Looks can be decieving

In Colossians 2:19-23, the Apostle Paul admonishes the Christians at Colossae not to let their faith in Christ be derailed by false teachers who are insisting upon submission to all sorts of worldly rules, such as abstaining from food and drink.  Like the Pharisaic version in the days of Jesus, the Jewish-come-Greek-Gnostic mixture of false teaching that has infiltrated the church at Colossae is in essence a religion of works righteousness.  Such religion, according to Paul, has no power to overcome the lusts of the flesh.  Rather, in order to overcome sin one needs the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.  By our participation in the death of Christ through faith, we have overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.  These realities are signified and sealed to us in our baptism.  To listen to this sermon, click here.