March Series

Title: Wordview: Thinking Biblically in a post-modern society

This series is meant as a reminder of the gospel’s distinctiveness. That Christianity sets apart
from every other worldview.

Main Verse: Colossians 2:8 NIV

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on
Christ.

Introduction:
We’re not living in the modern world anymore. This is the postmodern world. And
postmodernism is just as hostile as modernism to the truth of Christianity perhaps even more
so. The philosophical issues are different, but the world’s hostility to the truth of Scripture has
not lessen by one bit.

Even so, the relevance of the gospel has always been its absolute exclusivity, summed up in
the truth that Christ alone has atoned for sin and therefore Christ alone can provide
reconciliation with God for those who believe only in Him. The early church preached Christ
crucified, knowing that the message was a stumbling block to the religious Jews and foolishness
to the philosophical Greeks. The only times the church has made any significant impact on the
world are when the people of God have stood firm, refused to compromise, and boldly
proclaimed the truth despite the world’s hostility

Christian message simply cannot be twisted to conform to the opinion of the world. Biblical truth
is fixed and constant, not subject to change or adaptation. Worldly opinion, on the other hand, is
in constant flux. The various philosophies that dominate the world change radically and regularly
from generation to generation in which we will discuss on this series.

Terms to be defined:

Post Modernism was a worldview based on the notion that only science could explain reality.
The modernist, in effect, began with the presupposition that nothing supernatural is real. It ought
to have been instantly obvious that modernism and Christianity were incompatible at the most
fundamental level. If nothing supernatural is real, then much of the Bible is untrue and has no
authority; the incarnation of Christ is a myth (nullifying Christ’s authority as well); and all the
supernatural elements of Christianity, including God Himself.
Postmodernists often suggest that every opinion should be shown equal respect.
In other words, postmodernism begins with a presupposition that is irreconcilable with the
objective, divinely-revealed truth of Scripture. Like modernism, postmodernism is fundamentally
and diametrically opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. – John MacArthur

2.Legalist - Legalist are people who base their salvation on themselves and what they do
specially their religious behavior rather than on Christ.

3. Mysticism- Some were teaching those human beings are too unworthy to approach Christ
directly, they need the mediation of angels.

4. Asceticism- Self Impose austerities and self-chosen humiliations in certain areas of life are of
no value in offsetting unrestrained indulgence in other areas.

Short Survey of the Book of Colossians

Content: A letter encouraging relatively new believers to continue in the truth of Christ they have
received, and warning them against outside religious influences

Author: Paul, joined by his younger companion Timothy.

Date: Probably AD 60

Recipients: Believers on Colossae

Overview Chapter 2

Here you come to the heart of the letter. Christ in his incarnation and crucifixion both exposes
and eliminates the “hollow philosophy” some are entertaining – a philosophy that first of all has
to do with “the powers” (vv6 -10) But note how the verses 11-19, this philosophy has been tied
to an attempt to bring Gentle believers in Christ under the three primary identity markers of the
Jewish Diaspora (Read Galatians for further study) especially food laws and the Jewish
calendar and perhaps circumcision.

Note how Paul responds: They have received a new and truly effective circumcision – in the
cross Christ has forgiven sin and triumphed over the “powers”; food laws and sacred days were
a “shadow of the reality, Christ himself. whose death and resurrection have forever eliminated
the need to live by the rules. Observe especially how Paul concludes: Rules “have an
appearance of wisdom,” but lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Rules simply aim
too low; believers are made for higher and better things.

Outline of Colossians 2:8-23

PAUL’S WARNING TO THESE TWO CHURCHES (2:8-23)
The apostle warns against four dangerous and destructive philosophies.
March 6,2022 Birthday Sunday
Title: Week One | Christ’s Teachings or Human Reasoning
Teaching Points: The Supremacy of Christ above any other worldview

The problem on Gnosticism (2:8-10)

1.The fiction (2:8) The Gnostics diminish Christ to an angel.

2.The facts (2:9-10) Paul says Christ was God incarnate in bodily form.

March 13,2022 Communion Sunday

Title: Week Two | Shaped by the Word or Influenced by the World
Teaching Points: The power of the truth above human traditions
The problem on Legalism (2:11-17)

Paul describes the love of Christ (2:11-15)

a. We have been crucified with Christ and raised to new life with Him (2:11-12)
b. He has forgiven our sins (2:13)
c. He has blotted out the charges against us (2:16-17)

Paul describes the liberty in Christ (2:16-17) Because of this, believers should not criticize each
other.

In matters of diet (2:16a) No one should condemn another believer for what he eats or drinks.
In matters of days (2:16b-17) No one should condemn another believer for not celebrating holy
days, for these old rules were only shadows.

March 20,2022 Lifegroup Sunday

Title: Week Three | Is Truth Absolute or Relative?
Teaching points: Christ as the only way directing us to truth.

The problem on Mysticism (2:18-19)

1. The fiction (2:18) Mysticism teaches that God can be known through two methods:
a. Through worship of angels (2:18a)
b. Trough seeing visons (2:18b)
2. The facts (2:19) One can only know God through Christ, who is the head of the body, the
church.

March 27,2022 Facility Sunday

Title: Week 4 I Thinking Biblically or Behaving Worldly?
Teaching points: Crucified with Chirst

The problem on Asceticism (2:20-23)

1.The fiction (2:21-22) Asceticism teaches that one can purify the spirit by pushing the body.
2. The facts (2:20, 23)

The spirit cannot be purified by pushing the body. (2:23)

The believer’s body and spirit have been crucified with Christ. (2:20).

Proposed Songs for March

Thy Word
https://youtu.be/a6LC8cu03Ig

Lord I live by your word

https://youtu.be/H4fWcr8g6HU

As the deer
https://youtu.be/5rrXC5uKVb4

Find us faithful
https://youtu.be/eERKnxzNzwg

Happy day
https://youtu.be/hBbodLCDpEI

God is good all the time

https://youtu.be/QcO7kWA5x4Q

How great thou art

https://youtu.be/Cc0QVWzCv9k

Lord I want to know you more

https://youtu.be/IXxRLhcbMWw

Purify my heart
https://youtu.be/OfH9j-TLg3U