Sermon Series #3

Opening:

We have explored in week 1 that the Apostle Paul could not treat the christians at Corinth as being mature, he had to treat them like babies and could only give them the milk of the word. THEY REFUSED TO MATURE!

In week #2 we explored the account of the Argument between the disciples at the last supper before christ’s death upon the cross.

The 12: Peter, John, James(brother of John), Andrew, Phillip, Bartholomew/aka Nathanael, Thomas, Matthew, James (brother of Jesus), Judas (aka Jude), Simon, Judas Iscariot **What were they arguing about? Who would be the greatest!

*Today I want us to explore the beginning of spiritual maturity and what it looks like! Again we find a choice that we need to make! Either to walk in the spirit and rely on the Holy Spirit to enable us to follow through BY CHOOSING, TO put on the new man and grow in the Lord or to remain as carnal (A BABE IN CHRIST), acting like mer men NOT LIKE SPIRITUAL PEOPLE!

Text Colossians 3:1-12

Spiritual Maturity begins here in verses 1 and 2!

a. Seek (to desire, actively chose) those things that are above where Christ is! Sitting at the right hand of God! Our Victorious Savior!

b. Set your mind on things above, not earthly things! (concentrate your concern on the eternal, NOT WHAT’S TEMPORARY) (Fix your eyes upon what is UNSEEN! Not on what can be seen! )

**Paul is telling the church how to be mature and the benefits of maturity: here is what he is saying to us: LIFE IN THIS FALLEN WORLD WILL BE SO MUCH BETTER IF IT IS LIVED BY A POWER BEYOND THIS WORLD, THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTED, ASCENDED, GLORIFIED CHRIST! THIS ALSO TAUGHT IN SCRIPTURE AS A THE SPIRIT FILLED LIFE!

Verse 3: When we place our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior- WE DIED TO OURSELVES and the OLD SPIRITUAL POWERS THAT IN SLAVED US! AND OUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN IN CHRIST!

Verse 4: Christ becomes our life, HE IS OUR LIFE! **PRAISE GOD:WHEN CHRIST APPEARS, WE WILL APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY!

*Here comes the action we must take: The putting away the sins of our past!

Verses 5-7 Paul says put away ALL SEXUAL IMMORALITY! Fornication, uncleaness, passion, evil desire

Then he says put away ruthless greed! Covetousness, which is idolatry!

*v. 6-7 God’s wrath is coming upon those who live this way! Hey remember you use to be one of them!!

*Now get rid of your Pagan/Worldly habits:

Verses 8-9 Put away Anger, Wrath (RAGE:outburst of uncontrollable anger), Malice (evil forces that wreck fellowship), Blasphemy (AGAINST fellow believers and God), Filthy Language (Speech), Don’t lie to your brother or sister in Christ (put off the old man!)

Verses 10-11

we have a new Spirit put inside of us by Christ at the time of Salvation! We have to put this new man in control of our life every day! Choosing to live in the Spirit of God~

As believers there is no one greater than the other! (no need to argue over the same thang the disciples argued about! We are equal in Christ!

Verses 12-13 The character of the new man (what maturity in Christ looks like)

Put on (your conduct)

Tender Mercies: Tender sympathy of heartfelt compassion

Kindness: Benevolence in action

Humility and Meekness: A lowly attitude towards God and others

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Longsuffering: Being Patient

Verse 13: Practice this with one another! Forgive JUST LIKE CHRIST FORGAVE YOU!! A COMMAND! YOU MUST DO!