Sermon Nuggets week of Nov 23 2009
Sermon Nuggets Mon Nov 23
Theme Lethal Laws
Verses-
Col 2:16-23
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.
18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Lethal Laws
One of the books required to read in my college psychology class was written by Eric Berne entitled, "Games People Play". He describes ways many people mask or seek to cover up their feelings. It is quite threatening being open and honest so people often substitute psychological games in place of living in intimacy and vulnerability. A typical example of one game he identifies is "Why don't you?...Yes, But"
In order to play this game you must have a problem with a friend, teacher, employers, or spouse. Several other people will try to give you suggestions how to solve your problem. That's the "Why don't you.." part. But each time they suggest something you say, "Yes, but.." then you shoot down that suggestion with as many reasons you can think of why it won't work for you. Of course the person really doesn't want help. She just wants to play the game for attention or sympathy. Finally the person feels the winner because nobody else can think of any more solutions for her vexing and most complicated problem. Therefore she doesn't have to work on a solution.
I bought a similar book called, "Games Christians Play" written by Judi Culbertson and Patti Bard. In a humorous and satirical way they show how some Christians play religious games which keep them from a vital real relationship with Christ or other Christians. Again the goal is seeking attention, finding excuses, or wanting sympathy. Let me give you an example.
Mary Verily wanted to be spiritual and she would too except for her husband. He was an atheist and flatly forbade her to darken the sanctuary door. Sunday morning while he listened to some rock tune, he set out mow the lawn. She would sit on her chair and sulk. "If it weren't for you.. I could be a real Christian. "If it weren't for him" she would tell her sympathetic Christian friends, "I'd bake cakes for the church socials. I'd teach Sunday school, or sing in the choir", and so forth.
One day it happened. Mary Verily's husband had been converted and worse yet he wanted to work in the church with her. But she really didn't want to at all. The prospect of standing up before anyone to teach or sing made her break out in hives. Other work in the church she felt was just a waste of time.
Another illustration is “My Bible is more underlined than yours.” One only needs colored pencils or a pen and underline more passages in his Bible and conveniently show his neighbor how holy he is by the outward impression of study. It didn’t make any difference how much he learned, but that he looked the part of a Bible student and compared himself to others so he can be in his mind, “the winner”.
Now the Paul used to be very good at those religious games. Before his own conversion he out did most people to show he was more holy. Maybe that was why he recognized it so quickly when the Gnostics were trying to get the church plant of Colossae to play some of these religious games along with false doctrine. Paul warned them against it. I dare say we need to look at ourselves closely lest we become Christian game players when it comes to our relationship with the Lord and others.
There are lots of games religious people can play to make them appear as if they are winning in spiritual pride. That is the subject of this week’s devotionals from the above passage.
Do you recognize religious games in others? Can you recognize it in yourself when you are trying to excuse or impress others with your piety?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Nov 24
Verses- 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.
Judging based on Religious Rituals
In almost every letter Paul condemns legalism which threatens to cut the heart out of The Christian gospel. It seems that the Gnostics had as one of their games “I can follow more Jewish laws as a Christian than you can.” There were rituals that were ingrained in their religious culture. They were instructed by God to observe Holy days as well as the Sabbath. They had rituals as to how to dress, how to eat, who to eat with, how to worship and more. They heard about faith in Jesus Christ, but since you can’t judge one another based on what was going on inside, it was much easier to see piety based on the religious rituals if they were followed or not.
The rituals practiced on certain days and how you observed certain feasts could be observed if you are a really spiritual Christian. In fact legalistic rules are the means to judge yourself and others. Without those rituals we cannot compete very well in this game.
Part of these rituals came from their misguided belief that anything related to your body or material world was evil. Whatever is righteous is derived from good works.
Are rituals bad? I have a ritual every morning of having devotions and sharing devotions on the internet. I have a ritual of going to church every Sunday. Something is missing inside if I don’t practice worship. (of course it helps to be paid to come to church as the pastor.)
I was visiting a church where the pastor was guilting his people in coming to prayer meeting on Christmas day which happened to fall on a Wednesday night. The ritual was to have prayer as a church on Wednesdays. Rather than offer a different day or time he went on for a number of minutes telling them how coming to that meeting divided the good Christians from the carnal Christians. What better way to judge your spiritual life than come to a prayer meeting according to the rituals of Wednesday night prayer? People would cancel plans to be with family from out of town in order to please their pastor.
There was a couple visiting us from out of town. Their home church practiced door to door witnessing every Thursday night for one hour. When 7 pm came they asked to be excused and went in our area door to door witnessing. Is there anything wrong with that activity? No. But the ritual was to be reported when they returned home. This becomes a man made religious ritual.
But what about my practice of going to worship wherever I am on a Sunday morning? Is that different? There are some who are upset that the times of worship have been changed because it doesn’t follow their ritual? To whom do I have to report or show my piety if I am in church or not on a particular Sunday? God? Family? Other Christians? When does a ritual encourage my walk with the Lord and when does it take on pride that I have accomplished some rule?
Who are the self appointed judges? How do we determine what is of God and what isn't?
Someone might ask, "Aren't some of these observances given to us by God to remind us of truth? Isn't there some value to mental or physical health to be gained by following them?"
Paul gives us answer in v. 17 These rituals he declares are a mere shadow of the things that were to come, the reality however is found din Christ. Once the reality has been realized shadows are of no value whatsoever. Shadows are like pictures, given in advance, designed to prepare us for something. But if you have found Christ, you do not need the shadow any more.
According to the Old Testament, God had established festivals and laws in order that people might realize their need for a redeemer who can save them from their own unholy and sinful hearts. The law was given to prepare the way for Christ and his grace. Much of what happened years previous were types. The Gnostics looked at the shadows of performance. Jesus looks at the heart.
Many honest seekers do not go to church today because they could not keep up with the rituals expected of them.
Next week from chapter 3 we are going to talk about sinful natures and ways we yield to temptations that destroy us and keep us bound. I do not believe Paul is saying break the laws of God, but do not think that man made rituals are going to save you or give you are better standing with God. The grace of the Lord has nothing to do with the works of man.
It is easy to time how long your prayers are in public and if you use the right words, but have no way to judge if your heart is really talking to God. So it is easy to see if you are practicing the festivals, saying grace before meals and how much money you give, than if you love the Lord with all your heart. The motive behind legalism is judging one another. God wants your heart not your performance.
God told Peter “What I have made clean is clean.” Don't play the game of judging one another by our religious rituals. That is God’s job. Only He knows the heart.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Nov 25
Verses: Col 2:18,19 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.
19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Judging based on Religious Revelations
A couple of weeks ago we talked about how Paul warned the Colossians against emotional experiences. Part of the problem was special revelations and messages they claimed came from angelic visitors. With the popularity of New Age influences many in our society are very interested in spirit guides and angels. The paranormal has often been the focus of mystery, intrigue and attraction. There are many books on angels from various perspectives.
The Gnostics were all excited about angels. They believed since the physical and material was evil we had to go through emanations or spiritual visions like angels to get to God. That is why they felt Christ couldn't be God. He was probably one of the higher angels.
Because they couldn't believe He could be holy and in a human body at the same time, they did not possibly believe he could be God in human form. But as Paul observes this view is also false humility. Here is the reasoning "I am not good enough to come directly to God, so I will start with one of the angels." That is idolatry too.
Idolatry is when anything at all takes the place of God or the worship of God. God wants us to come to him alone. You cannot go through a minister, your parents, your church, a saint who has died, Mary, angels, or another other living or dead being.
The Bible says 1 Tim 2:5-6 "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave himself as a ransom for all... "
Many people claim to have special spiritual revelations making them seem as if they have inside information on what God is saying. The result is a new set of laws and rules that must be obeyed, followed, or adhered to. Such revelations are the very thing that grows cults. Some claim to have received a special message by an angel.
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormons, claimed the angel Moroni visited him with a special message and gave him this book and told him he could interpret it with two seer stones as eye glasses, the Urim and Thummim. Assuming a new divine authority people follow his teachings. They have a new set of laws.
The game of Spiritual revelations is "I know something you don't" therefore I am more spiritual than you. It gives the feeling that those who don't have theses special messages from God are inferior in the faith. Therefore we should follow the leader who has special divine revelations.
Once again we read a clear directive from the New Testament. Heb 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." or Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"
We need to be warned about spiritual revelations. Are they of God? Are they Biblical? Is someone trying to gain a following by setting himself up as an authority?
I was reading a news article how 1,000s were leaving Jehovah Witnesses because of over 30 different predictions were given as to when Christ was to return to earth. Of course, they have all proved false. The leaders spoke from special revelations.
Many will credit the Holy Spirit to be their guide and come up with bizarre and unusual visions that are not of God. John 16:13-14 says, "When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it unto you." The job of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Son, Jesus Christ, not himself. However if one is talking about Jesus and the Scriptures, be assured it is of God. If not, then beware for even revelations can be given for the wrong reason.
2 Cor 11:13-15 says; "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, masquerading as apostles of Christ and no wonder for Satan himself masquerade as an angel of light. It is not surprising then if his servant masquerade as servants of righteousness. There end will be what their actions deserve."
People will always seek more revelations and mystical experiences. They are never at rest. The more one seeks to find some supernatural experience, the more they find empty disappointment.
Do you remember Oral Roberts vision of a 900 foot vision of Jesus who told him to build a hospital in Tulsa Oklahoma? Unless people send him four and half million dollars he was going to die. Now this vision of God is no longer in operation. It has lost more than 10 million a year before it closed. It turned many people away form Christian truth.
These things are fascinating but not satisfying. As exciting as visions and dramatic as revelations are stick with what you know, and who you know, in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Nov 25
Verses Col 2:20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Judging on Religious Restrictions.
Since the Gnostics viewed the body and physical world as evil they also taught a form of asceticism. This is the view that you deny yourself many of the common desires that God has given to you. Do not eat, do not touch. Don't get married. People who followed this to an extreme were monks. Shakers lived like this too. They tried to live a life of denial.
I once visited a monastery which had formerly housed people who lived under strict religious rules to gain favor with God. They slept no more than four hours at a time. Their beds were planks of wood without pillows. They also had very thin blankets so as not to get comfortable. They had required two hour prayer times in the middle of their night. They would live on a vegetarian diet. They had long periods of fasting and remained silent on special days.
1 Tim 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
We have Christians today who would not practice extreme separatism as the monastery, but greatly restrict any activity or social contact outside their religious group. To be separate from the world is interpreted to have as little contact and possible with anyone who does not believe like they do.
The Bible tells us God created everything and made it good. Man misuses it. You can make a piece of steel and construct in such a way to be a sharp knife that exercises cancerous tumors under the guidance of a skillful surgeon. You can take the same steel knife and in the hands of a murderer to slit someone's throat.
You can have a relationship between a husband and a wife and God gave the expression of intimate and loving physical relationship from which a child can be conceived. The miracle of birth gives glory to God according to his plan. But you can take that act of sex and turn it into a lustful dirty and sinful act of shame and impurity.
Jesus often broke the traditions of man, yet without sin. Jesus was often confronted by the Pharisees regarding the laws and prayers, and ceremonies and traditions.
Do you ever feel like you can never measure up?
Beware of all false religious practices that have nothing to do with real faith or commitment to Jesus Christ. Beware of any church, pastor, or spiritual leader than imposes man made rules, ritual restrictions and revelations and makes you follow them to have greater grace of God than what is already given to us in his Christ.
When Paul met Christ he found the inner peace he was looking for. He found freedom. He found faith. He found salvation based on grace. As we will see next week, he sought to live to honor the Lord, not impress others.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Nov 27
Verses- Col 2:17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Col 3:1-4
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Judging on a Real Relationship
It was in the real living relationship, not with religion, that Paul found freedom from guilt, joy, life more abundant. He no longer had to worry about how many steps he walked on Saturday lest he offend God. That was no longer important. He didn't worry about if hair covered his ears, or how many inches from the knee the women’s dresses were.
He didn't have to concerning himself about eating a pork chop in Colossae, or if he would eat with a Gentile, for Paul was free in his love relationship enjoying the person presence of Jesus Christ. His actions came from a heart of love not a fear of doing something wrong.
That caused him to reject those rules, regulations, revelations and restrictions. He didn't worry about what others said he needed to do to be acceptable before God once he knew Jesus Christ. True religion begins with a personal relationship. He found he didn't need to add more rules to his life, he needed a heart change and nothing he could do could accomplish that. But when he let Jesus in to take over his life, Christ did the rest making him free from the consequence of all sin. Christ can do that for you today.
When I was growing up in Detroit the neighborhood kids would often gather in the street or parkway of our block. It wasn't long before some game was invented, or passed down by older brothers or sisters. It might be war, or kick the can, or hide and seek, or freeze tag, or goose and fox, or blind man's bluff. When the code is complete and the sides are chosen woe to the child who breaks the rules of the new game. There are cries. "You can't do that. It is against the rules." If something happened that most of us didn't like we'd create a new rule and say from now on that is against the rule. Rules of those games allowed us to compete fairly and have fun in a needed organized manner.
We govern our land by rules. We buy and sell products according to rules. We drive cars according to rules. We succeed in business by applying various rules of success. Although it is increasingly unpopular churches need to have business meetings according to the rules of the constitution to function properly and orderly. Is it any wonder then to think we must come up with rules to better serve God? We must look at God's rules and stop imposing stuff on ourselves and one another than are man made.
For you see when we are in a loving relationship with Jesus we want to obey not perform. Performance is for ourselves and for others, Obedience is for God. One is based on relationship the other on religion. How can you know the difference?
Susan Maycinik gives some ideas: Obedience is seeking God with your whole heart. Performance is having devotions because you'll feel guilty if you don't. Obedience is finding ways to let the Word of God dwell in your richly. Performance is quickly scanning a passage for you can check it off your Daily Bible reading plan. Obedience is inviting guest to your home for dinner. Performance is feeling anxious about if every detail of the meal will be perfect. Obedience is doing your best. Performance wants to be the best. Obedience is saying yes to whatever God asks of you. Performance is saying yes to whatever other people ask of you.
Living in religion is performance. It will wear you down until you want to quit. Living in a relationship is rewarding and enriching. It will spur you one to love God more and others.
With a renewal to God this season recommit yourself to the one who loves you the most and will sustain you when others will judge wrongly. He alone knows your heart and by the Word of God and power of the Holy Spirit will help you grow in love and less in performance.
Pastor Dale
