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Sunday 09/07/25
Title: My Prayer for you
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The Supremacy of Jesus
[Some of the information for this teaching was lifted from a previous teaching on 1/14/24 entitled Nailed to His cross]
Now I told you last week, Paul had been told by Epaphras of the false doctrines which had infiltrated the church in Colossae and to some extent the Laodacian church as well, since it was only about 12 miles away.
So Paul, who had never been to either Colossae or Laodacia, wrote this letter to confront the doctrines which were challenging the gospel in these believers.
These challenges to the Gospel were claiming that Christ and His redemptive work were not sufficient in themselves for salvation.
Now it is not really imperative that you pick up on it, but it will only serve to deepen your grasp and appreciation of what Paul was saying to realize that in this letter, he was taking the words of these false teachers and turning them around to prove that Christ in fact IS sufficient. Also much is made of believers being ‘IN CHRIST’ which though true on its own, was very strategic in this letter in combating these pagan doctrines.
Colossians 2:1-23,
“(1) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.”
This reveals the man Paul who had been reconciled to Christ and shared His passion for His Own. Paul never forgot how in his life prior to Christ, he had persecuted Christ, by attacking His children. Now Paul ever-lived to adore Christ and serve Him by adoring and serving His children. Paul had never met these believers, but they were his brothers and sisters and his beloved fellow servant Epaphras was their father in the faith. In a spiritual sense, Paul likely saw them as spiritual grandchildren, given his predisposition to refer to those he won as his children in the faith.
This struggle for them was a spiritual one. Upon hearing the concerns of Epaphras’ heart for these believers, Paul no doubt sought God in prayer along with Epaphras in fastings and intercessions, requesting words seasoned with grace that he might pen to these beloved in Christ to set them free from the trap of the enemy.
These are not overstated and flowery words -we see some of them in Paul’s own hand as we progress in this chapter.
“(2) My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches THAT ASSURANCE BRINGSin their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST,
(3) in Whom are HIDDEN all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
The NewTestament scriptures mention the mystery hidden in God regarding Christ 15 times. These mysteries include our sharing in the very glory of Jesus at the end.
1 Timothy 3:16, “And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: He was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”
As I have told you many times, I love a line from Michael Card in his song ‘Live this Mystery” which says, “The mystery of life in Christ is that Christ can live in you!” and that is a large part of Paul’s message to these Colossian believers. The best way to rid them of the corruptions of false teaching is by exposing them further to Christ Who is the truth and as Paul calls Him in this chapter, the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge!
Now there were essentially three doctrines infiltrating these churches or perhaps an odd and eclectic blending of three separate doctrines.
- An early form of Gnosticism. Key elements of which were the need to acquire “special” knowledge through two primary sources: divine revelation given by spiritual messengers and by mystical knowledge derived by inward and personal spiritual experiences. This knowledge was believed to be “hidden” from most people and only “revealed” to a select few consisting of the “spiritual elite”. The goal of this “special knowledge” was to transcend the natural world into the spiritual world. The natural world was viewed as evil – even as hell itself whereas the spiritual realm was all good – even representing heaven itself. [See Additional Notes at the bottom of this article for more on Gnosticism]
- Asceticism is a lifestyle of voluntary self-denial and renunciation of worldly pleasures and desires, often for the purpose of achieving a spiritual goal, self-discipline, or greater understanding.
- Judaism – the entire spectrum of the Old Covenant practices and teachings. These include the Old Testament writings – some of which HAVE BEEN FULFILLED in Christ and some of which ARE BEING FULFILLED in us as we walk after the Holy Spirit and not according to our flesh. [See Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:1-23; Romans 8:1-8]
Again, the false teachings were not strictly any one of these but more of a blending of Jewish practices like dietary restrictions and festivals, together with a pagan veneration of spiritual beings and angels, all wrapped up within philosophical ideas that focused on human effort and rituals rather than Christ’s sufficiency.
Paul countered these beliefs by stressing the supremacy of Christ over all creation and asserting that salvation and true spiritual maturity is available to ANYONE who will believe – not just some group of “spiritual elites”. That any and all believers in Christ Jesus are complete in Him and do not need additional spiritual practices for salvation or spiritual growth.
So with that understanding, let’s start back over from the beginning of Colossians 2 and move forward. Look for places where Paul draws out language consistent with these pagan beliefs and misappropriation of the Old Testament scriptures and weaves them into the true Gospel message pointing to the supremacy of Christ. Also pay attention to how many times he says “in Him” or “in Christ”.
“(1) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face.
(2) My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches THAT ASSURANCE BRINGSin their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, CHRIST,
(3) in Whom are HIDDEN all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
(4) I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments that SOUND REASONABLE.”
We’ve seen this demonic tactic many times. Both satan and the beliefs he inspires all have elements of truth and on the surface sound convincing – even reasonable. This is why we have the precious Spirit of God, given to us so that we might know the truth Who is Jesus and discern His voice. This is also why we have the sacred gathering of the saints under the undershepherd leadership of pastors – grounded in God’s word and whose primary job is to teach sound doctrine in word and practice before the saints.
“(5) For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ.”
Notice that instead of calling into question their steadfastness at this early point of his letter to them he is encouraging all that is in them which is devoted to Christ.
Notice also that what Paul points out next is how they were taught to receive Jesus not as Savior but as LORD! He mentions this as a preamble to encouraging an ongoing life lived in accordance with His kingly reign in and over their lives!
“(6) Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, (7) rooted and built up in Him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Point out to me how Paul is building the case of Christ’s all-sufficency in these words.
Now, he begins to address the false teachings by way of concerned statements of warning!
“(8) Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate [lead you away captive as prey] you through an empty, deceitful philosophy [seducing rationale] that is according to human traditions [doctrines] and the ELEMENTAL SPIRITS of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Elemental spirits?
They always appear in the pl., tá stoicheía. The basic parts, rudiments, elements, or components of something. Among the ancient Greek philosophers, it designated the four basic and essential elements of which the universe consisted, namely, earth, water, air, and fire as it does in 2 Peter 3:10 & 12.
When used figuratively as it is here, it refers to the elements or first principles of the doctrine, whether Christian as in Hebrews 5:12 or pagan as it is here.
Paul calls these “ceremonial ordinances” and while he indirectly alludes to a connection with the ceremonial and ritual aspects of the Mosaic Law in doing so, the words “worldly elements” or “elemental spirits” both here in Colossians 2:8 then in verse 20 and also in his letter to the Galatians in Galatians 4:1-5 seem more connected to this present age and/or the kingdoms and ways of this present world,
“(1) Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. (2) But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
(3) So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world. (4) But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out His Son, born of a woman, born UNDER THE LAW, (5) to redeem those who were UNDER THE LAW, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.”
Then in verses 9-11 in Galatians 4 he says,
“(9) But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again? (10) You are observing religious days and months and seasons and years. (11) I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.”
These “elements”as referring to those earthly ceremonial and ritualistic aspects of the Law contained the rudiments of the knowledge of Christ, they did NOT possess nor directly reveal the reality or person of Christ. They simply pointed vaguely towards the reality of Christ. Wven as Hebrews 11:13 says,
“These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance…”
and
2 Corinthians 3:14-16,
“(14) But their minds were closed. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ. (15) However, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, (16) but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”
When Moses was and is read, they do not see the clear picture of its fulfillment until they turn to Christ at which point He will be revealed to them.
Now previously in Chapter 3 of Galatians, Paul called the Law, “a school-master”, which brought the Jews to this knowledge.
Galatians 3:22-26, “(22) But the Scripture has imprisoned everything under sin’s power, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
(23) Before this faith came, we were confined UNDER THE LAW, imprisoned UNTIL THE COMING FAITH WAS REVEALED.
(24) The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. (25) But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, (26) for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Again Paul points to the supremacy of Christ by appealing to the gnostic ideas of acquiring special knowledge, but then shows that knowledge is both in Christ and about Christ ALONE.
I also want you to be observant readers. Notice how many times Paul uses the words “UNDER the Law”. This is very deliberate wording. It is literally a positional statement as is made clear by further illustrating that relationship as being under a guardian or school master. What one learns under a guardian or school master is in preparation for how they are to live in the future when they are no longer in school. It is preparatory!
So it is here with the Law. The promises of God in Christ under the New Covenant are not antagonistic against the Law nor do they nullify the law or its teachings.
In Romans 3, Paul clearly states, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law!”
- The words “make void” means to render inoperative, to make inactive, idle, ineffective or useless.
- The word “establish” means to cause to stand and be set in place. To establish and confirm.
So in all Paul IS saying about our not being “UNDER the Law” anymore, what he is NOT saying, is that it has been abrogated and rendered unimportant under the New Covenant. In fact, among the chief goals of the New Covenant is to cause the righteous requirements of the Law to be accomplished in us AS we walk after the dictates of the Holy Spirit and not our flesh. When we were children under a school master, we were largely controlled by our flesh. Now in Christ, we have been set free from the tyranny of the flesh and are now under the power of the Holy Spirit Who perfects the righteous works of the law THROUGH us as we obey and submit to Him!
Colossians 2…
“(9) For in Him all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form, (10) and you have been filled in Him, Who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
Now here was where Paul was challenging the pagan doctrines which had begun to infiltrate the Colossian church, for gnosticism includes the idea that not only the natural world is evil but so is the god who created it. That there was a separate god who was the creator of the spiritual realm and that god was the good god.
Paul paints a picture of Christ Jesus as being both the good God and a physical human male – thus providing a full-on frontal attack against gnostic beliefs. Furthermore he tells them that they are complete IN HIM and the filth or evil of the flesh has been permanently expunged from them.
“(11) In Him you also were circumcised – not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ.
(12) HAVING BEEN buried WITH HIM in baptism, you also have been raised with Him through your faith in the power of God Who raised Him from the dead.
(13) And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He nevertheless made you alive with Him, having forgiven all your transgressions.”
As I’ve told you many times, the words “raised together” both here and throughout the New Testament, points to a condition or work affected by union with Christ in His resurrection, taking place in and proceeding from it.
Remember that the scriptures are very clear about what Jesus did for us and when.
Romans 5 tells us that Jesus was offered up on the cross for our offenses but He was raised from the dead for our justification.
However, the means of our partaking of this is by joining Him. Meaning when we die with Christ, sin loses its grip on us as we learn in Romans 6. We have died to sin in Christ. But this condition is NOT enough. God did not send Jesus to die only to produce a bride who is only dead to sin. He wants a bride who is alive to righteousness! So we don’t just die with Him, we rise with Him.
Baptism is the sign chosen by God of the effectiveness of that death and resurrection work. (Romans 6:4). But all of it is accomplished by faith, both initial faith and ongoing trust!
Now beginning in verse 14, Paul begins addressing Judaism but in the light of the redemption we have in Christ under the power and tenants of the New Covenant ratified in His precious blood!
“(14) He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.”
What “certificate of indebtedness” or “handwriting of requirements” is Paul referring to?
Now we have to be careful here, because these “requirements” are said here to have “been taken out of the way and nailed to His cross”. It doesn’t take a genius to tell this MUST be different than the “righteous requirements of the Law” mentioned in Romans 8 – which far from being “taken out of the way” are actually fulfilled in us as we obey the Holy Spirit of God.
So again, what “certificate of indebtedness” or “handwriting of requirements” is Paul referring to?
Perhaps before I address that, I need to define what it means to “move them out of the way and be nailed to His cross”.
- Blotting out the hand-writing is possibly an allusion to the custom of discharging the writing from parchment by the application of a fluid which would dissolve the blackening principle of the ink. It would thereby be a method of expunging a writing which that generation would have been familiar with.
- Nailing it to his cross – There may be another reference here to some ancient mode of annulling legal obligations, by nailing them to a post; Antiquated laws are said to have been thus abrogated. This was evidently practiced in Asia. Also, some time ago and in a similar manner, banks used to use a sharp instrument to puncture a hole through checks as a sign that they had been paid. Such seems to have the same meaning here.
Jesus’ very last word on the cross was teleo which means,
To make an end or to accomplish, to complete something. It does not merely mean to put an end to something, but to bring it to perfection or to its intended goal, to carry it through.
So knowing this, what do you think the “handwriting of requirements” were?
It cannot be the Law itself, because the entire New Testament is predicated upon the law.
Now to be sure our RIGHTEOUSNESS is not predicated on the law, but upon faith in Christ. And we are no longer OF the law nor UNDER the law, but as we have mentioned several times this morning, the Law IS fulfilled IN and THROUGH us who are not led by the flesh but by the Spirit – Romans 8.
- John tells us what when a Christian sins, he is living as if there were no Law.
- The antichrist is called the spirit of lawlessness.
- James tells us not to judge our brother, because to do that is to judge the Law and if we judge the Law, we cannot at the same time be doers of theLaw.
- Paul tells us that we do not make the Law void by faith, but rather we establish the law by faith (Romans 3:31).
So the Law itself, being as Paul said in Romans 7 “holy, just and good” did not need to be moved out of the way. In fact it could not! Even now under the New Covenant we are not free to lie, kill, steal, bear false witness or any of the other 10 which find their value in the character of God Himself Who cannot change.
Well if we keep reading Paul will give us what we need to discern what he meant.
“(15) Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
(16) THEREFORE do not let anyone JUDGE you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath days – (17) these are only the shadow of the things to come, but the reality is Christ!”
So this is referring to the external rites, rituals and ceremonies of the Law.
All of these things Paul lists here are things which were types and shadows.
NOT A SINGLE COMMAND from the 10 commandments were a type and shadow. These external rituals were!
If you remember, many of the feasts were called “convocations“, which literally means dress rehearsals. They were a symbol pointing to Christ, so that once Christ came the symbol was no longer needed!
Now there is more to say about this – especially in connection with sabbaths which I cannot afford to do this morning – there isn’t time.
But I want each of you to commit to going back and at least reading (or allowing the site to read to you) the articles attached to the messages I did back in May & June of 2023 entitled, “By Request: To Sabbath or not to Sabbath?” parts 1-4. They were part of our “By Request” series back then. Additionally there is an article I wrote back in 2018 which I have recently updated called, “The Sabbath under the New Covenant”.
Familiarize yourself with these and that will prepare you for next week. PLEASE take the time to write down any questions you have. I know some of you have them because I heard you talking about it, so this is your moment. Don’t miss it!
Additional Notes:
According to Gnosticism, our souls become trapped in the evil material world and therefore we must seek the special secret knowledge (gnosis) that allows us to escape from the material world (hell) to the spiritual plain (heaven). In particular, we have to understand that the “god” traditionally worshiped as the Creator(-s) is (are) the ultimate false god(-s), and that therefore Jesus would be the very incarnation of evil.
For a better understanding of the distortions the Gnostic heresies had on the Gospels, reference the Gnostic “gospels” uncovered throughout the last century, such as…
- Gospel of Mary (recovered in 1896)
- Gospel of Thomas (versions found in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt in 1898, and again in the Nag Hammadi Library)
- Gospel of Truth (Nag Hammadi Library)
- Gospel of Philip (Nag Hammadi Library)
- Gospel of Judas (recovered via the antiquities black market in 1983, and then reconstructed in 2006)
- The Secret Gospel of Mark (Mid-to-late 2nd Century AD)
- The Gospel of Peter (Second-half, 2nd Century AD)
For more on this see our article – Docetism and Gnosticism in the New Testament.
Blessings!
Tri
