The Problem of Super-Spiritual Christianity

Colossians 2:18-19

About the Sermon

Here, Paul continues to address the subtle but dangerous problem of add-on Christianity. The kind he addresses here is that of false piety. The “super spirituality” of some can make us feel inferior, but has we hold fast to Christ Himself, and not the opinions of others, we have all we need for spiritual nourishment and growth.

About the Series

Is Christ enough for us? Speaking of Christ, Paul writes, “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him” (2:9, 10). He is. The message of the book of Colossians is that spiritual fullness is found in Christ and Christ alone, and this fullness leads to fruitfulness and a life fully pleasing to God (1:10). Like the church at Colossae, the church in our age faces a pernicious threat. Not always the threat of outright doctoral heresy, but the subtle addition of religious sounding but worldly solutions to the problem of sin. It might even sound something like, “Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch” (2:21). Instead, Paul offers us the only way to true maturity: “Him we proclaim . . . that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (1:28).
Is Christ enough for us? Speaking of Christ, Paul writes, “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him” (2:9, 10). He is. The message of the book of Colossians is that spiritual fullness is found in Christ and Christ alone, and this fullness leads to fruitfulness and a life fully pleasing to God (1:10). Like the church at Colossae, the church in our age faces a pernicious threat. Not always the threat of outright doctoral heresy, but the subtle addition of religious sounding but worldly solutions to the problem of sin. It might even sound something like, “Do not handle. Do not taste. Do not touch” (2:21). Instead, Paul offers us the only way to true maturity: “Him we proclaim . . . that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (1:28).

Sermons in the Series