These devotionals will serve as a guide for your time with the Lord
Opening Prayer
-- Song: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
Devotional #43: "Set Your Minds On Things Above"
Scripture
Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Devotional #43: "Set Your Minds On Things Above"
After Paul’s warnings against the elemental spirits (principles) of the world, he continues to urge the church in Corinth to set their hope in the power of Christ. In Chapter 3:1-4, the language of death and resurrection echoes the idea of our baptism in Christ. We are united with our Savior in both our death and resurrection!
What is new in this picture is the reality that Christ now sits at the right hand of God. If our Savior’s death and resurrection focuses upon our redemption from sins, then His ascension and seating at God’s right hand focuses upon His power and eventual final victory when He returns. We are reminded to “set our minds on things above,” (Colossians 3:2), knowing that our life is hidden with Christ and in His return we will appear with Him in glory. Questions
Devotional #44: "Where Heaven Meets Earth"
Scripture
Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Devotional #44: "Where Heaven Meets Earth"
You may think that “seeking the things that are above” or “setting [our] minds on things above,” means that we forget about the things of this world. Perhaps a heavenly mindset means that we look at the world as an illusion or that we think that the world is so terrible that we stop caring for people.
But the opposite is true! Because our lives are hidden in heaven, we do not look to the world to ultimately give us purpose or meaning. Instead, we can live a life on earth loving well. When Paul says, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you,” (Colossians 3:5) he is saying two things. (1) A reminder that we have died to the things of this world and that our lives are hidden with Christ. So the charge is simple. Live like you are alive in Jesus because you are! (2) Paul wants us to put to death all the things that relate to immoral living, and to put on all things that relate to Kingdom living. Question
Why is thinking about Jesus in heaven the only way to love others well?
Devotional #45: "Watch Your Tongue"
Scripture
Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Devotional #45: " Watch Your Tongue"
Colossians 3:1-17 amazes the reader when they realize that Paul’s primary argument is simple: Set your minds on things in heaven so you can love each other well! Most would expect that the reason we think about heaven is for “self-actualization,” or to find “inner peace.” Instead Paul not only surprises us by speaking of moral living, but he addresses the most volatile expression of earthly living—our speech. “But now you must put them away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth” (Colossians 3:9).
Christians are known by their speech—their choice of words and how they are expressed. Our speech can only change when we let our minds rest on Christ’s power. Let us learn to rest on Christ and let us continue to grow in speaking words of love. Question
How are our words related to what’s in our hearts?
*Be encouraged to know that we were not made perfect once we were saved. By God’s grace and through the Holy Spirit we grow in our ability to love as Jesus loves. Pray that you may rest in Jesus alone.
Prayer Time
(Closing prayer by head of household) -- Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer
-- Song: "Christ In Me"
Devotional #40: "The Fullness of Jesus"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-23 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c] 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Devotional #40: "The Fullness of Jesus"
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
As Paul engages the false teachings at Colossae, he reminds the people that nothing is lacking in Jesus. Throughout history people have denied the deity of Jesus, believing him to be nothing more than a man. Paul affirms the divinity of Jesus here as he did in 1:19, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…”. Jesus’ divine nature is also essential to His work of reconciliation. “…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of the cross.” Even more stunning is that Paul states that we have been “filled in him.” In our union with Christ, we lack nothing in this life. We are reminded that Jesus is the head of all rule and authority and in our union with him, we too live under his power and protection. Questions
Devotional #41: "Jesus Paid It All!"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-23 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c] 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Devotional #41: "Jesus Paid It All!"
Judaizers taught that Gentiles (non-Jewish people) first had to become Jewish proselytes before they could come to Christ. Their doctrine was a mixture of grace (through Jesus) and works (keeping the Jewish law). Paul refers to these people in verse 11, “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” Judaizers also insisted that the certain laws of the Old Testament remain in effect for all Christians! We should not eat certain foods. We should observe certain festivals. If not, then our salvation was in peril. Yet Paul insists that these laws have been fulfilled in Christ. Jesus followed all of these laws for us, because we were powerless to do so. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh….” (Colossians 2:13). Jesus has indeed “cancel(ed) the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14).
When we fail as Christians, no one has the right to say that we to do something to make-up for our failings, like recite the Lord’s Prayer 100 times, or give a certain amount of money. Jesus has paid for it all and we can come to him in faith! Questions
Devotional #42: "Baptized in Jesus"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-23 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c] 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Devotional #42: "Baptized in Jesus"
Paul emphasizes the newness of the New Covenant by explaining that the act of circumcision has passed away, replaced by baptism. “…having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
In our union with Christ, we have spiritually died with Jesus and have been raised together with him. Baptism is the outward sign of this reality. Our water baptism symbolizes our washing and new birth into a new life with Christ. Gone is our old connection to the first Adam and the subsequent connection with death. Gone is our old life and living for self. We have been washed and made anew in Jesus. As people belonging to Christ, we strive to recognize that we belong to our Savior, rooted and built up in the faith. Question
Baptism implies that we now live a life with an entirely different purpose, the old is gone the new is here. In what ways has the Holy Spirit changed you from your old life to your new?
Prayer Time
(Closing prayer by head of household) -- Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer
-- Song: "Lord I Life Your Name On High"
Devotional #37: "Walk in the Lord"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-13 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Devotional #37: "Walk in the Lord"
Death is primarily a spiritual state and not a physical one. Paul speaks of the unbeliever of being “dead in our sins” (Romans 6:11, Ephesians 2:13). Death is ultimately a separation of relationship. In the Apostle’s Creed it states that Jesus was “crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell;” Did Jesus really go to hell? When people die, they are waiting for judgment day; either the judgment of righteousness, in which case they wait in heaven, or the judgment of punishment, in which case they wait in hell. At the very least, hell is a place where one is separated from God. Jesus’ experience of death is not simply the death on the cross but being separated from God for the first time in His eternal existence—a devastating curse.
Humanity’s purpose is to be in covenant with God—to love Him and be loved by Him. Paul says in Colossians 2:6 that we are to “walk in him.” In other words, we have been made alive in Jesus! When we received him, we were born again! We are no longer dead, but now we can walk! We are to use our spiritual legs to follow Jesus! Everything that we have been taught, we follow with thanksgiving, fixing our eyes on Him to be like Him. Questions
Devotional #28: "Jesus Is The Answer"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-23 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c] 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Devotional #38: "Jesus Is The Answer"
One of the reasons Epaphras went to visit Paul was because of the false teachings that were circulating in the church at Colossae. Paul states “see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to the elemental spirits of the world and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). We can imagine all sorts of crazy things being taught. Paul does not go into great detail defending his position against these philosophies, but instead reiterates the preeminence of Christ in all things! Can we find wisdom somewhere else? No, Christ is the source of all wisdom. Do we need to follow the laws of Moses to be more acceptable to God? No, in Christ, we are acceptable to God. Do we need to beat our bodies to fight sin? No, in Christ, we can fight sin. Our relationship with Jesus is the answer to every question of who we are and how we should live. Let us not stray from Him but walk with confidence in His path.
Questions
Devotional #39: "Appearance of Wisdom"
Scripture
Colossians 2:6-23 (ESV)
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities[b] and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.[c] 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions,[d] puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Devotional #39: "Appearance of Wisdom"
“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (Colossians 2:21). Aphorisms or pithy sayings that are meant to reveal wisdom are no more than false teaching. Paul argues that these “elemental spirits (or principles)” are not of Christ. First, we can either follow the ways of this world or the way of Jesus. Paul says that we have “died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations” (Colossians 2:21). We are no longer captive by the teachings of this world. Rather, we belong to Jesus.
Second, these elemental principles have an appearance of wisdom (Colossians 2:23). When we listen to podcasts on self-help they seem to help us to succeed in living the good life. However, they are man-made, self-centered, and self-glorifying philosophies. No longer are we focused upon Christ, but we seek to better ourselves alone. This idolatry leads to an attitude of judgment—against others and ourselves! We measure our success and our failures on our ability to follow these regulations. Third, in the end they are “no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23).” Have you ever noticed that all this pop psychology and self-help are just iterations of what has been said before? We hear today’s gurus quoting ancient philosophers or other religious traditions as if they discovered something new! But they failed to tame the sinful heart in the past and so they will fail again today. Questions
Prayer Time
(Closing prayer by head of household) -- Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
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These devotionals will serve as a guide for your time with the Lord |
© COPYRIGHT 2019 CHRIST COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |