Freedom & Responsibility Colossians 2:6-23 Rev. Dr. Richard Chung November 15, 2015 EFC Irvine

Today: A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is centered around love and grace, not rules and regulations.

Colossians 2:8 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

A personal relationship with Christ: A. Is only possible because of the work of Christ on the Cross.

Colossians 2: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands.

Colossians 2:11 b -14 Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Ultimately the problem is …SIN. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own… BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure… is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel… the Gospel gives mankind hope.

A personal relationship with Christ: A. Is ONLY possible because of the work of Christ on the Cross. This is the foundation of our relationship with Christ.

Elsa & Anna

Colossians 2: When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

A personal relationship with Christ: A. Is only possible because of the work of Christ on the Cross. B. Is not based on rules & regulations.

“THE PROBLEM IS TOO MANY OF US HAVE SUBSTITUTED OUR RULES FOR GOD’S RULES. I PUT MYSELF IN PLACE OF GOD TO DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG… I FIND MYSELF LOOKING AT OTHER PEOPLE AND THINKING DEEP DOWN INSIDE, “I AM BETTER THAN THEM…’ I REALIZE ULTIMATELY, ITS MY PRIDE. ‘

Colossians 2: Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.

The Cross of Christ

Stagnation comes when we replace the cross with rules and regulations.

Growing in Christ “I can do this myself” (pride) “I am better than others” (pride) adelet e

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17 Our response: Grace & Mercy

A personal relationship with Christ: A. Is possible because of the work of Christ on the Cross. B. Is not based on rules & regulations, but grace & mercy. C. Comes with freedom & responsibility.

Freedom in Christ Colossians 2: Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.

Tattoo removal at “Homeboy Industries”

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY COLOSSIANS 3: :12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

A personal relationship with Christ: A. Is possible because of the work of Christ on the Cross. B. Is not based on rules & regulations, but grace & mercy. C. Comes with freedom & responsibility.

HOW DOES THE CHURCH GROW?

Summary & Self Reflection A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is centered around love and grace, not rules and regulations Freedom in Christ Responsibility as a Believer

Conclusion What will 2016 be like?

A church grows when: A. The work of Christ on the cross is clearly taught. B. The community is not based on rules & regulations, but grace & mercy. C. Freedom & responsibility lived out.