TEXT:  Col. 2:8-3:4

INTRODUCTION:

A.      CHRIST HAS BEEN THE CENTER OF OUR PREVIOUS LESSONS.

B.      CHRIST IS THE FULNESS OF GODHOOD & COMPLETENESS

          FOR THE CHRISTIAN.

I.      HUMAN PHILOSOPHY DENOUNCED AS AN ENEMY      OF

        CHRIST( Col. 2:8 ).

A.      TAKE HEED(Eph. 5:15; 1 Pet. 5:8).  LEST ANY MAN MAKE SPOIL OF YOU.

B.      HOW?

          1.       His philosophy - "denotes love & pursuit of wisdom"( Vine ).

                   Vain, "empty, with special reference to quality" ( Vine ).

                   Deceit, "that which give a false impression" ( Vine ).

                   Human philosophy is an empty lie!!

                   ( Prov. 14:12;  Rom 1:18-23 ).

          2.       After the traditions of men.

                   a.       As opposed to that which comes from God( 1 Cor. 11:2 ).

                   b.       Paul preached that which came from God( Gal. 1:11-12 ).

                   c.       Anything else is vain( Matt. 15:7-9;  13-14 ).

          3.       After the rudiments of the world.

                   a.       The very basic principles of religion, Jew or Gentile( vs. 20 ).

                   b.       Also called "weak and beggarly elements"( Gal. 4:3-5, 8-11 ).

C.      WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE TEACHINGS?

          1.       Human philosophies such as Humanism, Existentialism, New Age, etc.

          2.       Human religion such as Catholicism, Eastern rel., denominationalism.

          3.       In our text - Judaism.

II.     OUR COMPLETENESS IN THE COMPLETE CHRIST.

A.      CHRIST, THE FULNESS OF GODHOOD( vs. 9 ).

          1.       Godhood - theotes, "fulness of deity" ( A&G ).

          2.       Angel & creation are not to be compared to him( Heb. 1 ).

          3.       "Bodily" ( John 1:14 ).

B.      IN WHOM THE CHRISTIAN IS MADE FULL( vs. 10-15 ).

          1.       We are the circumcision - What is this?( vs. 11 ).

                   a.       Union with God in the covenant( Gen. 17 ).

                   b.       Surgery:  Jew, flesh;  Us, control by flesh

                             ( Col. 3:5;  Rom. 2:28 ).

          2.       When does this happen?( vs. 12 ).

                   a.       Baptism a burial.

                   b.       Also a cutting off of sin( Acts 2:38;  Rom. 6:3-7 ).

          3.       What again?  Being dead, made alive( vs. 13-15 ).

                   a.       Dead through trespasses( Rom. 6:23 ).

                   b.       Through uncircumcision.

          4.       How?

                   1.       Having forgiven us all our trespasses.

                   2.       Having blotted out the bond.

                   3.       Having despoiled the principalities.

          5.       Implications( vs. 16-23 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      CHRIST IS THE CENTER OF GOD'S PLAN.

B.      CHRIST IS THE CENTER OF OUR HOPE( Col. 3:1-4 ).

C.      IS JESUS THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE?