COLOSSIANS:  IT’S TIME TO PUT DOWN ROOTS

 

In July, Pastor Jensen will kick off a new message series entitled, “It’s Time to Put Down Roots” based on the book of Colossians.  Colossians is a first-century letter written by the Apostle Paul to a community of Christians living in Colossae, a city in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey).  Paul became aware that the Colossian Christians were facing several “isms” that warred against the faith of the believers there.  These include syncretism (blending the Christian faith with other faiths), Gnosticism (an ancient heresy), mysticism (obtaining spiritual truth through so-called mystical experiences such as worshiping angels), asceticism (seeking spiritual growth through severe discipline of the body) and legalism.  Today, Christians face some of these same “isms” along with a whole host of new ones!  Can you think of any?  Of course, you can; we come against them almost every day!  So how do we as Christians stand firm as we face so many “isms?”  Paul’s answer is this:  “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught” (Colossians 2:6-7).  In other words, we need to remain rooted in Christ.  Think of yourself as a tree and imagine the various “isms” as strong winds blowing against you.  What keeps you anchored to the ground?  The answer is strong roots in Christ!  An author from a questionable religious tradition once wrote that he was seeking “More Christianity” to grow stronger in His faith.  He believed that the way to grow spiritually was to add traditions and customs to his Christian faith.  The British author and Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis advocated for “Mere Christianity” and wrote a book by the same title.  This is precisely what the Apostle Paul says in Colossians.  We need Christ, nothing more, and we need to be rooted in Him.  Below is a list of the themes, message titles and passages that we will explore in this series.  So, don’t wander too far off because “It’s Time to Put Down Roots!”

 

An Introduction to Colossians

“Let’s Meet the People and Get the Picture” – Colossians 1:1-2

Praying for the Faithful to Grow Stronger

“An Ancient Way to Pray for Strength Today!” – Colossians 1:3-14

The Identity and Supremacy of Jesus Christ

“Personal Jesus Versus the Person of Jesus” – Colossians 1:15-20

Being Reconciled to God Through Christ

“God’s Reconciliation and Our Response” – Colossians 1:21-23

Proclaiming the Message of Christ

“The Secret it Out!” – Colossians 1:24-29

Be Rooted in Christ

“The Best Kind of Root Be-er” – Colossians 2:1-7

Wind Warning 1:  Beware of Worldly Philosophy and Syncretism

“Avoid the Net of Knowledgeable Nonsense” – Colossians 2:8-10

Wind Warning 2:  Beware of Religious Legalism

“Are You Going to Run from the Law?” – Colossians 2:11-17

Wind Warning 3:  Avoid Angel Worship and Mysticism

“The Right Angle on Angels” – Colossians 2:18-19

Wind Warning 4:  Beware of Ascetism

“Super Strict Versus Spiritual” – Colossians 2:20-23

Remain Rooted 1:  Set Your Mind on Things Above 

“Don’t Look Down!” – Colossians 3:1-4

Remain Rooted 2:  Get Rid of the Old Self

“Take That Off and Throw it Away” – Colossians 3:5-9

Remain Rooted 3:  Put on the New Self

“Please Put This on” – Colossians 3:10-17

Remain Rooted 4:  Fulfill Your God-given Role at Home

“Your Holy Role in Your Home” – Colossians 3:18-4:1

Remain Rooted 5:  Fulfill Your God-given Role Outside the Home

“Your Holy Role Outside Your Home” – Colossians 4:2-5

A Farewell to Colossians

“Role Models Who Remained Rooted” – Colossians 4:6-18