Stone's Hill Community Church
Our series is called "Letters from Prison" - which is a study of Paul's prison epistles or letters.
A quartet of men left Rome in the year A.D. 62, bound for the province of Asia, which was located in what was designated as Asia Minor and is currently called Turkey. These men had on their persons four of the most sublime compositions of the Christian faith. These four letters are designated the “prison epistles of Paul,” since he wrote them while imprisoned in Rome. He was awaiting a hearing before Nero who was the Caesar at that time. Paul, as a Roman citizen, had appealed his case to the emperor, and he was waiting to be heard. (1) Epaphroditus from Philippi (Philippians 4:18) had the Epistle to the Philippians. (2) Tychicus from Ephesus (Ephesians 6:21) had the Epistle to the Ephesians. (3) Epaphras from Colosse (Colossians 4:12) had the Epistle to the Colossians. (4) Onesimus (Philemon’s slave) from Colosse (Philemon 10) had the Epistle to Philemon. We've covered three of these four.
So, welcome to "Colossians" the final book in this quartet of letters. And welcome to Stones Hill Community Church and Online Notes!
Welcome!
We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!
A typical Stone's Hill service has music (feel free to sing out); some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of); a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word); and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your life.)
So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!
Colossians 2:1-23 NIV
Letters from Prison - Colossians 2
I want to talk to you today about avoiding capture or avoiding being spiritually kidnapped. The section from verse 8 to verse 19 consists of three warnings. The three ways in which Paul raises the alarm are forceful and expressive:
1. Don’t let anyone kidnap you! (verse 8).
See to it that no one takes you captive…
You need a Pastor!
2. Don’t let anyone condemn you! (verse 16).
Therefore do not let anyone judge you...
You need a Savior!
3. Don’t let anyone disqualify you! (verse 18)
Do not let anyone… disqualify you.
You need a Church!
Focus for Today
Don’t let anyone kidnap you! (verse 8).
See to it that no one takes you captive…
You need a Pastor!
Colossians 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Two Great Dangers...
Progressive Christianity
Ethnic Gnosticism / The Woke Cult
Progressive Christianity
There are signs—certain phrases and ideas—that seem to be consistent in Progressive circles. Five danger signs to watch for (with help from Alisa Childers):
1. There is a lowered view of the Bible
2. Feelings are emphasized over facts
3. Essential Christian doctrines are open for re-interpretation
4. Historic terms are re-defined
5. The heart of the gospel message shifts from sin and redemption to social justice
Ethnic Gnosticism / Woke Culture
The “Cult Dynamics of Wokeness” have four characteristics (with help from James Lindsay):
“Initiation” (be on our anti-racist team, cut ties with your family, let us help meet your need to belong)
“Indoctrination” (you’ve contributed to this racist mess and you can never understand it because you’re an oppressor - which is ethnic Gnosticism)
“Reprograming” (help us dismantle systems, defund the police, and build a better world; always be looking for racism in everything)
Finally, show your “Allegiance.” (Do your penance before the public. Make a costly sacrifice. Bow down and worship. Kiss someone’s boots. Find someone who is of another ethnicity and give money and bow. You must do something symbolic)