Christ is Where True Spirituality is Found

1 . Identify and beware of False Influencers

Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. —Colossians 2:16 CSB

Who were these false influencers?
• They may have been in the church.
• They were likely from Jewish background.
• They likely had had other spiritual influences and combed spiritual ideas.

These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ. —Colossians 2:17 CSB

• Like a shadow of a person points to the real person, these older rituals were an indicator of Christ.

Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind. —Colossians 2:18 CSB

• What are ascetic practices - Strict treatment of the body for spiritual purposes. Possibly…

Three possible meanings of “Worship of Angels”
1 . Literally worshipping angels.

2 . An obsession with angels.
a. With the angels themselves. or…
b. With the idea that God spoke through the angels.

3 . The worship that the angels were doing.

2 . The Big Error of the False Influencers was their Disconnect with Christ.

They don’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with growth from God. —Colossians 2:19 CSB

• Real spiritual life and growth comes through Christ.
• Watch out for things that…
- Are alluring
- Mysterious - Secret knowledge
- Give a sense of superiority
- Add extra-biblical practices

• Ask, “Is this something that is contrary to the gospel? Or adds to the gospel?”

If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? —Colossians 2:20–21 CSB

What is the meaning of the word “Elements?” - Greek: Stoicheion

1 . basic components of something, elements
2 . transcendent powers that are in control over events in this world, elements, elemental spirits.
3 . The Regulations of the Ralse Influencers were Useless

All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence. —Colossians 2:22–23 CSB

• The focus of these regulations is on things that will not last, rather than on the eternal things.

• They appear wise by promoting…
- Self-made religion - It can make them seem creative, enlightened, open minded, alluring.
- False humility - They may act humble, but it is actually self-exalting.
- Severe treatment of the body - This can seem admirable.

Application
1 . Focus on Christ as the A-Z of your salvation.
• Justification - Made you in right standing with God: Freedom from the penalty of sin.
• Sanctification - He is changing you to be more godly: Freedom from the power of sin.
• Glorification - Eternal life in glory with Christ: Freedom from the presence of sin.
2 . Don’t be swayed or distracted from the gospel…
• By a feeling of judgment from those teaching other religious practices.
• By the alluring nature of non-biblical mystical practices and beliefs.
• By Syncretism - Trying to blend Christianity with other religious systems or spiritual practices.
3 . Take rest in the freedom you have in Christ.