August 17, 2014: Colossians: Becoming Mature in Christ – Pulling Weeds

Scripture:

Colossians 2:16-23New International Version (NIV)

Freedom From Human Rules

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20163023

Outline: 

This passage speaks of some people to avoid if you want to become mature in Christ

1.       The judger (v16-17)

2.       The faker (v18-19)  

3.       The legalist (v20-23)

To become a mature person in Christ, you must be a person of positive influence

1.       Walk away from the judgmental attitude.

a.       2.       Direct your heart toward God

a.       3.       Do not let legalism distract you 

August 10, 2014: Colossians: Becoming Mature in Christ – Deeping Your Roots

Scripture:

Colossians 2:6-15New International Version (NIV)

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this worldrather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[b] was put off when you were circumcised by[c] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20156067


Outline: 

To become deeper, we must live in Christ

          1.        Rooted and built Up in Him

          2.       Remember what you have been taught     

          3.       Overflow with Thankfulness

August 3, 2014: Colossians: Becoming Mature in Christ – Your Purpose

Scripture:

Colossians 1:24-2:5New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Labor for the Church

24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make knownamong the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuouslycontend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is

Recording: 

http://fbcbicknell.sermon.net/main/main/20150131


Outline: 

Six things we are called to:

1.       Suffer joyfully for the Gospel (24)

a.    .

2.       Serve according to our calling (25-27)

a.

3.       Lead people to Maturity (28)

a.        

4.       Give it your all (29-1)

a.   

5.       Enrich each other’s lives  (2-3)

a.      

6.       Choose faithfulness (4-5)