Colossians: More Jesus

Sunday, September 28, 2025

Colossians 2:6-15

Introduction

We are Alive in Christ, Reject Demonic Deception and Fear

1. The Call to Continue in Christ (vv. 6–7)

“Therefore” - “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord…”

This is the only occurrence of the specific name "Christ Jesus the Lord" in Scripture.

“…so walk in him.”

“The gospel is not only the way in; it is the way on. Just as we received Christ by grace through faith, so we are to continue, day by day, living by that same grace through faith.” Kent Hughes

Paul piles up four participles that describe this growth:

Rooted - Built up – Established – Abounding in thanksgiving

2. The Warning Against Captivity (v. 8)

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit…”

The imagery is of being kidnapped, enslaved, carried off as plunder.

“The church in Colossae was in danger of being victimized by a Christ-plus message. Christ plus Jewish law. Christ plus mystical visions. Christ plus ascetic discipline. Paul’s antidote was simple: Christ alone.” Kent Hughes

3. The Fullness of Christ (vv. 9–10)

“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

“What staggering words! All the fullness of God dwells in Christ, and we are complete in him. There is no need to add legalistic regulations or mystical experiences. Christ is sufficient.” K.H.

“In Christ, you are fully accepted, fully loved, fully known. You don’t need to look elsewhere for identity or completeness. Every spiritual blessing is already yours in Him.” Tim Keller

4. The True Circumcision in Christ (vv. 11–12)

“In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God.”

“True circumcision is not an external mark but an internal transformation wrought by Christ. Baptism outwardly pictures this reality: we died with Christ, were buried with Him, and raised to newness of life. It is God’s power, not ours, that accomplishes salvation.” Kent Hughes

5. From Death to Life (vv. 13–14)

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made [you] alive together with him. having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

This new life comes with forgiveness. The imagery suggests that when Jesus was nailed to the cross, our sins were nailed there with Him.

“Here is the gospel in miniature: the dead made alive, the guilty forgiven, the debt canceled, the record nailed to the cross. All our sins—past, present, and future—were dealt with decisively at Calvary.” Kent Hughes

6. Triumph Over Powers (v. 15)

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Against the believer, what weapons do demonic spirits have?

They are disarmed, except for their ability to deceive and to create fear. Demonic spirits only have power towards us that we grant them by believing their lies.

F.E.A.R – False Evidence Appearing Real - The best way to expose Satan's lies and deceptions is to arm ourselves with the Word of Truth and JESUS is the TRUTH!

“The cross was not Satan’s triumph but his defeat. The very instrument of shame became the means of Christ’s glory and our deliverance.” Kent Hughes

“On the cross, Jesus triumphed over evil by absorbing its worst and defeating it with love. The powers that accuse and enslave have no final word over those who are in Christ.” T.K.

Conclusion

“The gospel is not advice to be followed; it is news to be believed. It is the declaration that Jesus has done everything necessary—He lived the life you should have lived, died the death you should have died, and triumphed where you were defeated. All you must do is receive Him and walk in Him.” Tim Keller

“When we grasp the sufficiency of Christ, we are freed from captivity to human systems, freed from reliance on ritual, freed from the crushing debt of sin, and freed from fear of spiritual powers. Christ is all we need.” Kent Hughes