Colossians 1
Three causes--primary, instrumental, final
Creation--timeless, transcendent, Creator

With relation to creation--he reflects/represents God, Maker, over all (cf. 3:10-11)
With relation to cosmos--he reigns, Ruler, over all
With relation to church--he redeems, head of church, over all
With relation to cross--he reconciles, in context of the world/cosmos, over all

How we see Christ depends on our view of God.

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Colossians 2

Introduction
The problem of add-ons--many today want to enhance the Christian experience.
We are going to explore Colossians 2--some (D. Kristoferson) have seen several series of "fives" in Col. 2; five sins.
Seek to worship Christ without the add-ons.
Remember the significance of Christ--the death, burial, resurrection.
Single focused commitment is to Jesus Christ.

Through Christian history, there have been many new directions, but Paul's instructions to Colossae in 2:19--hold fast to the head.

The whole body depends on the head
The body is held together from within
Therefore it grows for God

2:8--these things can easily draw us away

Philosophy
Empty deceit
Human tradition (conventional wisdom)
Elemental spirits (ta stoicheia)
Anything not according to Christ

2:9-10--How do we know Christ is the answer?

The other power are "princes"
The body [of Christ] is/was where the fulness dwells, 1:19
Also we are fulness bodily [not a Platonic/Cerinthus division], 1:19, 2:9
Christians come to God's fulness
Christ is over all else

2:11-12--Who Christ is

Put off the physical with the spiritual
Buried-raised
Through faith
Not subject to the body of flesh
In Christ, sins stripped away in crucifixion

2:13-14

The believer's flesh is put aside
The believer is now alive sharing Christ's resurrection
Christ erases accusing record (OT? other record of wrongs?)
Christ nails our indictment to the cross
Christ defuses the other powers

2:15

Christ nailed the indictment to the cross
The other powers can no longer accuse
No need to appease others
Celebrate God's victory
The powers have no hold--chemicals, games, computers, pornography, consider any other power and Christ wins!

False requirements
Food, Drink, Festivals, New moons, Sabbaths

Solutions

Don't prize the freeing value of regulations
Rules do not help with resisting powers
Christ gives freedom
Regulations do not touch the heart of the matter
Christ is the solution

False Solutions

Self-abasement, fasting (see angels through fasting?)
Worship of angels
Visions
Puff up by human thinking, pride in experience
Not holding Christ

Five principles

Christ Jesus crucified controls life
Excitement detracts from our Christian experience
such elements pull the church apart
in headship the church grows
focus on the real power and center

Conclusion
Do not be led astray by distractions...
special gifts....uplifting worship....experience....story preaching....aesthetics....self-improvement, e.g. $, family, regimens, self-help