Text: Colossians 2:8-15

Paul warns the Christians at Colossae not to be captured by the philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking.

If you are going to experience the joy of your freedom in Jesus, you have to decide whether you will worship God above meaningless substitutes.
Pastor A. W. Tozer saw this problem nearly seventy years ago and it has only intensified.  He wrote in 1948, “...There are today many millions of people who hold ‘right opinions,’ probably more than ever before in the history of the church. Yet I wonder if there was ever a time when true spiritual worship was at a lower ebb.”

When we read Paul's warning "not to be taken captive by empty philosophies" we feel no danger of being taken captive because we know the right Biblical answers. We understand the gospel.  We are confident we are saved.

But are we worshiping God above all else? Is Jesus our Lord and leader of our life?  Or have we been taken captive by common, cheap or trivial replacements?  When there is a chose to be made--Jesus or something else, what is the pattern of your life and your families life?

The Colossians were search for meaning and joy in a worldly system at the expense of Jesus--God's perfect revelation of truth and fulfillment of ultimate joy. Maybe the cheap substitutes gave quick and instant gratification. Maybe they seemed easier. Or maybe they wanted to be more accepted by people in their society.

What about you? Where are you searching for ultimate joy?  Sports, entertainment, food, relationships?  How can you choose Jesus over these cheap imitations?

John Piper says, "If we don’t find Christ of supreme value, if he is not our supreme satisfaction, something else will be."

How do I feed my joy in Jesus every morning? Listen HERE.