日期： 03/01/09

經文：歌羅西書 2:8-23

講題： 全備的基督

主旨： 因基督擁有神完全的豐盛，故此我們在生命的每一部分都尊主為大。

引言：

   我們當中那些在科技工程領域工作的人，常常會聽到這樣的說法：「 垃圾進，垃圾出。」 人也是一樣 : 好的思想進到我們的腦海中，我們就會行出好的行為來。反之，不正確的思想就會產生出錯誤的行為來。在十九、二十世紀，存在主義興起於歐洲許多主流大學中，由許多知名哲學家如 沙 特和齊克果所傳授。他們主張生命本身並不存在有意義、真理、亦沒有絕對。這樣概念後來被知名畫家畢卡索承襲，在他的許多畫作當中皆有跡可尋。簡而言之，在六 〇 年代「生命沒有意義」這樣的哲學概念盛行的時期，美國和歐洲有許多相關的電影也因應而生，如：春光乍洩、第七封印、畢業生 … . 等等；同時，也產生了披頭四和 巴布狄倫的音樂 。在這個所謂後現代的社會裡，我們觸目所及的世界，舉凡電影、電視節目、報紙，在在都傳達著這樣一個沒有絕對、一切都是相對的訊息。我們今天所看到的社會，是一個由發源於二十世紀早期的哲學理論的結果。我們可以看到，什麼思想進入我們，就會反映在我們的行為裡。

   不同人跟我分享他們的故事，在成長過程中，他們的父母從來沒有給予他們正面的回饋，好像他們一無是處。往往，父母以處罰或責罵作為他們的溝通模式。這些人長成什麼樣的成人？低自尊、沒有自信、若不是成為孤單的人，就是凡事要討人喜歡，低社交能力。垃圾進，垃圾出。

同樣的故事也發生在歌羅西的信徒們身上。假教師在教會中宣揚錯誤的教導，導致信徒們錯誤的行為。他們教導的某些特定的哲學觀或概念，導致信徒把目光聚焦在許多外顯事物上，並以此論斷彼此的內在價值。他們的基督信仰受到波及，只剩下無意義的宗教活動。是以使徒保羅寫信給他們，警告並糾正他們的錯誤教導。即便這樣的信息是寫給一世紀時的信徒們，但是時至今日，當中的教導仍然可以被運用得當：我們不也常常忽略了我們內在的處境，只聚焦在外在的活動嗎？在保羅書信裡，特別是歌羅西書，前兩章都是教義，接著下來就是行為，生活上的應用。因為正確的教義才能導致正確的行為。

在今天這段經文裡我們一起來學習一個真理： 因基督擁有神完全的豐盛，故此我們在生命的每一部分都尊主為大。

I •  沒有基督的哲學讓人淪入律法主義 .

在第八節中，「 8 你們要謹慎，免得有人不照著基督，而照著人的傳統，和世俗的言論，藉著哲學和騙人的空談，把你們擄去。 」使徒保羅提出第一個警告 : 歌羅西的信徒們不要被不照著基督只照著人的傳統的錯誤哲學所擄。這個錯誤哲學的基本教導是，屬靈的事 ( 靈界的事 ) 是好的，而物質是邪惡的。人們需要透過中間或媒介才能與神連結，經歷神的豐盛。因為耶穌是最後一位中保並且祂已經離開，所以我們需要其他的事物來充當我們與神之間的中保：神秘的知識、飲食上的規範，或遵守特定的節期等等。如果有些人沒有辦法遵守這些外顯的行為，便被人評斷他的屬靈分數為不及格。就好比說，我們跟神的關係不完全或不圓滿，因為我們沒有辦法抗拒某些特定的食物，或者沒有按照特定的方式守安息日。就如我告訴你，若你多讀一點聖經，多參加一些教會的活動與事奉，多向人傳福音，那你就能更多得到神的愛告經歷祂的豐盛，更多得到祂的祝福，有更多的財福和健康。

我們可以想像我們和神的連接是被外在的行為所決定的嗎？如你我接連兩天沒有靈修，所以我們和神的關係、祂對我們的愛也因此減少了兩個百分比。這種的思想只會讓人淪入 律法主義或過渡批判的桎梏，無法在基督裡得到真正的自由。 那答案是什麼呢？

1 •  耶穌是神道成肉身 .

第九節：「 9 因為 神本性的一切豐盛，都有形有體地住在基督裡面」。這句話是指耶穌具有神一切形體而言。祂不只是最後一位中保，祂是神。神的豐盛在祂的身上得到體現，也就是說，當我們看見耶穌，便看見神。當我們相信耶穌，我們便相信神。耶穌是神，是彌賽亞。是以在人和神之間不在需要任何的中保。此外，在第十節：「 10 你們也是在他裡面得了豐盛。他是一切執政掌權者的元首。」也就是說，當我們在基督裡，當我們與祂連結，我們也因此有了基督全然的豐盛，不需要其他的中保來讓這樣的豐盛更上層樓。此話怎講？在第十一至十五節中，使徒保羅解釋到當我們受了洗，我們便被視作與基督同死，並且復活；除此之外，我們的罪也獲得赦免。所以事實是，我們只需要對耶穌基督的信心，因著我們的信，祂的全然與豐盛便住在我們當中。我們只需要基督。

那麼，那些屬靈的紀律呢？我們決定投入的以弗所 4 課程、大齋期計畫、或者我們自己的靈修，那些又如何呢？這就像是親子關係一樣。孩子不需要作任何事去贏得父母的愛。身為父母，我們無條件地愛我們的子女，不是因為他們的成績優異、或者音樂造詣高。在正常的家庭情境中，孩子已然得到父母的愛了。並且因為他們被愛，所以他們也愛他們的父母，他們想要做那些可以讓父母引以為傲的事。

我們培養各種屬靈的紀律，不是為了得到神的愛或祝福，或是為了確保基督在我們當中，而是為了表示我們對祂的愛。

有了基督，我們不需要任何其他的事物來使我們更加的被神所愛。

2 •  基督是一切的主

這是我們近期內第二次提到基督的主權。第十五節： 「 15 他既然靠著十字架勝過了一切執政掌權的，廢除了他們的權勢，就在凱旋的行列中，把他們公開示眾。」祂的主權高過一切的執政、主事者。

多年前，一個學生來找我，跟我分享到她剛剛成為基督徒，不知道該如何處理她的家人在台灣的廟裡替她求來的一張符。那是一張上面寫了一些特定文字的紙，目的是為了保護她不受到外在的傷害。她知道她不應該留著那張紙，但也覺得要丟掉或者撕毀也似乎不妥；最後，她決定要把那張紙燒毀。是的，當基督在一切事上和權柄作主，我們沒有必要再留著那張符，因為基督的能力勝過那一切。

基督也是人的權柄之主。今天我要用另一個角度來解釋這件事。身為牧師、傳道、長老、執事、團契領導人或小組長，我們是不是有時候也自我膨脹，把人的權威放在神的主權之上？有時候我們實在不容易抗拒那樣的誘惑，在每一件事上都要自己說那最後的一句話。我不知你怎樣，但我只能代表自己這樣說，在成為牧師多年之後，我很容易開始出現自我膨脹的傾向，以為自己是很多事上的權威人士。每當我說話的時候，我可能期待他人傾聽和認同。若有人不認同，表面上我會說「沒關係」，但私底下的想法卻不然。在我的潛意識裡，我希望當我說「跳」的時候，你不要問為什麼，而是要跳多高。你知道是怎麼一回事嗎？我在不自覺的狀況下把自己的位置提高到基督之上。唯有基督擁有那在我們之上最後的主權。沒有任何人的權柄，不論是出於好意或壞意，能超越基督的主權。在神的教會裡，沒有任何一位牧師、傳道人、長老、執事、團契領導人或小組長有如同將軍一樣的職權；我們的責任不是要他人聽命於我們，而是要把神的子民帶到基督面前，讓他們順服祂的教導，學習成長。偶爾，薛師母會提醒我，這世上只有一位神，而我不是祂。

II •  沒有基督的宗教活動是全無價值的。

第十六節是第二個警告：「所以不要讓人因著飲食、節期、月朔、安息日批評你們。」不要讓任何人因為你的飲食或者守節的習慣而評斷你。那些沒有基督作中心的假哲學教導信徒們不要吃特定的食物，要慶祝某些特定的宗教節慶，每個月慶祝新月、每個星期守安息日等等。顯而易見地，歌羅西的信徒們沒有盲目加入那些假教師的行列。

正如我們所知，這些慶祝活動的本身並沒有錯，事實上，在舊約中，這些慶祝都是預表基督的。那些假教師之所以慶祝這些情境，是為了等待彌賽亞的到來。誠如使徒保羅在第十七節中所寫到，「 這些不過是將來的事的影子 」。而現在，因為基督，彌賽亞已然來到我們當中，所以為了不冒犯這些假教師而繼續慶祝這些情境是錯誤的。

除了慶祝各樣的節慶並限制自己的飲食之外，那些假教師也倡導對天使的敬拜，以及苦行生活，並且頗引以為豪。對他們來說，這是與神親近的方法；他們教導信徒們，唯有靠著外在的行為，個人得以來到神的面前，並且得到屬靈上的 豐盛 。最終，他們淪入苦行主義（為了藉此展現他們的謙卑），節制飲食、慶祝各式節慶、及崇拜天使。

使徒保羅在第十九節中如此的描寫他們：「 不與頭緊密相連。其實全身都是藉著關節和筋絡從頭得著供應和聯繫，就照著 神所要求的，生長起來。」我們看到這裡發生了什麼事？即便有了各式的宗教慶典和活動，他們卻沒有與基督連結。是的，他們相信耶穌，但並沒有相信祂的神性， 他們有耶穌卻沒有基督 。若宗教活動不是以基督為中心的話，會產生什麼樣的結果？在第 23 節中：「在隨著己意敬拜，故作謙卑，和苦待己身等事上，似乎是智慧之言，其實只能叫人放縱肉體，再沒有任何價值。」那些宗教活動便不再具有任何的意義和價值。那些假教師們以為透過執行那些儀式 可以拉近他們和神的距離，可以在神面前得到榮耀與祝福。但保羅告訴他們，不論他們多麼努力，表現地多麼虔誠，這些都不能拉近他們與神的關係，或換取神的愛。

這件事值得我們引以為戒。我們只能看見外表，然而神看的是我們的心。我們可以每個禮拜上教堂、忠實地出席團契和查經班；我們也可以活躍於各式的慈善活動和社區關懷行動，扶弱濟貧；我們甚至可以報名參加全教會的以弗所 4 課程，或者大齋期計畫；然而，我們的目光是否真的聚焦在神的身上？我們的心是否和神有連結？與神連結，也同時表示我們承認基督是我們的創造者，是我們的神。在祂面前，承認我們的罪，也承認那些罪是我們和神之間的阻隔，並且唯一可以打破我們和神之間的隔閡，和祂重新連結的方式，便是相信耶穌為我們的罪死在十架上。當我們向祂認罪，祂會原諒我們的過犯，並把那來自祂的公義放在我們的心中。所以，當神看到我們，便看到基督的公義在我們身上，因而可以把我們當作祂的子女，祂榮耀的子民。因著信，我們得以來到祂面前與祂連結；並且透過這個連結，我們可以擁有祂的豐盛。無論有多少表面的行動都不能使我得到更多神的愛，因為祂已經全然愛了我們、祝福了我們。唯有基督是我們所需要的。講到這裡，讓我們稍為停頓，一起來禱告 … ..

結語：

   垃圾進，垃圾出。我們當中的許多人，在成長得過程中，都被灌輸了很多負向的情緒和思想，讓我們以為，為了要博得父母的愛和認可，我們必須要無所不用其極地達到他們的標準和期許。我也瞭解我們當中的許多人，目前還在為贏得父母的歡心而努力，想要達到他們為我們設下的目標。不只對父母如此，對其他人也如此，我們總是汲汲營營地努力，去符合各種關係裡的他人的喜好和他們設下的標準。我們其實心知肚明，這樣努力追趕的人生十分慘澹，沒有自由，只有困 挷 。

然而，在我們的潛意識裡，不免也會把這樣的想法帶進我們的基督信仰裡。我們以為要得到神的愛、或者屬靈的豐盛，便要做到某些特定的事，符合特定的標準。所以我們不自覺地把教會的許多課程和活動，舉凡讀標竿人生、參加以弗所 4 課程、研讀心靈之重塑、大齋期計畫、以及個人的靈修，都當作為了贏得神的愛而作的努力。我們以外在的行為來衡量我們在神前的地位，這是何等的錯誤。

這段經文清楚明白地告訴我們，當我們與基督連結，我們便擁有了祂的豐盛，便被神全然、完滿地愛著。我們所要面對的挑戰，在於凡事上承認神是我生命的領導者。我們所做的一切，不是要讓祂因此愛我們多一點，而是出自我們對祂的愛。

Date:   03/01/09

Text:   Colossians 2:8-23

Title:   The All Sufficient Christ

Theme: Since Christ possesses the fullness of God, therefore we are to honor him in all

  areas of life.

Introduction:

  For those in the IT field, we have heard this phrase often: Garbage In and Garbage Out. The same is true with us. Good ideas come into our mind, resulting in good behaviors coming out of us. Bad ideas come into our mind, resulting in wrong behaviors. In the 19 th and 20 th century, there was the philosophy named Existentialism. In a nutshell, it means there is no meaning to life, no truth and no absolutes. It started in some major European universities and taught there by philosophers such as Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard . Later, this was picked up by the great painter, Picasso. In many of his paintings, existentialism was clearly evident. To make a long story short, in the 1960's the philosophy of meaningless was seen in many American and European movies, such as “Blow Up”, “the 7 Seals” and “The Graduate”. Many songs by the Beatles and Bob Dylan also reflected such a philosophy. In this so called postmodern world, everywhere we turn, in movies, tv shows, and newspapers, is a picture of no absolutes, everything is relative. What we see today is the full blown logical conclusion of a philosophy that began to take root in the early 20 th century. You see, what goes into our mind, will come out in our behaviors.

Individuals have also shared with me that while growing up, they have never heard their parents say anything positive about them. They could do nothing right. Very often, parents' method of communication was spanking and yelling. So what are they like now as adults? Having poor self-esteem, no confidence, either loners or people pleasers, with little or no social skills. Garbage in and garbage out.

This was what happened to the believers at Colossae . False teachers infiltrated the church and promoted wrong teachings, resulting in wrong behaviors. Their teachings, philosophies or ideas led the believers to focus on external behaviors at the expense of internal significance. Their Christian faith was in danger of turning into meaningless religious activities. So Paul wrote to warn and correct the wrong teachings. Even though this was written to the first century believers, its message is still relevant today. Isn't it true that sometimes we also tend to focus on external activities while ignoring the condition of our hearts?

In Paul's writings, especially in his letter to the Colossians, he usually used the first half of the book to lay out basic doctrines. Then he would plunge into great detail in its application to everyday living. In this passage is the truth that Since Christ possesses the fullness of God, therefore, we are to honor him in all areas of our life.

I •  A philosophy without Christ can lead to legalism.

In vs.8, “ 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” This is Paul's first warning to the Colossian believers that they are to watch out and not blind sighted by a philosophy that originated from human tradition rather than from Christ, it was a philosophy without Christ. Some of the basic teaching in this philosophy was that the Spiritual is good and Material is evil. The path to God is through mediators. Since Jesus was the last mediator, one needs other means of mediation, including certain mysterious knowledge, food regulations and observation of certain dates. If one falls for this, then one would use external behavior as indicators to measure one's spiritual status. It's like; your relationship with God is not complete or full unless you stay away from this food or be sure to keep the Sabbath in this manner. It's like telling you that if you read the bible more, tell more people about Christ, become more involved in the church ministry, then you will gain God's love and he will bless you with health and wealth.

Can we imagine that our relationship with God, or God's love for us is gauged by our external behaviors? Since you missed your devotion 2 days in a row, your relationship with God and his love for you has dropped by 2% points. This will only lead to legalism and judgementalism. This is not freedom in Christ, it is another kind of bondage. So, what's the solution?

1 •  Jesus is God incarnate.

In vs.9, “ 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,” This is a reference to the fullness of God in Jesus. He is not the last mediator, He is God. God's fullness is in him, meaning that when we see Jesus, we see God. When we believe in Jesus, we believe in God. Jesus is God. Therefore there is no need for any additional mediators between men and God. Not only this, in vs.10, “ 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” This says that when we are in Christ, when we are connected with him, we too have God's fullness in us. There is no need for other mediators in order to gain God's fullness. How so? In vs.11-15, Paul explained that when we are baptized, we identified with Christ's death and resurrection. And moreover, our sins are also forgiven. So the truth is that all we need is faith in Jesus Christ. When we believe in him, we have his fullness dwell within us. Christ is all we need.

So, how about those spiritual disciplines? How about the Ephesians 4 and listening to the Word projects, or our daily devotions? It's like a parent and child relationship. Children do not need to do anything to gain parent's love. As parents, we love our children unconditionally. They do not have to gain A's, or play piano or any other musical instruments in order to gain parents' love. No, children, in a normal functioning family, are already being loved. And because they are loved, they love their parents, they want to do things that pleases their parents.

We take part and develop the various spiritual disciplines, not to gain God's love, or to make sure Christ is in us, but to express our love for him.

With Christ, we don't need anything else to gain spiritual fullness.

2 •  Christ is the Lord over all.

This is the second time we discuss the lordship of Christ in recent weeks. In vs.15, “ 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” He is the lord over rulers and authorities, therefore in his sight there is no distinction between the material and the spiritual. The spiritual world is just as real as the material world. They both are under his lordship.

Several years ago a student came and shared with me that she had just become a Christian. She wanted to know what to do with a ? that her family got her from a certain Buddhist temple in Taiwan . This is a piece of paper with certain words on it and is meant to protect her from any harm. She knows she shouldn't have it, but was kind of hard to throw it away or destroy it. Eventually she decided to go ahead and burn it. You see, with Christ as lord over all, there is no need for us to cling on to such ? , for Christ is more powerful than they are.

Christ is the lord over human authorities. I want to approach this from a different perspective. As pastors, ministers, elders, deacons and fellowship coworkers and leaders, do we sometimes elevate human authority above Christ? Sometimes it is very tempting for us to feel that we must have the final word. I can only speak for myself. After being a pastor for some time, one begins to think highly of oneself. Naturally one becomes some kind of authority on who knows what. When I speak I may expect others to listen and agree with me. If not, even though superficially I will say, its ok, but inside me, it is a different story. When I say jump, subconsciously I would say don't ask why but ask how high. Do you see what happens here? I have inadvertently elevated myself above Christ. Only Christ can have that final authority over us. No human authority, no matter how begnin it may be, can supersede Christ's authority. In the context of God's church, no pastor, minister, elder, deacons or fellowship leaders would serve as a general. Our responsibility is not to have others listen to us, but to bring God's people to Christ so they will listen to him. From time to time Cynthia would remind me that there is only one God, and I am not Him.

II •  Religious activities without Christ is without value.

In vs.16 is a second warning, “ Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” Let no one criticize you on issues of food and keeping certain dates. The philosophy without Christ would advocate not to eat certain food, plus observing and celebrating certain religious festivals, monthly celebrations of the New Moon and weekly observances of the Sabbath. Apparently, the Colossian believers did not join the false teachers in their celebration.

You see, these celebrations in itself are alright. However, in the OT context, these celebrations all point to Christ. When the false teachers celebrated these occasions, they were looking forward to the coming of Messiah. As Paul wrote in vs.17, they are shadows of the Christ that was to come. And now, with Christ, the Messiah has already come, therefore to continue to celebrate it in the manner of the false teachers is wrong.

Besides celebrating the various festivals and restraining from eating certain food, the false teachers also worshipped angels and insisted on asceticism, and they were proud. To them, this was the way to God. Their teaching was one can only come to God, gain spiritual fullness through external means. They ended up with asceticism (as a means to show their humility), keeping various food regulations, observing festival and worshipping angels.

Paul described them in vs.19, “and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” Do we see what is happening here? with all those religious activities, yet they were not connected with Christ. Yes, they believed in Jesus, but did not believe in his deity. It was Jesus but no Christ. What is the result of such activities without Christ? Vs.23, “These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Such religious activities had no value whatsoever. The false teachers thought such practices and observances can bring them closer to God, to gain credit before God. But Paul said that no matter how hard they tried or how religious they may be, it will not bring them any closer to God.

This can be a warning to all of us. We can only see the external, but God looks at the heart. You can come to church every Sunday; attend fellowship and small groups regularly. You can also be active in all kinds of charity work and community services, helping the weak and poor. You may even have signed up for the Ephesians 4 project or Listening to the bible project, but is your heart connected with Christ? To be connected with Christ means that I need to recognize that Jesus is the creator, that he is God. Before him I am to recognize that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from God. the only way for me to come to God is to believe that Jesus died for my sins on the cross. When I confessed my sins to him, he will forgive my sins, and then place his righteousness on me. So when God looks at me, he sees Christ's righteousness on me, and consider me as his children, as his holy people. By faith I come to him and be connected with him. Once I am connected with Christ, I have his fullness in me. No amount of external effort will bring me any more of God's love and favor. He has already loved and blessed me. All I need is Christ. I want to pause for a moment now, so we can pray together…..

Conclusion:

  Garbage in, garbage out. Some of us may have heard plenty of garbage poured into us during our childhood. We learned that if we were to gain our parents' love, we must do this and that, and meet their standards and expectations. I know some of us may still be trying to please our parents and gain their love by pursuing goals that they may have set for us. Not only towards parents, in many relationships, we may also try to gain other people's attention or love by performance, meeting their needs and standards. We know living like this is can be very miserable; for there is no freedom, but only bondage.

Sometimes we may also sub consciously bring it into our Christian faith. We feel that in order to gain God's love or to achieve spiritual fullness, we are to do certain things. Unknowingly, we may look at certain programs at church, whether it is reading Purpose Driven Life, the Ephesians 4 project, studying the Renovation of Heart, Listening to the bible, or daily devotions, as a means to gain God's love and blessing. We are using our external behaviors and disciplines to gauge our spiritual status; determining God's love for us. This is very misleading.

The scripture clearly tells us that when we are united in Christ, when we are connected with him, we also have the fullness of Christ in us. We are fully and completely loved by God. The challenge in Christian living is then to acknowledge God's lordship in all areas of our life. We develop various spiritual disciplines not to gain brownie points, but because we love him. With Christ in us, we already have the assurance of his presence and love for us.