Asceticism• Discipline or extreme self-denial

for the sake of spiritual progress or achievement.

• How might Asceticism have manifested in the Colossian Church?

Scriptural Examples• John the Baptist

• Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness.

• Jesus foretells days of fasting for His disciples.– (Luke 5:33-35)

Scriptural Examples• Paul compares his spiritual

service to the “strict training” of an athlete. – (1 Corinthians 9:25)

• Nazirite Vow–Numbers 6:1-21

Scriptural Examples• God frequently uses wilderness

settings and/or a complete absence of worldly comfort or security as a means of preparing those He called for a special purpose.

Read:Colossians 1:24-2:3

Verse 24• Paul rejoices in his sufferings. –Suffering for Christ is a privilege.

• What has Paul suffered?

• Lacking in Christ’s afflictions? Is this a call to Asceticism?

Verse 24• Look closely at the word

“affliction.”–“Thlipsis”–Does not translate to the physical

suffering and agony that Christ suffered on the Cross.–Translates to distress, trouble, or

trial.

• Paul is familiar with Thlipsis from both sides of the equation.

Verse 25• Paul is commissioned to present

the Word of God in its fullness.

• Paul is serving as an authoritative expert on this subject.

Verse 26• Paul concedes that the Gospel is

a great mystery.

• Also attests that this mystery has been completely disclosed to the saints (or believers).

Verses 27 and 28• The mystery is revealed to be “Christ in

you, the hope of glory.”

• The Gospel, embodied by The Church.

• Presenting everyone “perfect in Christ” includes an understanding of the Gospel and the life changes it entails.

Verse 29• Paul affirms that he is putting

everything he has into this pursuit, much like asceticism would dictate.

• The key distinction is the source of energy that he cites in his efforts.

Verses 2:1-3• Paul demonstrates how our struggles

can be an encouragement to others.

• Paul identified the one and only focus of our efforts and meditation…Christ Jesus!

• Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.

Wisdom and Knowledge• Wisdom is moral.

• Knowledge is intellectual.

• In Christ, knowledge always brings the responsibility to act morally.

Key Takeaway• Asceticism is only proper in

Christianity when it follows the work of salvation in your life.

• It is never the means of salvation, nor is it the control panel to your self-worth before God.

Oswald Chambers’ Take:• “Take up your cross and follow

Me.”

• We are to be broken bread and poured out wine.

• We can never become wine if we object to the process of being crushed.

Oswald Chambers’ Take:• We generally object to the

manner God uses to crush the grapes in our lives:–This isn’t the right time.–These aren’t the right

circumstances.–Please don’t use that person in my

life!

• We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom.

Oswald Chambers’ Take• You can’t drink grapes.

• God will press His grapes when they have become ripe.

• Do you earnestly desire to become ripe for this purpose?