Jesus is Enough
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
E-Rock example of all paths lead to transcendence (heaven, sinlessness, nirvana, etc.). The only problem with this is that not everyone can be right. Either it’s Jesus or Buddha or Muhammed or Naturalism or Confucius or someone else, but they all claim an exclusive handle on transcendence.
How do your friends think you get to heaven or a better life? How do YOU think you get to heaven?
Today we are going to see Paul argue against some of the religious thoughts and ideas of his day, then we will take those religious ideas and compare them to religious thought of today and show how all of them pale in comparison to Jesus. Let’s dive into the text.
Text
Text
Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses. He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.
Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is Christ. Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm. Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind. He doesn’t hold on to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with growth from God.
If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.
Body
Body
Moralism
Moralism
Definition: If I just try to follow the rules harder, then I can be a good person and earn my ticket to heaven.
What is good: God does call us to be holy as He is holy and follow His word.
Jesus’ answer: vs. 14-15 - The truth is our sin creates a certificate of debt that we cannot pay, but Jesus nailed it to the cross, erasing it’s authority and power over our lives. What we try to earn in moralism is already paid for in Christ. The spiritual powers and authorities that helped you create that certificate of debt are now powerless related to Jesus, they are an embarrassment.
Rule following without Jesus is just striving for an unattainable morality; Jesus is the fulfillment of every rule and ethic, so our morality has to be rooted in Jesus.
Asceticism
Asceticism
Definition: If I just take away everything from myself and live the life of the monk, I can escape sin and get to heaven.
What is good: We are called to be different from the world.
Jesus’ answer: vs. 11-13 - Through your faith in Jesus, you have already been delivered from the power of death and sin to destroy you; in Him, you also have all you need to fight the flesh of this world.
Jesus also calls us to be in the world, and while boundaries are good, we should not depend on them for entrance into heaven, and they shouldn’t keep us from the things God has called us to.
Super-spiritualism
Super-spiritualism
Definition: Visions of angels and special conversations with God and spiritual beings prove spiritual transcendence and entrance into heaven.
What is good: God does work in these ways and realms and we should be ready and open for His special communication.
Jesus
Jesus
Jesus’ answer: vs. 9-10 - Jesus is head over everything; relationship with Him is far greater than any vision or conversation with an angel.
No angel or vision proves spirituality or you being heavenbound; your relationship and faith in Jesus is all the proof you need.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Finish the E-Rock image with Jesus at the top. All paths heading toward Jesus are heading toward heaven.
Much of our world finds it offensive to say that Jesus is the only way to heaven and purpose in life, and you even might find it harsh. However, remember: They can’t all be right. You can say the wall behind me is green, but the truth is that it is grey whether you think it is or isn’t. The same is true related to obtaining purpose in life and heaven after this life. Opinions abound, but there is only one truth.
So here are some questions to consider:
What are you depending on to bring you purpose and eternal happiness? Something that will leave you hanging? Or someone who has all of the answers?
How does Jesus affect your morality, your interaction with the world, and your spirituality?
Do you have friends that aren’t even on the mountain heading to Jesus? How can you convince them from the hill that they are on now to the Mountain of Jesus?
Response
Response
Do you feel like a relationship with Jesus is enough to get you to heaven and give you purpose in life?
How does a relationship with Jesus affect your morality, how you interact with the world, and your belief in the supernatural?
Walk us through a conversation that you might have with an unbelieving friend. How do you encourage them to get off of the hill they are on to the mountain of Jesus?
Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you want to start yours tonight?