Religion, properly understood in the Christian perspective, is a way by which we show our God love. It was never meant to save, but this has been an issue from the beginning. One of the areas where the early church struggled was where Jewish law fell within the salvation process. Just a couple of decades after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, one Jewish religious ritual has become the center point of controversy; the Apostle Paul will put this practice in its proper perspective. That practice...circumcision.
06-Colossians: Religion Can't Save You P.1
May 19, 2024 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Colossians 2:11–15
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Colossians: Jesus, More than Enough
08-Colossians: Religion Can't Save You P.3
June 2, 2024 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Colossians 2:18–23
We have spent the past two weeks reminding ourselves that religion can’t save you, that only Jesus saves. There is no Jesus + other acts of religion, acts like circumcision, keeping festivals, sabbaths, new moons, not eating meat sacrificed to idols, or not drinking, that result in you gaining eternal life. Last week, we were specifically reminded not to let anyone “judge” us for participating or not participating in such things. This being the case, we finish this series within a series beginning in verse 18 of Colossians 2.
07-Colossians: Religion Can't Save You P.2
May 26, 2024 • Pastor Christopher Thompson • Colossians 2:16–17
Last week, we began our discussion around the truth that “Religion cannot save you,” specifically the religious act of circumcision. As much as God required the physical act of circumcision for Abraham and his descendants in Genesis 17 as a sign of the covenant, it was Abraham's belief in God, as seen in Genesis 15, which resulted in Abraham being declared right with God. We continue this week with Part 2.