colossians 2:16-23 3 spiritual red herrings. red herring #1 “therefore let no one act as your...

Colossians 2:16-23Colossians 2:16-233 Spiritual Red Herrings3 Spiritual Red Herrings


RED HERRING #1RED HERRING #1““Therefore let no one act as your judge Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day . . .”Sabbath day . . .”

Colossians 2:16Colossians 2:16


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless ritual You aren’t spiritual unless ritual

observance is central to your observance is central to your worship of God.”worship of God.”


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless ritual You aren’t spiritual unless ritual

observance is central to your observance is central to your worship of God.”worship of God.”•RELIGIOUS CALENDARRELIGIOUS CALENDAR•LITURGICAL WORSHIP LITURGICAL WORSHIP SERVICESSERVICES•PRIESTS, ALTARS, INCENSE, PRIESTS, ALTARS, INCENSE, VESTMENTS, ETC.VESTMENTS, ETC.


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM““Many worshippers . . . seek an Many worshippers . . . seek an ‘experience of the holy.’ They come ‘experience of the holy.’ They come looking for awe & reverence, mystery looking for awe & reverence, mystery & transcendence. Furthermore, many & transcendence. Furthermore, many of their sensory faculties need to be of their sensory faculties need to be engaged: Their senses of sight, sound, engaged: Their senses of sight, sound, touch, & smell are powerful avenues of touch, & smell are powerful avenues of communication. One glance at the Old communication. One glance at the Old Testament directions for orchestrating Testament directions for orchestrating temple worship will remove all doubt temple worship will remove all doubt that this is our task . . .”that this is our task . . .”


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM““. . . Fire, incense, tapestry, and gold . . . Fire, incense, tapestry, and gold joined with ritual activities that joined with ritual activities that reminded the worshiper of the reverent reminded the worshiper of the reverent awe demanded of them. Bells and awe demanded of them. Bells and breastplates provided a visual feast breastplates provided a visual feast evoking images of God's presence . . . evoking images of God's presence . . . Evangelicals need to reclaim their Old Evangelicals need to reclaim their Old Testament heritage . . .”Testament heritage . . .”Gary M. Burge, "Why So Many Are Rediscovering Worship In Other Gary M. Burge, "Why So Many Are Rediscovering Worship In Other Traditions," Traditions," Christianity TodayChristianity Today, October 6, 1997, Vol. 41, No. 11, p. 20. , October 6, 1997, Vol. 41, No. 11, p. 20.



““Therefore let no one act as your judge Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath daySabbath day--things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

Colossians 2:16,17Colossians 2:16,17



““Therefore let no one act as your judge Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--things which are a mere Sabbath day--things which are a mere shadowshadow of what is to come; but the of what is to come; but the substancesubstance belongs to Christ.” belongs to Christ.”

Colossians 2:16,17Colossians 2:16,17


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM- Ritualism focuses on the past Ritualism focuses on the past

shadowsshadows instead of the present instead of the present substancesubstance




“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”




“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”PICTURES OF

CHRIST’S DEATH FOR

OUR SINS




“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”PICTURES OF

CHRIST’S DEATH FOR

OUR SINS

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

WITH GOD




““For, on the one hand, there is a setting For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”which we draw near to God.”

Hebrews 7:18,19Hebrews 7:18,19



“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”100’S OF

PRESCRIBED RITUALS



“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”100’S OF

PRESCRIBED RITUALS

2 PRESCRIBED RITUALS



“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”DETAILED

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO

OBSERVE



“SHADOWS” “SUBSTANCE”DETAILED

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO

OBSERVE

LITTLE INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO

OBSERVE


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM- Ritualism is not only Ritualism is not only

unnecessary; it is actually unnecessary; it is actually spiritual spiritual regressionregression


RED HERRING #1: RITUALISMRED HERRING #1: RITUALISM- Ritualism is not only Ritualism is not only

unnecessary; it is actually unnecessary; it is actually spiritual spiritual regressionregression

““But now that you have come to know But now that you have come to know God . . . how is it that you turn back God . . . how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? For you be enslaved all over again? For you observe days and months and seasons observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”I have labored over you in vain.”

Galatians 4:9-11Galatians 4:9-11



Have you established Have you established a personal relationship a personal relationship

with God with God by receiving Christ?by receiving Christ?


RED HERRING #2RED HERRING #2““Let no one keep defrauding you of Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen . . .”has seen . . .”



RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless you You aren’t spiritual unless you

have visions or other dramatic have visions or other dramatic spiritual experiences.”spiritual experiences.”


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless you You aren’t spiritual unless you

have visions or other dramatic have visions or other dramatic spiritual experiences.”spiritual experiences.”•DREAMS & VISIONSDREAMS & VISIONS•GUIDANCE FROM SPIRITSGUIDANCE FROM SPIRITS•TECHNIQUES TO INDUCE TECHNIQUES TO INDUCE TRANCE-STATESTRANCE-STATES•ECSTATIC UTTERANCESECSTATIC UTTERANCES• INTUITIVE INSIGHTINTUITIVE INSIGHT


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM““The truly imaginative experience is The truly imaginative experience is defined therefore as an intuition of the defined therefore as an intuition of the real. It is an acknowledgment of real. It is an acknowledgment of objective realities in their transcendent, objective realities in their transcendent, unseen dimension. It is that which, unseen dimension. It is that which, when received, enlarges and completes when received, enlarges and completes us, for it speaks to and unites some us, for it speaks to and unites some lonely facet of our own being. All true lonely facet of our own being. All true worship, knowledge, and art come out worship, knowledge, and art come out of this . . .”of this . . .”


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM““. . . (Making a mental picture of Christ . . . (Making a mental picture of Christ on the Cross) opens us to meaning. on the Cross) opens us to meaning. Meaning streams to the deepest reaches Meaning streams to the deepest reaches of the unconscious through it. Thus, in of the unconscious through it. Thus, in that one symbol the entire theology of that one symbol the entire theology of the Cross has come together with the Cross has come together with experience (and reception) of its grace.”experience (and reception) of its grace.”Leanne Payne, Leanne Payne, The Healing Presence The Healing Presence (Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books, (Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1989), pp. 140,146.1989), pp. 140,146.


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- Mysticism makes you vulnerable Mysticism makes you vulnerable

to spiritual deceptionto spiritual deception

A PERSONAL A PERSONAL

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:Fritz HardingFritz Harding


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- The antidoteThe antidote



““. . . inflated without cause by his . . . inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the holding fast to the headhead, from whom the entire body, being , from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”which is from God.”



RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- The antidoteThe antidote•Build your relationship with Build your relationship with Christ on his WordChrist on his Word

““. . . inflated without cause by his . . . inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the holding fast to the headhead, from whom the entire body, being , from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.”which is from God.”



RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- The antidoteThe antidote•Build your relationship with Build your relationship with Christ on his WordChrist on his Word

““If you abide in me, and If you abide in me, and my wordsmy words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you . . . If you and it shall be done for you . . . If you keep keep my commandmentsmy commandments, you will abide , you will abide in my love . . . in my love . . . These things I have These things I have spoken to youspoken to you, that my joy may be in , that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:7-11)full.” (John 15:7-11)



““. . . inflated without cause by his . . . inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, head, from whom the entire body, being from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints supplied and held together by the joints and ligamentsand ligaments, grows with a growth , grows with a growth which is from God.”which is from God.”



RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- The antidoteThe antidote•Allow other Christians to speak Allow other Christians to speak God’s truth to youGod’s truth to you

““. . . inflated without cause by his . . . inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, head, from whom the entire body, being from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints supplied and held together by the joints and ligamentsand ligaments, grows with a growth , grows with a growth which is from God.”which is from God.”



RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM- The antidoteThe antidote•Allow other Christians to speak Allow other Christians to speak God’s truth to youGod’s truth to you

““We are no longer to be children . . . carried We are no longer to be children . . . carried about by every wind of doctrine . . . but about by every wind of doctrine . . . but speaking the truth in lovespeaking the truth in love, we are to grow , we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies . . . causes the growth of every joint supplies . . . causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:14-16)love.” (Ephesians 4:14-16)


RED HERRING #2: MYSTICISMRED HERRING #2: MYSTICISM

Are you Are you building friendships building friendships

that prioritize sharing that prioritize sharing God’s Word God’s Word

with each other?with each other?


RED HERRING #3RED HERRING #3““If you have died with Christ to the If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not as, ‘Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!’ (which all refer to things touch!’ (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?”and teachings of men?”

Colossians 2:20-22Colossians 2:20-22


RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM


RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless you You aren’t spiritual unless you

follow our group’s list of rules follow our group’s list of rules and prohibitions.”and prohibitions.”


RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM- ““You aren’t spiritual unless you You aren’t spiritual unless you

follow our group’s list of rules follow our group’s list of rules and prohibitions.”and prohibitions.”•FOOD & DRINKFOOD & DRINK•ENTERTAINMENTENTERTAINMENT•FASHIONFASHION


RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM

““These are matters which have, to be These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of severe treatment of the body, but are of no valueno value against fleshly indulgence.” against fleshly indulgence.”



RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM- Legalism breeds external self-Legalism breeds external self-

righteousness rather than righteousness rather than internal moral changeinternal moral change

““These are matters which have, to be These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of severe treatment of the body, but are of no valueno value against fleshly indulgence.” against fleshly indulgence.”



RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM- Legalism breeds external self-Legalism breeds external self-

righteousness rather than righteousness rather than internal moral changeinternal moral change

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean the outside of it may become clean also.” (Matthew 23:25,26)also.” (Matthew 23:25,26)


RED HERRING #3: LEGALISMRED HERRING #3: LEGALISM- Legalism misrepresents God & Legalism misrepresents God &

needlessly alienates people from needlessly alienates people from himhim


RITUALISMRITUALISMMYSTICISMMYSTICISMLEGALISMLEGALISM

NEXT WEEK:NEXT WEEK:Colossians 3:1-4Colossians 3:1-4

Dynamics of Dynamics of Authentic SpiritualityAuthentic Spirituality

Part 1Part 1

A GIFT FOR GUESTS: Pick up this free book in the lobby at the Welcome Center after the meeting

DURING Q&ADURING Q&A:: Opportunity to Opportunity to financially support this ministry, financially support this ministry, but only if Xenos is your churchbut only if Xenos is your church

EVERYONE!EVERYONE! Fill out the feedback Fill out the feedback card… drop it in the giving basketcard… drop it in the giving basket

Raise your hand -- we’ll bring a Raise your hand -- we’ll bring a microphone to your seatmicrophone to your seat

…or feel free to come up afterwards…or feel free to come up afterwards

Questions? Questions? Comments? Comments?

Experiences?Experiences?

PARENTS OF4th & 5th Graders

Students will be walked up from the office auditorium to Main Campus after CT. Check with the Oasis booth to learn where to meet them.

Stick around for pizza & fun! We’ll have a kids’ movie on

the big screen

PARENTS:

CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES -- NO RUNNING!

Join us out on the deck for food and fun --

We’ll be grilling!

PARENTS:

CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES -- NO RUNNING!

colossians 2:16-23 3 spiritual red herrings. red herring #1 “therefore let no one act as your...

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