Out of the shadows into the light Colossians 2.16-23 Doug Brown audio, pdf, and power point available @ karenvineyard.org.

Doug Brownaudio, pdf, and power point available @ karenvineyard.org

• - In England, it is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.

• - It England, it is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the Queen upside down.

• - Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged the toll.

• - In York, it is legal to kill a Scotsman within the ancient city boundary, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

• - In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.

• - In England, in 1837, if a man kissed a woman against her will, she could legally bit off his nose.

• - In Chester, the Welsh are banned before sun up and after sun set.

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.

John 5.26

human conviction vs. Godly conviction

• The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8.16

• Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7.10

• This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3.19-20

judge you by what you eat or drink v.16

“What goes into a person’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth.”

Matthew 15.11“ “But food does not bring us near to God; we are

not worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” 1 Corinthians 8.8

They order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4.3

religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day

Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2.27

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. Hebrews 10.1

“Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3

Spiritual Symptomology

• Means putting a plaster on our deeps wounds, looking only at the surface of our issues, and ignoring the deeper origins of our struggles.

• You may be delivered, but that doesn’t mean you are free from your shadows.

• The shadows are as strong as you allow them to be.

• Are you so busy getting out of the shadows that you have no time to live in the light?

You hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish,

and then the outside will be clean." Matthew. 23.25-26

* have an appearance of wisdom

* self-imposed worship * false humility * harsh treatment of the body* lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence

v.23

* have an appearance of wisdom

* self-imposed worship * false humility * harsh treatment of the body* lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence

v.23

Shadow People vs. People of the Light

Shadow People

• Complain to God about the shadows, from the shadows

• Can never do enough to win God’s favor • Have a greater focus on human standard

rather than Jesus’ example• Fearfully stay in the shadows as they believe

they must be perfect to step into the light.• Use restrictive and temporary regulations to

address issues of eternity

People of the Light

• As we bring ourselves before God we step out of the shadows and into the light

• In the light we keep connection with the Head (Christ)

• Do not fear the light, for in the light Jesus removes all our blemishes, imperfections, stains, and flaws.

• Walk in the Light because that is where Jesus is found