The Colossian church is commended for being (v.7): “rooted in Christ” “built up in Christ” “strengthened in the faith they were taught” “overflowing in thankfulness” COLOSSIANS 2:5-7

The Imposter King “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy.” (Colossians 2:8) Satan is an imposter king, parading around like he is a victor, when he is nothing more than a thief with a stolen crown. He wields sin and death as weapons against us, supposing them to secure his rule on earth.

Jesus: The King of Kings “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross”. (Colossians 2:15) Christ did battle with and defeated the illegitimate authority of Satan the usurper king through the cross Through His death and resurrection, Jesus completely stripped the defeated spiritual powers and authorities of any ability to strike back, crushing their weapons of sin and death, making a public spectacle of their crushing defeat in the process.

Jesus: The King of Kings We are led “as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere”. (2 Corinthians 2:14) By taking on flesh, Jesus entered physically into enemy territory and, through His death and resurrection, began to take back that which was rightfully His.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

Though our enemy holds no power over us, he still seeks to steal that which is not his, which includes the freedom we have found in Jesus Christ. Satan’s tactics include: encouraging a fondness or love for knowledge touting a dependence on human tradition and ceremonial behaviour preoccupying us with mystical visions of elemental spiritual forces

Why in one’s freedom would one again choose slavery? The Message of the Exodus: stand firm, fear not your enemy, and be free for God is with you. The Message of the New Exodus: stand firm, fear not our enemy, and be free for “in Christ you have been brought to fullness”(v.10). Our freedom is a freedom that permits us to: reject our enemy’s advances cast off the shackles of death and sin now defeated through Jesus truly love one another, becoming the Christ-like community God intend us to be

Might this act demonstrates our desire to be full of Jesus together, as His people here at Hillside.