The new life in Christ

What a privilege for us to observe these young people express their public profession of faith in Jesus in the waters of Baptism. What a privilege for them to begin their journey of faith in their youth - they now have a lifetime to serve God!

Any time we encounter something new in life, we have expectations and questions. What now? What does God expect from me? How can I please Him with my life. While a full answer to those questions is the pursuit of a lifetime, we do have an answer in the Words of Holy Scripture.

In His grace, God has given us His presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and He has given us His Word. These are sufficient guides to all of life, and this morning we are going to look at one section that addresses issues that face all of us as Christ followers

READ the Text: Colossians 3:1-4

1st Expectation: Those who are IN Christ will have a desire for the things of God (Col 3:1-2)

Explanation: In English, the wording of this first verse can seem to sound as if there is doubt or uncertainty about whether a person belongs to Jesus. This is not the case. In the context of the letter it is clear that Paul is talking about those who are IN Christ. The first part of his letter to the Colossian believers deals with the spiritual realities of what it means to be a believer, and in the last half of the letter he deals with the practices of a believer.

In essence, a better English understanding of the first part of verse one would be since you are Risen with Christ then do the following. And what is it that we who are IN Christ supposed to do? We are commanded to seek and to set.

We are called to seek after matters of heavenly importance and we are called to set our minds on the things of God.

Illustrate: What do you do in the morning when you get up? Do you check your phone to discover what’s trending on tic tock? Are you checking to see who how many responses you have on social media? Are you following celebrities and wanting to be in the know on what they are going to be doing today?

Adults: are you looking at the markets? Are you checking your social media? Are you making sure you are aware of the political situation?

Argument: We are called to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33). It is not wrong to be on social media or to watch the news or be aware of the markets. We live in this world and we do have a need to be aware of what is taking place around us.

But, the things of the world are not to hold our ultimate allegiance or our primary focus. If we are IN Christ, we have been given the Mind of Christ (cf Phil 2:5) and we will think differently as a result of having the Spirit of Christ living within us.

Application: Reflect on your own personal life: Is there a part of you that thinks about / focuses on the things of God? Do you have desire to know more about Christ and His kingdom? Do you want to grow in your faith? If so, God will continue to reveal Himself to you.

Are you a Christ follower that has allowed the things of this world to take over the primary focus of your life? Have you lost your first love? If so, repent and ask the Spirit of Christ to renew your passion for Kingdom things!

If you can go days and weeks and months without ever thinking about pleasing God or ever have the desire to be about the things of God, you aren’t in the Kingdom and you don’t belong to Him. The Good News is that today is the day that Jesus is accepting new recruits for His Kingdom!

2nd Expectation: The Security of our position IN Christ frees us to live as dead to the world (Col 3:3)

Explanation: The apostle reminds the believers that Christ is sitting at the Right Hand of the Father. When Jesus died on the Cross as a substitute for sinners, He perfectly completed the assignment of Redemption. That is why He used His last breath on the Cross to shout, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). There is nothing left for us as humans to do: we don’t work for salvation, we don’t earn salvation, and we don’t even have to maintain our salvation.

Make sure you do not misunderstand what I just said as we look at verse 3 in more detail. For the believer, your life is hid with Christ in God. That is a magnificent way of stating that those who are in Christ are Eternally secure! What a blessing to know that salvation cannot be lost. That truth gives us confidence to life a life that is pleasing to Him and is free from working to gain His approval

Illustration: I did something to my right shoulder back in February. It started hurting so I eased up on using it. The pain increased and became convinced I had torn something and was in need of rotatory cuff surgery. It got to the point where I quit using it at all.

X-rays of my shoulder gave a true picture. Nothing was torn and my shoulder had become frozen. The knowledge of my reality changed my perspective and my actions. One I realized nothing was torn, I had the freedom to act and began to use my shoulder again.

Argument: God is the One who not only initiates salvation, He is the One who brings it to completion.

John 6:39 KJV 1900

And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

We live in unstable times and experience much that is unsettled. Our world is in constant flux and the rate of change is unprecedented. The tension of living in such a time creates anxiety in many. Sadly, this anxiety bleeds over into the Christian church and many saints live in constant fear of failing to measure up to God’s standard.

You did not save yourself and you are not responsible for keeping yourself saved. God saved you and the One who began the good work in you will see it to completion (Phil 1:6)

Application: Allow this truth to give you peace. Salvation is not based on your changing feelings - salvation is based on the objective reality of the Savior who redeemed you. Trust in His word of truth and free yourself from the gerbil wheel of trying to earn His acceptance through your service.

3rd Expectation: Those who are IN Christ can live with hope because He is coming back and taking us to Glory (Col 3:4)

Explanation: The Apostle continues by informing his audience that the best is yet to come for those of us who are IN Christ. Following His Resurrection Jesus did ascend back into heaven (v. 1 informed us that Jesus is seated at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven). He is going to physically Return to this earth and begin a new phase of His Kingdom. I say a new phase because Jesus has already received the Kingdom and is currently reigning from glory. Whenever Jesus does return, we who are IN Christ will be with Him in glory.

Argument: We may not understand all of what that means, and none of us understand it completely, but we can know that we will be with Him and we will reign with Him. And that is something to get excited about!

This world is NOT our final home. Our future IN Christ is bright and filled with hope. Even believers continue to deal with difficult situations. We continue to live in a fallen world and Jesus doesn’t magically protect His followers from hardship or sorrow. Christians can and do get terminal cancer, Christians can and do get killed in accidents, Christians can and do suffer hurt, betrayal and loss.

The difference is that through it all we have a Savior! We never walk alone and He is always with us! And He has promised that we will be with Him in Glory forever!

Application: So until He comes or calls us home we CAN live for Him! We who are IN Christ can live in ways that please God.

Consider the impact if these 4 young ladies will spend their lives seeking His Kingdom, secure in their identity in Christ - How God can use them!

Consider the impact if all of us in this room who are IN Christ renewed our passion to seek His Kingdom as our priority - what might that look like?

Consider the outcome if those here today who are outside of Christ would be convicted of the Holy Spirit to surrender their lives to Christ. Some of our county is experiencing a revival and lives are being changed. Today is the day of Salvation and the Spirit of Christ is present. Receive Jesus today!