The Cross (Part 3)

Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday September 20, 2009

© 2009 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

http://www.LifeChurchMinistries.org/

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Notes
V Introduction
* Bible Reading 9/13 - 9/19: Isaiah 12:1 - 33:12; 2Corinthians 13:1 - Gal 5:12; Psalm 57 - 63; Proverbs 23:9-22
> Review
V New Material
> Preparation
V The Cross (Part 3)
> Preparation - Colossians 2:6-15
V Standing Issues
V From a word Bishop gave me:
* Make sure people do something with God's message.
V Make it plain:
* Use accessible language.
V Use modern day parables based on every day occurrences:
* Sitting at a stop light
* Driving through a green light
* Approaching a yellow light
* Being cut off in traffic
* Going shopping
* Going to a mall
* Going to school; sitting in class
* Going to work; sitting in your office;
* Keep it simple.
* Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.
* Impart faith to obey the Word and receive God's promises.
V Introduction
> We had another party for God this morning! Were you there?
V Gnosticism - popular philosophical system that was part of the context of the 1st century church.
* Supreme God
* Aeons
* Demiurge
V Paul confronts gnosticism at Colosse.
V Redefines words used by gnostics:
* fullness
* powers and authorities
* Read the Context - Colossians 2:6-12
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
* Read the Passage - Colossians 2:13-15
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
V Exegetical Idea
V What did God do for us when we were dead in our sins?
* He made us alive in Christ.
* He forgave all our sins.
* He cancelled the debts we owe for our disobedience.
* He disarmed and humiliated everything that accused us.
* Homiletical Idea
God made me alive with Christ, nailed my sins to the cross, and whipped my accusers.
V Explain It: What does this mean?
V We were dead in our sins and in the uncircumcision (lit. foreskin) of our flesh.
V Dead - out of relationship with God.
* Sin - missing the mark
* Independence - Eden, tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
* Uncircumcision - Col. 2:11-12
* God made us alive with Christ.
* He forgave all of our sins.
V Cancelled the written code . . .
* The Old Testament required things of us that we failed in.
* In the cross, Jesus cancelled our debts.
V Disarmed powers and authorities . .
* Jesus took away the weapons that the enemy uses against us.
* Through the cross, he led our enemies conquered, stripped, and humiliated (Roman triumphal procession).
V Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
* Romans 6:1-14
V Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
* Paul is countering gnosticism.
* The fullness of God lives bodily in Christ and in him we have been made full (or complete).
* Since Christ is head over every power and authority and we have fullness in him, we don't need to concern ourselves with intermediate powers - we go straight to the top.
* He has broken the power of our flesh over us in a spiritual circumcision through our identification with his death and resurrection in baptism. - Romans 6:1-14
* We must be careful not to fall for false teaching based on anything less than Christ and what he has done for us.
* Continue living in Jesus the same way that you received him.
V Sermon Purpose (I want believers who hear this message to):
* Keep living in Jesus the same way that you received him - by faith!
V Rely on nothing besides Christ for your salvation!
* The fullness of God lives bodily in Christ and in him we have been made full (or complete).
* No other name under heaven. - Acts 4:8-12
V No substitutes
* Living positive
* Family values
V Rely on nothing in addition to Christ for your salvation!
V Since Christ is head over every power and authority and we have fullness in him, we don't need to concern ourselves with intermediaries - we go straight to the top.
* No Saints (catholicism)
* No religious leaders
V He has broken the power of our flesh over us in a spiritual circumcision through our identification with his death and resurrection in baptism. - Romans 6:1-14
* Spiritual gifts don't make you any more saved.
* Special revelation doesn't make you special - Colossians 2:16-19
* Willpower won't. - Colossians 2:20-23
V Focus on the relationship, not the rules! - Isaiah 29:13-15
* Pharisees - Turned the Hebrew law into their own private system.
* Legalists - Turn the New Testament into their own private system.
V Conclusion
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V Altar Call / Welcome Cards / Communion
* Welcome Cards - refer to script
* Benediction - Numbers 6:24-26
“‘“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
* Men's Prayer
V Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
V Colossians 2:6-12
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
V Discussion Questions / Topics:
* Have you ever been taken captive through a philosophical or religious system that was different from what you currently believe? Discuss.
* Have you been baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ? Discuss.
V Colossians 2:13-15
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
V Discussion Questions / Topics:
* This passage says that before you became a Christian you were dead in your sins. Do you agree with this? Describe how this truth became significant in your life.
* Do you find it easy or difficult to accept God's forgiveness? Discuss.
* Have you ever struggled with accusing voices that try to make you doubt God's forgiveness? How do you deal with them?
V Witnessing Activities
* Discuss the people you know personally who aren't followers of Jesus.
* What opportunities have you had recently to influence these people?
* How might denying yourself move them closer to salvation?
> Scriptures For 09/20/2009 Life Church Sermon
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