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Summary

Sermon Outline “Christmas in Colossians” - He is the Substance” Col. 2:16-23 2012 Theme: Until He Comes - looking for Jesus to come again & seeking to live according to that perspective. Until Jesus comes, let’s joyously celebrate His 1st coming, give Him the gift of ourselves as living sacrifices, see Him as He is - the incarnate God & Savior/Lord, let everyday be Christmas and Resurrection Day & let Christ be born and formed in us. Last week: Christmas in Colossians 2:9-15 The same Jesus laid in the manger is the eternal God. He is “the head of all rule and authority” He died on the cross, was buried and was raised in triumph In Him: We are filled/completed, dead to sin, raised to new life, forgiven, triumphant. Christmas in Colossians 2:16-23 - The same Jesus who came as a baby is the substance of all Biblical symbol and ceremony and all we need and are searching for. Jesus is the real thing. Paul’s concern: False teachers were insisting that the Colossian believers must keep all the Jewish special days and practices (festivals, ceremonies, abstinence of certain foods, etc). Others advocated worshiping angels and self-abasement as a means to be more spiritual. The believers were confused and began to question their faith. Paul’s argument: Jesus has done all you need for salvation, and all those special days and practices only point to Him. You don’t need them anymore; You have Him and need only Him. “The substance belongs to Christ” Substance - “body, that which casts a shadow, as distinguished from the shadow itself” (Strong’s). No amount of rituals or ceremonies or restraints can make you right with God or transform your life. Only Jesus satisfies. Paul urged the Colossian believers to hold “fast to the Head…” - hold fast to Christ & Him alone. Everything else is but a shadow. He is the substance - follow Him! This can be illustrated by considering some of the things Paul mentioned: Circumcision (vs11) - cutting off of the flesh. It’s in Christ that our flesh/old man is cut off, put to death. We died with Him. No need for literal circumcision any more. Special Days/Festivals (vs16) - Passover - sacrifice of the lamb and blood placed on the door posts. Jesus is our Passover lamb - there is no other sacrifice needed or accepted. - Day of Atonement - “scapegoat” sent away into the desert, bearing the confessed sins of the people; sin offering given to pay for sin. Jesus is the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Acts 4:12 Sabbath (vs16 - probably refers to the Sabbath which was part of special feast days) - day of rest, set apart for God (still need). Christ Jesus is our Sabbath; we rest in His completed work! Worshiping on Saturday or Sunday does not make us right with God or more mature in Christ. Regulations (vs20-21) - eating meat offered to idols, touching a unclean animal or person, etc. These represent things that might be for our own good to practice, but they are matters of conscience. These would include our traditions. They cannot save or make us righteous. It is in Christ that we are saved and made clean and imputed with His righteousness. Asceticism (self-abuse)/Worship of Angels - These are wrong attempts to be righteous or appease guilt or reach God. They might also include false religions or worldly ways to find satisfaction (alcohol, drugs, pornography, sensuality, etc.) Christ is the only door to God. He alone is the Way, Truth and Life. John 10:10 - Following Christ is the only way to abundant life. Until He comes, celebrate His coming, give Him your life, see Him as He is, & let Him be born and formed in