Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Superiority of Being In Christ Colossians 2:9-15 Would you work hard to gain something inferior to something far superior that you already have? Paul is concerned about false teachers deceiving and leading astray the Colossian believers

The Superiority of Being In Christ Colossians 2:9-15 Jesus is far superior to the vain and empty philosophy being advocated by the false teachers Colossians 2:8-15

Philosophical Weakness Colossians 2:8 Be watchful not to be carried away as spoil by philosophies which give the illusion of gaining godliness Do not allow yourself to be captured by anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ

Superiority of Jesus’ Nature Colossians 2:9 Paul makes clear Jesus is the Christ and His nature as both God and man Deity here refers to the divine essence rather than just divine qualities (compare Romans 1:20) Fullness is in sense of “full measure” and dwell here is a permanent residence

Superiority of Jesus’ Nature Colossians 2:9 Jesus has the totality of the divine essence dwelling in Him permanently In “bodily form” refers to the physical form Jesus took at the incarnation & which was resurrected Jesus is full God and fully man, a concept that people still stumble over - and heretics deny

Superiority of Jesus’ Work Colossians 2:10 To be complete (plhrovw / plêroô) is to be “made full,” “fully supplied” - 2 Peter 1:3-4

Superiority of Jesus’ Work Colossians 2:10 Jesus fully supplies all we need: Life (2 Cor. 9:10; Matt. 6:25-34), Eternal life (John 1:12, Rom. 8:15; Heb. 4:16); Godliness (Phil. 1:6; Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Peter 5:10)

Superiority of Jesus’ Position Colossians 2:10 The one who created the rulers and authorities is also the head over them It would be ludicrous to worship inferior beings and contrary to God’s command to worship Him only

A Superior Circumcision Colossians 2:11 Circumcision is first mentioned in Genesis 17 and is a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham There was always to be a greater spiritual reality - circumcision of the heart - Deut. 10:16f; 30:6 A spiritual circumcision signifying the new covenant - Deut. 30:6; Jer. 31:31-34; Rom. 2:29

A Superior Circumcision Colossians 2:11 “Body of flesh” is a metaphor for the old sinful life as in Romans 7 & 8 “Circumcision of Christ” is a reference to regeneration brought about by Jesus’ atonement

A Superior Baptism Colossians 2:12 Superior to both Jewish ritual baptism of cleansing and the baptism of repentance Christian water baptism identifies with Jesus’ death, burial & resurrection (Romans 6), but does not save

A Superior Baptism Colossians 2:12 Baptism by the Holy Spirit is superior to all (Matt. 3:11) - and is the means of regeneration - (1 Cor. 12:13) This is a baptism that is received through faith - as in Romans 10:9-10

The Dead Made Alive Colossians 2:13 The natural state of man is spiritually dead. Only the power of God can make Him alive

Forgiven All Transgressions Colossians 2:13 Through Jesus all our transgressions are forgiven Forgiven (carivzomai / charizomai) has its root in the word for grace & it is something already done

Charges Dismissed Colossians 2:14 The illustration is one of a Roman execution Paul pictures all the court orders condemning us being gathered together and nailed to Jesus’ cross

A Superior Triumph Colossians 2:15 A triumph was a victory parade of a conquering General as he returned leading his defeated captives Hebrews 2:14-15 explains that through death, Jesus rendered powerless the devil’s power of death

A Superior Triumph Colossians 2:15 Death has lost its power over believers, and we overwhelmingly conquer through Jesus (Rom. 8:37)

Conclusions Jesus is superior in nature, work & position and He gives a superior circumcision, baptism, life & victory

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ