Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our congregation! You are a blessing beyond measure. Pastor Josh opened the service with a heartfelt joke and a reminder that our identity as Christians is rooted not in our roles as moms, dads, or any other title — but in Christ alone.
The Danger of Being Taken Captive
This morning’s message came from Colossians 2:8, where Paul issues a sobering warning:
“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.”
— Colossians 2:8
Paul is telling us there are philosophies, ideas, deceit, and human traditions out there that our enemy uses to get us to think differently about ourselves and our purpose — apart from God. At the core of every heresy is an issue of identity. Specifically: Who is Jesus Christ? Heresies try to invalidate our identity in Christ and what is our purpose.
When we are in Christ, we live with a different purpose. Our minds are filled with God’s truth and wisdom. We see our lives and the roles that we play in their proper context. As followers of Jesus Christ, our identity is found in Christ — not in what we do, and not in some of the different relationships that we have. Our identity in Christ is the most important thing about us.
Think As a Follower of Christ
Paul doubles down on this idea in verses 5 and 6:
“For though I am absent in the body, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
— Colossians 2:5–7
Paul is saying: Think as a follower of Jesus Christ. Live as a follower of Jesus Christ. Don’t let anyone trick you or fool you into thinking of living a different way than being rooted and built up in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the One who holds everything together. He is the head of all rule and authority. In Him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily — and we have been filled in Him (Colossians 2:9–10). That is who we are in Christ. That is our identity.
Don’t Get Caught
The title of this sermon — “Don’t Get Caught!” — is a call to vigilance. The world is full of plausible arguments designed to capture your thinking and pull you away from the truth of the Gospel. But when you know who you are in Christ, you cannot be taken captive.
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 2:4–5
Our identity in Christ should shape everything — including how we treat others. Mothers everywhere demonstrate this truth beautifully, looking not only to their own interests but to the interests of their children. This is a reflection of Christ Himself, who humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant.
This Mother’s Day, let’s honor the women who have modeled this servant-hearted love. And let’s remember that our ultimate identity — our worth, our purpose, our security — is found only in Christ.
So What?
Where are you being tempted to find your identity apart from Christ? Is it in your career, your accomplishments, your relationships, or what others think of you? Paul warns us: don’t let anyone take you captive.
Instead, fix your eyes on Christ. Walk in Him. Be rooted and built up in Him. And when plausible arguments come your way — when the world offers shiny alternatives to the truth — remember who you are:
- You are in Christ.
- The whole fullness of deity dwells in you bodily.
- You are raised with Him through faith in the power of God.
- You are rooted, built up, and established in the faith.
Don’t get caught by the enemy’s traps. Walk in your identity. Abound in thanksgiving.
Scripture References
- Colossians 2:8 — Warning against being taken captive
- Colossians 2:5–7 — Think and live as a follower of Christ
- Colossians 2:9–10 — Fullness in Christ
- Philippians 2:4–5 — Look to the interests of others