Colossians 2:16-23
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This is the fifth sermon in our series on the Colossians. This sermon is “The Freedom of Christ”.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: What could most help you be rooted and built up in Jesus?
WARM-UP
- Have you ever felt inadequate as a Christian compared to others? Whatʼs the antidote?
- What are the types of “counterfeit spirituality” that you have experienced?
Read Colossians 2:16-17 (Freedom from the Super-Religious)
- What does Paul mean by, “do not let anyone judge you”? How might the Colossian Christians have experienced the judgement of others?
- What were the extra things forbidden and required of the Colossians by those judging them?
- What does Paul mean by his description of these things being a ʻshadowʼ of the reality in Christ?
- What are the common sort of ʻrulesʼ that people add to the Gospel today? Have you experienced this?
Read Colossians 2:18-19 (Freedom from the Super-Spiritual)
- What does Paul mean by, “do not let anyone disqualify you”?
- What sort of ʻsuper-spiritualʼ things could have been happening around the Colossians?
- How can these sort of ʻsuper-spiritualʼ things both appeal to our pride and play on our insecurities?
- What does Paul say about those who endlessly pursue such spiritual experience? What does he mean?
- What are the common types of spiritual experiences pushed onto Christians as necessary today?
- Why are such spiritual experiences not necessary for salvation or as a ʻmakerʼ of belonging?
Read Colossians 2:20-23 (Freedom for that which Lasts)
- What sort of strange practices were happening at the time? How could these be both attractive and ineffective? Do you think we could ever be attracted to such practices today?
- If we do not belong to this world, to whom do we belong?
- If we belong to Christ, what do we have freedom from? What do we have freedom for?
- On what basis does Paul argue that we do not need to follow human commands or traditions to be saved?
APPLY: How can you be on guard against taking up or promoting counterfeit forms of spirituality?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank you that it is because of Jesus alone that we can have confidence of eternity with you. Please guard us from taking-up or propagating counterfeit spirituality. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: How can you pray for the politics of our country & the politics on your frontline?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- Listen: “A qualified spirituality open under investigation” by William Taylor
- Listen: “Alive with Christ” by Chris Wright
- Listen: “Christ: Realities, Not Rules” by Mike Paget
SERIES Resources:
- Read: St Bart’s Colossians Series Overview
- Book: NIV Scripture Journal for Colossians
- Book: “Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters” by Tom Wright
- Commentary: “Colossians” by Michael Bird (eBook)
- Video: “Letter to the Colossians” by N. T. Wright
- Video: Bible Project Overview of Colossians
- Course: (Paid) “Paul and his Letter to the Colossians” on Udemy
