[By Ron Halbrook]

Introduction 1. Col. 2:8 Free from sin & error: do not go back 2 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Introduction 2. Slaves no more: sing! Col. 2:1-12 All spiritual treasures in Christ Col. 3:1-3 Free to live a new life Col. 3:16-17 Freed slaves praise their Savior Freed slaves sing in the Philippines 3

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ A. Deep Concern for Spiritual Welfare of Saints Col. 2:1-3 Find comfort & love in knowing the gospel of Christ 4

5 1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ A. Deep Concern for Spiritual Welfare of Saints Knit together unto full assurance: Unity in Christ strengthens our steadfastness in the true treasures of the gospel 6

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ B. Warning: Grand Claims of False Doctrine Offer Greater Spiritual Riches Col. 2:4-8 Do not be deceived: false teachers enslave souls to sin again! 7

8 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Col. 2:4-8 Do not be deceived: false teachers enslave souls to sin again! 9 8 Take care lest there be some one who leads you away as prisoners... (Weymouth’s New Testament) 8 Take care lest any man drag you away captive... (Montgomery’s New Testament)

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ C. All Spiritual Needs Provided by Christ Col. 2:9-10 Complete in Christ who is God 10 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ D. Grand Claims Today: Moral & Doctrinal Error Attempts to merge Genesis & evolution Corruptions of Bible teaching on marriage Apostasies in the pattern for the church “End time” claims: offer signs & dates, rapture, premillennialism, A.D. 70 the end 11

I. Col. 2:1-12 All Spiritual Treasures in Christ E. God Gives Forgiveness & Freedom in Christ Col. 2:11-12 Circumcised, buried, & risen 12

Col. 2:11-12 Circumcised, buried, & risen In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

II. Col. 3:1-3 Free to Live a New Life A. Freed from Sin & Hell by the Gospel Col. 3:1-3 Freed, forgiven, & protected to seek heaven 14

Col. 3:1-3 Freed, forgiven, & protected to seek heaven 15 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

II. Col. 3:1-3 Free to Live a New Life B. Freed from Sin to Focus on Eternal Life Focus on earthly temporal things VS eternal life Focus on material riches VS spiritual riches Focus on carnal pleasure VS spiritual joy Focus on pleasing self & men VS pleasing God 16

II. Col. 3:1-3 Free to Live a New Life C. Slave of Sin Dead, New Life Protected in Christ Christ is greater than Satan Protected from deception of carnality & error Protected from Satan’s malice & fury Christ will be with us every step to heaven! 17

III. Col. 3:16-17 Freed Slaves Praise Their Savior A. Freedom from Bondage Results in Great Joy! Col. 3:16 Souls filled with truth overflow in songs of praise Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

III. Col. 3:16-17 Freed Slaves Praise Their Savior A. Freedom from Bondage Results in Great Joy! Col. 3:17 We submit our whole life to Christ’s authority with joy & thanksgiving And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

III. Col. 3:16-17 Freed Slaves Praise Their Savior B. A New Life Serving Christ Filled with Songs Christ forgives & conquers our sins, we sing! Christ is head of the church in all things, we sing! Christ guides our family life, we sing! Christ teaches industry & honesty, we sing! Christ equips us to spread the gospel, we sing! Christ gives us victory over death, we sing! 20

IV. Freed Slaves Sing in the Philippines A. Ron, Steven Saunders (Clarence, MO), Jim Barnett (Artesia, NM) Nov. 27-Dec. 20, 2012 Singing classes; Pentecostal pastors 48 lessons + Steven + Jim + Filipinos 23 baptisms 21

IV. Freed Slaves Sing in the Philippines B. Manila Nov. 29-Dec. 2 Kapitbahayan 3 days singing classes; Elias Cruz, Jerry Toreja, Fred Gonzales Materials for 30, over 50 attend (8 from Palawan) Sunday at Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa with Willie Pastor 22

B. Manila Nov. 29-Dec. 2 Ron’s lessons related to classes:  The Purpose of Our Lives  Before Abraham Was, I Am  Reverence in Worship  Holy in Worship & in Life  I Will Sing Unto the Lord  Instrumental Music 23

IV. Freed Slaves Sing in the Philippines C. Cebu City, Cebu Dec days singing classes Work with Jonathan Carino 70+ attend (many from Mindanao & other islands at their own expense) 24

IV. Freed Slaves Sing in the Philippines D. Tuguegarao, Cagayan Dec days singing classes Work with Rody Gumpad 30 received materials, others attend 25

IV. Freed Slaves Sing in the Philippines E. General Santos City Dec Work with Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Juanito & CB Balbin, Rudy Tampon, & Cyrus Gesulga Follow up with Pentecostal pastors 70 attend, 15 baptized Sunday at place of Aguilardo Untal Tuesday meeting at Balite church 26

Invitation 1. Col. 2:8 Free from sin & error: do not go back 27 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Invitation 2. Slaves no more: sing! Col. 2:1-12 All spiritual treasures in Christ Col. 3:1-3 Free to live a new life Col. 3:16-17 Freed slaves praise their Savior Freed slaves sing in the Philippines 28

Invitation 3. God Gives Forgiveness & Freedom in Christ Col. 2:11-12 Circumcised, buried, & risen 29

Col. 2:11-12 Circumcised, buried, & risen In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.