Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Maturing in Christ

Colossians 2:15-23 (ESV)
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Sermon Outline
Those who desire to grow spiritually must focus on Christ and be discerning of the lure of self-made religion.

1. The Danger of Being Puffed Up

v18 “…going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind”

2. The Fear of Disqualification

v17 “These are a shadow… but the substance…”
v18 “Let no one disqualify you” [v16]

3. The Need to Hold Fast to Christ

v20 “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why…”
v17 “the substance belongs to Christ”
v19 “not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body… grows with a growth that is from God.

Prayer of Confession
Our God, you are so great we should abound with thanksgiving and eagerly walk with you. We confess we have been apathetic and lukewarm. When we have demonstrated greater fervency, it has often been infected with pride. We are guilty of forming faith and practices around our own desires. We have been fooled by those who appeal to these desires. Our thoughts and actions have not honored you. We are immature, needing forgiveness as well as guidance. We ask, in the name of Christ, that you forgive our sins and nourish us so that we grow in him. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

Are you more typically ambivalent and lax in your walk with God, or overzealous? Are you content, believing your walk with God is healthy? What do you observe?
Can you be “too devoted” or enthusiastic in following Christ?
What distinguishes a highly enthusiastic and engaged faith that is healthy, from one that is problematic?
Does a “reasonable mind” require denying supernatural elements of Christianity? How do you discern what is true and real? How can you identify what is false?
How can churches create social pressures that appeal to ego or fear? What are some of the dynamics of an unhealthy Christian community? What might you see or experience?
How does Jesus set us free from the powers of the elemental spirits of this world?
How can you live free of the lure of these spirits and from the unruly desires withing you?
What does it mean to hold fast to Christ?
What are some of the means God provides for your growth within the body of Christ? How does church and Christian community provide nourishment from God?