WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:09.339 Located in Ontario, 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:11.279 Oregon, Pastor Patrick Daly 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.800 preaches insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.679 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:23.519 All right. Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:27.400 I hope and I trust that you've been warmly greeted 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:30.119 here at Ontario Community Church. 00:00:30.119 --> 00:00:31.879 My name is Patrick Daly, 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:35.359 and I am the pastor here at Ontario Community Church. 00:00:35.359 --> 00:00:39.519 Today, we are continuing our sermon series. 00:00:39.519 --> 00:00:43.840 We're doing a biblical exposition of the book of Colossians. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.719 It has been a wild ride so far. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.200 Colossians being a letter written by the Apostle Paul, 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.239 he starts off by expressing his thankfulness for 00:00:53.239 --> 00:00:56.840 a rural church that was faithful to God and exhibited 00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:58.880 the love of Christ to others. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:03.120 Then he's going on into details about who Jesus Christ 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:04.760 is, his preeminence, 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:08.320 and Christ being the firstborn of all things. 00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:11.719 Then we go on learning about the mystery of 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:14.800 Christ being revealed and the majesty of Christ, 00:01:14.800 --> 00:01:18.439 and even what it means to suffer for Christ. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:22.560 Now we are in chapter 2 of the book of Colossians. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:26.280 What's very interesting is that even though the Apostle Paul 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:29.719 never visited Laodicea or Colossae, 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:32.680 he is concerned and he is warning that 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:34.640 Christians should not be deceived, 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:36.200 they shouldn't be deluded, 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:38.200 they shouldn't be derailed or distracted. 00:01:38.200 --> 00:01:40.879 We can think of a bunch of D words, right? 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:44.560 Don't be distracted by the things of this world 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:46.920 and focus on Jesus Christ. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:48.520 The Apostle Paul felt that, 00:01:48.520 --> 00:01:50.719 and he believed that the Colossian church 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.319 would respond appropriately. 00:01:53.319 --> 00:01:55.200 But as for Laodicea, 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:58.159 well that's a different story and you find that 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:02.159 as the lukewarm church and you'll find that in your notes. 00:02:02.159 --> 00:02:05.159 The warning that the Apostle Paul had to do with 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:07.760 not being captive by philosophy, 00:02:07.760 --> 00:02:10.560 not being captive by empty deceit. 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:14.159 And when we think about what this world has to offer, 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:16.719 well, more often than not, 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:20.599 it's filled with empty promises, deception, 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:23.000 and works-based systems. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.560 And this leads us today where we're continuing 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:29.080 on the specific warnings from the Apostle Paul. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:32.080 We'll learn more about angel worship, 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:34.439 aestheticism, what's going on here. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:35.960 So we'll go more into that. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:37.319 But before we go any further, 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:39.039 I would like for us to pray, 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:44.039 let's offer the Lord our time here to bless us 00:02:44.039 --> 00:02:46.120 and that we may come to understand God 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:47.680 in his word more deeply. 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:49.479 Will you pray with me? 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:51.920 And gracious Father, we come before you. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:53.719 Hungry for your word. 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:56.759 We pray for those that do not know you, 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:59.119 that they will gain knowledge of who you are 00:02:59.119 --> 00:03:03.439 and may they change their mind to believe in you. 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:06.399 We pray for the Christians that are here today, 00:03:06.399 --> 00:03:10.399 that they grow in knowledge and understanding of who you are. 00:03:11.399 --> 00:03:13.199 May they mature. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:17.799 And we also pray that upon salvation and growth in you, 00:03:17.799 --> 00:03:21.039 that we are encouraged to have an active faith 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:23.879 to be doers of the word, 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:27.799 doing good in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:03:27.799 --> 00:03:30.759 It is in all of these things that we say together, amen. 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:31.599 Amen. 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:33.519 So let's start off with verse 16 here, 00:03:33.519 --> 00:03:35.719 freedom from judgment. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:37.680 We start off in verse 16 here, 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:40.120 therefore let no one pass judgment on you 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:44.039 in questions of food and drink with regards to a festival 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:47.399 or a new moon or a Sabbath or an eclipse 00:03:47.399 --> 00:03:50.159 or the northern lights, right? 00:03:50.159 --> 00:03:52.159 We have recently had a lot of things 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.400 that were happening in the sky recently 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.799 and there's some beautiful things. 00:03:55.799 --> 00:03:59.240 How many of us saw the northern lights recently? 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.759 Absolutely beautiful in the sky, right? 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:04.280 Well, in verse 16, right? 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.639 The apostle Paul is saying, 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:08.800 let no one pass judgment on you 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.919 in questions about what you eat or what you drink 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:14.719 with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.120 I had to have a little fun there. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:19.680 When we're thinking about the context 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:21.600 and the fact that the apostle Paul 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:24.280 is writing to the Colossians here, 00:04:24.280 --> 00:04:27.120 we're talking about people who were once Jewish 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:29.480 and they became Christians, right? 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:32.160 It is going from this former life, 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:34.400 the works-based religion, right? 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:37.920 A works-based system into a belief-based system 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:42.079 or a faith-based system into believing in Jesus Christ 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:43.840 and having that new life. 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:45.600 When you become a Christian, 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.759 when you believe in Jesus Christ, 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:51.959 you are set free from sin and you receive eternal life. 00:04:51.959 --> 00:04:54.439 That doesn't make us sinless though. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.839 We're just called to sinless though. 00:04:56.839 --> 00:05:00.360 And sometimes, you know, when we become a Christian 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:02.519 and we make that decision for Christ, 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:05.079 we're called to tell our friends and our families 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:06.759 about what we believe in. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:09.039 But at times, there are some people 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:12.159 who may not like the fact that you are a Christian. 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:14.560 They may not like who you have become 00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:16.920 or who you're becoming in Christ. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:18.560 And just as there were people back then, 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:22.080 there are people now who they might judge you. 00:05:22.080 --> 00:05:25.560 What do you mean you don't follow this festival? 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:28.400 What do you mean you don't pray a certain direction 00:05:28.400 --> 00:05:30.560 or pray a certain amount of times? 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:32.200 How could you do that? 00:05:32.200 --> 00:05:34.639 And that's what we're dealing with here. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:36.600 Because to believe in Jesus Christ 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:39.560 is to be set free from the restrictions, 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:42.240 the rules and the regulations of religion, 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:44.800 just like how the Colossians were transitioning 00:05:44.800 --> 00:05:47.720 from Judaism to Christ. 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:49.400 It's a huge transition. 00:05:49.400 --> 00:05:51.639 It's no longer a focus on works, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:53.639 but a focus on faith. 00:05:53.639 --> 00:05:55.160 And I don't know about you. 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:57.759 I'd much rather focus on having a relationship 00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:59.319 with the living God 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:01.920 than having this continued checklist 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:04.280 of things that I must do. 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:07.360 It is just like today, again, how there are some people. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:08.519 There's some people out there 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:10.439 who are more focused on the ritual. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:13.680 They're more focused on the rules and the regulations, right? 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.400 They are legalistic as it were, right? 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:19.079 They're so focused on, well, you know, 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:21.439 what can I and can't I do, right? 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.720 And they just, that becomes their God, so to speak. 00:06:25.720 --> 00:06:29.680 Well, it's just like how there are people like that today. 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:31.519 Just like how there were people 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:33.600 that the apostle Paul is talking about. 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:38.600 Let no one judge you based upon what you eat or drink, right? 00:06:38.680 --> 00:06:42.160 Or in regards to a new moon or a festival. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.760 So it goes on in here, it's making sure 00:06:44.760 --> 00:06:46.080 the apostle Paul is saying here, 00:06:46.080 --> 00:06:48.360 let no one change your mind. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:49.680 Let no one judge you 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.080 because some people are gonna judge you. 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:55.280 Have you ever been judged for being a Christian? 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:57.600 None of us have, right? 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:58.800 None of us have been judged. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:00.560 What are you talking about? 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.360 There will be people, especially worldly people, 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.520 who will, people who are not Christian, 00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:08.080 who may not understand the faith 00:07:08.080 --> 00:07:10.820 that you have in Jesus Christ. 00:07:10.819 --> 00:07:13.159 Some people will judge you according to what you eat 00:07:13.159 --> 00:07:14.040 or you drink. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:14.879 What do you mean? 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:17.879 I mean, when we're talking about the Jews, right? 00:07:17.879 --> 00:07:20.839 They had dietary restrictions, right? 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:23.439 What you eat or drink or certain festivals, 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.180 just like how there were many feasts 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:27.000 in the Jewish religion. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:30.719 And you know, Romans 14 is a parallel 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:32.360 of what we're talking about here. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:36.039 In Romans chapter 14, verse 17, it says, 00:07:36.039 --> 00:07:37.639 now I want you to hear me out here. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:42.419 Romans 14, 17, it goes on to say that the kingdom of God 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:45.219 is not a matter of eating and drinking, 00:07:45.219 --> 00:07:47.539 but of righteousness and of peace 00:07:47.539 --> 00:07:49.300 and the joy in the Holy Spirit. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:50.500 Can I get an amen? 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.339 Amen. 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:53.379 And even in 1st Timothy chapter four, 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.459 verses one through five, 00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:57.579 it's mentioning a great deal about deceitful spirits 00:07:57.579 --> 00:08:01.939 who will teach people to abstain from certain foods, right? 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:05.259 So it's when you get over the top about certain diets, right? 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:07.339 When it becomes your own religion. 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:09.779 Now I know for some of us, we may not have gluten 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:11.819 or some of us may have too much gluten 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.099 or some of us may focus on having meat 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:15.899 or some of us may not eat meat. 00:08:15.899 --> 00:08:18.139 It's when it becomes your religion. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:21.899 And when you start becoming judgmental with other people, 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:24.699 maybe your brother and sister in Christ, don't do that. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:27.620 Don't be judgmental to that point. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:30.579 And so the apostle Paul is encouraging the Christians 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:33.659 not to let the judgment get through to them, right? 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:37.100 Just as Paul was saying earlier in Colossians, 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:40.580 stand firm in the faith and you see to it 00:08:40.580 --> 00:08:43.340 that no one takes you captive, right? 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:45.460 It's the continuation of that. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:48.180 And this is applicable for us today, right? 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:50.460 Again, when you become a Christian, 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:54.100 don't let someone judge you for who you are, right? 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:56.860 People may judge you for who you've been, 00:08:56.860 --> 00:09:00.420 but who you are now is a new creation in Jesus Christ, 00:09:00.420 --> 00:09:03.220 having a new life and a new identity in Him. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:05.779 That is a cause for celebration. 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.819 And for the ones that judge you, 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:11.419 you can always pray for them, answer their questions. 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:13.419 They may not respond very well, 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:17.819 but you know who you are and you remain in that. 00:09:17.819 --> 00:09:19.699 Don't let these people judge you. 00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:22.059 Live your life, your new life in Christ 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.779 and you stay on the path. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.339 We go to verse 17 now, 00:09:25.339 --> 00:09:28.459 which is talking about the shadow and the substance. 00:09:28.459 --> 00:09:31.779 It says, these are a shadow of the things to come, 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:34.699 but the substance belongs to Christ. 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:36.540 That's a very powerful verse, right? 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:38.540 And in order to understand this verse, 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:41.140 you must understand that the Colossians, right? 00:09:41.140 --> 00:09:43.620 Again, they were once Jewish, they became Christian. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.940 They went from the old identity, 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:47.700 the old way of doing things into the new life, 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:52.700 the new identity, no longer focusing on the restrictions 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:54.840 and the requirements. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:10:01.500 They, what's so interesting when we think of the Old Testament 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:04.620 is how it points to Jesus Christ, right? 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:06.379 Just as we've talked about before, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:08.820 the mystery of Jesus Christ, 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:13.820 it is pointing to Christ and His majesty. 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:17.539 That is something that's what we see here 00:10:17.539 --> 00:10:20.019 in so many connections and prophecies 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.940 that were fulfilled by Jesus Christ. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:25.700 Those rules and restrictions from the Jewish faith 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:27.379 were to point to Christ, 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:30.019 that there's going to be a better way in Him. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:32.379 The Levitical Law, the sacrificial system, 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:35.340 the dietary restrictions, they were all to point to Christ. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:36.899 And unfortunately, there were people 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.139 who didn't understand it then 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:40.860 and there's people that don't understand it now. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.860 We are blessed to know 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:46.019 that the Old Testament points to Jesus Christ, right? 00:10:46.019 --> 00:10:48.460 We think of it as the Old Covenant, 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:49.939 the old way of doing things, 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:53.379 and we go into the New Testament, the New Covenant, 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.980 that's testifying to Jesus Christ. 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:58.259 So the verse goes on to say 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.259 that the substance belongs to Christ. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:02.779 It is here where we find a connection, right? 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.500 Where it's making another mention 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:07.460 of the mystery of Christ, right? 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:09.939 The revelation of the mystery. 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:12.779 The shadow is pointing to the body 00:11:12.779 --> 00:11:16.700 or the substance of which belongs to Christ, 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:20.179 Christ being the head of the body. 00:11:20.179 --> 00:11:23.860 And so the substance belongs to Him. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.500 And this last Sunday, right? 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:28.059 I talked to you about how the apostle Paul 00:11:28.059 --> 00:11:32.619 was saying, let no one deceive you, right? 00:11:32.619 --> 00:11:36.019 Let no one delude you, let no one distract you. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:38.819 And we're going into verse 18 now 00:11:38.819 --> 00:11:41.099 where it says don't be defrauded, right? 00:11:41.099 --> 00:11:44.299 The verse says, let no one disqualify you, 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:47.699 insisting on aestheticism and the worship of angels 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:50.899 and going on into detail about vision, 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:55.099 visions and puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:12:00.100 These are some very specific things. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:04.060 The language is saying here, let no one defraud you, 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:07.580 let no one rob you or even steal from you. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:12.580 Let no one deprive you of the prize in Christ. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:16.500 In 1 Corinthians chapter nine, verse 24, 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:20.060 there is a reference of running the race 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:23.379 to obtain the prize, right? 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.939 After we receive salvation, 00:12:25.939 --> 00:12:29.139 we're called to do good in the name of the Lord. 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:32.779 And that we are called to build up treasures in heaven. 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:35.460 We are called to do the work of Christ 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:37.980 and don't be robbed of the opportunity 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:40.539 of doing good in the name of Christ. 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:42.139 Let no one disqualify you, 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.779 that's just another way of saying it. 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:47.379 This disqualification speaks of robbing our treasures 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:49.899 in heaven or the opportunity of it. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.580 So it begs the question then, okay, 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:53.860 well, what is it that disqualifies us? 00:12:53.860 --> 00:12:57.259 What robs us or maybe even distracts us? 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:59.100 Do you rails us so to speak? 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:01.200 It's where we find the false teachings 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:05.540 that were around in Colossae 00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:07.660 and maybe in Laodicea at the time. 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:10.300 The first is aestheticism, 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:15.300 which has to do with kind of being overly humble, 00:13:17.020 --> 00:13:18.900 loving the fact that you're being humble. 00:13:18.900 --> 00:13:21.340 Have you ever met someone like that? 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:24.940 It's like they're being prideful about being humble. 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:27.460 It's almost like a contradiction. 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.940 Let's be honest here, right? 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:31.259 The whole point of being humble is to not be proud, 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:35.100 but yet there's some people who find pride in being humble. 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:38.460 I know it's kind of funny when you really think about it, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:41.139 but it's an obsession with being humble. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:43.660 It's the point where you're worshiping yourself. 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:45.580 Oh, look how humble I am. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.139 Like, what? 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.340 What's going on here? 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:51.060 And so these are people who are humble 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:56.059 and they used it nothing more as pious pride over people. 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:59.099 So then we have the worship of angels. 00:13:59.099 --> 00:14:02.299 When that's pretty self-explanatory, right? 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:04.139 Like that makes pretty good sense. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:08.299 The Bible is very clear that we do not worship angels. 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:10.639 In fact, you go to your Bibles, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:14.299 you go to Hebrews chapter one verses four through 14, 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:18.339 mentions a great deal about how Christ is superior 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:21.019 and he is above all angels. 00:14:21.019 --> 00:14:25.019 Christ is to be worshiped and he is served by the angels. 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:27.180 And we're not to worship angels, 00:14:27.180 --> 00:14:28.700 but worship the living God. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:30.820 We're to worship Jesus Christ. 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.860 And you know what's so funny? 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:34.540 I think sometimes God has a funny sense of humor 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:39.259 because in Revelation, you find two times where John, 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:41.899 he attempts to worship an angel 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:44.400 and the angel is saying like, 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:48.419 hey John, don't do that, let's go to that first one. 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:53.419 Revelation 1910, then I fell down at his feet to worship him. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:57.019 And he said to me, what? 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:59.019 You must not do that, don't do that. 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.500 I'm a fellow servant with you 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:03.419 and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.899 Do what? 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:06.779 Worship God. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:10.579 The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.439 And if that doesn't convince you enough, 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.980 it shows up twice. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.620 Let's go to the next one. 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:20.500 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.060 And when I heard and saw them, 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:26.140 I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel 00:15:26.140 --> 00:15:29.180 who showed them to me and he said to me, 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:31.540 you must not do that, don't do that, John. 00:15:31.540 --> 00:15:33.420 What are you doing? 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:35.460 I'm a fellow servant with you 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:37.460 and your brothers, the prophets 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:41.980 and with those who keep the words of this book, what? 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:43.300 Worship God. 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:45.379 That is incredible in seeing that. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:48.379 So in addition to these revelation verses, 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:50.219 we need to know that, look, 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:53.740 Satan himself is an angel of light, right? 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.299 That's a very scary thing. 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:57.199 I know for many of us when we're younger, 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.899 we always think of the devil as a guy 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.379 who's wearing a red suit. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:02.379 He's got horns going on. 00:16:02.379 --> 00:16:04.379 He's got a pitchfork, right? 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.500 And he's got a poke you, right? 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.379 That's how you're gonna go in and be tempted. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:11.699 He's gonna, okay, I need you to steal right now 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:15.379 or I need you to do something here, whatever the sin is. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:18.500 But that's not an accurate representation of who Satan is, 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:23.100 being an angel of being one of the most beautiful angels 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:25.300 that God had created. 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:28.060 Now, let's bring it home for a second here. 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:32.020 How many of us like new things? 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.900 Right? 00:16:33.900 --> 00:16:35.060 It's okay. 00:16:35.060 --> 00:16:37.100 We're all sinners here, right? 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:39.379 We like new shiny things, right? 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:42.419 And there's something that's really cool about advertising 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:45.179 when you see the new sleekness of, I don't know, 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:48.659 a new Lexus vehicle or a new Toyota Tundra 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.700 or whatever it is. 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:51.980 It's shiny, it's new and you're like, 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:55.700 oh, I wanna drive that and have that new car smell, right? 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:58.539 How many of you have seen something 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.620 that is so beautiful? 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.659 You're like, that can't be evil. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:04.259 But yet it is. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.779 And when we think in terms of the devil, 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:10.740 I'm sorry, I mean, I kind of wish that the devil 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.899 was just a guy wearing a red suit 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:15.379 and he was all red in the face and had horns. 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:17.740 So we could know exactly what he looks like. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.700 But that's not how it works though. 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:24.339 The devil being an angel, so beautiful 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:28.019 that when you see it, just like we're seeing here, right? 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:31.220 I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.740 who showed them to me. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:36.380 Now, what's very important when we're reading this 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:40.339 is that the angels that follow the Lord 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.980 are gonna tell you don't do that. 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:45.819 But there's another side that might want you 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:48.180 to go down on your feet as it were 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:53.180 to worship them, say, oh yeah, look at me, 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:54.779 I'm so beautiful. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:58.180 That's something we must take to note. 00:17:58.180 --> 00:18:02.180 So we go on into the section about details about visions 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:05.380 which is speaking about having a healthy obsession 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:08.940 about spiritual experiences, especially ones 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:11.940 that are outside of the things of God. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:14.580 Now, when we consider Christianity, 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:16.460 there are spiritual experiences, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:18.299 prayer and fasting, right? 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:20.019 Reading the Word of God. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:22.060 But there are other spiritual practices 00:18:22.060 --> 00:18:26.060 that may be outside of, well, things that are scriptural, 00:18:26.060 --> 00:18:29.940 things that are over the top as it were. 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:33.019 So just as there were people that were having 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:35.340 the pride of humility, what an odd thing to say, 00:18:35.340 --> 00:18:37.700 the worship of angels, there were people 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:40.019 who were so focused to the point that 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:41.700 that was their emphasis. 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:44.820 I'm gonna focus on the vision more than Christ. 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:47.340 I'm gonna focus on the vision, think of it nowadays. 00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:49.660 I'm gonna focus on these prophecies. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:51.700 A good example would be Nostradamus, right? 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:55.539 I'm gonna focus on Nostradamus more than the Word of God. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.820 Like what the angels said to John, don't do that. 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:59.140 Don't do that. 00:18:59.140 --> 00:18:59.980 Don't do that. 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:03.140 It's becoming distracted, right? 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:05.259 Being robbed of the opportunity to do good 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:09.380 in the name of Christ and being almost let away as it were 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:11.340 from the truth of Christ. 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:12.660 Because the truth of Christ, 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:15.140 the truth of the Word of God is simple. 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:17.580 Just like I mentioned previously in another sermon 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:21.540 that believing in the Lord is simple. 00:19:21.540 --> 00:19:24.620 It's you having faith in him and being saved. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:27.620 It's not adding, you know, X amount of prayers again, 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:29.579 praying in certain directions 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:32.859 or having certain things to pray on. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:35.939 No, it's just believing in the Lord. 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:38.939 We just have to be very careful 00:19:38.939 --> 00:19:41.939 when someone is going over the top about visions. 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:45.739 Now that may not, that may be applicable today. 00:19:45.739 --> 00:19:47.339 I mean, I don't really know many people 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:51.619 who's going on so much about visions where it's over the top 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:53.819 but it's not to say it doesn't happen. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:56.459 Maybe you may have heard or seen 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:58.660 or experienced someone like that. 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:00.059 It should be noted as well, 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.340 and you'll find this in your notes, 00:20:01.340 --> 00:20:03.900 that when we're considering prophecy or visions, 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:06.579 we also have to remember, and this is always important, 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:10.299 that with visions, just like with the angels here, 00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:12.900 the angels, if you know they're of the Lord, 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:15.740 they're gonna tell you to worship God, right? 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.900 Just like when we're considering prophecy 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:20.980 or someone who receives a vision, so to speak, 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:23.180 does it align with scripture? 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:25.700 Because there might be someone who says, 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:28.060 God told me to go rob this bank. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.980 What did the angels say? 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.980 Don't do that, right? 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.180 I tell you don't do that. 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:38.019 And if you know anyone who has such a vision, 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.980 don't do that, right? 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.779 So it leads us into this next one, 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:44.779 which is being puffed up with his sensuous mind, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.779 which is the idea of being full of pride 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:49.019 and thinking of the things of the world, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.980 the things of the flesh. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:53.339 Ephesians chapter four, verse 17, 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:56.900 it makes mention of how when we become a Christian, right? 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:59.140 We have our new life, our new identity, 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:01.980 and the verse says, you must no longer walk 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:06.299 as the Gentiles do in the futility of your minds, right? 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.660 It's so important. 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:12.339 When you become a new creation, 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:14.579 you focus on the things of God. 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:18.620 You focus on scripture, your new life and your new identity, 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:22.419 and you'll find why in the world would you focus 00:21:22.419 --> 00:21:24.500 on the former things? 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:27.019 Because you have some people who at times 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.459 they may believe in the Lord, 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:31.899 but they're still living a sinful life. 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:33.979 How does that testify to the fact 00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:35.339 that they're a new creation? 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.539 I'm not gonna say they're not saved, 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:39.179 but where's the evidence though? 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:42.099 There's also mentioning it's the focus 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:44.099 on the new life in Christ and not the former. 00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:46.299 There's a mention in Romans chapter eight, 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:48.379 verses five through seven, which talks about 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:50.540 how if we live according to the flesh, 00:21:50.540 --> 00:21:53.300 our minds are focused on the things of the flesh. 00:21:53.300 --> 00:21:57.740 We've gotta be careful to not focus on sinning, right? 00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:01.540 When we find that we habitually sin, 00:22:01.540 --> 00:22:04.460 you might become captive by it. 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:06.340 And very often it does happen. 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:08.060 If we focus on the things of God 00:22:08.060 --> 00:22:09.540 or the things of the Holy Spirit, 00:22:09.540 --> 00:22:13.700 we are setting our mind on things that are greater, 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:18.060 on the spiritual, not on the things of this world, 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:22.859 but focusing on Christ, the Holy Spirit, God the Father. 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:25.259 We go to verse 19, which says that Christ 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:27.179 is the head of the body, right? 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.539 So these people, right? 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:31.539 These prideful, humble people, 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:33.419 there's those that are worshiping angels, 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:37.859 those that are focusing on living a fleshly life. 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.579 They're not holding fast to the head 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:42.419 from whom the whole body nourished and knit together 00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:44.659 through which joints and ligaments grows 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:47.539 with a growth that is from God. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:50.460 This is very important because we found 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:54.019 that it is Jesus Christ who is the head of the body, 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:55.339 the church, right? 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:58.379 Christ is the head of the body of Christ. 00:22:58.379 --> 00:23:01.659 And we, as Christians, are all parts of the body. 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:03.899 I don't know who's an ear, right? 00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:06.059 I don't know who might be a foot, 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:09.019 but the idea is that we're all equally important 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:12.099 in the eyes of God and how we serve the Lord, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:14.099 how I serve the Lord may be different 00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.420 than how you serve the Lord. 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:17.379 And we're not to attack one another, 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:19.580 but we're to be knit together in love 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:22.100 like it mentions earlier in Colossians. 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:24.700 Christ needs to be at the center of our life 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:28.100 and we build upon the foundation that exists in him. 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:30.860 Upon salvation, we are to grow and mature. 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:33.740 Who wants to still be a baby and have formula? 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.240 Is anybody here? 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.080 Weirdo? 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:37.160 I'm just kidding. 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:38.380 No, but really though, 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:43.420 it's a call for you to grow up, right? 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.260 Right? 00:23:44.260 --> 00:23:46.580 I don't wanna be a baby in Christ. 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:48.539 I wanna grow and mature. 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:51.980 And it's a call for us to grow and mature, right? 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.899 And so Christ is in charge 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:56.099 and it's the same language that we see here, 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:59.220 being knit together in love, right? 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:01.179 That is the beautiful thing about the church. 00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:04.619 The body of Christ is that we bear one another's burdens. 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:07.500 We celebrate the birth of a child 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:10.199 and a new marriage or growth in Christ. 00:24:10.199 --> 00:24:12.740 We should celebrate when someone believes in the Lord 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:14.699 when someone gets baptized. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:17.460 Where in the world do you find anything else like that? 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:20.299 Where else do you find good, godly relationships 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:22.940 that help you become a better man 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:25.500 or a better woman in Christ? 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:28.580 I don't know where else, you know? 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:32.940 And that's something that's so significant about the church 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:37.660 because as Christians, we're not to do this life alone. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:40.620 You know, I just recently came back 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.940 from a conference in Boise. 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:46.539 It's called the Gather to Scatter Conference. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.740 And it was Friday to Saturday. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:50.420 It was very long on Friday 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:53.420 and I was overwhelmed by the time I got home. 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:55.779 I took a nice nap. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:58.320 But you know what's really unfortunate 00:24:58.320 --> 00:25:02.220 is how there are so many people, especially young people, 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:06.180 who feel neglected, who feel alone, 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:08.120 that their life doesn't matter. 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:13.119 And our hearts should break for these young people 00:25:13.119 --> 00:25:15.559 from children to teenagers 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:20.559 because their life is valuable in the eyes of God. 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:24.799 Their life has purpose and potential. 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:29.559 And just as we encourage each other, 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:32.879 sometimes we have to be present with each other 00:25:32.879 --> 00:25:35.479 in times of crisis or trials. 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:39.120 In the same way, we have to think of the ones 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:43.120 that don't know the Lord to find that comfort 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:46.559 and that safety and that security. 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:51.160 You may know someone who doesn't know the Lord. 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:56.160 You may know someone who is suffering with their identity 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:59.200 or struggling with is life even worth it? 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.279 And there was a statistic. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.880 I don't have that statistic with me, 00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:07.640 but it was saying that I think it was one in five 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:12.640 kids have contemplated suicide before COVID-19, 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:14.640 before COVID-19, think about that. 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:17.000 We know how bad it was with COVID-19. 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.800 How much worse did it get? 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:23.120 That's why we as the church, 00:26:23.120 --> 00:26:26.880 we've got to focus on welcoming people 00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:29.880 and exhibiting the love of Christ, right? 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:32.520 Just like the Colossian Church, faithful to God, 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:35.639 his word and exhibiting the love of Christ. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:39.240 Let this be a call for you to believe in the Lord, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:43.000 knowing that you don't have to be alone in this life, 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:46.639 that you can be a part of something much greater 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:48.319 than yourself. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:51.440 It is the evil one who tries to divide and conquer us. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:53.240 It's the evil one who tries to say, 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.680 now you don't need to go to church, 00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:56.839 you should be alone and sleep in, 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.879 because that's what really matters, right? 00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:00.119 Is sleeping in. 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:02.919 Sleeping in, that's what really matters, 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:05.119 is you don't want to know those Christians? 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:10.839 That's the evil one trying to divide and conquer us. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:13.919 Instead of division, we should focus on the love 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:17.159 and unity of Christ being knit together in love. 00:27:17.159 --> 00:27:20.759 The body of Christ is to grow together. 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.239 If you do not know the Lord, 00:27:22.239 --> 00:27:24.719 let this be a call for you to believe in the Lord, 00:27:24.719 --> 00:27:26.919 come to know him and know that there is safety 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:30.000 and security and purpose for your life, 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:31.960 that you're not alone in this. 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:35.440 And don't just believe in the Lord and be alone. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:38.799 Grow in the Lord, grow together with your brothers 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:40.599 and sisters in Christ. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:42.680 Can you imagine for a moment the impact 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.240 that we can have on our neighbors, 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.119 on our friends and on our families, 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:48.480 and in the community when we grow together 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:51.319 and we are encouraged to do good in the name of Christ? 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.839 Just imagine the profound impact, 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.519 because God calls for us. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:59.500 He takes ordinary people, 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:02.559 ordinary people from the farmer to the business person, 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:06.400 from the poor to the rich, everyday ordinary people, 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:09.119 and uses it for greater purpose. 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:10.720 That is the beauty of our Lord. 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.680 So don't grow alone. 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:16.079 It's an incredible encouragement, 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:19.119 not just for the Colossian church contextually, 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:22.000 but it's directly applicable for us today. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.119 Let's go to verse 20. 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:26.480 If in Christ, leave the former life, right? 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:28.279 It says here, if with Christ, 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.759 you die to the elemental spirits of the world, 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:33.519 why as if you were still alive in the world, 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:35.139 do you submit to regulations? 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:37.279 That's a good question, right? 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:39.000 If you believe in the Lord and you're saved, 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:42.000 why in the world would you still live the former life? 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:44.200 Why would you still live in such a way 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:46.160 that doesn't honor and glorify God? 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:49.359 Right, in believing the Lord you are saved, 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:52.759 you're called to be, live differently. 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:57.019 It's a question that can be asked then and today. 00:28:57.019 --> 00:29:01.759 Why would you focus on religion? 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:05.000 Why would you focus on spirituality 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:07.519 outside of the things of Christianity? 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:10.279 Why would you want to continue to live a worldly life 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:15.160 that you came to the Lord, most of us, 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:16.839 we saw what the world had to offer 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:18.839 and we came to Christ for safety and security. 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:21.960 Why in the world do we keep living that way? 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:24.680 It's a call for us to leave that former life. 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:27.640 Christ has a better way, 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:29.600 just as He has a better plan for you. 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:32.600 Verse 21, religion equals what? 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:35.080 Rules and regulations, right? 00:29:35.080 --> 00:29:36.519 It says in this verse, do not handle, 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:38.360 do not taste, do not touch. 00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:39.680 Don't do this, don't do that. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:42.320 That's what you find in religion, right? 00:29:42.320 --> 00:29:44.480 The issue is that there's judgmental people 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:47.880 who are trying to get Christians to go back to religion. 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:52.880 And it's real that we find that it was very real back then 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:55.760 and it will be real in the future, it's real today. 00:29:55.760 --> 00:29:58.520 1 Timothy chapter four, verses one through five, 00:29:58.520 --> 00:30:01.920 mentions how the rules and restrictions, listen to this, 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:05.280 will come back when there's apostasy. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.080 Isn't that interesting? 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:12.360 That when we're thinking of the apostate church, right? 00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:15.560 Or those who become the great apostasy, 00:30:15.560 --> 00:30:17.800 it's a return to religion as it were. 00:30:19.040 --> 00:30:22.080 A return to rules and regulations. 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:23.480 And that's very interesting. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.559 Some will leave the faith, 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:28.439 some will leave the basics of our faith 00:30:28.439 --> 00:30:30.839 and will go into the rules and restrictions of religion, 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:34.119 such as mentioned for food. 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:36.319 Let's go to that verse 22 here. 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:40.279 Referring to things that perish as they are used, 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:43.679 the cornering to the precepts and teaching, right? 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:48.679 So these two verses here are talking about, listen, 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:51.240 the restrictions are nothing more than religion. 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:54.079 Our faith offers freedom from sin 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:56.079 and freedom from religion 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:58.559 and offers eternal life by having a relationship 00:30:58.559 --> 00:30:59.759 with Jesus Christ. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:02.400 Our faith is about being a new creation, 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:03.960 having an identity in Christ 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:07.519 and spiritual transformation that exists in your life. 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.960 And when it's referring to the things that perish 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:15.599 as they are used, there's this nice connection. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:19.160 And it's kind of, it hits home 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:21.200 if you don't know the Lord, right? 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:23.840 And when you pick an apple from the tree, 00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:27.720 it's gonna eventually perish, it's gonna wither away, 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:30.240 much like how we will if we don't know the Lord. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:34.080 That's a very heavy and difficult thing to think about, right? 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:36.960 Comparing us to food, what in the world? 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:39.319 But it's references of food, but also to the flesh, 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:41.519 the things that perish which are used, 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:43.319 which is in turn over time. 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:47.480 There's a verse in 1 Corinthians 613, which speaks to this. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.319 I wanna read this to you. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:51.399 Food, 1 Corinthians 613, it says, 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:54.399 food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:56.159 and God will destroy both. 00:31:56.159 --> 00:31:58.799 Woo, that's a difficult one, right? 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:01.679 The body is not meant for immorality, 00:32:01.679 --> 00:32:04.879 specifically sexual immorality, 00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:07.839 but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. 00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:11.200 Because when you know the Lord, you're being saved, right? 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:14.279 Your spiritual life and in the resurrection, 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.720 when we get a new body, amen to that. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:18.119 I'd like to have a new body 00:32:18.119 --> 00:32:21.559 and I know for many of us we can identify with that, right? 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:23.799 So the verse is saying that the things of the world 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.039 will fade away. 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:28.959 Food and flesh will fade away without knowing the Lord, 00:32:28.959 --> 00:32:30.199 so to speak. 00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:33.119 When you are a Christian, you are being reconnected 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:34.839 to the Lord. 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:36.759 To know Christ is to believe in him 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.599 and to have eternal life. 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:41.079 And you have to ask yourself the question, 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:44.639 do you want to perish like food? 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:48.560 What does John 3.16 say? 00:32:48.560 --> 00:32:53.040 That whoever believes in him should not, what? 00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:56.880 Parish, but have eternal life. 00:32:56.880 --> 00:33:00.280 Scripture also mentions that Christ is the bread 00:33:00.280 --> 00:33:03.880 and also that if we drink from the water of life, 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:05.480 we will never thirst. 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:07.120 And how interesting is it? 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:08.560 And I want to give you this analogy. 00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:10.000 I didn't make a picture for this. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:11.759 If you want to go to the, 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:14.320 actually could you go to the cover, the first slide? 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:19.319 That's actually why I had the title slide as it were. 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:22.519 Symbolism, imagery. 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:25.519 I want you to think about this for a moment. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:28.000 In Genesis, what happened? 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:33.000 There was an apple that was picked from the tree, right? 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:36.399 The tree of life. 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:40.039 That we are like the apple that would fade away 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:43.679 because like the apple, it has been plucked, 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:47.560 separated from the tree of life. 00:33:47.560 --> 00:33:50.160 That's interesting and check this out. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:55.160 With Christ, it is as though what has been separated 00:33:56.000 --> 00:34:00.720 from the tree of life was put back on to the tree. 00:34:01.600 --> 00:34:04.320 How Christ was nailed to the cross. 00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:07.759 Much like how our sins are paid in full 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:11.159 when Christ was nailed to the cross. 00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:15.559 It's a very interesting way of looking at it, right? 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:19.159 When you think of the tree in the garden 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:21.039 and then the separation, right? 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:23.199 Being plucked from the tree. 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:26.399 And then when Christ dies being nailed on the cross, 00:34:26.399 --> 00:34:28.920 our sins are forgiven. 00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:30.359 It's just remarkable. 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.879 And when you think about that, 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:35.480 no longer to be separated, 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:37.799 but to be connected with the Lord. 00:34:37.799 --> 00:34:38.719 That's what I want. 00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:41.599 And I hope that's what you want for your life. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:45.319 Verse 23 here, self-made religion. 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:47.959 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom 00:34:47.959 --> 00:34:52.799 in promoting self-made religion and aestheticism 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:55.839 and severity to the body, but they are of no value 00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:58.839 in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. 00:34:58.839 --> 00:35:01.239 All of these things, right? 00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:05.079 Prideful humility, the worship of angels, 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:07.799 focusing on visions rather than Christ, 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:10.840 being puffed up and prideful with that sensuous mind, 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.680 right? 00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:14.480 The fleshly mind, not holding on to the things of Christ 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:17.560 and focusing on religions and rituals here. 00:35:17.560 --> 00:35:20.880 All of these things, they appear to have wisdom, 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:23.720 much like how the devil appears to be good 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:26.680 by being that angel of light. 00:35:26.680 --> 00:35:27.720 Think about that. 00:35:28.880 --> 00:35:31.920 There's a lot of things that appear to be good, 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:33.560 but are not good. 00:35:33.560 --> 00:35:34.600 And ladies and gentlemen, 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:37.920 there's a difference between truth and lies, 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:40.880 good and evil, light from darkness. 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:45.159 I do not wish to believe in something that appears good. 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:48.960 I want to believe in something that is good. 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:51.239 God is good. 00:35:51.239 --> 00:35:56.239 I do not want to learn wisdom that appears to be real wisdom. 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:58.099 I want the real thing. 00:35:59.039 --> 00:36:02.239 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 00:36:02.239 --> 00:36:06.299 The verse is speaking of this self-made religion, 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:08.500 which is outside of scripture. 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:11.819 And in your notes, we don't have time to go over it, 00:36:11.819 --> 00:36:16.259 but in the back here, you'll find in here, 00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:20.179 there's a statement. 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:25.179 If you go to Isaiah chapter 14 verses 12 through 15, 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:30.179 these are what are known as the five satanic I wills. 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:37.739 And that's interesting compared to the great I am. 00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:41.519 Do you understand the difference? 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:43.919 I will do this. 00:36:44.879 --> 00:36:46.719 I will, I will, I will. 00:36:48.419 --> 00:36:50.659 Isn't that much like how religion is? 00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:53.259 I will do this. 00:36:53.260 --> 00:36:56.100 I will pray five times a day. 00:36:56.100 --> 00:36:58.660 I will face a certain direction. 00:36:58.660 --> 00:37:03.660 I will give $10,000 to get an indulgence or whatever it is. 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:09.060 But in the eyes of God, we're worshiping the great I am 00:37:09.060 --> 00:37:12.900 who was and is and is to come. 00:37:13.900 --> 00:37:18.900 And so it's very interesting how there are things 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:20.860 that are connected in scripture. 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:24.900 We can either be like the devil and try to do things on our own 00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:27.660 or we can make a decision for Christ, 00:37:27.660 --> 00:37:31.019 believe in the Lord and be saved. 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:34.539 Let this be a call for you to make a decision for Christ 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:37.099 to believe in him and to be saved. 00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:39.019 And for those of you that know the Lord, 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:41.420 let this be a call for you to grow. 00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:43.059 Cause we're always growing. 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:45.260 We're always growing in the things of God. 00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:49.380 And for those of you who've been motivated, 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:52.260 do good in the name of Christ. 00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:57.260 Go out into the world and be a beacon of hope. 00:37:57.260 --> 00:38:00.619 Exhibit the light and love and truth of Christ to others. 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:05.460 We place our trust in the living God, 00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:09.860 the great I am, not the I will. 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:13.700 Just as the apostle Paul was saying to remain in Christ, 00:38:13.700 --> 00:38:18.180 you see to it that you are not distracted, 00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:20.659 that you're not disqualified or robbed 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:23.139 of the treasures in heaven or the opportunity 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:25.779 to do good in the name of the Lord. 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:29.099 Come to know the Lord, grow in him as an individual, 00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:32.339 be connected with our brothers and sisters in Christ, 00:38:32.339 --> 00:38:37.339 the body of Christ, and be equipped to go out into the world 00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:39.500 and do good in the name of Christ. 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:43.139 Make a difference in the lives of our friends, 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:44.859 our family and the community. 00:38:44.859 --> 00:38:47.859 May God protect us from the schemes of the devil 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:50.620 the ways of this world. 00:38:50.620 --> 00:38:53.740 And may we remain focused on Jesus Christ, 00:38:53.740 --> 00:38:56.820 who is the way, the truth and the life, 00:38:56.820 --> 00:39:00.099 the salvation that he freely gives to all who believe. 00:39:00.099 --> 00:39:03.059 And may we keep our eyes on the prize, 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.700 the treasures in heaven. 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:08.140 That is the truth and freedom in Christ. 00:39:08.140 --> 00:39:09.340 Let's pray together. 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:15.019 And gracious Father, we thank you for bringing us here today. 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:17.900 As we have just gone further into the warnings 00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:20.780 that the apostle Paul had for the church at Colossae, 00:39:21.659 --> 00:39:24.500 we pray that we may all come to know who you are. 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:28.019 We have a relationship with you 00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:31.420 that our minds are changed, that we repent. 00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:34.139 Our minds being changed, 00:39:34.139 --> 00:39:36.460 because that's what it means Father. 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:39.139 Our minds are changed to believe in you. 00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:41.659 May we place our faith and trust in you. 00:39:41.659 --> 00:39:43.380 We pray that each and every one of us 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:47.059 individually will grow in our faith. 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:49.780 But also that we as the body of Christ, 00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:53.660 as the arm, the hands, the fingers, the ears, whatever, 00:39:53.660 --> 00:39:55.860 that we will grow together, 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:58.300 from children to maturity, 00:39:58.300 --> 00:40:02.380 in the things of you and your holy word. 00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:05.300 We pray that we are moved and motivated to 00:40:05.300 --> 00:40:08.420 be a beacon of hope and exhibiting the light of love 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.980 of your Son Jesus Christ 00:40:09.980 --> 00:40:12.340 and that we can act upon this faith, 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:15.860 not have a dead faith, but a living and active faith 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:20.019 that we can be doers of the word and not just hearers. 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:22.260 May we be moved. 00:40:22.260 --> 00:40:25.460 May we praise you and worship you and thank you 00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:28.700 for all that you've done and all that you continue to do. 00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:31.539 May we be that light that comes from you. 00:40:31.539 --> 00:40:34.900 May we not fall into religions, rules or regulations, 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:38.140 but rather may we have faith, may we have trust, 00:40:38.140 --> 00:40:40.660 may we believe in you, the solid rock, 00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:43.619 the firm foundation, the anchor for our souls. 00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:45.619 It is in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:47.699 the name above all names that we pray 00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:50.099 and we all say together, amen. 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:52.460 Thank you for tuning in 00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:55.460 to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:56.980 For more about our church 00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:59.659 and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:40:59.659 --> 00:41:03.420 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:12.860 May God's blessings be with you.