Welcome to “Headship of Christ”!
Title: “Stop Indulging in the World”!
Key Verses: “Therefore, if you died with Christ from basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourself to regulations - … These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are on no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Col 2:20 & 23

Introduction: Col 2:15-19 “power”
- Having disarmed v15
- Not to judge v16
- Fleshly mind challenge v18
- Substance is of Christ v17
- Hold fast to the Head v 19

Framework for Today: Col 2:20-23 “world”
1) Died with Christ v 20
a. From basic principle of the world principles – ethics, tenets, standards, rules
b. Do not be subject to the world subject – matter, topic, issue
2) Die to regulations v20b – 21 regulations – directives, rules, policies
a. do not touch the world touch – feel, come close to
b. do not taste the world taste – eat, consume
c. do not handle the world handle – touch, grip, control, hold
3) Die to the teachings of the world v22 teachings – believes, doctrines, principles
a. Things of the world will perish perish – die, succumb, disease
b. Commands of men will perish
c. Doctrines of men will perish
4) Die to the desires of the flesh v 23
a. Mans ways have some appearance of wisdom
b. Self imposed world religion self imposed – put on oneself, bound
c. False humility
d. Neglect the body neglect – disregarded, abandon, overlooked
e. Have no value value – worth, price, benefit
f. They are just indulging the flesh indulgence – extravagance, pamper, pleasures

Reflections:
Paul is exhorting the church and the disciples to see and understand that Christ has come to separate us, from the indulgences of the things of this world. We are told not to get bound up by worldly principles, teachings, and the wisdom of the flesh, for they will lead us into darkness, destruction, and despair. Again, we should stay away from things of the world that lead us into a deeper walk of bondage and we should not think that it is ok to touch, taste and handle these things that the world says, “done in moderation is OK”.

April 7, 2022. #742