#84 -- Gospel and Spiritual Growth

Valley – April 6, 2003 p.m.

THE TEACHING OF THE WORLD SYSTEM VERSUS GOD'S TEACHING -- II

One element of Christian truth that is confronted by the secular education of the world system is positional truth. Colossians two and three address this issue. The world system cannot fathom the concepts of imputation and the believer's sharing in Christ in the heavenlies. Positional truth is that element of "in Christ" truth that is imputed to the believer and which is essential for living the Christian life. One's position in Christ involves the believer's participation in Christ's death, burial and resurrection to the degree that God the Father sees the believer as having died for his sins, been buried and raised in his perfect Substitute. These concepts are not only foreign to the education provided by the world system but also are incomprehensible to those in the system. Unfortunately some believers are confused about positional truth because of the influence of the world system whether religious or educational. One of the factors that contributes to confusion is the chapter division between chapters two and three of Colossians. I would prefer to have one long chapter of 48 verses rather than to have the division in two where it is. Positional truth dominates both chapters with an interlude describing the elements of the world system and its injunctions and teachings. Another factor that is important is the extent of the neuter forms in these two chapters. There are probably more per capita neuter forms in these two chapters than any other part of the New Testament. Paul encourages saints to focus their attention upon their position in the right hand of God the Father. A Christian needs to understand the dominance of "in Christ" truth in these chapters in order to learn and understand its teaching.

I. deals with the centrality of "in Christ" truth in Colossians two and three. By the elements of "in Christ" truth the believer is equipped both for life on this earth and in heaven. Since we are heading for 2:22, it is important to see that positional truth is the perfect divine alternative to the injunctions and teachings of men that are part of the elements of the world system. The two key prepositions that mark "in Christ" truth are found many times in these two chapters. The preposition en, "in" is found nine times in chapters two and three of "in Christ" truth. "In whom" with Christ as the antecedent is found in 2:3, 11, 12. "In whom continually are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden (2:3 – all translation is mine)." The antecedent is "the Christ" in verse two. "In whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not done by hand by the putting off of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of the Christ, together buried with Him in the baptism [Spirit baptism], in whom also you were together raised through the faith of the energetic working of God the Father the one who raised Him out from among dead ones (2:11, 12)."

"In Him" is found four times in chapter two (vss. 6, 7, 9, 10). Christians walk in Him (vs. 6) "having been rooted and being edified (or built up) in Him while being made firm in the faith . . . (vs. 7)." The believer is able to participate in the fullness or completeness in Christ. "Because in Him settles down and feels at ease all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are in Him having been filled, who is the Head of all rule and authority (vss. 9, 10)." A very important "in Him" passage is in 3:11. It is concealed in the AV English text which begins "Where there is." A contracted form is found here that is used in the same way in Gal. 3:26 of position in Christ. It combines the preposition "in" with the "to be" verb and is translated "in Him is." "Where in Him is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondslave, freeman, but Christ is all things, and in all (3:11)."

The sun preposition, "together with," occurs eight times in the two chapters (by itself or in composite forms). Christians died, were buried, made alive, resurrected, joined, and have lives hidden together with Christ positionally. "Buried together with Him in the baptism [Spirit baptism], in whom also you were raised together with Him . . . (2:12)." We died and needed life. He provided resurrection life for us. "And you being dead ones existing in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, together with Him He made you alive together, graciously forgiving you all of the trespasses (vs. 12)." Our togetherness in Christ is the basis for our spiritual growth. "And not holding the Head, out of whom all the body being supplied and being joined together through the agency of joints and bands will grow the growth from God (2:19)." "Since you died together with Christ from the elements of the world system, why as ones living in the world system are you subject to its dogma (2:20)?" Another first class condition begins 3:1 and so is assumed to be true. "Since therefore you were raised together with the Christ, seek those things above where Christ continually is seated in the right hand of God (3:2)." Because of all of this, our life is hidden together with Christ. "For you died, and your life stands as hidden together with Christ in God the Father (3:3)." This provides a special basis for the Christian's future. "Whenever Christ, our life, is manifested (or brought to light) , then you also will be manifested together with Him in glory (3:4)." This is when we will be what we are in Christ today. At Valley we have a bulletin cover that says, "In Christ I am what I will be." Positionally we share in an identifiable togetherness. This togetherness is first and foremost in the mind of the Father who counts it to be both real and actual. When grace believers look at these things from the Father's perspective, we can see the wonders of so great salvation.

When the Father looks at believers in Christ, He looks to His right hand. In 3:1 we are told that we have been raised together with Christ and to seek the things where Christ is seated in the right hand of God. Saints are seen as seated with Christ in the Father's right hand. Our position is in Christ in the right hand! Two verses use the preposition ek of Christ's relationship "out of" the right hand of God (Acts 2:33; Heb. 1:13). Hebrews 1:13 is a citation of the Septuagint translation of Psalm 110:1. The Septuagint uses ek to translate the Hebrew lamed preposition "for, to or toward." The rest of the references to the relationship of Jesus Christ to the Father's right hand place Him "in the right hand." Only Colossians 3:1 links the believer to that position. Other verses describe the Father seating Christ at His right hand (Eph. 1:20), as telling Christ to sit at His right hand (Heb. 1:3), as Christ being a high priest which has been seated on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on High (Heb. 8:1), as having sat down at the right hand (Heb. 10:2), as in the state of being seated in the right hand of the throne of God and as being [existing] in the right hand of God (1 Pe. 3:22). Each of these passages makes its own contribution describing Christ's role in being seated and existing in heaven. That is where the believer is seen in his position by the Father – seated together with Christ in His right hand with every element of the things that he has in Christ.

2:17 describes the Body as of the Christ which is the technical entity comprised of the Church which is the Body of Christ with Christ as its Head as a single entity in the mind of God = "the Christ." The word concerning the Christ should have a home in the believer (3:16). More position is marked by the entity called "the new man" in 3:10, 11. "And having clothed oneself in the new man the one being renewed in full experiential knowledge of the one who created him (3:10). The new man has characteristics listed in 3:11. Believers are called in one Body at salvation and so participate in that Body and should respond with thanksgiving (3:15).

THE TEACHING OF THE WORLD SYSTEM VERSUS GOD'S TEACHING -- II

Col. 2:22; 1 John 2:15

Proposition: To demonstrate that teaching from the secular education of the world system will replace one's position in Christ with things of a philosophical, spiritual nature from the world system.

Introduction

A. The Confrontation of Education of the World System with "in Christ" Truth

B. The Recognition of the Appeal of World System Education Toward the Believer

C. The Confusion from the Chapter Division Between Colossians Two and Three

D. The Comparison of Things in the Conflict

E. The Concentration on Elements of One's Position at the Right Hand

TRANS: Colossians two and three are among the most important passages in grace revelation describing "in Christ" truth. The grace teaching is clear in the context and is emphasized by prepositions and other terms focusing on the uniqueness of being "in Christ."

I. THE CENTRALITY OF "IN CHRIST" TRUTH IN THE CONTEXT OF COLOSSIANS TWO AND THREE – A CHRISTIAN IS EQUIPPED FOR LIFE ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN "IN CHRIST" – THE DIVINE ALTERNATIVE TO THE INJUNCTIONS AND TEACHINGS FROM FAITH FOR MEN -- Colossians 2 & 3

A. The Provisions "In Christ" for Christians – evn (en)

1. "In Whom" – 2:3, 11, 12

2. "In Him" – 2:6, 7, 9, 10

3. "In Him Is" – 3:11

B. The Provisions "Together with" Christ for Christians -- suvn (sun)

1. Buried Together With – 2:12

2. Raised Together With – 2:12

3. Made Alive Together With – 2:13

4. Joined Together With – 2:19

5. Died Together With – 2:20

6. Raised Together With 3:1

7. Life Hidden Together With Christ – 3:3

8. Will Be Manifested Together With Him – 3:4

C. The Place of the Believer in Christ

1. Raised Together With Christ – 3:1

2. Where Christ Is Seated in the Right Hand of God – 3:1 (Christ is in the right hand –

Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pe. 3:22)

-- Christ is out of (ek) the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; Heb. 1:3)

3. Word Concerning the Christ – 3:16

D. The Body Is Christ – 2:17

E. The Position in the New Man – 3:10, 11

F. The Provision of Salvation in One Body – 3:15

TRANS: The world system attempts to replace teaching that God designed for Christian practice with teaching that is not for practice from the divine perspective. This perverts the way that true Christians live in their present tense salvation.

II. THE MISDIRECTION OF TEACHING FOR FAITH TO DOCTRINE FOR PRACTICE BY THOSE INFLUENCED BY THE SECULAR EDUCATION OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – A CHRISTIAN CAN BE APPROACHED WITH PERVERSION OF TEACHING – THE DOCTRINAL ASSAULT ON LIVING "IN CHRIST" TRUTH – Colossians 2:16-19 (didaskali,a)

A. Do Not Let Men Judge You by Misapplied Teaching – vss. 16, 17

1. In Diet

2. In Drink

3. In Duty

a. A Feast = Annual – Ex. 23, 34; Deut. 16; Lev. 23:2

b. A New Moon = Monthly – Num. 28:11-15 (1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 2:4; 8:13;

31:3; Ezra 3:5)

c. A Sabbath = Weekly – Ex. 20:8-11; Deut. 5:12-15

4. Taking Teaching That Is a Shadow of Things Coming – 2:17

B. Do Not Let Anyone Make an Umpire's Decision Against You – 2:18, 19

1. Desiring by a False Humility – vs. 18

2. Desiring Worship of Angels

3. Intruding Into Things He Has Seen

4. Not Holding the Head – vs. 19

a. Prevents Supply

b. Prevents Being Bound Together

5. Preventing the Growing of the Growth from God

TRANS: The rudiments of the world system education and religion have already been dealt with in the work of Christ. These verses give a forthright description of the of specific elemental, ABC type of components of the spiritual assault of the world system on the believer's thinking and his position in Christ.

III. THE REALITY THAT CHRIST DIED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST POSITIONALLY FROM THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – A CHRISTIAN HAS NO REASON TO BE "DOGMATIZED" BY THE WORLD SYSTEM – DIRECT ASKING WHY A CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE INFLUENCED BY THE DOGMA OF THE SYSTEM – Colossians 2:20

A. The Statement of the Fact That Christians Died Together with Christ

B. The Separation from the Core Elements of the World System

C. The Strength of the Question "Why?"

D. The Subjection of the Teaching (Dogma) of the World System

TRANS: An illustration of the elements of the world system's education is noted in verses 21 and 22. The system takes information that is for faith for different people at different times and tries to make it apply to Christians in the present dispensation.

IV. THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INJUNCTIONS AND TEACHINGS OF MEN IN THE WORLD SYSTEM ILLUSTRATED – A CHRISTIAN SHOULD SEE HOW THE DOGMA OF SECULAR EDUCATION IS OF HUMAN ORIGIN – DISTINCT ATTEMPTS TO DISTRACT PEOPLE FROM GOD AND HIS PROVISIONS – Colossians 2:21, 22 (didaskali,a)

A. The Examples of the Teaching for Faith of the World System – vs. 21

B. The Evidence of Inherent Decay from the Use – vs. 22

C. The Evaluation of the Source of the Secular Education of the World System

1. In Conformity to – kata,

2. The Injunctions and Teachings for Faith

a. Granville Sharp Rule

b. Injunctions = Result of Process of Directing or Commanding

c. Teachings = Believed But Not Practiced

3. The Source Is Men

TRANS: The world system provides things that replace the things that the Christian is to focus his or her thinking on. The assault involves the replacing of spiritual things with spiritual and emotional things.

V. THE THINGS THAT REPLACE THE THINGS IN CHRIST PREVENTING SPIRITUALITY – A CHRISTIAN CAN REPLACE HIS POSITION IN CHRIST WITH THINGS FROM THE SECULAR EDUCATION OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – DECEPTIVE ATTRACTION OF THE THINGS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM – Colossians 2:23

A. The Things Are a Reputation or Word of Wisdom

B. The Characteristics of the Things of the World System

1. Self Devised Worship = qelw + qrhskeia

2. Humility = Lowliness of Frame of Mind

3. Unsparingness or Severity of the Body

4. Not in Honor for the Gratification of the Flesh

C. The Contrast of Things in the Context

1. Which Things -- 2:17, 18, 22 (a[ – neuter relative pronoun)

2. Which Things – 2:23 (a[tina, -- neuter relative pronoun with indefinite pronoun)

3. The Things – 3:1, 2 [2x], 5 (ta, -- neuter plural article)

4. Because of Which Things – 3:6 (a[ -- neuter relative pronoun)

5. In These Things – 3:7 (tou,toij – neuter plural demonstrative pronoun)

6. All These Things – 3:8 (ta. pa,nta -- neuter noun form)

7. Christ is All Things – 3:11 (pa,nta -- neuter noun form)

TRANS: The world system subtly approaches the believer with a philosophy for living that replaced his or her utilization of one's position in Christ. It takes his or her mind from his position at the Right Hand of the Father where he or she is dead to the elements of the world system.

Valley Baptist Church

P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119