?
When we gain Christ, we are changed! We are “RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE after THE IMAGE OF THE CREATOR.” (3:10) This Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-27) becomes a part of us.  Our affections change.  (Bring the “Holy Spirit” representative on stage who will be holding the Ezekiel passage)
GOD AT WORK IN MILANI – Just like Samson
This influences your whole life.  You begin to love all things Jesus (at this point put on her new sticky notes that represent the new Milani and separate her from the evil desires). The old Milani dead, the new Milani alive.  She is a new creation.
We (She) are still here on this earth.  We are still in this body.  Our affections changed but we fight.  Christ is our righteousness.  When God looks at Milani He sees Christ.
Point 2) Putting to death our sin (3:5) means there is sin to put to death.  Jesus died FOR our sin, we are to die TO our sins[i]
Milani, and us, have these fleshly desires that just pop up.  They want to come in.
“Hi Milani, can we talk?” NO
“Hey there Milani, you know, if you and I hang out, you will become really really popular.” NO
“Hey Milani. You want that promotion, if you just sow some lies and discord, you can get it.” NO
“Hey there, did you see how wreckless that driver was going. You should roll your window down and give them a few words, that will teach them.” NO
These are tongue in cheek but I know you are aware of how out of bounds our flesh can take us.  It is there. Trying to convince us, go this way!  Do this.
But Paul says, “Kill it.  Put it to death.”
Here is the picture of temptation: Jesus says, “watch and pray that you may not enter temptation.”
Have you ever prayed that prayer?  Lord, do not let me be tempted today.
Peter takes it one step further, he says the devil, your enemy, prowls like a roaring lion.  How many of us would go to the Cincinnati Zoo or the Columbus Zoo if there was a warning that the lion was out of the cage?
No one would go.  Why? Because it is dangerous.  This is the image we need in our mind that for the believer we are to just avoid temptation. (Milani just turn away. Point your back to that which is trying to kill you.
Point 3) The best way to kill sin is to starve it.  When something is getting fed, when it is receiving a steady diet it will live.
Last week when I said I guard my heart, I meant it.  I was not bragging.  It was not false humility.  It is a statement of fact. 
I do not want to feed anything that my flesh may want.  Part of this is gaining the wisdom that the flesh will whisper subtly. Before long, if left unchecked and unguarded, it will be screaming.
The more mature you grow, the more the fleshly desires in your life will bother you. 
“The greatest lie of Satan is this, you can have both Jesus and an unchanged life.” Derek Melton.
You can’t kill sin without reading God’s word.  Find the time of day that works for you.  I don’t sleep much, I am up early.  My best time in early.  Not everyone is like me.  But dedicated the time of day that works for you and read everyday.
Journal and write your thoughts on the passage. One regular practice of mine is this:
I get my journal and write the passage.  I read the passage and while reading it the words or phrases that stick out I write down.  For whatever reason they stick out, write them down. 
Then I write out a brief summary of what I just read.
Then I put heart, mind, soul, strength and write out how this applies to me.  In light of this text, how can I love the Lord with my heart, mind, soul and strength. Take time.  Slow down.  Do not go fast.  Allow God’s word to lead you.
Pray over it.
You can’t kill sin unless you identify it.  Secret sin is the worst.  Maturity will reveal and open you to see your secret sin.  Immaturity will hide it from you.
This is a matter of the old self and new self.  I am so thankful for Jesus and the work of God that reveals these things.  Oh the mercy and patience of God as He works for us and in us and through us.
Let us pray.
 
 
Merciful Father, what a day we have had.  So thankful for Melani and her baptism.  Thank you For the family here at Donnels Creek.  Thank you for Your word.
We come before you asking for a deeper holiness.  Grow us in Christ.  May we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Point to us the things in us that are to die and continue to provide to us the things that give life.
We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Amen
 
The Lord bless you and keep you;25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;26 the Lord lift up his countenance[c] upon you and give you peace.
Go in the peace that Jesus has offered himself for you and me.  May the peace of Christ be with you and on you.
 
 
 
 
[i] Michael Horton, The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way, p. 661

18 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Baggage Claim

Colossians 3:1-10; Matthew 11:28-30
Reading of God's Word
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 
Matthew 11:28-30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Introduction:  
Four dogs – 3 pits and a Berm-doodle.
Ellie May Scab kept picking
Had to make a shirt so she could not get to it
Mentally, while pondering this text this is the issue I kept trying to resolve.
We are as believers saved by Christ.  This means our sins have been forgiven as Jesus has suffered in our place.  This is called substitutionary atonement.  Jesus was our substitute.  He stood in our place and atoned, paid for our sin.
So, what now? 
I have spent last few months going through Colossians 1 and 2 and it addresses how and why Jesus was able to atone for our sin.  We have discussed how new birth comes about as an act of God upon the believer. 
As we opened Chapter 3, the discussion turned to how we are to put to death what is earthly in us.  And we will be addressing some of the more specifics on that today.
You recall the “use to” part of our lives.  We USE to be this, but now we are in Christ, and we are a new creation, we are to be putting to death this sin.
We talk a lot about sin in the church.  This thing that separates us from God.  We talk about what we bring to the table, and it always seems to be a negative. 
We come to church, or we were raised in church, and we hear about this sin in our lives.  We hear sermons and teaching about sin and forgiveness of sin in Christ and how we can live eternally in the good place.
We like this.  We have these things that we have done, said, thought and places we have gone.  We begin to feel this burden in our conscience and in our heart and we have this baggage. (illustration with suitcase full of things below)
Oh yeah, I remember this. I should not have gone to this place
That thing I should not have said
I thought this was a good idea at the time, turns out, not so much
I just wanted them/that person to accept/love me
My heart was so full of anger and hate that I lashed out
I felt justified because all that they/he/she did to me
I am a red head, what did you expect?
I am Irish, what did you expect?
I am a man/boy with urges, what did you expect?
My parents divorced, what did you expect?
I knew it was wrong; I did it anyway.
Do you mean Jesus will take this away?  Jesus will take this upon himself?  Oh, thank you Jesus. 
We take that and receive that grace.  We are so thankful.  We continue to live and then we find in our bag that maybe we picked up some of those old things.  Maybe there are some items in there that are still there.
Next, you have someone like me that teaches sanctification.  That there is instant sanctification, that you are instantly set apart, instantly set aside for holy use.  There is also continuing, ongoing sanctification.  That we are to progressively be made holy. That we are to grow in holiness.  That we spend our lifetime putting to death our sin.
But this is the difficult part – it is like picking scab.  If I keep talking about our sin and how we need to grow, at what point will there be joy in our life as a believer.  At what point is the burden easy and light?
We look in this bag and there is a never-ending supply of baggage.  The content just keeps coming.
I am bringing this . . . again Lord, do you still love me?
I have not grown like I wanted. . . Lord, do you still love me?
I am doing better Lord, but I am still failing. . . do you still love me?
I hope I die on a good day. . . or I hope the Lord returns when I am having a good day.
We never get to a place where Jesus is seen as a light burden.  We are weary.  We are heavy laden.  Where is our rest?  How can we live out these words of Jesus?  How can we experience these words?
If this is you, then you are missing it here.  You are missing it completely.  The enemy is sowing doubt and lies in your mind. 
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  (repeat) 
Did you hear this?  Do you hear this?  How have we died?
 
Textual Observation:
If we are raised with Christ (and we are) in what way have we died?  How were we dead?  If one is raised from, what are they raised?
Previously we began to dig into this language here that there are these textual words that say we are dead in one sense and alive in another sense.  That we are buried in one way and raised in another.
 
What does it mean?
When we are alive in Christ, we are ALIVE in Christ. I really want you to hear this.  Two weeks ago the sermon title was “The Happiest Funeral Ever.” I told you about Dr. Forbes, death just days away from 100.
That was a happy funeral.  But it was not the happiest ever.  You know what the happiest funeral is/was? The day you died and rose with Christ. 
Those who are raised with Christ, will never die. Not for one second.  Not for five minutes.  You will never die.  Two passages we will look at here.
The first is John 11.  In this text we have the death of Lazarus.  Jesus comes to the house where Mary and Martha are.  They are having a funeral.  Martha comes to Jesus v21, Lord if you had only been here, Lazarus would not have died. 
 
“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus says. To this Martha replies, “I know, I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 
 
Then there is this, John 11:25–26, Jesus is talking to Martha, the sister of the man who’s in the grave.
 
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Yes, we die. The text itself says, “though he die, yet shall he live.” But no, we don’t die, because it says in verse 26, “everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Lazarus’s body lay dead in the grave, but Lazarus was not dead. His body was dead. He was not dead. He had not died.
Now here’s the other verse. This one is even more important. Jesus says in John 5:24,
 
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life
Believers in Jesus who keep his word have passed already out of death into life. They now have what’s called eternal life. Eternal life cannot, by definition, stop for a second. It cannot stop. You never lose it. It is eternal. There’s not a five-minute pause in the hospital or anywhere.
 
Repeat after me . . Christ . . . is . . . .my . . . life!
(Now put to death what is earthly in you.) 
Put it to death because it is not you anymore.  You do not put it to death because you are trying to gain eternal life.  You do not put it to death to prove that you are worthy for God’s grace.  (Let me clue you in, you are not worthy of your next breath.   You are not worthy of your next heartbeat, and neither am I)
You are putting it to death because you are not that man anymore.   You are putting it to death because you are not that woman anymore.  You are putting it to death because you have a new love.  You are putting it to death because you have a new life.
Now is it more clear how Jesus is not a burden?  Is it clear how Jesus’ yoke is easy?  He is it.  He is pulling the weight. 
We are not picking scabs here.  When we get to verse 5 and it says, “Put to death what is earthly in you,” and then it begins to make a list. 
That list can look A LOT like the things that were in that suitcase.  It will look a lot like what I brought to the table.  It includes this list and even more.  Paul was just making some examples.
“Put to death what is earthly in you, sexual immorality.”
Well that is a big one. 
When I arrived here at Donnel’s Creek the decision had been made to not make any big changes for about six months.  During this time I would get to know you and you get to know me and I would get to know how things operate. I could observe what is working and what can be improved.
As the sixth month date was arriving I began to work on a strategy of growing this body.  There are TWO avenues that can be a HUGE source of growth and one of them is the youth program.
We have on this lower end of our body these kids that represent scores of more kids that could really be nurtured and matured.  Beth is has done, is doing and I am certain will continue to do a beautiful job with this program.
But I want to give you some insight into what the youth of Springfield, New Carlisle and everywhere in between are facing.
Adult content was something that in the recent past in which you wanted to consume, you had to go somewhere else and get.  Those days are over.
This, sexual immorality covers a lot of ground.  The word used there in the Biblical language is pornea.  It refers to a wide range of things like adultery, fornication, immorality, unfaithfulness, prostitution and in general, any sexual sin.
Paul is making an imperative here: “Put to death what is earthly in you.” Which MEANS that there are earthly things in them. 
As a church, as believers in Christ, we are growing in holiness and we are putting to death what is earthly in us.  If we are doing that as a church, as those from the outside come in, they will ALSO be doing this. 
What are some of the alluring things of the world that is attracting our children.  This is not as simple as counseling them to avoid the back seat on Friday and Saturday night.  Times have changed.
Heard of Only Fans? 
Only fans began in the twenty-teens for content creators.  That you can post videos on how to cook a specific dish.  You can start the conversation and invite behind a paywall and be taught. Content creators could be anything from mechanics to comedians.
In 2020 blew up with adult content and if one says Only Fans, the two are paired.  As of today, 90% of the content is adult.
I have consumed none of it.  I will make a pledge that I guard my heart very closely in this area.  I will not even look at a mannequin in a Vicotria’s Secret window.  It is not arrogance or pride, self-righteousness, it is not legalism, it is self-preservation.  I want to give nothing to the enemy.
So much so, that as I explain to you a Tic Tock channel called Bop House, I would not look at it long.  These are fully clothed girls, 13+ that is headed by a woman named Sophie Rain.
Sophie Rain claims to be a Christian.  She also claims to be a virgin.  She is an adult content creator on Only Fans. 
There are young women all over the country, (14, 15, 17 years old) whose goal is to make it to Bop House in LA.  Why? It super charges their career as an Only Fans model.  It guarantees success.
The girls, fully clothed, post videos on Tic Tock that on surface level just appear to be choreographed dances.  They are fully clothed but revealing at the same time.
This is attractive.  The promise to make tens of thousands of dollars each month and some others flaunting millions of dollars each month is attractive.
One such Bop House resident just recently turned 18.  After MUCH publicity, at 12:01 on her birthday she opened an Only Fans account and three hours had 1 million paying subscribers.  Do you not think that there are young women who will find this appealing?  That they can make major money selling themselves?
There are 1.4 million women on Only Fans.  1.2 million of them are between the ages of 18 to 24.  There are only 10 million total women in the USA between ages of 18 to 24.  That means that 1 out of every 10 (10%) have content on Only Fans. 
There are some models who have made millions.  One in ten girls Yet the average income for content creators is $180 per month.  Most are selling their soul for this.
Who is consuming it?  There are 82 million men in USA. 90% of the subscribers are married.  68% are white.  The overwhelming average consumer is white, married male. 
What is the attraction?  The allure. It is all a lie.  That is the definition of sin.  It is a lie.  It made big promises to Eve, but failed to deliver.  This is true in my life.  There was great hope in the promises sin has made and it has failed every time.
What do we do with this?
We want to grow as a church.  When I pray for this church I pray that we grow spiritually.  That we grow in knowledge.  That we grow knowing Jesus more, that it produces in us a reverent praise and a commitment to grow in our faith.
But I also pray that we grow in number.  As we grow in number, I want to fill these seats.  I am serious when I can see a day when we have another congregation.  It is possible with God.  We can have one in east Springfield.  We can have one in Beavercreek.  We can plant churches all over the region.
This means we will be bringing in people who are hurt by sin.  People who have been lied to by the enemy.  People who have scars.  People who need to put to death what is earthly in them.  People just like you and me.  People who need rest.
Jesus says, come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.
There are people who need this.  We must be a people ready to provide it.
I want to repeat what I said earlier.  Paul is encouraging this people to put to death what is earthly in them.  This is a reality for them.  It is a reality for us and it is a reality for those who come to us. 

17 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - How to Get Away with Murder

Date: August 31, 2025
Lord’s Day: 35
Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ
Title: How To Get Away with Murder
Text: Colossians 3:1-5a
 
 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you
Introduction: 
What “used” to be.
 
Point:
Our minds can be so tied to the past that we forget the present reality. It can be SO CLOUDED from the past to the point that it can CLOUD THE PRESENT. The focus of the mind can be ROOTED in the past and in what ONCE WAS that we fail to see the present.
 
Last week we opened our study of this third chapter of Colossians and the main thoughts surrounded the change in pattern here. The teaching of Paul in chapter 1 and 2 is the work of Christ, the work done outside of the believer.  But now, the focus turns: now that we are in Christ, what CAN we do?
 
What does Paul expect here?  We should kill sin! “Put to death what is earthly in you.”
 
Before we begin, let us seek a blessing for this message.
Textual Observation:
As we open up the text this morning I would like to bring your attention to the repetition.  There is a thought process applied here where essentially the same emphasis is mentioned four times.
 
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
 
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth
 
v.3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God
 
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory
 
Notice the direction of our thinking!
Seek the things . . . . . .ABOVE
Set minds on things. . . ABOVE
Life hidden with Christ . . . . . (in God) ABOVE
Christ appears you will be . . .ABOVE
 
THEREFORE: An Imperative is used here.  This means, Paul is not making a suggestion.  As a result of this, because of this put to death what is earthly in you. 
 
In Plain words KILL YOUR SIN.
 
I would like to build on a thought from last week.  We are in one of two camps, one of two realities:
 
Dead to Christ but Alive in the world.
 
Dead to the world but alive in Christ.
 
Those in Christ are DEAD . . . to the world. 
How is this a reality? 
IN what ways have we died to the world? 
When it says in our text that we are raised in Christ what does that mean?
 
Raised with Christ
I have here with me two certificates.  I was around for both events but only remember one of them.  I have a birth certificate.  It lists where I was born, what time I was born, my parents and my weight and height.  This is a certification that I was born.  If there is any doubt that I had a birth, I was given a piece of paper that documented that my birth was an actual event.
This is an event that I have kept secret for a long time.  My first week here there was a Q and A and one of the first questions was when is your birthday? I was hesitant to give that information and one may wonder why.
In previous years of my life I was associated with the world that likes to overindulge in alcohol.  Of my shortcomings, this was not, is not one of them.  I can’t stand the overindulgence of alcohol. 
Yet at the same time, it is seen as very rude and insulting to refuse if someone wants to buy you a drink. The fix for this situation is no one ever knew when my birthday was.  I kept it to myself. Upon leaving that world, it was a habit that I never let go.
So Tina QUICKLY answered in my place. It made me feel a bit awkward.  I was not offended; it is just that I have kept that information very private and right out of the gate, no one asked what my view of the Millennium was, or my theological stance on Melchizedek, or my view of transubstantiation or con substantiation.
But have no doubt, I was born. 
I have a second piece of paper here of another event in my life.  It is my baptismal certificate. It was given to me decades ago and it states when I was baptized, who did it and where it was done. 
There are a lot of metaphors and analogies being used throughout Scripture that speaks of death and life.  It is said of the believer that they have been “BORN AGAIN”.  “New BIRTH” another term to describe Christ followers. Our text here it says that you have been raised with Christ which is certainly an allusion of death to life.
Does this refer to these documents that I have right here? My brith = real, my baptism = real, is this text referring to ONE or BOTH of these?
 Then you read down a little further it says that we have died, and our life is hidden with Christ in God.  How can we have death and life in the same sentence.  In one regard we are dead and in another we are alive.  This is an odd thing, isn’t it?
I do not want you to forget the context we have here. 
This is one issue with chapters and verses.  These are very helpful when we are all trying to get to the same place in our Bibles.  But they are are hindrance, often, to context. 
 
Chapters and verses were added later to help with the ease of audience reading of texts.  What happens in many instances is we when we are reading Scripture and want to take a break from the text we get to a chapter and stop. 
 
Even in as I have been preaching through Colossians, we had a hard break at the end of chapter 2 and beginning of chapter 3.  Yet there is still a context here.  Chapter 3 does start an ADDED THOUGHT, but the thought comes within the context.
 
The emphasis in chapter 2 was the new birth.  That our, “whole self was ruled by the flesh,” and that it was, “put off when we were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism in which you were also RAISED with him through your faith in the world of God who raised him from the dead.” (2:11-12)
 
Is this referring to a literal baptism or figurative baptism? Not always in Scripture, when baptism is taught or referenced, is it a literal, being buried in the water.
 
Examples of figurative baptism:
“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” 1 Peter 3:21. (This references baptism symbolically. It states that this is not about the literal water that removes dirt but a clear conscience.  This is a thing of the mind.)
 
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6 (Again, a washing that is figurative.  It was done to us, this passage gives a hard glance at Ezekiel 36.  But this washing was a metaphor of work done by God through His Spirit)
 
Is this what is being referred to here in Colossians?  When Paul states, “if you have been raised with Christ,” he is continuing the context from Colossians 2 about burial and raising of baptism. Is this literal or figurative?
 
ODG: Commentators and theologian are mixed. I think it can be both. There is a figurative reference to a circumcision done to our hearts.  A work done BY GOD.  This is not literal.  It is a reality. But it is not a surgery done on our hearts by God. It marks a moment we are forever changed.
 
The fact is, I have two papers here that signify that I was born.  I was born once in Adam and once in Christ.  I did nothing both times. I participated in neither birth other than just being. My baptism in water represented something already done in me.
 
It was God who raised Christ from the dead, the working of God.  It was God who raised me from the dead, the working from God.
 
“Having been buried with him in baptism in which you were also RAISED WITH HIM THROUGH FAIHT IN THE WORKING OF GOD WHO RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD” (Colossians 2:12)
 
This is our context.  “IF THEN you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above.”
 
Mortify Sin
We find the statement in v.5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you” in another place in Paul’s writings.  It appears in Romans 8:13. In English it sounds identical. 
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Don’t those appear to say the same thing?  They do say the same thing but they are to be interpreted differently.  How so?
Last week we revisited sanctification.  This passage that we are currently studying is a sanctification passage. 
Sanctification means, being set apart.  In relation so Scripture, we are set apart by God for holy use.  We are set apart to be holy.
The reason Colossians 3:1-5 is a sanctification passage is, now that we born again, set your minds on things above.  Think on things above.  Here is how we are to think.  Here is how we are to proceed.
Regarding sanctification, it is a one time event in the believers life:
“You were washed, you were justified, you were sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 6:11
It is also a continuing activity. “We are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:16
The action in those passages, the verbs are easier to see in English.  The verb in 1 Corinthians 6:11 is aorist which means it is a completed action done in the past.  It was an event. The verb in 2 Corinthians 3:16 is present tense.  Which in Greek means a present reality but also going on into the future.  It is a continuing thing.
We find that same situation here regarding killing our sin:
In our passage of Colossians 3:5 the verb is Aorist.  Means it was done in the past.  It was a single event.  Because you have been raised with Christ, because you life is hidden with Christ in God . . . put to death. . . One time deal.
But in Romans 8:13, just like Sanctification is a ONE TIME and ONGOING thing, the verb tense there is present tense.  This is an act that you are presently doing and will continue to do. 
IS this not a beautiful thing.  Don’t you just love God’s word? 
We are going to come back to this next week and continue past verse 5.  But I want this to be an encouragement to you.
How is this encouraging.  In both instances (Colossians 3:5 and Romans 8:13) these verbs are in passive tense.  What this means is the Spirit, within us, Is helping us bring this about. 
We are bringing it about, but we are being helped to bring it about.  Oh how this makes me love Jesus more.
I have had to put a lot of sin to death.  I say this not bragging.  I say this because I am like you.  I look back on my years past and I weep.  I hate what I once did.  I hate who I use to be.  I genuinely hate it.
We are celebrating Labor Day this weekend.  Long weekend of work that has been done.  Let’s take a day off and smoke some ribs or fry some hot dogs or hamburgers and celebrate that we have worked.
This passage in Colossians is a work passage.  The work of Christ FOR us.  The work of God in us.  The work we are to do in Christ.  Mortifying our sin.
 
 
 

16 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - The Happiest Funeral Ever

Date: August 24, 2025
Lord’s Day: 34
Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ
Title: Happiest Funeral You Will Ever Attend
Text: Colossians 3:1-5
 
Introduction:  
Clarence Forbes was born in 1901. Coming from a farming and snowy background in northern New Hampshire, he entered Bates College in Maine. For his freshman year he registered for five courses in Latin, Greek, German, French, and English, to the consternation of his classmates (who didn’t think he could survive such a rigorous schedule). He not only survived, but earned his Phi Beta Kappa key and became enamored of a lovely coed, Florence le Maire, from a French family in Maine.     In 1924 they began 63 years of married life, raising five children. Clarence always referred to his wife as “the Best of Maine.”
 
After his marriage, he received his master’s degree while studying under William Abbott Oldfather, the distinguished professor of classics at the University of Illinois. Clarence continued his graduate work and earned his PhD four years later. He then took a position in the Classics Department at the University of Nebraska. After twenty years at Nebraska, he moved to Ohio State because he feared that Nebraska was about to make him a dean. As he wrote at the time, “I just wanted to teach!” He remained at Ohio State as a faculty member until his retirement in 1971.
 
Calrence Forbes died in August of 2001, only a month and a half short of his hundredth birthday.  I was at that funeral in 2001 and I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was the happiest funeral I had ever attended. 
 
You may ask, in what way was it happy.  Dr. Forbes was days away from being 100.  The wife he met in college was wearing a red sweater when they were first introduced.  After her death in 1987 every day he wore Santa Clause red socks, in memory of her. He had lived 14 years after the love of his life had died.  Additionally, he had outlived all of his friends.  He was ready to go and everyone knew it. 
 
This was the happiest funeral I had ever attended.  There were some tears, he was a beloved family member.  But at the same time, there were many smiles. 
 
We come to our text today and see a funeral that even tops Dr. Forbes.  How is this a happy funeral? “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  Yes, this is a most joyous reason to be happy. 
 
We have spend much time in Colossians chapter 1 that sets up the foundation for this letter.  Then in Chapter 2 spells out the problem.  We discussed various theological matters along the way.
 
Specifically, I have shared all of the things that as believers we could not do.  We cannot earn our salvation.  That even the faith that it took for you to believe is a gift of God.  Last week we spent much time discussing how Christ filled you.  That you did absolutely nothing to save yourself.
 
Where does that leave us?  Do we continue to do nothing?  Are we continually passive? 
 
Our passage today links the doctrinal portion of the letter to the practical portion of the letter.  There is a NEW NATURE that occurs in the believer and it becomes a motivating factor in their growth.
 
Let us pray before we dig into the text:
 
Back in 2012 I had a clean up job.  It was clearing out a unit and I came upon this baggie of goodies. 
 
The owner of the unit was obviously a retired deputy as well as a fire chief.  It appears as if he had both jobs and this bag was full of his police and fire ID’s. 
 
It took me back to when I was in high school and there was this show on NBC, Miami Vice.  If God would give me another life back then, I wanted to be Sunny Crocket.  Sometimes, even today, when we check in at a restaurant and there is a wait list, I will give them the name, Sunny Crocket. 
 
Sunny Crocket was handsome, I was not.  Sunny Crocket drove a sweet car and dressed nice and had great hair.  What he also had on occasion was his police badge that he wore around his neck on a dog chain necklace.
 
Guess what was in the bag?  Oh yes, my chance to be a little closer to Sunny Crocket. I would put that on my neck and Tina would see it, “What are you doing?  Get that thing off before you end up in the clinker impersonating a police officer.” For a brief moment, I was Sunny. 
 
Now, I ask the question, and I know the answer.  Does this badge make me Sunny Crocket?  Does this badge make me a deputy?  The answer is no, and in fact, if I were to pretend, in public, in anyway that I am a police officer, I have committed a serious crime.
 
Even though I have the badge I have no authority.  We give authority to certain people to uphold the law.  So much is this the case that in older films or on tv, during a police chase they would say, “Stop! In the name of the. . . .law.”
 
This is the authority that they have. Because these officers have gone through a process where they get trained and make oaths they become representatives of the law.
 
We begin to see this same principle in our text today.  We have spent much time in chapter 1 and 2.  We see the authority of Christ in these passages.  We have labored quite a bit on how our relationship with Christ began and there is NOTHING we can do.
 
Jesus fills the cup.  We don’t fill it at all.  He filled your cup and my cup from start to finish in this work in our lives. 
 
But last week, for those who were here, you may have seen the glass of water and you heard my words.  You heard my deliberations in my head from 30 years ago. I have to do something in order to be saved right?  Do I not play a part?
 
In terms of salvation, new birth, regeneration, new creation, your life as a Christ follower, disciple of Christ, it began 100% without you.  It is by grace.  This is that which we have been discussing. 
 
God says, in this new covenant, I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean.  He did it.  He says in this new covenant I will take your rock hard resistant heart and give you a heart that does not resist me. 
 
See that?  Without the work of God we would resist Him.  I will put my Spirit in you and cause you obey me.
 
See that?  Without the Spirit, we have no desire, no ability to obey.  This is the work of God.  It is a beautiful work of God.  This is the jar filling the cup.  Bottom to top.
 
What about now? 
 
“You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
 
Sanctified.  What does that mean?  Set apart for holy use.  You were made holy.  Just like the instruments in the tabernacle were set apart for holy use.  They were sanctified.  God set them apart.
 
You have been sanctified.  In the name of the the Lord Jesus Christ.  There is your authority. 
 
We come to our text,” IF then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (3:1)
 
Here is a switch.  It is something you can do.  Up until now we have been solely speaking in terms of what has been done for us. These opening 4 sentences reveal to us what we are now.
 
When you have been taken hold of by Jesus Christ himself, then at that very moment you:
 
Obtain faith and by that faith they receive Justification and the adoption as children (Rom. 3:22, 24; 4:5; 5:1; Gal. 3:26; 4:5)
The Assurance of sonship by the witness of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:15–16; Gal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30)
Those who are called are also immediately, by faith, included in fellowship with Christ, buried & raised (Rom. 6:3ff.)
Made alive with him (Eph. 2:1, 5)
Conformed to his image (Rom. 8:29–30; 1 Cor. 4:15–16; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19).
Christ lives in them and they live in Christ (Gal. 2:20).
Since by his resurrection Christ was made a life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 3:17)
Has received the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 5:5; 8:15; 1 Cor. 2:12; 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 3:2; 4:6; 5:18),
The Spirit lives in them (Rom. 8:11)
They live in the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:2, 4–5, 9).
By faith Christ or his Spirit is the author and origin of new life in those who are called (Gal. 3:2; 4:6)                        
They are very different, new, and spiritual people. The old has gone; all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17).             
They have passed from death into life (Eph. 2:5; 5:14; Col. 3:1).
They have been crucified to the flesh and to the world (Gal. 5:24; 6:14).
They themselves no longer live, but Christ lives in them (Gal. 2:20).
They are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17)
God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10).
They walk in newness of life, are now temples of the Holy Spirit, and are led by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 6:4; 8:14; 1 Cor. 6:19; Gal. 5:25).
 
This is every believer.  You have been deputized.  You have been given authority IN CHRIST.  I can’t look at this and not get a little excited. 
 
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, no on things that are on earth. FOR YOU HAVE DIED . . .” (1:1-3a)
 
That old you is no longer you.  In fact the old you compared to the new you:
                       
Alive in the world but dead in Christ
                        Alive in Christ but dead to the world
 
The is the happiest funeral you ever attended was when you died to this world.
 
Everything you could not do before Christ, you have been set totally free to do now. 
 

15 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Filled

Date: August 17, 2025
Lord’s Day: 32
Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ
Title: Filled
Text: Colossians 2:8-23
 
Introduction:  I recall many years ago someone taught me a lesson that too me another twenty years to learn.  I heard what they were saying but I did not completely understand it till much later in life.
 
I place before you a glass which represents the life of a potential believer.  We are going to define grace.  This can be a rhetorical exercise.  So, if this cup is the believer, water equals what has to be done to save you. 
 
In other words, what do you bring to the table?  For instance, if you are 20% does God bring 80%?  Or if you are 50% is the remaining grace needed 50%?  How much does Christ fill? 
 
At the time I looked and I reasoned, well I do my part and Jesus does His part and I am saved.  That was the tools I had been given to interpret Scripture from an early age on.  But is this reality?  Is this what Scripture teaches?
 
I focus on this a lot because I find that in church congregations and in individual Christian lives there are often one extreme or the other on this issue. 
 
On the one end I will use this image to define it: Donkey from Shrek.  Have you seen Shrek?  It was a brilliant cartoon film that is now 25 years old.  Shrek and Fiona’s ugly children are now out of high school, out of college and in the work force. 
 
In Shrek you had Donkey.  All he wanted is for Shrek to like him.  He did everything in his power to make Shrek like him.  He just kept hanging around, kept following him, everywhere Shrek went there was donkey. 
 
Donkey tried to do things for Shrek to prove his worth.  He was trying to show Shrek that without him, he would not be complete. 
 
Donkey was in awe of Shrek.  If Shrek had given Donkey the open arm of fellowship from the beginning, I do not know if that would have changed Donkey’s feeling of inadequacy.  He was constantly trying to impress Shrek with his importance.
 
Yet, there was another side of Donkey, another ego, another personality.  It was what he really wanted to be. (Shoe the white stead.)
 
The stead is the exact opposite of Donkey.  Donkey saw himself as slightly below average in looks, the stead is a 10 out of 10.  The stead is tall, donkey is short.  The stead is strong, Donkey is weak.  The stead is brave, Donkey was most of the time a coward.
 
The stead did not need a friend in Shrek.  Everyone would want to be friends with stead.  The stead being handsome would attract a beautiful mate that is thrilled to be with him, donkey was being pursued by and ugly very large dragon. 
 
What I find in myself at times, in others, and in congregations are there are people that fill these roles.  There are times we just want Jesus to love us but we know us and we have seen our failures.  We know what we think sometimes.  We know what we have done, what at times we want to do and sometimes what we continue to struggle doing. 
 
If I could just get myself in a position for Jesus to love me.  If I could just do my part.  Maybe if I just hang around Jesus A LOT, maybe if I just keep pushing what I am good at, maybe He will love me.  I just need to prove myself and be really good and show that I would be a good friend of Jesus.
 
Then the other extreme happens when we fail to see all the ways we fail.  Maybe there is not an outward failing.  But we fail to see that while we may not have said profane words out loud when we were in traffic or in a specific place, we certainly said them in our heart.  But we can overlook that right?  I did not say them out loud . . .and then with the same inward voice pray to God in our heart.  The same voice that yelled outrage or held anger or harbored wrong desire is the same heart that utters silent prayers. 
 
For those who have been in church most of their lives, this can be true of them.  Jesus loses a little luster and we become a bit more the captain of our righteousness.  We become less like Donkey and more like the steed. 
 
My hope today as that we get a very healthy look at Jesus.  I want us to see his deity, his authority and His sufficiency in our lives. 
 
For Donkey, he is full of awe but lacks the seriousness of the situation.  For the steed, it is the reverse for he lacks the awe but understands the seriousness of the situation.
 
The woman who anoints Jesus understands both.  She is in awe of Christ and also gets the seriousness of his work and ministry. 
 
What she realizes is what we must realize that we fill no part of this glass.  Jesus completely fills us.  Jesus (2:19) who is the head and holds us together, also fills us (2:10) but there were some (2:18) who were teaching that there was something they could do, apart from Christ, on their own, that would grow them.
 
Faulty Doctrine = Faulty Reality
There were elemental spirits of the world (2:8, 20), demonic teaching that were causing the believers to take their eye off Jesus and begin putting it on themselves.  How so?
 
What can I do to fill my glass?
Can I eat/not eat certain food to get me closer to God?
Can I celebrate a certain holiday or feast and that get me closer to God?
Can I fast/deny myself in someway to get closer to God?
 
In reality NONE OF THIS WORKS.  Jesus stated it best in Mark 7:1-8 that the heart of the problem is a problem of the heart.  Our issue is the flesh and none of these things just mentioned and will be mentioned again shortly, will fix a spiritual problem. 
 
These things can help make you appear spiritual but at the same time, you become prideful and arrogant.  The only help is Jesus.  How so?
 
Our passage today points that proper doctrine produces a proper view of God’s work in our lives (2:8, 16, 18, 20-23).
 
Rather than look at self, our passage lists three things.  We will look at three pieces of Christ’s work in:
The diety of Christ (2:10a)
The authority of Christ (2:10b, 15)
The Sufficiency of Christ (2:11-12, 13b-14, 17 and 19)
 
The deity of Christ (2:10a) points back to 1:15-20.  We spent several weeks in this passage working our way through how Jesus is fully God and fully man. 
 
God was pleased to dwell bodily in Jesus.  He was pleased to dwell there, much more than an O.T. sacred building. This tabernacle pointed to Christ.
 
The sacrifices and the holidays all pointed to Christ.  Christ was the fulfillment of these things.
 
The influence that the Colossian church was receiving made promises that failed to deliver.  Jesus never failed and never fails.
 
His authority is profound.  The picture that is being painted here by Paul is so very powerful (2:15).  He disarmed the ruler and authorities and put them to shame by triumphing over them.
 
The picture here is what the Roman army would do in victory.  The conquered soldiers were stripped of their clothes and weapons.  Then they would march them in public.  Completely naked and disarmed they were shown to be in total defeat. 
 
Compare this to what led up to Jesus’ darkest hour.  As he was mocked and put through sham trials, then beaten beyond recognition, stripped naked and made to carry a cross through the streets of Jerusalem. 
 
Isaiah 52 says that He was so beaten that he did not even look like a man.  They gambled for his clothing.  When I read account of the woman who anointed Jesus with oil, this was just literal hours away from his crucifixion.
 
I have pondered the difference between cheap and expensive cologne/perfume.  Through the years Terrell, who has worked with me a lot, have had conversations about this.  We would find a scent that we like but it does not last.  Even if you can find a cheap version, let’s say Polo Black, which sells for about $100 for 6 oz. that you can find similar size with same scent for $15.  The difference, it does not last.
 
You can spray and it smells great but it only last a few minutes to a few hours.  He and I would say, what is it that the expensive one has that make sit last.  The pricey scent will last all day.
 
He found out the answer and it is because it has to ferment.  Like fine wine, it is not so much the ingredient but the process.  It has to sit in the dark for a period of time and then it can be sold because something happens during that time.
 
This woman brought expensive perfume and anointed Jesus with it.  How expensive?  A year’s wages.  An entire year wages is poured on him in a matter of seconds. 
 
I have thought about this on many occasions.  Because it was expensive, maybe, just maybe there was a hint of aroma as he was paraded through the streets.  Maybe there was an occasion that remnants of that perfume she sacrificed for him could be detected as He was sacrificed for us. 
 
As Jesus was being led through the streets being humiliated it was actually the beginning of the end for the demonic forces.
 
We are being led by Christ triumphal procession.  We are the aroma of Christ.  As he ascended on high, he took many captives (2 Cor. 2:14; Eph 4:8)
 
The deity of Christ, the authority of Christ and the sufficiency of Christ is no match for our measly efforts at spirituality. 
 

14 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Established

Date: August 10, 2025
Lord’s Day: 32
Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ
Title: Established
Text: Colossians 2:8-15
Many years ago I was on an out of state move, driving and thinking.  I began to consider the long stretches of time I am away from home.  I thought, ya know, I could have a complete other family or marriage or relationship and the family and Tina would not know.  I am sure eventually it would come out, that is why we have Dr. Phil and Jerry Springer.
 
As I thought about it more I considered all the time that I spend going to estimates.  I have gone all over central ohio and as far away as Kentucky to do an estimate for a job.  Again, gaps of time where I am unaccounted. 
 
One of the members of our family that you have yet to meet, and most likely won’t, is Loretta.  That name will get Tina’s attention pretty quickly.  She is not a fan of Loretta and you will know why as I explain her.
 
So I thought I would be cute.  When Tina would ask me where I was going I would say, “I am going to see Loretta.”. She would scowl.  On the way out the door if she did not ask, I would say, “Hey, Loretta and I are going to meet up.”
 
This became so catchy that even my son-in-law Matt began meeting with Loretta’s sister. 
 
Now in reality, there is not Loretta.  I hope you know that.  But as time passed I began to consider what I was doing.  Sure, I was trying to be funny.  I was making efforts to be cute and keep Tina on her toes.  She would argue with me and I would just say, “You keep treating me like this, I will go live with Loretta.”
 
One morning a couple of years ago I was sitting in my office and I was thinking about Loretta.  In reality, I was making a joke out of something very serious.  In fact, it was so serious that in addressing it God made a commandment.
 
So I decided that maybe it was good for Loretta to disappear.  We have a family text that includes a bunch of people and all of them knew Loretta.  So the best way for Loretta to disappear is to announce it on there and this is what was written:
 
Loretta Smithereens, 29 of Timbuktu, Ohio Died peacefully in her sleep September 18.  At her side were a variety of stray cats that she attracted through the years.  Her passing was caused by a broken heart encountered when the love of her life reasoned that maybe joking around about breaking a commandment is not as funny as originally thought.  She leaves behind one child who will inherit all her prized collections including a full set of professional bowler Art Bigotti collected plates and various knock off  Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Burberry handbags.  The loss of Loretta comes as a sudden end.
 
Now, occasionally, remnants of Loretta laughter pops up and you may ponder why I open our time with her today.  It is because I wanted to focus on one particular part of my marriage to Tina (which isn’t joking about adultery). 
 
Tina and I both met at Graces Garden at Schiller Park in the German Village area of downtown Columbus, Ohio.  Pastor Doyal Jackson officiated the ceremony and did a wonderful job.  As a part of that ceremony we repeated some vows of covenant commitment and then exchanged rings.
 
I can’t recall exactly what Doyal said but it is not uncommon for the wedding officiant to say something about the ring being a sign of marriage.  Sometimes they will say, the ring is round and never ending which is what our love should be for the other person. But that is the gist of the ring. 
 
When you look on Tina’s finger and my finger you will see a ring.  These rings are a sign that we are married.  When you look on the hand of a woman or a man and you see a band on the appropriate finger, it means they were married (or widow(wer) were at one time married).
 
No person with their mental faculties would look at the ring and say, that ring IS the marriage.  The ring is a ring.  The ring can’t do anything.  It is just a ring. 
 
However, the ring represents something.  It represents that this person is married.  They have taken vows of commitment to each other.
 
We come to an interesting passage today that builds on where we were last week.  We are looking at Colossians 2:8-15 and the center (where we will spend most of our time) is 2:11-12.
 
It is here that Paul mentions two things, circumcision and baptism.  Why would he speak on this?  How are they related?  They are both signs.
 
Just as my ring is the sign of my marriage to Tina, these two ceremonies are a sign of something.  This will be our focus today. 
 
(bless the message)
 
Review:
Last week we spent our time in 2:6-7, “As you received Christ, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”.
 
How did we receive Christ?  Grace.  We are surrounded by fields full of plants.  When the farmers around us, all the way back in April and May, took to their fields, they planted seed.  We are seeing the result of that planting now.  Corn plants have grown all over. 
 
The Corn is ROOTED.  It is rooted because it the seed was planted.  No brainer right?
 
That points to us.  As you received Christ, so walk in him.  God planted the seed.  If God had not planted to the seed we would not grow.  It is an act of His divine grace and mercy. 
 
So the point last week was, as you received, so walk.  Receive by grace, grow by grace. 
 
2:8
Then Paul continues: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according the human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ.
 
There were influences in that church that were pushing the “Christ AND” theology. It was happening then, it is happening today and it has happened through out time in between then and now. 
 
I grew up in a denomination that taught Christ AND baptism.  We are going to address baptism today.  Let me be clear, baptism is a sign of saving faith not the source/case of saving faith.  Just like our wedding ring.  It is the sign. We are not baptized TO GAIN salvation.  We are baptized because we have received salvation.
 
This is the warning from Paul to the Colossian church.  Be careful of what teaching you hear.
 
Deceitful and harmful leading can come through enticing and deceitful words. He was teaching them, be careful. 
 
The word here for Captive (NIV, ESV, NASB, CSB) is actually to take off as plunder, like in the spoils of war.  That is the word picture that Paul is painting. Don’t be captured. 
Do you defend your faith like this?  I ask this not as an indictment but often is the case in my life I have not.  I would like to say that I take it a lot more seriously now. 
 
Do you defend against the way the world reasons?  How does the world reason?
 
A coupe of weeks ago I went to the ATM and withdrew $500. I was going to take care of an obligation and big bills were perfect.  I chose, fewest bills and then the money dispensed and I drove home.  It was not until later that I realized that the ATM had given me $600.  It was $100 more than what I had punched in. 
 
I opened the banking APP and made sure I did not miss key and sure enough it said, $500.  So I was like, well, Now I have an extra $100.
 
THIS IS HOW THE WORLD REASONS IN THIS situation.  What is the worldly philosophy for this extra $100. 
 
It is the Bank’s error.
God wants you to have that apple product you have had your eye on.
The Bank has tons of them, they will never miss one.
God blessed you with that $100.
This is repayment for some good that you did at some earlier time (Karma)
 
A few thoughts went through my head but the chief thought was, If the ATM had shorted me $20 you know for a fact I would be at that bank the next day pleading my case.  If they had my $20, they are certainly going to want their $100.  I decided to take it back.
 
The next day came and I had on my chores, go take care of that obligation and then take the $100 back to Huntington Bank.  But much to my surprise when I was paying my bill, I gave them a stack and they checked to make sure I had not just printed these puppies up on the HP.  One of them showed counterfeit.
 
It was that extra $100.  Not certain what happened in the dispensing at the ATM but in some way, a fake $100 was undetected.  Fortunately, I was able to pay my bill and get on with the day.  But I called the bank and let them know the whole story.
 
Many of you may be aware of this fact already, but when they train agents to spot counterfeit money they do not deal with a lot of fake bills.  They have them study a real $20, $50 or $100 bill.  Agents spend 12 to 14 weeks in their training and then add to it on the job training.  They know what a real bill is and can spot a fake right away.
 
As believers, we are to defend against the counterfeit. The best way is to spend time in this word.  Not being led away as spoil of war.  We can detect when the enemy is infiltrating.  Spending time with Godly teachers and writers.
 
If this time, on Sunday is the only time you are being fed, be prepared to be deceived.  I say this not to shame you.  I say it to alarm you.  I say it to encourage you to take time every day.  (plug the 31 day Proverbs study here if they need help)
 
Here is the deal on our opening verse 8.  There is nothing wrong with philosophy.  The word is Philo (love, you know it as Philadelphia the city of brotherly love), and the other word Sophia (knowledge).  Love of knowledge.
 
Paul is warning against empty knowledge.  Deceitful knowledge.  There were those trying to lead the people astray with empty and deceitful knowledge.  Namely, that if they do certain things along with faith, they would be saved.  This is counterfeit.  This is wrong.  This is deceit.
I absolutely love theology and studying theology.  This is no credit to me.  I grew up hating reading.  I could not stand books.  I avoided books as if they had a disease that would kill me.
 
When God saved me there was a progressive fire that began to burn inside of me.  I began to see the beauty of Christ in theology.  It drew me into the language – I hated to language.  I hated studying English.  I got by with Spanish.  Just enough to do the bare minimum. 
 
The door opened to people like R.J. Rushdooney, Abraham Kuyper, John Owen, Herman Bavinck, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Greg Bahnsen and Gary Demar and the list goes on and on.  This is the work of God.  I will tell you without Him, I am lazy when it comes to study.
 
But you don’t have to love these things to be a believer.  Paul’s words to these people were not that they had to know all the weeds. I like the weeds because it gives me a great appreciation, awe and respect for God.  When I see how it all fits together.  It is a thing of beauty. 
 
Here is the summary of the Gospel: Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  This is the Gospel.  This is it. 
 
You don’t have to know philosophy, theology or psychology.  That is the gospel message and the basic kindergarten knowledge. You know this, you can spot a counterfeit.
 
They were being fed a counterfeit.  They were being told here is what saves you, Jesus AND. . . They were too young, they were too inexperienced to notice the counterfeit and if it was not for Epaphras who went to Paul and brought him into the loop, they would have remained unwise to this.
 
There were most likely Jews who were telling them that they needed to be circumcised to receive the Grace of God.  You need Jesus and circumcision.
 
This type of teaching says that the gift of faith in Christ’s atonement is not enough.  You have to add to it.  Which in reality means that if you are adding to it, then God owes you.  It makes God in debt.  God will never be in debt to no one.  But when you say, if you do _________ then you are saved.  Whatever goes in that blank is a act for which you have earned salvation.
 
Paul does not stop there.  He deals with this circumcision thing.  Which in our day we can’t understand why this is a repeated topic in the New Testament.  It is a private thing we should not talk about in church.  Why are they constantly bringing up this private issue.
 
So what was the beginning of circumcision?
 
God calls Abraham in Genesis 12 out of Ur. Tells him I will make you a great nation, I will give you a land and all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.  Abraham and his wife Sarah did pack up and go but they had no children. After some time passed they still had no children which is a point of issue Abraham brought up before God. God reassures Abraham, you are going to have a child.
 
After a little more time passed a third time Abraham is told by God that he will have a child. This time a sign is given to Abraham that he and future generations were to partake.  That sign was circumcision. 
 
All boys from infancy were to have this sign.  They were marked with the sign of being in the covenant community.  But why there?
 
Scripture does not say directly but does make implications which can’t be ignored:
 
Francis Turretin offers this observation: “It was fitting that the sign of the covenant be impressed on that part by which sin is propagated, to show that from generation to generation all are corrupt and need the grace of God.
John Calvin emphasized the symbolism of marking the organ which the promised seed would come. He highlighted that the reproductive organ was intentionally chosen because it represented the covenantal promise of descendants.
The physical cutting away was a vivid picture of the removal of sin’s defilement (Dt 10:16; Jer 4:4)
It foreshadowed the work of Christ. The shedding of blood in circumcision pointed forward to the ultimate shedding of Christ’s blood which would totally cut away all sin (Col 2:11).  The circumcision made without hands is Christ work applied to every believer in regeneration.  Jesus was the promised seed.
 
This is how all the nations of the world were blessed through Father Abraham.  Yet there were those who put more faith in the act of circumcision than in what it represented.
 
We have a new covenant now and a new covenant sign. Every believer receives this circumcision of the heart.  This was the heart of the message last week.
 
Paul says, go back to the beginning.  As you received Christ, so walk in Him. 
 
Each of us who are believers have this mark on our hearts.  It is an act done by God.  As Peter preached to the masses on the Day of Pentecost, they had this mark placed upon their heart.  How do I know?  They asked, what shall we do?  They understood the depth of their sin.  They felt this.  The Spirit had worked in them.
 
This is on of the Spirit’s works.  Hearts are convicted and turn to the Lord.  It is the circumcision made without hands.
 
As I look at this passage I pondered, is Paul referring to something metaphorical or literal?  My first take was, this was not literal baptism nor was it literal circumcision.  Like 1 Peter 3:21, it speaks of a figurative baptism.  (All the works in this passage are done by someone else and not the person to whom they are done.
 
2:11 the circumcision is done without hands (Spirit)
2:12 The faith and the raising is the powerful work of God
2:13 We were dead (not half dead like Princess Bride but fully dead) God made alive
 
All of these activities were done outside of the believer. 
 
Looking at some other theologians I found that John Murray, A. Hodge, Douglas Moo and F.F. Bruce agree that this is not literal baptism.  However, John Calvin and Louis Berkhof and Herman Bavinck affirm that it is speaking of literal baptism.
 
I believe in this case, it can be both.  It is speaking about the literal reality of covenant signs and presents them in their metaphorical sense.  In this case it is possible to be both.
 
But most importantly is what does this represent.  I have a ring.  I look on my finger and there is a sign that I promised to love and be faithful to a woman.  Those in the world can look at that ring and see. 
 
You and I have two signs in our covenant with God.  You have been baptized and your heart has received the circumcision of Christ, made without hands.
 
This is the Ezekiel 36 heart change.  You are not sinless but your life is forever changed in Christ.  There is no outward sign that will MAKE you a believer.  It is only a heart that God has so worked in that it begins to love Jesus and be so changed that obedience is first and foremost important.
 
It points to Christ who has taken our record of debt and cancelled it(2:14).  The picture provided here is this record of debt being nailed to the cross.
 
Two pictures here:  Those who were crucified typically had their charges nailed to a sign above them.  Jesus stated He was the king of the Jews.  That is what they put up there. 
 
On your cross, the cross you and I deserved, our charges.  Jesus died for those charges.  He took the punishment we deserved. 
 
Additionally, there is evidence that this was literally done in the time of Paul’s writing.  That when a debt was paid, the person to whom the debt was owed would drive a nail in the contract.  Sometimes they would cut it up but it was a public activity that it is known, the debt is paid.
 
Jesus paid our debt.  He was nailed.  He was the means by which we had our debt paid. 
 
 

13 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Rooted

Colossians 2:6-7; Luke 18:9-14

12 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ -Wisdom and Knowledge in Christ

Quite possibly the first reality program was Gilligan’s Island.  Of course I know that it is a scripted television show and that is the opposite of what they tell us about reality T.V.  They tell us that it is unscripted but if you have watched any of these shows they place on set people who are opposites and then throw gasoline on the cast waiting for explosions.
Consider if you will the cast on Gilligan’s Island. There was the Skipper, the head of the ship and his less than mentally capable first mate. Then the exceedingly rich couple, the brainiac scientist, an everyday girl next-door and a movie start.
What are the chances of all these people being on the same boat?  Next to zero.  But it is okay because it is not real life. It is just a television show where, because of a storm, they all get shipwrecked on an island for years, upon years.  Then finally they are able to get off the island only to get placed back on the island because the less than mentally capable first mate cleaned the compass.
When Gilligan cleaned the compass, he had removed all the magnets. The compass now does not work!
I have had a situation where my “compass” did not work.  Today we all use smartphones for directions. Remember paper road maps?  Remember trip-ticks from AAA?  Remember book atlases?
We sure smartphones now and before the current phone my old phone had something happen to it.  I do not know what it was but when using the map app (which in the moving business that is used often), it had me a mile away from my actual location.
So I am driving down and interstate and it has me over in a field.  I am way out, way over there and the voice lady was not quite sure what to do.  She was on repeat telling me to follow the route (follow the route, please follow the route).
I am following the route!  The lady in the phone has NO idea.
In real life direction means everything. When one gets going in the wrong direction disastrous things happen. You see it in the fake television story of Gilligan’s Island but that reflects real life.
This is our situation in Colossae. Paul, who has never visited this congregation and never met these people, is concerned about the direction of the church. 
Paul, in the opening chapter was already setting the stage for his instructive words to the congregation.  He was laying a foundation in the following ways:
He desired that they continue to be filled with all spiritual wisdom and understanding (1:9). This cannot be overstated. Far too many people get saved, come into the church and then shy away from growing more in Christ. This not only is addressed in the text out of chapter one but is also in our section from today’s reading. You must spend time in the word. You must spend time with godly teachers. (We will also see the value of this today as well.) You cannot shy way from walking with the Lord.  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, or stands in the way of sinners or  sits in the seats of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on this law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree that is planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither.”. Paul is essentially saying in 1:9 that I want you to grow. You cannot get to know something unless you spend time on it (illustrate?).
His desire is that they be strengthened with all power and able to endure with patience. (1:11) How can we be better at endurance? Short answer, knowing Him.
Paul desired they have firm knowledge that they are delivered from one state, death and darkness, to another state, redemption and forgiveness. (1:13-14)
Then Paul focuses on the nature of Christ: His nature as both creator and sustainer God and also the humanity of Christ that he died for the redemption of church and to be the head of the church. (1:15-20)
The very people that were in the church are those who had no hope of salvation. (1:21-22)
The foundation has been laid with those things. He wanted the readers of his letter to have this firm grasp on some important matters and then iIn our text today he is going to begin addressing seem issues that have crept into the Colossian church.  Here in is the heart of the letter.  This is why Paul was writing Colossians and the Loodiceans (2:1).
Before we look into this text more specifically let us ask the Lord to bless our time together.
He opens this section speaking about a struggle.  The word is agona  (ἀγῶνα).  Sounds like agony right? 
 
This is the same word used regarding the Greek games (the Olympic games). Think of athletes who are pushing.  For those who have played sports you have been through the 2-a-days and the wind sprints and the conditioning.
 
I recall the first day of wrestling practice. The coach paired us up with people near the same size and gave us a small area on the mats and blew the whistle and we were the wrestle this person.
 
After what seemed to be ten minutes both of us were extremely winded, tired and weak.  The coach was like, what is up? You have been at this for 25 seconds.
 
This is the agony.  The long training sessions to gain the endurance. 
 
This is the passion of Paul. I am in agony.  I am straining.  I am reaching out with all my strength and I want you to learn this?  With what is Paul concerned?
 
False teaching.  Paul is going to zero in on some of the issues at both Laodicea and Colossae. 
 
There is a biblical history on this topic.  As the Hebrew people were coming into the land of Canaan, after they had left Egypt, the Lord gave them instructions.  He told them clearly, remove the people from the land, rid them completely for they will be a snare to you.  They will influence you to be unfaithful to the Lord.
 
Have you ever felt that for some person or some cause.  Maybe it is a family member or someone with whom you work or possibly someone at school. 
 
For some reason you have real agony over their situation. They have been distracted by the cares of this world.
 
We have this in the church here in Colossians.  Some people came in and were influencing negatively. 
 
This is not limited to Colossae. This was a constant struggle in the New Testament church.  Two thousand years later it is still an issue. 
 
They were not struggling because they were a young church. That is usually what a pastor would say here.  This is a young church and they are struggling because there are influences that are not good.  Paul is going to address those as we continue in chapter two.  The stark reality is the teaching growth in Christ can come outside of Christ.  This letter is addressing that.  Galatians addressed that.  This issue caught Paul’s attention frequently.
 
In 1800’s America, there is this thought that the desire should be the first century church.  The dominate thought during this period was that the first century church had everything figured out and was perfectly pure and as time progressed the church became impure. 
 
This is absurd.  Makes me wonder if they had read the New Testament.
                Acts and Romans issues between Jews and Gentiles in the church
                In Corinth there was accepted sexual immorality & drunkenness at Lord’s Supper
                Galatia was troubled with those teaching there needed to be submission to                                                    circumcision in order to be saved
                Thessolanica was plagued with thinking they missed Jesus’ second coming
                We have already discussed the issue with understanding the nature of Christ
                The idea that salvation came through secret knowledge harmed church for years
So you see the idea that church was better in first century than now is not warranted.  As I have stated several times, we stand on two thousand years of theological things being worked out and debated. 
 
But again, to say that the problems in Colossae was due to it being a young church is not warranted.  This congregation is nearly 217 years old.  We are not safe from being led astray.  It is the job of the pastorate to watch for wolves.  To watch for error.
 
Think of the church in general in the United States of America. There is a twitter feed (x) called Protestia.  It is an account which 90% of its content is serious things going wrong in the church.
 
Let me be clear here and I have said this before.  There are matters of first importance and matters of second importance.  There are matters of Orthodoxy.  I have described it several times as open hand and close hand issues.  I am not referring to open handed things here. When we get to the matters in Colossae, Paul is not referring to open handed things. 
 
There are people who are meeting this morning who have perverted the Scriptures and are allowing and accepting sexual deviancies.  They think they are redefining marriage, but it can’t be redefined.
 
I am not kidding when I am telling you there is a church called Bethel Church in Redding CA which has ten thousand members.  There are more than a hundred stories that I could tell you about with this congregation.  One that comes to mind is they put gold colored glitter in the ventilation system.  During the Sunday assembly at the right time they let it fall out of the ceiling and the pastors were claiming that God’s presence was evident in that gold glitter.  The leaders knew that the glitter was in the ventilation system and they knew that it would be cued and it would fall and they told the people, God’s tangible presence is here, look at the glitter, look at this gold dust.
 
It is not limited to Bethel Church.  There are issues with other congregations like Elevation Church.  Maybe you are not aware of any of these things.  Maybe you wonder well why even bring it up because we will never visit those churches.
 
It is not that simple.  They all have their own worship music.  If you listen to what is called Christian radio you may have heard some of it.  Elevation worship, Bethel Worship, Hillsong Worship, Maverick City, all of these churches are teaching ungodly things.
 
As was written in the bulletin a few weeks ago looking into the future we are looking to add to the good stuff that is already here and taking place.  Talked to Nancy and we are seeking at some point to expand on the worship.
 
As a pastor of the church I have to be on guard.  I have to be looking for potential issues.  This worship music is troubling.  Not only must we watch what we are being taught but we can’t fund those congregations.  You use their music, they receive a royalty.  You use their music you are funding their heresy.
 
This is a serious issue.  The things that Paul is addressing in Colossae we still face today.  There are people who want to change the gospel of Christ and it is subtle.
 
I will be very frank with you here, I would not recommend any program on Christian Television.  None.  I have not watched it in years but when I did it was garbage.  Use rabbit ears on your television and they take up about 15 channels in central ohio and very little of what is taught is truth.
 
This is the state of the church in America.  There are some very wonderful congregations both small and large.  There are some very talented and gifted and theologically correct praise teams.
 
But this is a matter I take very seriously.  I have watched Christians get so caught up in the beauty of a song or a movie or television show and have not considered the content.
 
That is the hart of Colossians.  The people had been led astray and Paul was struggling to address this.  With all his energy he was trying to get their attention and correct where they had been led astray.
 
He did not want them to be diluted with plausible arguments (2:4). He did not want them to be taken captive (2:8) with a bad philosophy or empty deceit.   He wanted them to be wise IN CHRIST. (2.6-7)
 
 
 
 

11 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Christ in You

Colossians 1:24-29

10 Colossians: The Mystery of Christ - Secure in Christ

Colossians 1:21-23