Colossians 2 16 23 Therefore let no one

Colossians 2: 16 -23 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.

Colossians 2: 16 -23 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Colossians 2: 16 -23 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,

Colossians 2: 16 -23 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.

Colossians 2: 16 -23 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—

Colossians 2: 16 -23 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”

Colossians 2: 16 -23 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)— according to human precepts and teachings?

Colossians 2: 16 -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.

Colossians 2: 16 -23 Warning against losing our focus

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. (Colossians 2: 16, ESV)

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. (Colossians 2: 17, ESV)

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, (Colossians 2: 18, ESV)

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. (Colossians 2: 19, ESV)

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? (Colossians 2: 20 -22, ESV)

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. (Colossians 2: 23, ESV)

Main Point • These verses establish further warnings, specifically against following rules and regulations • Though they sound appealing, they do not mortify the flesh in the way they claim • They are causing individuals to fall far from the head of the body which is the true place of nourishment and growth

Application Points • The Way • In the first few decades of the Church we find how members of the Church talk about Christianity • In Acts, especially, we find them calling the faith simply, “The Way” (see Acts 19: 9, 23, 22: 4, 24: 14, 22) • The Way • We learn early on in the Christian faith they considered it a way, a particular way • In these verses we see evidence of this • We see how Christianity is very different than other religions • We see how it is a way unlike any other way

Application Points • The Way (2) • In today’s text we experience what is fairly basic when it comes to religious practices • Paul and Timothy conclude that thee religious activities do not actually lead to what they claim • While in some basic sense these practices can be good, when used inappropriately they end up becoming harmful • As we reflect on these things, we find we’re not so different • Even today we have this dichotomous view of ourselves, and allows certain practices to be considered more holy than others

Application Points • The Way (3) • Consider food and drink • Generally, you can put anything in front of us and we’ll eat it (Potluck!) • Yet, more and more we’ve seen those who shame others for eating certain kinds of foods • The same can be true of drink • There are many who refrain from alcohol for religious reasons • If that were the end of the story, I think we would all be ok • The problem, however, can come from those who are haughty • If we have this kind of attitude, then we need to be warned by what we read today

Application Points • The Way (4) • It’s that mentality which causes one to think of themselves holier than others because of religious practice • It is good for an individual to come to the conclusion to refrain from drink if the Lord wills for them to do so • Does this mean that we should advocate drunkardness? No! • It reminds us to encourage each other to be temperate • As Christians we especially must be careful if we do partake, to show the world the proper use of the gift of food and drink • Me not partaking should not cause others to think, “Well I’m not as good as he is” or me to think, “I’m so much better than they are. ”

Application Points • The Way (5) • Consider further the idea of “Sabbaths” • We do celebrate the Sabbath, do we not? • Is it possible for Sunday to become bad? • “Ellen wasn’t here this week…she’s a wicked person!” • We’ve all been there, or somewhere similar • Maybe someone listened to the radio, or watched a movie, or a show • It is easy to think, “They are so wicked, I would never do that…” • There is a kind of arrogance that can arise within us • Even when we consider visions • I know someone recently who claims to have had a vision • They told me they aren’t like others, they have deeper thoughts…

Application Points • The Way (6) • Consider further the idea of “Sabbaths” • What causes this kind of response to visions, to food, to drink, to even holy days? • It seems to be this lie which is that there is a dichotomy between the physical and spiritual • This idea that spiritual is good and physical bad • So we let go of physical things to be more spiritual • “Severity of the body” this asceticism

Application Points • The Way (7) • Is this the right way of understanding the world? • I would argue no • That might be one of the underlying issues • If we begin to place these spiritual emphases on certain areas of life, then what does that make the rest of life? • It makes it lesser…less important • Festivals and Sabbaths, what does it mean to celebrate these things? • The rest of our days during the week aren’t as important • Yet, in truth, all of our days are to be holy days in Christ • It can be easy for us to think that God has Sunday, but the truth is He deserves all of our days

Application Points • The Way (8) • That leaves us with two questions • I understand those who might hear, “Alcohol is permissible” and think, “Well does that mean everything is permissible? ” • The truth is, there are many who has found this Christian freedom and run with it • They think that freedom means complete and total freedom • We are free, it’s true • We are freed from rules and regulations which demand us to appease God, but that doesn’t mean our freedom is not bound to something…in this case someone…who is Christ

Application Points • The Way (9) • The second question is, “Should we bother doing anything? ” • If Sunday’s aren’t meant to be special, then what does it matter? • Why should we fast or practice any form of asceticism or spiritual disciplines? • Do they have a purpose? • If we think they do not we would be missing the point • It isn’t that ascetic practice is completely worthless • It simply doesn’t lead where we think it naturally leads • There are those who, previously in Church history, have attempted ascetic disciplines in hopes of undermining the flesh • St. Benedict, when he would have sensual thoughts, would roll naked around in brambles

Application Points • The Way (10) • This is an example of someone who had the right thought, but wrong conclusion • The issue we have isn’t with food, drink, or even sex/sensual relations • The issue is with our hearts • We need to be made alive, and there is only one way we can be made alive and that is through Christ • If we believe that these things are a way for us to get closer to God, we diminish Jesus • We need to be drawn closer to Christ in our lives, only in this way will we experience true growth

Application Points • The Way (11) • So why come here on Sunday? • We do so because we seek Jesus Christ in a particular way • We seek to glorify Him by worshipping Him together, and learning more about Him • He is the reason • The spiritual practice of coming together isn’t to make us look better • We do it out of love for Jesus • Every spiritual discipline, when viewed this way becomes good • If there is another reason then we risk separating ourselves from the head • Spiritual disciplines are good, but not when we think we need them

Application Points • The Way (12) • This is what makes the Way so special and unique • It reminds us that we can and should live differently in the world • But at the same time, it tells us Christ is the Way • He is the one who nourishes • To be drawn closer to Him in this life is the essence of true spirituality within Christianity • Be encouraged to remember your freedom, that it is bound to Jesus • In this way we can be set free from the world and it’s desires • We can be freed from thinking we must do this or that • We can say “Christ can redeem this and that, let me show you how He does. ”

Application Points • The Way (13) • This seems fantastic to me • If I should refrain from alcohol, others do not need to, and there’s peace • They can show the world the right way to enjoy the blessing, and I can show those who may struggle that they do not need to partake • The warning is simple • We can use these ascetic practices, but let them draw us to Jesus • The things Paul and Timothy critique can be good, but only in the right context…That context is Jesus • For while other religions boast in their practices for salvation, we boast in Christ alone

Application Points • The Gospel of Christ • Origins • Fall • Redemption • Glorification