Shadows & Substance

Colossians 2:16-23 | Ben Potloff | Is Christ enough? Is what Jesus did for us on the cross when He bore our sins in His body enough? When He shed His blood, when He died and was buried, was it enough? And when He rose again from the dead, was it enough? Was all that Jesus accomplished enough for us to stand before a Holy God, forgiven, cleansed, and washed from our sins? Paul’s response is a resounding YES!MAIN IDEAReligious experiences or rule-keeping can’t change you, but Christ can.OUTLINEI. Don’t be deceived by Christless mysticism and behavior modification (vv. 18-23)II. Don’t follow shadows when you can follow the real thing (vv. 16-17)DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. Has there ever been a time that others have passed judgment on your walk with Christ like those in Colossians 2:16? How does Paul encourage them in 2:17?2. What is meant by asceticism in Colossian 2:18, and is there a place for it in our faith walk with Christ? (Definition: a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures. An example would be Monks withdrawing from society, severe fasting, mistreating the body)3. Continuing in Colossian 2:18 what are your thoughts on Paul’s mention of those worshiping angels and visions? Are you surprised by Paul’s response to that at the end of verse 18?What is Paul’s response to 2:18 and why those who practice what he mentions are being misled?4. In Colossians 2:20-23 Paul talks about mixing man-made religion in with the truth of the gospel. How can this be a hindrance to our walk with Christ? How do we distinguish between the two?