RIVERWAY CLASSWeek #6

Colossians 3:1—11Instructor: Ernie Zarra

Last Week’s Text

2:6—2:23

There Are Two Types “In Christ”

• The Dead in Christ –(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

• The Alive in Christ–(Colossians 2:6-7)

Those Alive in Christ (2:6-7)

• Are firmly rooted• Have received the faith• Keep on walking• In a state of continually being built up in Him• Are established• Have been instructed• Overflow with gratitude

Is Christ Sufficient?

• What does it mean when Paul says Christ is all-sufficient?

• Is He sufficient for us today? (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Christ Is All You Need (2:8-15)

• Warning Against False Philosophies (2:8)• False Teachings in the Church at Colossae – Gnosticism– Dualism– Mystery Cults– Paganism– Asceticism– Jewish Mysticism– Syncretism

Fullness of the Godhead Is In Christ (2:9)

• The fullness of God exists continually in Christ.• The Word was made flesh and dwelt among

us.• Jesus was the God the Son before His

incarnation.

We Are Made Complete in Christ (2:10)

• Christ is not merely a divine essence imparted to us.

• We are not little “gods.”• Angels, rituals, and pagan philosophies pale in

significance to His fullness.• The new birth allows us to partake of God’s

divine nature without us being deity.

Warning Against Judaistic Ceremonialism (2:11)

• Outward signs are not necessarily indicators of inward changes.

• The new birth is the “Christian circumcision.”• Spiritual circumcision is in Christ

Baptism and Circumcisionin Christ (2:12-13)

• Baptism is like circumcision, in that they are both symbols of changes brought about by Christ.

• Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

• To be uncircumcised in Spirit, is to be dead in trespasses and sin.

• Paul’s message to the Colossians is that the false teachings distort the finished work of Christ.

Our Debt Is Cancelled (2:14)

• Our debt is now “wiped away.”• William Barclay suggests the ancient documents

were written on papyrus or vellum and the ancient ink had no acid in it. Therefore, it did not bite into the surface of the writing material. When the scribe needed to erase the writing on the surface he took a sponge and wiped the writing off. It was on the surface of the paper and therefore not permanent. “The ink could be wiped out as if it had never been.”

We Are Free From Gnosticism (2:16-17)

• Gnosticism or its influences adds no advantages for the Christian.

• Christ is sufficiency and no heresy can measure up to the person and work of Christ.

Paul’s Final Warnings (2:18-23)

• Worshipping angels over Christ debases Christ.• Asceticism is an indulging in the flesh.• Exercise caution because practices that have

the appearance of wisdom may be based in the flesh.

This Week’s Text

3:1—11

Introductory Questions

• 1. What is the purpose of the Christian?• 2. What motivates the Christian to live a life

pleasing to God?• 3. Describe the attitude of the average believer.

• 4. In what ways does a balanced attitude bring

glory to God?• 5. Ever been served by someone whom you

were sure did not like being a “server”?

Purpose of the Christian Life

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

Motivation

• If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to your mountain, "MOVE!" and it WILL move... and NOTHING will be impossible for YOU! - Matthew 17:20

• If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believeth. - Mark 9:23

• With God all things are possible. - Matthew 19:26• And I am sure that he who began a good work in

you will complete it. - Philippians 1:6

A Balanced Attitude

Philippians 2:1-7

Overview of Chapter 3:1-11

• Basics for Living in Christ– Christ is all-sufficient– Practical advice on living in Christ– Assurance of living in Christ

Paul’s Admonitions (Colossians 3:1-4)

• Seek the heavenly things• The things which are sought (Philippians 4:8)• Adhering to Scripture• Our reality in Christ

Consider As Dead (Colossians 3:5-9)

• Sensual sins• Social/Relational Practices

Practicing the New Self (Colossians 3:10-11)

• Christ is sufficient and in all believers• We are being renewed, according to the image

of Christ (Romans 8:29)• We are becoming more like Christ, instead of

chasing after things of the flesh