Transcript

Seduction or Supremacy?

Colossians 2:8-10
Sunday, December 9, 2001
Pastor Randy Smith

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If I were to ask you the primary purpose as to why Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, what would be your response? Answer, to refute the false teaching that was threatening to devalue Christ by presenting a positive view of His true attributes and accomplishments. A second question, how would you specifically define this false teaching that the Colossian church was facing? If you have difficulty answering that question…join the crowd. The reason being is because Paul spends the majority of his time not focusing on the heresy, but rather on exalting the supremacy of Christ. He doesn't deal so much with the specific details of the heresy. You'll remember his goal was to present Jesus so desirable that anything less is distasteful.

For example and by way of review, what has Paul said thus far about Christ ? In verse 15, He is the image of the invisible God (He is God). In verse 16, He has created all things (He is Creator). In verse 17, He is before all things (He is eternal). Also in verse 17, He holds all things together (He is Sustainer). In verse 18, He is head of the body (He is the leader of the church). Also in verse 18, He deserves first-place in everything (He is Supreme). And in verse 19, He contains the fullness of God (He is Divine). The list could continue.

Now, by way of contrast, what has Paul said thus far directly about the heresy ? Nothing! Commentator Charles Eerdman said it well in regards to the first one and a half chapters in Colossians. "When he now reaches the very heart of his letter the apostle dwells so eloquently upon the deity of Christ and the dignity and completeness of believers that the reader is left in some uncertainty as to the exact system of error against which the Colossians were to be upon their guard." And even though Paul will shortly give some brief snapshots of the heresy, He does so only to stress the glories that the Colossians already possess in Christ so they can see how far short the heresy falls.

For instance, in chapter 2, for the first time in the letter, Paul begins to outline some specifics regarding this false teaching and unnamed heresy. Follow with me as I read this morning's text: "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. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority" (Col 3:8-10).

I've entitled this message "Seduction or Supremacy?" In this morning's verses, Paul will contrast the deficiency of the heretical teaching with the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Our objective is to see how any current religious system is unpromising when compared with the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. DEFICIENCY OF ERROR (2:8)

As I have previously mentioned, the Colossian heresy is never identified by name, nor is an exhaustive overview provided. However, we are able to somewhat construct this erroneous teaching based on bits of information found in chapter 2. In order to better understand the deficiencies of the error, allow me to briefly outline the primary elements of this heresy. Verse 8 says it was a deceptive philosophy built on the tradition of men. It placed much emphasis on certain Jewish rituals, namely, circumcision (2:11), dietary laws (2:16) and the observance of holy days (2:16). It affirmed the worship of mysterious powers that created the world (2:15, 18). And it promoted asceticism, a teaching that the body was evil and must be treated as an enemy (2:20-23).

In summary, the Colossian heresy was basically a hodge-podge of a variety of religious structures that promised the adherent a superior and more developed form of religion. It had a Jewish element in the legalism, ritualism and holy days. It had a pagan element in its Greek philosophy, Oriental mysticism, angelolatry and asceticism. It also had quasi-Christian element as it promoted a false Christ. Kent Hughes of College Church in Illinois described it well. "It was all very mysterious, complicated, astrological and snooty. But worst of all, it was very deadly because it mixed some of the truth of Hebrew religion with the delectably enticing mysteries of Eastern mysticism and Greek philosophy. This was presented as "something more" which would elevate the ignorant Colossian Christians from their crude baby-faith to the truly deep things of God. Evidently some succumbed." Regardless of how impressive this system appeared on paper, the apostle Paul denounced it as being insufficient and a threat to the apostolic doctrine of Jesus Christ delivered once and for all to the saints.

Allow me to reread verse 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."

To start with, Paul identified this religious system in verse 8 as a philosophy. The word is only used here in the Greek New Testament and it literally means, "to love of wisdom." Philosophia (Philosophy) is a compound word derived from phileo "to love" and sophia "wisdom." When we think of the study of philosophy today, we envision a system of ethics or laws of knowledge. However when this word was used in the first century, it had a much broader meaning; it was more than a mere academic discipline. Back then anything that had to do with God, the world and the meaning of life was considered a philosophy in both pagan and Jewish thought of the day. Naturally, biblical Christianity, based on this definition could be considered a philosophy as well. However, Paul sharply contrasts the philosophy of Christianity with that of the Colossian heresy in three distinct ways

Empty Deception

First of all, the heretical philosophy is described in verse 8 by the double condemnation of "empty deception." It was empty , meaning it was without truth, basis, content and power. The teachers would attempt to fill the Colossian church up with more esoteric knowledge, but all they really had to offer was more emptiness. Much like someone who seems so learned in politics, religion, academics and science, but really says nothing substantial when you examine his claims.

Not only was it empty, but also it was deceptive , meaning it was seductive, misleading and deceitful. Paul said in 1:5, "because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel." The gospel is truth; the philosophy was a deceptive lie! This heretical system was deceptive, contrary to the gospel and in opposition to the truth, but oh how promising and superior and profound it appeared to be! Unfortunately, the contents did not live up to the packaging.

Empty deception. Beloved, how many millions today have been sucked into a false deceptive philosophy that promises to be so appealing, but in reality is only an empty pack of lies. Satan, the father of lies, the deceiver himself, is able to make these lies so attractive that we chase after the lure and often realize the consequences when it is too late. It can be premarital sex, adultery, drugs, the love of money, materialism or even as this test suggests, a false religious system.

Take for example Gordon Hall, the Nautilus sports equipment tycoon, of whom "The Arizona Republic" reports. "He is worth more than $100 million, he says, because it was his goal to be worth more than $100 million before the age of 33. There are other goals. By the time he is 38, he will be a billionaire. By the time his earthly body expires-and he is convinced he can live to be 120 years old-he will assume what he believes to be his just heavenly reward: Gordon Hall will be a god. 'We have always existed as intelligences, as spirits,' he says. 'We are down here to gain a body. As man is now, God once was. And as God is now, man can become. If you believe it, then your genetic makeup is to be a god. And I believe it. That is why I believe I can do anything. My genetic makeup is to be a god. My god in heaven creates worlds and universes. I believe I can do anything, too.'"

No doubt Gordon Hall is an intelligent man, but he is greatly deceived by an empty philosophical system. Whether it is Gordon Hall, or the Colossian errorists or any who seek religion apart from Christ, following the futility of empty and vain pursuits deceives all. And one day, all of them will awake to the reality of their deception.

According to the Tradition of Men

Secondly, in keeping with verse 8, the philosophy was according to the "tradition of men." The ancients during Paul's time believed that the older something was, the better. The false teachers boasted as to how their teaching was passed down from former generations. They were proud of their long lineage of "tradition." They presented it as having antiquity and dignity and revelation character.

Paul was not impressed. Age does not determine validity nor does majority opinion. Someone once said, "What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular." All that matters is how any tradition jives with the Word of God. There is God-breathed tradition and man-breathed tradition. God-breathed tradition is reliable. Man-breathed tradition will always contain error. What Paul is basically saying is that this erroneous teaching, though billed to be superior and elite, is contrary to the Word of God, insufficient and according to the tradition of men. Beloved, what would you rather bank your future on, God's tradition or man's traditions?

Along those lines, do you remember our study from 2 weeks ago? Look at verse 6, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." Remember that I took great pains to inform you that many people have received Jesus, but the Jesus they've received is a different one than the Scriptures present? I said back then that the word "received" is a technical term for receiving tradition, a specific tradition that was started with Jesus, committed to His apostles and then passed on to the church. That and only that tradition is the tradition we must follow. Anything less is the empty and deceptive tradition of human origin. It may at times be quite appealing, but it is insufficient for a relationship with the Living God.

Let me see if I can further clarify the error of human tradition, when it is accepted as a substitute for the gospel. That word for tradition (paradosis) is only used 13 times in the NT. Interestingly, 5, nearly half of those times are found in Mark 7. Turn there with me as we read that portion of Scripture. "And the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, 'Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?' And He said to them, 'Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 'Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.' He was also saying to them, 'You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death'; but you say, 'If a man says to his father or his mother, anything of mine you might have been helped by is Corban (that is to say, given to God),' you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.'" The false teachers in Colossae were guilty of the Pharisaic error denounced by Christ Himself 30 years earlier. They allowed the tradition of men to supercede the tradition from God.

According to the Elementary Principles of the World

Finally, the philosophy in verse 8 was according to the "elementary principles of the world." This is a difficult section of the verse to interpret. The Greek word for "elementary principles" is stoicheion. The word appears in ancient literature to denote either letters in the alphabet, basic or foundational principles, or physical elements of the world such as air, water, fire and earth. Most commentators believe stoicheion either refers to the elemental substances that make up the cosmos or the widespread belief at the time that the heavenly bodies were either personified themselves or governed by spirits. I believe the latter to be the case. I believe the stoicheion Paul mentions here were quasi-demonic spirits to which humans have foolishly given their allegiance and awe. I believe Paul is basically saying that the heretical Colossian philosophy belongs to a sphere that is controlled by demonic influence. These powers stand against Christ and are basically the ultimate source of all false teaching. Any spiritual teaching that competes with the tradition of Christ, has its origins none other than in the pit of hell. Think about it! Is there anything more awful than keeping people from the truth and robbing Christ of His eternal glory?

I read an interesting article by John Piper this week in WORLD magazine entitled "Hate and Tolerance." In that article Dr. Piper said, "Jesus said-and we say with tears-'He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him' (Jn. 3:36). In other words, nominal Christians, devoted Muslims, pious Hindus, faithful Buddhists, orthodox Jews, devout animists, sincere agnostics, secular atheists-everyone who does not hold fast to Jesus Christ as the supremely valuable Son and Savior-will perish and not have eternal life. 'He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son of God has not life' (1 Jn. 5:12)." Piper continues, "Whatever obscures this message for Muslim people obstructs their way to eternal life…and if eternal life is concealed we are cruel."

We must be tolerant to Muslims and their freedom to worship in our society, but we must not be tolerant of the postmodern conviction, which claims that no religion should claim superiority over another. We must reject hate and revenge, winning Muslims to Christ through our love. But we must hate any religious structure that subverts the glory away from the all-sufficient, all-satisfying Savior, Jesus Christ

I believe this was Paul's heartbeat in verse 8. Anything not according to the apostolic tradition of Jesus Christ is diametrically opposed to it. Its traditions are from men and its roots are from demonic forces that seek to deceitfully distract humans from following Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 says, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." In Galatians 2:21 we read, "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." Either these Scriptural references are untrue, or God has one way, through one Man, to achieve salvation. This is God's plan from the beginning of time that the demonic forces have continually attacked.

So this philosophy was empty deception, it was according to the tradition of men, and it was according to the demonic principles of the world. If those three points didn't clarify Paul concern, he sums it up with the final clause in verse 8. It was not "according to Christ." For Jesus Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of the world, God almighty, must be the yardstick by which all other claims are measured. False teaching (vs. 8) is according to men and according to the world , but true teaching is according to Christ. And according to John MacArthur, "Any false system will collapse in the face of truth."

Because of it's deceptive and empty claims, Paul warns the Colossian church initially in verse 8, "See to it that no one takes you captive." See to it! Look out! Beware! It's a present imperative meaning, continually be on the watch! Ignore persuasive arguments (vs. 4)! Allow no one to take you captive!

The word "captive" (sulagogeo) literally means, "carry off as booty" or "kidnap." Paul is using it here in a figurative sense to warn his readers from being carried away from the truth into the slavery of error. Paul would have said, "You have been redeemed; you have been transferred from the domain of darkness (1:13)! You are citizens in the kingdom of light (1:12)! Don't allow yourself to be taken captive by false doctrine regardless of how subtle or reasonable or logical the teaching may appear!"

Heresy can be so damaging, but it can also be so deceptive. That's why the warnings fill the pages of Scripture. In speaking to the Ephesian elders, Paul said, "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Ac. 20:28-29). Likewise our Lord warned His disciples, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Mt. 7:15).

Throughout my 10 years of teaching, I had the opportunity to coach 17 athletic teams. Every team was very special. Every team was unique, but in one way every team was the same - one "bad apple," one "at-risk" kid unmonitored, one "troublemaker" unchecked and the morale and behavior of the entire team was negatively affected. The attractiveness of sin, the appeal to the flesh and before you knew it: profanity, laziness, complaining, disrespect and absenteeism affected the majority. The Scriptures confirm, "Bad company corrupts good morals." But my 1992 wrestling team was one team I will never forget. They knew where they wanted to go and would not let anything derail them from their goal. They would be disappointed with me when the practices were not hard enough (imagine that!). Furthermore, they would not tolerate inappropriate behavior. They were the only team I ever coached that basically told troublemakers either to "shape up or ship out!" Their efforts paid off, we took fourth place in the state that year.

But here is my point. They were a group that understood the attitude and ethics needed to be a winner. They recognized and refused to be setback by negative influences. They pressed on to the goal and it paid off.

Beloved, that is my prayer for this church. As long as our doors are literally open to the world, we will be tested with negative influences that will attempt to derail us. I promise you they will come. Behind them they carry the churches they've destroyed and lives they've shipwrecked in the process. When you see negative influences and deceptions, recognize them, despise them, and rebuke them. Be like my wrestling team that would not tolerate anything that kept them from pressing on to their goal, in our case Christlikeness. The influences may come in the form of false teaching or gossip or slander or unmended relationships or divisiveness or impurity or worldly compromise. Whatever it is, don't be taken captive by allowing these errors to destroy your life and adversely affect the Body to which you belong.

The admonition to the Colossian church in verse 8 is likewise an admonition to us. May we never be taken captive by any teaching or behavior that is contrary to the Word of God, knowing that such behavior is empty deception according to the tradition of men and according to the doctrine of demons.

Well that's verse 8. We still have two verses to go. See what happens when you give me a week away from the pulpit! I had too much time to think! Let's move on to point 2 with the short time that remains, and this is the best part!

2. SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST (2:9-10)

Paul said in verses 9-10,"For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority."Do you remember a few weeks ago when I explained the theology of these heretical Gnostic teachers? Remember they said that superior knowledge was needed to achieve salvation, matter was inherently evil and Jesus was only a spiritual emanation sent forth from God? Look at verse 9. Superior knowledge? He is the fulness! Matter is evil? Jesus exists in bodily form! A spiritual emanation? Jesus is God! Verse 9 says, "For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form." Paul said it this way in 1:19, "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him." In considering 2:9, there is probably not another verse in the Bible that better expresses the deity, the divine nature and essence of Jesus Christ. Scholar P.T. O'Brien put it like this, "The essence of God, undivided and in its whole fullness, dwells in Christ in His exalted state, so that He is the essential and adequate image of God."

He is not 1 of 124,000 prophets as the Muslims would call Him. He is not the reincarnated Archangel, Michael, as the Jehovah Witnesses would call Him. He is not a moral teacher as modern philosophers would call Him. He is God! Christ said, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (Jn. 14:9). Look at Me, Christ says, and you are looking into the face of God! Possibly the most damning and disturbing element of every false religious system is a refusal to acknowledge Jesus as God.

And since He is God, Paul acknowledges in verse 10 initially "in Him you have been made complete." The verb is in the perfect tense which denotes an activity that has come to completion and has continuing results into the future. This means that we were made complete in Christ the moment of salvation, and our completeness will continue throughout eternity. It is also in the passive tense, which denotes God as the agent who fills us. He fills us with Christ. At salvation we become partakers of the divine nature. We are made complete. We lack nothing. We are full with the fullness of Christ

It's like allowing an ocean wave to fill up a jar. The jar is full in the twinkling of an eye and becomes a partaker of the ocean. Even though it never becomes the ocean itself.

We have been made complete. We don't need esoteric knowledge or ascetic discipline or calendar observances. We don't need anything the false teachers promised. We need not look anywhere else. We have all the fullness we need in Christ.

Additionally Paul adds in verse 10, "He is the head over all rule and authority." This One who made you complete and fills you with His fullness is also the sovereign ruler over the entire cosmos. Far from being a lesser emanation, He is God. He is head over all human and demonic forces, all rulers and authorities. Look at 1:16, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created by Him and for Him." So He created them and He is also victorious over them. Look at 2:15, "When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities , He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him." Why would you, beloved, wish to follow anything less? Jesus Christ is the sovereign Head over the universe. But as we know, He is also the loving Head over His Body, the church.

Don't be taken captive through a philosophy. Realize it is merely empty deception when compared to the glories of Jesus Christ. Realize all false teaching is only from the tradition of men, from the origin of demons. Seek after the best! Follow Jesus in whom the deity dwells in bodily form. He is the One who makes us complete, and He is the One who is the sovereign ruler of the cosmos. As with every human being, each of you is given a choice. You can be taken captive by Satan's emissaries and his false system of deception, or you can come to Christ who offers completeness and eternal life. Seduction or Supremacy…which have you chosen?