Opening Monologue
A couple of weeks ago, we began a sermon series titled “Recharging Our Faith.” If you missed the first week, I highly encourage you to watch it on YouTube.
This series focuses on three key areas:
1. Avoiding weak Christianity
2. Protecting our faith in Jesus Christ
3. Ensuring we recharge our faith
In this week’s sermon, I’ll pose a couple of self-examining questions you probably don’t often consider:
• How are you protecting yourself from being drained? Is life just a constant “go, go, go” until you collapse or become ill? We need a gauge or meter to prevent burning out.
• What are you doing to recharge your faith?
Here’s a truth that can slowly creep into our lives, often unnoticed until it’s too late: most moral failures happen when we let our spiritual batteries drain, leaving us vulnerable. To avoid this, we must establish spiritual boundaries for protection and prioritize recharging our faith.
As Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Join us this Sunday as we dive into God’s Word to be encouraged and equipped in our Christian lives.
In Christs Love,
Rev. Brad Standfest
To Listen to this week’s Sermon: “Week 2 Recharging Our Faith” Go to the Sermon tab here in our APP or use the links to our website or YouTube Channel where you can also listen to our Sermons:
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Key Sermon Texts
Colossians 2:8
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202%3A8%20%20&version=NIV
Colossians 3:1-10
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A1-10&version=NIV
Thoughts behind Recharging our Faith
Protecting and nurturing our faith as Christians is vital in our walk with Christ. It’s about building a relationship with Jesus and ensuring that our faith remains strong and vibrant. Here are some biblical principles to help you stay anchored in your faith:
1. Engage in Regular Prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool in maintaining and strengthening your faith. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Through prayer, we are in constant communication with God, which helps strengthen our reliance on Him.
2. Immerse Yourself in Scripture: Regular reading and meditation on the Word of God deepen your understanding and faith. Psalm 119:105 states, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Scripture provides guidance, wisdom, and strengthens our spiritual footing, allowing us to resist temptations and stay aligned with God’s will.
3. Fellowship with Other Believers: Engaging in fellowship with other Christians is vital for encouragement and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Fellowship provides a community where believers can support and uplift each other.
4. Seek the Guidance of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding and sustaining our faith. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as our helper. John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Within the nuances of life, the Holy Spirit aids in reminding us of Jesus’ teachings and empowers us to live in faith.
5. Live Out Your Faith Through Action: Faith is not just a belief but also an action. James 2:26 states, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Living out our faith in service to others and practicing the love of Christ helps to fortify our belief as it becomes an active expression of what we hold dear.
Staying faithful in Christ requires intentional effort and commitment. It’s a journey that involves perseverance, continual learning, and reliance on God’s grace. In times of weakness or doubt, remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Holding onto these truths and surrounding yourself with uplifting community and biblical wisdom will keep your spirit nourished and steadfast in faith.
Practical strategies for establishing spiritual boundaries to protect and recharge your faith
1. Prioritize Daily Time with God
Set aside intentional time for prayer, Bible reading, and meditation to stay connected to Christ.
Example: Start each day with 10-15 minutes of reading a Psalm or a Gospel chapter, followed by prayer for strength and guidance.
This builds a foundation to guard against “hollow and deceptive philosophy” (Colossians 2:8).
2. Limit Exposure to Negative Influences
Identify and reduce time spent on media, relationships, or environments that promote worldly values over Christ-centered ones.
Example: Curate your media intake by choosing uplifting content and avoiding sources that breed doubt or cynicism.
Set boundaries like screen-time limits or muting unhelpful voices on platforms like X.
3. Practice Sabbath Rest
Dedicate a day or regular time for rest and spiritual renewal to avoid burnout.
Example: Reserve Sundays for worship, reflection, and family without work-related distractions.
This helps maintain a “gauge” to prevent spiritual and emotional depletion.
4. Surround Yourself with Godly Community
Engage with a supportive faith community for accountability and encouragement.
Example: Join a small group or Bible study to share struggles and pray together, reinforcing your faith.
A strong community helps protect against vulnerability to moral failures.
5. Set Clear Moral and Ethical Boundaries
Define non-negotiables based on biblical principles to guide decisions and behavior.
Example: Commit to honesty in all dealings or avoid compromising situations (e.g., one-on-one meetings with someone who could tempt you).
Regularly reflect on Colossians 2:8 to ensure your choices align with Christ, not human traditions.
6. Practice Gratitude and Worship
Cultivate a habit of gratitude and worship to keep your focus on God’s goodness.
Example: Keep a gratitude journal, noting three things daily that remind you of God’s faithfulness.
This recharges your faith by shifting focus from life’s demands to God’s provision.
7. Monitor Your Spiritual ‘Battery’ Level
Regularly assess your spiritual health through self-reflection or journaling.
Example: Ask yourself weekly, “Am I feeling drained? What’s pulling me away from God?” Adjust habits accordingly.
This acts as a “meter” to prevent spiritual exhaustion.
Psalm 91 (NIV) Prayer of Protection & Application
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Prayer for Protection
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You, seeking the shelter of Your Most High presence, as promised in Psalm 91. You are our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust. We ask for Your divine protection over our lives—spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Cover us with Your feathers and shield us with Your faithfulness from the snares of the enemy and the temptations of this world. Help us to dwell in You daily, trusting Your promises to guard us from harm and guide us through trials. Surround us with Your angels, strengthen our faith, and keep us from stumbling. May we call on Your name with confidence, knowing You hear us and will deliver us. Thank You for Your steadfast love and salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Outline for Spiritual Protection
This outline provides a framework for establishing spiritual boundaries and recharging faith, drawing from Psalm 91 and the themes of your sermon series. It can be used as a teaching tool or sermon structure.
1. Dwell in God’s Presence (Psalm 91:1-2)
• Key Idea: Make God your daily refuge through spiritual disciplines.
• Application:
o Practice daily prayer and Bible study to stay rooted in God’s truth.
o Example: Read Psalm 91 each morning to declare God as your refuge.
• Connection to Sermon: Protects against “hollow and deceptive philosophy” (Colossians 2:8) by anchoring faith in Christ.
2. Trust in God’s Protection (Psalm 91:3-8)
• Key Idea: Trust that God shields you from spiritual and physical dangers.
• Application:
Memorize and confess Psalm 91:2 (“He is my refuge and my fortress”) to build confidence in God’s care.
Limit exposure to negative influences (e.g., media or toxic relationships) that weaken faith.
• Connection to Sermon: Prevents spiritual drainage by reinforcing trust in God’s faithfulness.
3. Establish Spiritual Boundaries (Psalm 91:9-10)
• Key Idea: Set intentional boundaries to guard your heart and mind.
• Application:
Create a “no-compromise” zone, such as avoiding situations that tempt you to stray from biblical values.
Example: Set a rule to avoid private interactions that could lead to moral failure.
• Connection to Sermon: Aligns with avoiding weak Christianity and protecting faith from vulnerability.
4. Rely on God’s Angels and Guidance (Psalm 91:11-13)
• Key Idea: God provides supernatural help to guide and protect you.
• Application:
Pray for discernment in decisions, trusting God’s angels to guard your path.
Example: Before a challenging day, pray for God’s guidance to avoid “striking your foot against a stone.”
• Connection to Sermon: Encourages recharging faith through reliance on God’s provision.
5. Call on God in Faith (Psalm 91:14-16)
• Key Idea: Actively seek God in times of trouble, trusting He will answer.
• Application:
Develop a habit of immediate prayer during challenges, claiming God’s promises.
Example: Keep a prayer journal to record answered prayers, reinforcing God’s faithfulness.
• Connection to Sermon: Recharges faith by fostering a proactive, trusting relationship with God.
Practical Steps for the Congregation:
• Start Small: Choose one discipline (e.g., daily prayer or Scripture reading) to practice this week.
• Accountability: Partner with a friend or small group to share progress and pray for protection.
• Monitor Your Gauge: Weekly, reflect on your spiritual health—ask, “Am I dwelling in God’s presence, or am I drained?”
• Worship Together: Join Sunday services to be encouraged by God’s Word
Digging Deeper Commentary and Biblical reflection
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST / 2:6–8 Colossians
Paul rejoiced in the Colossians’ unity and steadfast faith because these proved they had not given ground to the heresy. But Paul wanted to insure that they wouldn’t give in and believe the lies of the false teachers. So he launched into a full-scale rebuttal of the false teaching.
2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. The Colossians had not merely received the doctrines of Christ, they had received Christ himself. The verb “received” (in Greek, parelabete) means more than the moment a person asks Christ into his or her heart. Paul most likely used the word, taken from Judaism, to describe the transmitting and safeguarding of traditions and teachings from one person or generation to another. Thus when Paul reminded the Colossians of when they received Christ Jesus, he was reminding them of their receiving the proclamation and teaching, and their confession of faith, their baptism, and their new status as members of Christ’s body.
Because Christ dwells within all believers through the Holy Spirit, they should walk (conduct their lives) in union with the indwelling Christ. The word “walk” refers to ethical conduct and behavior appropriate for those who claim Christ. The verb indicates continuous action: “continue to live” (NIV). The past event of receiving Christ should be a present reality in the believers’ daily lives.
2:7 Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Paul used several metaphors in these verses, first telling believers to walk, then to be rooted like a plant, built like a building, and established like a legal document. Each metaphor has a specific and profound point for Christian living.
First, the Colossians were to be rooted in Christ. Just as plants draw nourishment from the soil through their roots, so the believers should draw life-giving strength from Christ. The more they would draw strength from Christ, the less they would be fooled by those who falsely claimed to have life’s answers. Paul used the perfect tense of the word, describing a present state that had resulted from a past action. A better translation would be “having been rooted.” The Colossians were still rooted in Christ because they had received him.
Second, the Colossians were to be built up. This word is in the present tense, describing continuous action. Like a plant, they were “rooted” once and for all, but they had to grow continuously (1:28). Or like a building, they had a solid foundation, but had to keep on building with solid materials in order to be strong.
Third, the Colossians were to be strengthened in the faith. This can also be translated “established in the faith” (NKJV). “Established” was a legal term, often used for a binding contract. This too is continuous action, an ongoing process. In these words, Paul might have meant any of three things: (1) that they should become more established (stronger) in their personal faith, (2) that their faith should establish and strengthen them for daily living, or (3) that they should become more established (stronger) in the faith, Christianity. The words as you were taught indicate that the third option is probably closest to Paul’s meaning. Paul wanted the Colossians to be built up and established in order to continue to stand firmly against any false teaching.
TRUST: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW!
Living under the lordship of Christ means realizing that each day brings new opportunities to trust Christ and experience his powerful work in us. Have you trusted this day to Christ?
Trusting Christ = Living in vital union with Christ day by day (2:2–7)
Accepting Christ as Head or Lord = He is in control (1:15–18; 2:19; 3:10, 17)
Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit = God’s mighty energy at work in us (1:11, 28, 29)
Inward and outward results = • assurance of forgiveness (2:15)
• freedom from evil desires (2:11)
• joy (2:7)
• personal growth (1:28)
• opportunities to tell others the gospel (1:4, 28)
• thankfulness to God (2:7)
Direction = God becoming involved in our decisions (3:1, 16)
The faith in which these Colossian believers were rooted, built up, and established should be a source of abundant thanksgiving. True understanding of what Christ has done on behalf of believers can lead to no other response than gratefulness. This too ought to characterize believers’ faith and walk.
2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. The Colossians needed to be on their guard. Paul strongly warned about the heresy’s effect on those who believed it. They would be taken captive. The word used here means “to kidnap” or “to capture and take away.” The false teachers used seductive tactics; the believers had to see to it that they didn’t allow themselves to let down their guard and be captured intellectually.
THE BEGINNING
Receiving Christ as Lord of your life is the beginning of life with Christ. But you must continue to follow his leadership by being rooted, built up, and strengthened in the faith. Christ wants to guide you and help you with your daily problems. You can live for Christ by (1) committing your life and submitting your will to him (Romans 12:1–2); (2) seeking to learn from him, his life, and his teachings (3:16); and (3) recognizing the Holy Spirit’s power in you (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22).
According to Paul, the heresy amounted to nothing more than hollow and deceptive philosophy. The word translated “philosophy” occurs only here in the New Testament, so this may have been a significant feature of this heresy. In Greek, the word “philosophy” means “love of wisdom.” Paul was a gifted philosopher, so he was not condemning education or the study of philosophy. Instead, he was condemning false philosophy, the kind that is deceptive because it keeps people from seeing the truth.
Paul was so disparaging toward this heresy because it was based merely on human tradition. Traditions are fine but have little value in a search for the truth. The heresy also was based on the basic principles of this world. The Greek phrase stoikeia tou kosmou has also been translated “elements of the world” (in Galatians 4:3 NKJV).
This phrase (also used in Colossians 2:20) has three main interpretations:
(1) Some have interpreted “basic principles” to refer directly to the law of Moses. This interpretation agrees with Paul’s view that the law taken by itself leads only to slavery, but the meaning must be much broader to fit the context of the Colossian believers.
(2) Others have interpreted “basic principles” or “elements” to mean the four basic elements of Greek philosophy—earth, air, fire, and water. Later, these elements became associated with the gods and then with the stars and planets. Many pagan religions (and, at times, the Jewish people) worshiped stars and planets because of their supposed effect on human destiny. This interpretation is also unlikely in this context.
(3) A third, and most likely, interpretation is that these “basic principles” are the elementary stages of religious practice, whether in the Jewish religion, or the rites and rituals in any heathen religion. Paul may have been referring to the local gods worshiped by the pagans across the Roman Empire. Every city had its own deity. In Greek, a deity was called a daimon (demon). The source of these deities or demons was the same—Satan. Because the heresy did not come from Christ, it had to have been inspired by Satan in order to “kidnap” people away from the truth.
No man-made religion can lead to the truth, for truth can be found only in Christ. In Christ are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3 NKJV). No one can come to God except through Christ (John 14:6). True philosophy will focus on Jesus Christ—it will not put Christ in any lower position, nor will it focus on human endeavor.
Colossians 3:1-10
PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LIVING / 3:1–10
Whereas chapter 2 was mostly a criticism of false teachers, this section affirms the Christian’s new position in Christ. In chapter 2, Paul exposed the wrong reasons for self-denial. Chapter 3:1–4 functions like Romans 12:1–2. It provides a powerful transition from the theoretical discussion of chapters 1 and 2 to the practical issues of chapters 3 and 4. In chapter 3, Paul explains true Christian behavior—putting on the new self by accepting Christ and regarding the earthly nature as dead. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live within us, so that he can shape us into what we should be.
3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Paul did not want to leave his readers with merely a negative dimension to their faith—for example, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world” (2:20 NIV)—so he turned their focus to the positive. They had died, but they had also been raised. The Greek words in the phrase since … you have been raised with Christ express certainty. There was no doubt in Paul’s mind of the sincerity of the Colossians’ faith. Once dead in their sins, they had been raised from death, just as Christ had been raised from the dead by God’s power (3:3–4 will explain this). They had received new life from God through the power of the Holy Spirit. They did not need to struggle and work to attain that life, as the false teachers were trying to tell them; they already had new life! What remained was to work out its implications in daily life. Because they had been raised, they had a clear responsibility to Christ, who had raised them.
In the Bible, the “heart” is the center of one’s being. Jesus had told his followers, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20–21 NIV). Paul explained that their hearts should be set … on things above. The Greek word for “set” (zeteo) means to seek something out with a desire to possess it. Their hearts should be seeking after what is above (in the spiritual, eternal world) in contrast to what is below (in the earthly, transitory world). Paul contrasted the desirable “things” with the basic principles of the universe (2:20) and the human commands and teachings (2:22–23). They were to get their direction from Christ, not from the ascetic principles discussed in 2:8–23.
The other religious teachers stressed “heavenly things” also, but Paul was appealing to the highest power of all, the exalted Christ. The believers must take their focus off the world and turn it to Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God. Jesus had told his accusers that “from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God” (Luke 22:69 NIV). Even David saw the coming Messiah and his position: “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’ ” (Psalm 110:1 NIV). Christ’s seat at God’s right hand reveals his power, authority, and position as both judge and advocate.
Because the believers had been raised with Christ, they were participating with Christ in the spiritual realm to which he had been exalted. Indeed, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6 NIV). The Colossian believers already had experienced this exaltation; they needed to set their hearts and treasures there so that they would live out their lives on earth as citizens of heaven.
3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Setting their “hearts on things above” (3:1) meant “striving” to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice. Setting their minds on things above meant “concentrating” on the eternal rather than the temporal, letting their thoughts dwell in the realm of Christ. They were to focus on the Lord Jesus. Thoughts can influence actions, so if the believers would place their thoughts above and not on the earth, their actions would please God. The ascetics stressed the body; Paul stressed commitment of the whole person, not mindless bodily discipline. Not on things on the earth refers to the legalistic rituals, the false methods used to achieve holiness, and even to the basic principles of the world described in chapter 2.
But on what “things” were they to set their minds? Paul had explained this in another letter: “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 NRSV; see also Colossians 3:12).
They were not to live as ascetics in some mystical, visionary realm; rather, Paul was saying that, by setting their hearts and minds above, their lives on this earth would be pleasing to God and would help accomplish Christ’s work.
3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. The Greek aorist tense in the phrase, for you died connotes that we died when Christ died. It happened at a point in history. In Christ’s death, all believers died (2:20). Then, like a seed buried in the earth, believers’ real lives are hidden from the world, just as Christ’s glory is hidden, only to be revealed when he returns (3:3–4). The spiritual lives of believers are hidden inner lives that are in union with Christ who has brought them to be with him in God. Their new life is a mystery, a secret.
Paul often wrote about how believers already possess the life of Christ, having died and risen with him, yet do not fully possess the perfection and eternal body they will have upon Christ’s return. In the meantime, they are “not yet.” That their lives are “hidden” means they are concealed and safe, hidden from public view. Just as Christ’s glory was real but hidden until the Mount of Transfiguration, so we have a glory that is hidden and will be revealed when Christ returns. This is not only a future hope; it is an accomplished fact. Believers’ salvation is sure, so they are to live each day for Christ and in expectation of his promises.
3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Christ himself gives to believers new, divine life. He is the source, power, and goal of all Christian growth. This life is “hidden” (3:3), and though believers are safe and raised with him, their full potential is yet to be revealed. One day, when Christ appears in his glory, believers will also appear with him in glory. The divine life of Christ will be revealed fully and will glorify us (reveal our true potential as children of God). This verse tells further why we should orient ourselves to heaven, not to earth. Our true glory will come from heaven. Earthly glory is transitory and illusory; only heaven’s glory will last. We will be transformed at Christ’s coming. Creation itself “waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God,” and we “groan inwardly while we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:19, 23 NIV). Yet we have the promise that “those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:30 NRSV). The apostle John wrote, “We know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2 NIV). This time of glorification will be at Christ’s second coming, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17.
Christians look forward to the new heaven and new earth that God has promised, and they wait for God’s new order that will free the world of sin, sickness, and evil. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). In the meantime, they go with Christ into the world, where they heal people’s bodies and souls and fight the evil effects of sin. Christ gives us power to live for him now, and he gives us hope for the future—he will return. In the rest of this chapter Paul explains how Christians should act now in order to be prepared for Christ’s return.
CHRIST, YOUR LIFE
By realizing that Christ is our life, we can have a new attitude about anything that happens to us. If the love of your life should get sick or die or leave you for someone else, in all your hurt, you know that your life is still secure in Christ. He fills the void and loves you with love that cannot die.
If a hurricane should turn your home into toothpicks or you get bad news from a doctor or your factory closes and jobs are scarce, in all the mixed feelings and frustrations, your life is stable in Christ. He walks with you in the storm.
When death approaches and you wonder about the unknown, your life will be hand in hand with Christ, who will lead you home.
Share the Good News with someone else this week. In God’s plan, the best is yet to come.
3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: While Paul opposed the false teachers’ asceticism and regulations, he still forbade certain activities that had no part in believers’ lives. If the Colossian believers were to live as examples of Christ, they had to put to death certain aspects of the earthly nature. “Earthly nature” refers simply to the sinful nature, the old self. Again, Paul was describing the “already” and “not yet” of believers’ lives. Although they had died with Christ and had been raised with him, they were still susceptible to temptation and the evils of the sinful nature. Just like diseased limbs of a tree, these practices must be cut off. It would take conscious, daily decisions to remove anything that supported or fed the desires of the earthly nature and to rely, instead, on the Holy Spirit’s power. Believers are not to live as they lived before. They died and were raised with Christ, so their lives must show evidence that they are new creations. (See Romans 6:11 and 8:13 for more on “put to death.”)
Two sets of sins are listed. The first five refer to sexual sin; the second five to sins of speech. These first five were related to the cultural background of the Colossians and were particularly deadly to the life of the church (3:7).
Sexual immorality (porneia). Any form of illicit sexual relationship. The term serves to spotlight forbidden sexual behavior between people or indirect participation as an audience. We derive our term “pornography” from this Greek word. In contrast to the loose morals of the ancient Greek world, believers ought to show self-discipline and obedience to God in this area.
Impurity (akatharsia). Moral uncleanness. Perhaps no sexual act has taken place, but the person exhibits a crudeness or insensitivity in sexual matters. Like the other characteristics mentioned on this list, impurity points to activities before knowing Christ and should have no place in a believer’s life.
Lust (pathos). Evil sexual passion that leads to excessive sexual immorality and perversion. (See Romans 1:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:5.)
Evil desire (epithumia). Wanting something that is sinister and vile in order to satisfy one’s desires (see also Galatians 5:16). Sinful human nature cannot help but have evil desires. Thus Paul admonished the Colossian believers to get rid of the evil desires that could easily control them and which had been part of their lives before Christ.
Greed [pleonexia] (which is idolatry) Relentless urge to get more for oneself. In this context, Paul may have been focusing on greed for satisfying evil desires and for sexual immorality. The greed is described as idolatry because its focus is on filling desires rather than on God.
3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. The wrath of God refers to God’s judgment on these kinds of behavior. (The words on those who are disobedient are not included in some Greek manuscripts.) God does not reveal his wrath arbitrarily; his perfect moral nature will not permit sin and wickedness to go unpunished. While wrath occurs at present in the natural consequences of sinful behavior, the final culmination of God’s wrath is coming—with future and final punishment of evil. People may try to get around it, but there is punishment for evil for those who have not believed in Christ as Savior. This wrath is described in other references:
• “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath” (John 3:36 NRSV).
• “But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5 NRSV).
• “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might” (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 NRSV).
• “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15 NRSV).
3:7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. The Colossian believers had previously been caught up in the world, conducting their lives without concern about the sins that Paul listed above. They had been dead in their sins (2:13); that all changed when they came to know Christ.
3:8 But now you must get rid of all such things— Precisely because of their new life in Christ, the believers are to put to death the deeds and desires of the earthly nature (3:5) and get rid of those things listed above and others listed below. “Get rid of” means to put off or disrobe. The old, filthy clothes must be taken off before the new clothes can be put on. The believer “removes” the old life of sin and “puts on” the new life of Christ. The Colossian believers had experienced this; Paul asked that they act it out in their lives.
Not only did they need to deal with sexual immorality in all its variations, they also needed to deal with misused anger that often spilled over into evil speech.
Anger (orge). A continuous attitude of hatred that remains bottled up within. This could refer to what is under the surface, while “rage” (below) refers to what bursts out. Anger would destroy the harmony and unity Paul called for among the believers.
Rage (thumos). Outbursts of anger or quick temper for selfish reasons. This could mean continual and uncontrolled behavior.
Malice (kakia). Doing evil despite the good that has been received. This word is a general term referring to an evil force that destroys relationships. It can mean anything from trouble to wickedness. It is a deliberate attempt to harm another person.
Slander (blasphemia). Destroying another person’s good reputation by lies, gossip, spreading rumors, etc. Malice often manifests itself through slander. From the Greek word we get our word “blasphemy,” a term used to describe speaking against God. The Greeks used the word for defamation of character. Again, this destroys human relationships.
Filthy language (aisxrologia). Crude talk, abrasive language, expletives. Paul admonished the believers that such language must be caught and stopped before it escapes their mouths.
These behaviors have no place in any Christian or in any church. These are part of the “old life” before knowing Christ. Christians must resolutely “put off” these repulsive sins of anger and speech so that they can “put on” Christ’s attitudes and actions.
Sometimes Christians and churches fall into the trap of concentrating on one of these lists to the exclusion of the other. Some churches might be horrified at sexual sin in the congregation, all the while ignoring backbiting and gossip. On the other hand, some churches want so much to keep peace and quiet that they will not confront sin, even sexual sin. But Paul doesn’t leave room for any such behavior. The believers were called to get rid of it all.
3:9–10 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices. Because Jesus Christ is “the truth” (John 14:6), believers ought to practice truth in all areas of life. They should not lie to one another. Lying to others disrupts unity by destroying trust. It tears down relationships and may lead to serious conflict in a church. Lying can take place in words said as well as words left unsaid. Believers should not exaggerate statistics, pass on rumors or gossip, or say things to build up their own image at others’ expense. Instead, because they have stripped off the old self with its practices, they should be committed to telling the truth.
What is that “old self” or “old nature”? It was each person before he or she came to know Christ. The person was enslaved to sin, bound to the earth, without hope. But believers have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. The new self or “new nature” from Christ frees us from sin, sets our hearts on “things above” (3:1), and gives us the hope of eternity. Paul was appealing to the commitment the believers had made, urging them to remain true to their confession of faith. They were to rid themselves of the old life and put on the new way of living given by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit.
But how can this be accomplished? How can people “put off” and “put on”? Paul explained that they are not left alone in the process. This new self is being renewed in knowledge. Every Christian is in a continuing education program. Renewal is constantly needed in the believer’s battle against sin and the old self. The “knowledge” referred to here is personal knowledge of Christ that is in the image of its Creator. The goal of the knowledge is Christlikeness. The more believers know of Christ and his work, the more they are being changed to be like him. Because this process is lifelong, we must never stop learning and obeying. There is no justification for drifting along, but there is an incentive to find the rich treasures of growing in him. It takes practice, ongoing review, patience, and concentration to keep in line with God’s will.
Resources: Rev. Brad Standfest, (1) Logos Bible Program, Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Guzik, David, Life Application Bible Commentary, Factbook Logos bible, Barton, Bruce B., and Philip Wesley Comfort. 1995. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Barton, Bruce B., and Philip Wesley Comfort. 1995. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Sermon Notes: Week 2 - Recharging Our Faith
A couple of weeks ago, I started a sermon series called “Recharging Our Faith.” This series focuses on three key things:
*1. Avoiding Weak Christianity*
2. Protecting our Faith in Jesus Christ
3. Ensuring we are Recharging our Faith
AVC Connections Before we dive in, here are the AVC connections:
• YouTube
• App
• Facebook
[Pray]
As we briefly discussed a couple of weeks ago, this life and world will attempt to drain us both spiritually and physically. The Bible and Jesus Himself tell us we will face trials, tribulations, and hardships.
Here are a couple of self-examining questions you really need to think about (and you’re probably not thinking about):
1. How are you protecting yourself from getting drained?
Is life just “Go! Go! Go!” until you drop or get sick?
What sort of gauge do you have that says, “Whoa, wait a minute, I’m not going to do that, I gotta stay away from this”?
You don’t just get into your car and smash the gas until you crash, do you?
I saw a truck the other day on the expressway going down the road straight… but it was sideways. Hmm!
Some people are sideways. Listen, most moral failures occur in people’s lives when they allow their spiritual batteries to be completely drained.
The second question we’re diving deeper into today is:
2. What are you doing to recharge your faith?
Illustration: Electric Trolling Motor
Take a look at this electric trolling motor. It has revolutionized fishing. When it’s fully charged, you can use it as an anchor when you find fish, or chase schools of fish. It literally helps you catch fish. I’ve watched professionals chase fish and catch them. But here’s the deal: once the batteries go low, you’re in trouble. You’re stuck over an old fishing hole, not catching anything.
Application
Do you want to know how we protect our faith and keep our batteries charged? We must plug into Christ every day.
How Did Jesus Stay Strong?
How did Jesus stay strong and walk in the power and anointing of God? Here’s how:
Recharging our Faith Daily
• Mark 1:35: “Early in the morning, while it was dark, Jesus left and went to a solitary place and prayed.”
• Luke 5:16: “Jesus often withdrew from everyone to the wilderness (lonely) places and prayed.”
• Matthew 14:23: “Jesus went by himself to a mountainside to pray.”
Friends, we must stay recharged because this world is trying to draw us into its black hole, its darkness.
Scripture: Colossians 2:8
Let’s turn in our Bibles to Colossians 2:8:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Scripture warns us:
• “No One”: There are people who can lead us astray. As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character.”
• “Hollow deceptive philosophies”: These are non-truths and delusions. These distractions in our life can hijack our faith and drain us.
How Do We Keep Our Faith Recharged?
Let’s close with this. Turn to Colossians 3:1-10:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Devotional Questions
Read Colossians 2:8 & 3:1-10 and answer the following questions:
1. Colossians 2:8 warns about “hollow and deceptive philosophy.” What are some contemporary ideas that might weaken your faith, and how can you actively protect your heart and mind against them to keep your faith recharged?
2. In Colossians 3:1-2, we are urged to set our hearts and minds on things above. How can this focus recharge your faith and act as a safeguard against the distractions of daily life?
3. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). How does embracing this truth protect your faith from doubt and recharge your commitment to live out your identity in Christ?
4. In Colossians 3:5, Paul urges us to “put to death” elements of our earthly nature. Which specific influences threaten to diminish your faith and how can intentionally releasing them recharge your spiritual life?
5. Colossians 3:9-10 speaks of taking off the old self and putting on the new self. How does this process protect your faith from regression, and what steps can you take to continually recharge and renew your commitment to your new life in Christ?
6. Recognizing your completeness in Christ (Colossians 2:10) serves as a fortification for your faith. In what practical ways can this understanding empower you to protect and recharge your faith during challenging times?
7. Colossians 3:1 says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…” How can the reality of your resurrection with Christ protect you against despair and recharge your spirit to live vibrantly for His kingdom?