Colossians 2:8-10
DON’T BE FOOLED!
It is easy to fool people and to get fooled ourselves.
“Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to illustrate this by telling of a practical joke which he and his teenaged friends played on some unsuspecting passersby in a large city. His group stood on a busy street corner and stared intently into the air. One of them pointed, while another said (loudly enough to be overheard), ‘It is not.’ A third friend argued, ‘It is so!’ At this, one or two people stopped and began to look up in the same direction as Barnhouse and his fiends. As the argument grew more heated, others stopped to gaze fixedly at the point his group discussed. Then, one by one, Barnhouse and his friends quietly slipped out of the crowd and gathered a few yards way to watch the results. By this time, some fifteen people were looking into the air. The crowd changed as new passersby came along and joined the group and those who had been staring longest left. Twenty minutes later several people were still looking upward. Several others had gone off to the side and were leaning against a building, looking up for something that was not there and never had been. About this childhood trick, Barnhouse observed:
‘That little incident is a good illustration of all the earth-born religions. People talk about having faith; they tell you to look in a direction where there is absolutely nothing. Some people are so desperately in need of seeing something that they will look till they are almost blind, yet they never catch a glimpse of anything real.’” R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word, Colossians and Philemon, The Supremacy of Christ, (Wheaton Illinois, Crossway Books, 1989), pp. 67-68
There are all sorts of religions looking for something that isn’t there. Can you name some of those religions? (Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.)
We Christians can be fooled into looking for something that isn’t there when we try to add various beliefs to our Christianity that God never intended to be part of our faith.
Tonight, as we return to our study of Colossians we find Paul warning the Colossians and us not to be fooled. In our text tonight Paul tells us to:
BE WARNED – Vs. 8
BE WARMED – Vs. 9
BE WISE – Vs. 10
BE WARNED – Vs. 8
Those of us who have children are used to handing out warnings. Even as they grow into adulthood, some of us can not resist giving warnings to our kids.
The Old Testament prophets were good at handing out warnings.
Ezekiel 3:17 - Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
In the New Testament warnings are handed out by the Lord Jesus, the Apostles, and writers of the Epistles the Book of Revelation.
Luke 12:1-2 - …Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Revelation 22:18-19 - For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: [19] And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
And the preacher is told that warning is part of his job in
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
So Paul gives the Colossians and us a warning in verse 8.
It begins with the word “Beware”.
Paul was warning the Colossians because of false teaching that was prevalent in Colossae.
John MacArthur – “The specific heresy threatening the Colossians is unknown in that Paul does not name it. We can, however reconstruct some of its tenets from 2:8-23. It contained elements of philosophy (2:8-15), legalism (2:16-17), mysticism (2:18-19), and asceticism (2:20-23). Because those beliefs were shared by the first-century Jewish sect known as the Essenes, …it is possible they(or a group holding similar beliefs) were the ones threatening the Colossian believers. This heresy also had components that were early forms of Gnosticism, the belief that there was a transcendent kind of knowledge beyond Christian doctrine
known only to elite initiates who had ascended to that level. Most damning, though, was its teaching that Jesus was neither God not the source of all truth. That was the frontal attack on His deity and sufficiency.” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Colossians and Philemon, (Chicago, Moody Press, 1992) pp. 97-98
The word “spoil” here means to “kidnap”.
The Colossians were not in danger of being kidnapped physically, but spiritually.
They were in danger of being drawn away from the true faith.
It has been said that many cultists are those who been drawn away from the Christian religion. Although they were probably not saved individuals, they did have their roots in the Christian faith.
The word “philosophy” literally means “love of wisdom”.
We as Christians should love wisdom, the wisdom that comes from God. James contrasts two kinds of religion in
James 3:14-18 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. [15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
The “philosophy” presented to the Colossians undoubtedly sounded very learned and, I imagine, complicated. It would have relied on man’s “wisdom” and not God’s. All it amounted to was learned sounding gibberish!
“vain deceit” means “empty deception”.
Remember the commercial for “Wendy’s” many years ago? It asked the question, “Where’s the Beef”?
This “philosophy” was filler and not substance. It was not the real thing.
Were these false teachers evil? Of course they were.
Did they appear to be evil? I highly doubt it. They were probably as moral, or more moral than the average Christian in Colossae. Satan is a deceiver, and can make his followers appear to be very righteous.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 - And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
“Philosophy and vain deceit” have two sources. They are mentioned next. The first source is “traditions of men”.
What are some traditions you have at home?
What are some traditions that we have in this church?
Not all traditions are bad. However they are bad when they are contrary to the Word of God.
Mark 7:5-9 - Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? [6] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. [7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. [9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
What are some bad traditions that some churches Have?
“Philosophy and vain deceit” have two sources. The first source is “traditions of men”.
The second source is “the rudiments of the world”.
The word “rudiments” could be translated “elemental spirits.” And there is not agreement as to what it refers.
It could refer to the “basics” or the “ABC’s” suggesting that the teaching was simplistic no matter how learned it sounded.
Astrology was practiced in the days of the New Testament.
“Rudiments” or “elemental spirits” could also refer to angels who supposedly moved the stars around. A person supposedly needed knowledge in order to understand what they were doing.
Whatever the word “rudiments” means let us remember that it is of the “world”, that is the world system. Whatever is of the world system is to be avoided.
1 John 2:15-17 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
And the last phrase of verse 8 reminds us that the teaching being practiced was not after Christ.
Some religions and philosophies claim to honor Christ, but they do not recognize Him as the supreme authority. They do not recognize his deity. They do not recognize His authority as “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”.
BE WARNED – Vs. 8
BE WISE – Vs. 9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
We should be wise as to who Jesus is!
In Christ, in his person, resides all there is of God.
He is God the Son. He is a member of the Trinity.
John 1:1-5 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Colossians 1:15-19 - Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: [16] For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Hebrews 1:1-4 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; [3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; [4] Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Jesus is God in a body.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 14:8-9 - Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [9] Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Be wise that the Savior who died for you is indeed God!
BE WARNED – Vs. 8
BE WISE – Vs. 9
BE WHOLE – Vs. 10
Colossians 2:10 - And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
When it says that we are “complete in him” it means that we are filled with or have his fullness. The moment we were saved we became “full of Christ”.
What does this mean to you and me?
It means, first of all, being full of Christ, I have all I need for eternal life.
There is nothing lacking. There is coming a day when my faith will be sight. I shall be in his presence.
1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Secondly, because I am complete or filled full with Christ I have the capacity for fellowship with Him.
Jesus would never ask you to do something that is impossible would He?
And Jesus because He is fully in me, wants me to “abide in Him”.
John 15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I believe this verse is primarily for believers. He is already in us, but He wants us to acknowledge His presence and fellowship with Him.
Finally, because I am complete or filled full with Christ I have the assurance of living a victorious Christian life.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
As I recognize myself as dead with Christ, and alive with Christ I have all I need for victory over sin!
Romans 8:3-4 - For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We have been given so much with Christ in our lives. Let’s enjoy it! Let’s appropriate it for Godly living!
Alexander MacLaren – “Though all the earth were covered with helpers and lovers of my soul, ‘as the sand by the sea shore innumerable,’ and all the heavens were sown with faces of angels who cared for me and [helps] succored me, thick as the stars in the milky way—all could not do for me what I need. Yea, though all these were gathered into one mighty and loving creature, even he were no sufficient stay for one soul of man. We want more than creature help. We need the whole fullness of the Godhead to draw from. It is all there in Christ, for each of us. Whosoever will, let him draw freely. Why should we leave the fountain of living waters to hew out for ourselves, with infinite pains, broken cisterns that can hold no water? All we need is in Christ. Let us lift our eyes from the low earth and all creatures, and behold ‘no man any more,’ as Lord and helper, ‘save Jesus only,’ that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Alexander MacLaren, The Epistles of St. Paul to Colossians and Philemon, The Expositor’s Bible, (New York, A.C. Armstrong, 1903), p. 198
Don’t be fooled by false teachers, false philosophy, or false religion!
BE WARNED – Vs. 8
BE WISE – Vs. 9
BE WHOLE – Vs. 10