Spiritual Diversions

Col. 2:13-14 …He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, [14] having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross…

Col. 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.”

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day...” Col.2:16 “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day...” Col.2:16 Ritualism is “You aren’t spiritual unless ritual observance is central to your worship of God.” Ritualism is “You aren’t spiritual unless ritual observance is central to your worship of God.” Rituals are: mere pictures of spiritual truths, not the central focus of spirituality.

Ritualism: “You aren’t spiritual unless…” PriestsAltars Incense Liturgical Worship Religious Calendars

Gary M. Burge, "Why So Many Are Rediscovering Worship In Other Traditions," Christianity Today, October 6, 1997, Vol. 41, No. 11, p. 20. “Many worshippers... seek an ‘experience of the holy.’ They come looking for awe & reverence, mystery & transcendence. Furthermore, many of their sensory faculties need to be engaged: Their senses of sight, sound, touch, & smell are powerful avenues of communication. One glance at the Old Testament directions for orchestrating temple worship will remove all doubt that this is our task...” “... Fire, incense, tapestry, and gold joined with ritual activities that reminded the worshiper of the reverent awe demanded of them. Bells and breastplates provided a visual feast evoking images of God's presence... Evangelicals need to reclaim their Old Testament heritage...”

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--” “Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--” “things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Col. 2:16,17 “things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Col. 2:16,17 Rituals The Real Thing!  OT Shadows NT Substance Pictures of Christ’s death for our sins… A personal relationship with God…

Old Testament Rituals  OT Shadows NT Substance Pictures of Christ’s death for our sins… A personal relationship with God…

The Old vs. New Approach: “For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18,19 Hebrews 7:18,19

Today: 2 Rituals  Baptism  Communion Only Once!

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” Colossians 2:18 “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” Colossians 2:18 “You aren’t spiritual unless you have visions or other dramatic spiritual experiences.” “You aren’t spiritual unless you have visions or other dramatic spiritual experiences.”

Gnosticism Dreams & visions Dreams & visions Guidance from spirits Guidance from spirits Techniques to induce trance-states Techniques to induce trance-states Ecstatic utterances Ecstatic utterances “Intuitive” insight “Intuitive” insight

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” Colossians 2:18 “Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” Colossians 2:18 Mysticism makes you vulnerable to deception. Mysticism makes you vulnerable to deception.

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism 3.Aesceticism “If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?” Colossians 2:20-22

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism 3.Aesceticism “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body…” Col. 2:23  “You aren’t spiritual unless you follow our group’s list of rules and prohibitions.” Food & drink Entertainment Fashion

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism 3.Aesceticism “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” Col. 2:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.” (Matthew 23:25,26)

Col. 2:16-23 Spiritual Diversions 1.Ritualism 2.Mysticism 3.Aesceticism “These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.” Col. 2:23  This misrepresents God! “…. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

True Spirituality Knowing Jesus Christ Col. 2:18-19 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize…not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Col. 2:18-19 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize…not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Col. 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church…

True Spirituality Knowing Jesus Christ Through learning the Word: Through learning the Word: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you …These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:7-11)

True Spirituality Knowing Jesus Christ Through learning the Word Through learning the Word Through relationships with other Christians: Through relationships with other Christians: “from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.” – Col. 2:19 “We are no longer to be children... carried about by every wind of doctrine... but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies... causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephes. 4:14-16)

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