IMC Bible Study Podcast - Col 2:15-20

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Here are the notes from today's study:

Vs 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities

1. • Satan is the accuser of the brethren - we see him in this role at the beginning of Job - where he accuses Job
   • • He had reason to accuse us.
     • He had a case against us that was correct and appropriate and now it has been answered!
   • 15b and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in HIM
   • • All of the ones who stood against us have been defeated and shamed by the cross!
   • Do BATTLE with this reality in your soul when the accuser speaks - they have no right to accuse you - they have no right to control you - they are disarmed!!!
   • Remember Romans 8!!  There is now NO CONDEMNATION!!!

Vs 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in question of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath

1. • These are specific to the Jewish ceremonial law and were probably specific examples of the ways Judaizers were speaking to people in the new gentile churches
   • notice that other things are not listed here like murder or sexual misconduct etc which are contrary to love - we are held to a higher reality - the law of the spirit of life

Vs 17 things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ

1. • In the Old covenant we got two things - 
   • • The Law -
     • • the perfect unbendable standard before which all things must be measured
       • before which all of us are found lacking
       • the law cannot save - that is not its job
       • the law can instruct but only by showing us our error and our need - it often would make things worse rather than better.
       • the law cannot make you better - it cannot help you - only condemn you
     • The Sacrificial System
     • • the answer to the unbendable law
       • you cannot measure up so here is the stop gap
       • all the ceremony and sacrifice which would never truly be enough
       • paying a price every year over and over and only through a mediator
   • In the New Covenant we received the substance to which all before was a shadow
   • • The fulfilled Law -
     • • not written on tablets of stone but on human hearts
       • the Holy Spirit forming us into the image of Christ
       • Holy Empowerment to be perfectly loving to God and man
       • the renewing of our mind by the washing of the water of the word
       • we learn and we grow and the end of this process is assured 
       • resurrection set loose in the human heart
       • HE is our sabbath - the rest from our work!!!
       • He is our new moon - our fresh start
       • He is all our feasts - 
       • • passover - the lambs blood makes the angel of death pass over us
         • unleavened bread - his sinless life (leaven is a picture of sin) and he is the bread that comes down from heaven
         • First Fruits - he is the first fruit of the resurrection - and the promise of a future harvest of the resurrected to offer to God
         • Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit and the bringing in of the gentiles
         • trumpets - this happens after the end of the harvest and points to the wrapping up of history before the second coming of Christ
         • Day of Atonement - the second coming and the salvation of the Jewish remnant
         • tabernacles - behold the dwelling of God shall be with man 
     • The Finished work of the Cross
     • • The law once and for all satisfied by the perfect life and undeserved death of Christ
       • the ritual and the every year price forever paid
       • Jesus met and exceeded the standard - he GIFTS US that righteous standard through faith

Vs 18 There are gonna be lots of cooky people out there with visions and ideas etc - don’t let them steal from you - if it isn’t about Jesus its worthless!

Vs 19 He is the head and all life flows through Him!

Vs 20 all the way through 23

1. • we have died in Christ
   • vs 23 - the appearance of wisdom - "in self-made religion and self abasement” they look like they should help but they are, “of no value against fleshly indulgence"
   • you CANNOT EARN RIGHTEOUSNESS in this way!  
   • stick to the book
   • stick to the Spirit
   • don’t try and make yourself better than other by self imposed behavior modification
   • unless it flows from the influence of the Spirit upon the human heart it is not helpful