Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Superiority of Christ to Legalism Colossians 2:16-17 Paul warns the Colossian believers of clear and present dangers in their midst He warned them about being deluded by persuasive argument or be captured by empty, vain philosophy

The Superiority of Christ to Legalism Colossians 2:16-17 Jesus is superior by His nature, work & position giving a better circumcision, baptism, life & victory Paul warns about legalism, asceticism and mysticism - Colossians 2:16-23

Licentiousness Licentiousness rejects law believing they have spiritual license for the things they practice 1 John corrects the error of Gnostic based licentiousness - 1 John 3:9-10 1 Corinthians corrects licentiousness based in spiritual pride.

Licentiousness True spirituality is expressed in Christian love - 1 Corinthians 12-14 Some people justify their sinful behavior by claiming the Holy Spirit’s leading Christians who sin and try to justify it instead of repenting have stepped into licentiousness

Legalism Legalism defines spirituality by a strict code of conduct determined by men instead of God Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for it - Matthew 15:9; Matthew 23:23-24 Legalists are often zealous for the Lord, but are ignorant of His will (Rom. 10:2; Gal. 1:14; Phil. 3:6)

Legalism Most legalistic traditions start as a means to keep from breaking one of God’s commandments The legalists in Galatia had perverted the gospel - Gal. 1:8-9

Legalism The legalists in Colossae were redefining righteous living, not the gospel itself. Legalism still exists today in a variety of ways and extremes

The Command Colossians 2:16 let no one act as your judge in regard to Jesus spoke against this kind of judgmentalism - Matthew 7:1-4 Matthew 15:1-9, the Pharisees condemn the disciples

The Command Colossians 2:16 Matthew 12:1-2, the Pharisees accuse the disciples of breaking the Sabbath Jesus heals people and the Pharisees accuse Him of healing by the power of Beelzebul

The Command Colossians 2:16 Matthew 5:7 - Jesus was not prohibiting all judging, but only the wrong manner of doing so (cf. Gal. 6) They placed greater importance on keeping traditions than obeying God and showing compassion

Food Restrictions Colossians 2:16 What was eaten, how it was prepared, and how it was eaten Traditions: washing hands (Matt. 15), Two sets of dishes to avoid violation of Deut. 14:21 The Christian is not obligated to keeping the traditions of men.

Food Restrictions Colossians 2:16 Mosaic Law - restrictions on particular animals considered unclean (Leviticus 11) Early Christian Jews had a hard time letting go of the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law It is not required to disobey Mosaic dietary laws, but keeping them must be voluntary & without pride

Food Restrictions Colossians 2:16 The principle - Romans 14:1-4 Paul’s use of his freedom in Christ - 1 Corinthians 9 & 10 1 Timothy 4:1-5. Paul’s warning about the origin of legalistic practices and God’s view of food

Drink Restrictions Romans 14:17 - True righteousness is not a matter of dietary laws, but of walking in the Spirit 1 Corinthians 10:31 - living for God’s glory Cautions against intoxicating drink: Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3. Proverbs 20:21 and 23:29-32

Calendar Duties Colossians 2:16 Three specific types in the Mosaic Law - a festival, a new moon and Sabbath The principle - Romans 14:5-9 They do not have to disregard the festivals, but they are not required to keep them.

Calendar Duties Colossians 2:16 Keeping the Sabbath is not required in the new covenant – Rom 14 No N.T. demands for Christians to keep No O.T. demands for Gentiles to keep No in Jerusalem council – Acts 15 Paul warns about requiring it – Rom 14. Col. 2, Gal. 4:9-11

Calendar Duties Colossians 2:16 Most Christians worship on Sunday out of honor for Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 20:7) It is fine to set a different day for corporate worship

Shadow vs. Substance Colossians 2:17 Why let someone judge you based on shadows when you have the reality? Jesus is the fulfillment of the types and shadows of the old covenant

Conclusions Legalism is dangerous Licentious is just as dangerous Let us walk by the Spirit of God living holy lives that bring glory to our Lord

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ