INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS Don’t Get Captured Colossians 2:6-10 INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. An issue of Integrity

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world…..

Don’t Get Captured In The Global War On Error “Without a biblical worldview, all the great teaching goes in one ear and out the other. There are no intellectual pegs in the mind of the individual to hang these truths on. So they just pass through. They don’t stick. They don’t make a difference.” ~George Barna

What Happens When We Are Taken Captive? Take up space Take up resources Take up valuable time Not effective Opportunities are lost

What Is A Worldview? Framework for understanding reality. Everyone has a worldview. Everyone is a “believer”. Ideas have consequences; what we believe affects how we behave. There is only one true north…one reality. The truth merits inspection.

“Understanding Christianity as a total life system is absolutely essential for two reasons. First, it enables us to make sense of the world we live in and thus order our lives more rationally. Second, it enables us to understand forces hostile to our faith, equipping us to evangelize and to defend Christian truth as God’s instruments for transforming culture.” ~Charles Colson Founder Prison Fellowship

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

An issue of our new Identity Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority. An issue of our new Identity and His Authority

Choosing Captivity….or Christ Empty deception and Philosophy Traditions of men Elementary principles of this world In Him the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form In Him you have been made complete He is head over all rule and authority.

The Truth About Identity I know the reality of who I am IN CHRIST I know the character and nature of the Father. I know the character and nature of Jesus. I know the character and nature of the Spirit. I am familiar with the nature and schemes of the enemy. There is no confusion about Whose side I am on!

The Truth About Integrity Humility-causes the enemy to flee. Forgiveness-keeps us from the bondage of the enemy. Contentment and Gratitude-keeps us from acting like a traitor. Transformation and Sanctification-pisses the enemy off.

The Truth About Authority (how do sheep engage wolves and lions?) Jesus has ultimate, supreme authority. Live under a greater authority. Your relationship in Christ; put on the full armor. Stay in contact with a greater authority. Pray about everything. Carry a spiritual 9mm and know how to use it. Know the Scriptures…train with the Scriptures…apply it! The enemy hates it when we obey

Some of the greatest victories over the forces of evil are not found in mission fields far away but on the battlefields of our own heart and mind and in the arenas we currently find ourselves living in!

How To Engage The Captured The Four Killer Questions: 1) What do you mean by…? 2) How do you know that what you’re saying is true? 3) What difference does that make in your life? Or, “So what?” 4) What if you are wrong?

Colossians 2:6-7 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted an now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (authority) “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me (authority). Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (engage), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (identity), teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (integrity). And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (authority, identity).”

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS Don’t Get Captured INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS