The following outline is from Aaron Telecky's message based on Col 2:16-23 in his continuing series on that book. The audio can be found here. I thought it appropriate in view of what I posted yesterday concerning those who come in to our churches with an established legalistic mindset. The outline is a bit sparse but gives the core of the message.
Who's the Boss?
Introduction
1. You will often meet other believers who are interested in improving your Christian walk (vv. 16-19)
2. You will be tempted to adjust your behavior to look or to feel "more spiritual" (vv. 20-23)
Three warnings meant to guard the purity of our walk
1. Danger of settling for lesser things (vv. 16-17)
We chase shadows rather than walk in Christ.
We come to love the routine more than the Savior.
2. Deception of following lower authorities (vv. 18-19)
Beware those who want to improve you by subtraction (i.e., asceticism)
Beware those who insist that certain spiritual practices not in scripture are the best method for growth.
3. Disappointment of obeying legalistic standards (vv. 20-23)
Self-imposed rules can be the worst for us. Those things are temporal; seek for the eternal.
Three questions to ask when faced with legalism
1. "Where did you get that?" Is it biblical? Am I being told something that can be identified in God's word as for his people? More times than I care to think, what someone has told me with good intention is actually a preferential, inconsequential matter.
2. "Are you sure that's what it means?" Assuming the argument is biblical, what is the context of the scripture being used? People latch on to Bible verses without seeing the balance of the passage. Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason continually tells people, "Never read a Bible verse." For more on that go to this post on the STR website.
3. "What makes this so important?" Why is someone telling me this? Do I really need this (it is possible), or is someone trying to rob me of my freedom in Christ and is needing to be resisted? (Gal 5:1)
Big Idea: The Lordship of Christ Leads to Freedom
Who's the Boss?
Introduction
1. You will often meet other believers who are interested in improving your Christian walk (vv. 16-19)
2. You will be tempted to adjust your behavior to look or to feel "more spiritual" (vv. 20-23)
Three warnings meant to guard the purity of our walk
1. Danger of settling for lesser things (vv. 16-17)
We chase shadows rather than walk in Christ.
We come to love the routine more than the Savior.
2. Deception of following lower authorities (vv. 18-19)
Beware those who want to improve you by subtraction (i.e., asceticism)
Beware those who insist that certain spiritual practices not in scripture are the best method for growth.
3. Disappointment of obeying legalistic standards (vv. 20-23)
Self-imposed rules can be the worst for us. Those things are temporal; seek for the eternal.
Three questions to ask when faced with legalism
1. "Where did you get that?" Is it biblical? Am I being told something that can be identified in God's word as for his people? More times than I care to think, what someone has told me with good intention is actually a preferential, inconsequential matter.
2. "Are you sure that's what it means?" Assuming the argument is biblical, what is the context of the scripture being used? People latch on to Bible verses without seeing the balance of the passage. Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason continually tells people, "Never read a Bible verse." For more on that go to this post on the STR website.
3. "What makes this so important?" Why is someone telling me this? Do I really need this (it is possible), or is someone trying to rob me of my freedom in Christ and is needing to be resisted? (Gal 5:1)
Big Idea: The Lordship of Christ Leads to Freedom
2 comments:
Great, thought-provoking post. Thanks!
Thank Aaron. Most of the outline is his. I just added some things to his three questions at the end.
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