Colossians 2.16-23
Little lies have big consequences. Man-made religion perverts and replaces true worship and true holiness.
Rules and regulations are repulsive (16-17).
Rituals and rites are ridiculous. (18-19).
Restrictions and rejections are rip-offs (20-23).
Possible application questions asked at the end of the sermon:
Let's start with the legalism of verses 16 and 17. What does the lie of legalism – earning God's favor through your works – look like for you?
Tradition? Rules and regulations that make you feel worthy or superior or accepted? Or unworthy, inferior and unloved when you fail to live up to them? Have we replaced the gospel with a self-made religion?
Move on to a type of mysticism found in verses 18 and 19. What does this particular lie of mysticism look like for you? Fearing demons and the devil more than God? Thinking and talking about them more than the Bible does? Praying to Mary or some saint for favor or protection? Being concerned or consumed with horoscopes, family curses or superstitions? Do we depend on or fear created beings more than their Creator and our Savior and High Priest Who lives to make intercession for us?
Wander over to the "this-world" focus – let's call it a form of worldliness – in verses 20-23. Ever find yourself living like there is no God and this world and the things and people in it are all there is? How does this little lie look like for you?
Depending on the "stuff" and people God has made for help and hope? Trusting in "stuff" and people for help and hope?
For scary sickness, raging hormones, genetic limitations, life-defining past mistakes or past horrors? Parents, girl or boy friends? Spouses, or church friends? Governments, political parties, elected officials? Diet, safe food, vitamins, exercise? Guns, home alarm systems, the right part of town, large dogs, large muscles, martial arts, crash-proof cars, hand sanitizers and face masks?
Putting full faith, total trust, and our whole hope in therapies, medications, pills, professionals? Will they keep you safe? Secure your future? Extend your life?
That type of attitude is "worldly". Acting like this world and the things in it is all there is and all we have to hope in. Use and enjoy. Benefit from. But totally trust in and forget there is a Lord over all creation, a Savior, and a heavenly Father? I think not...
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2.8 ESV
