Hold Fast to Jesus!

Colossians 2:16-23

Introduction

Where we've been so far in Chapter Two:

• Christ possesses all wisdom (2:3).

• Christ possesses all fullness of Deity (2:9).

• Believers have been filled in Him (2:10).

• Believers died with Him (2:12).

• Believers were raised with Him (2:12).

• Believers were forgiven in Him (2:13).

• Believers triumphed in Him (2:15).

Hold fast to Jesus!

1. What were the false teachers holding fast to?

• Observing the ceremonial laws (food, drink, festivals, Sabbath)

  • Colossians 2:16

• Religious asceticism ("don't touch", severe treatment of the body)

  • Colossians 2:18

  • Colossians 2:23

• Personal "spiritual" experiences (worshiping angels, visions)

  • Colossians 2:18

2. How were these people impacting the believers?

• Judging those who weren't observing their practices

  • Colossians 2:16

  • Judge (Krino [kree'-know) - judge, condemn, call into question

• Robbing the believers from delighting in Christ

  • Colossians 2:18-19

  • Condemn, defraud : katabrabeuō  (kat-ab-rab-yoo'-o) - to decide as an umpire against someone, to defraud (rob) of the prize of victory.

• Regulating the believers with human decrees

  • Colossians 2:20-22

3. What did Paul want his readers to hold fast to?

• The Head, Christ!

4. Why hold fast to Christ?

• Christ is the reality of the shadows

  • Colossians 2:17

  • Why hold fast to shadows when you can hold fast to the person, Jesus Christ!?

• Christ nourishes the believer with what they need to grow

  • Colossians 2:19

• Only Christ is able to save us from selfish, fleshly-indulgence (the flesh)

  • Colossians 2:23

  • Coplossians 2:11

  • Romans 8:12-13

  • Galatians 5:16

Application

• What am I holding onto that is keeping me from holding fast to Christ?

  • Psalm 32:3-5

  • Psalm 32:1-2

• Has something that was supposed to help me follow Jesus quietly become the thing I am trusting instead of Jesus?