On With the New Self
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Colossians 3:10–17 (CSB)
You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Mortality makes us fear being unwanted, unneeded and unloved.
"Neurotic anxiety… is characterized by worries, fears, and apprehensions associated with our self-concept, much of which is driven by how we compare ourselves to those in our social world. Feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, obsessions, perfectionism, ambitiousness, envy, narcissism, jealousy, rivalry, competitiveness, self-consciousness, guilt, and shame are all examples of neurotic anxiety, and they all relate to how we evaluate ourselves in our own eyes and the eyes of others. Perhaps we worry about weighing too much or masturbating too much, or we feel insecure for not making as much money as our neighbors. On the flip side, feelings of superiority, contempt, and pride are also forms of neurotic anxiety. In short, neurotic anxiety sits at the root of our experience of self-esteem, the motive force behind our vigilant monitoring of how we compare to others and to cultural standards, for good or ill.” (Richard Beck, The Slavery of Death)
That fear is the root of all our selfishness, sin and conflict. (Romans 7:14-24)
Romans 7:14–24 (CSB)
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of [mortal] flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. ...I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my [mortal] flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. ...So I discover this law: When I want to do what is good, evil is present with me. For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
In Christ we are chosen, set apart, and dearly loved. (3:12a)
Colossians 3:12 (CSB)
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved...
Therefore we can be a radically different community, built on grace instead of fear. (3:12b-15)
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.
Compassion: caring about the suffering of others
Kindness: gracious sensitivity to the needs of others.
Humility: rejecting the desire for glory or attention.
Gentleness: willingness to make allowances for others
Patience: willing to endure wrongs and insults
Forbearance: sticking with people who annoy or provoke you
Forgiveness: letting go of grievances and feuds
Love: commitment to seeking the good of another
We can learn this grace by singing together. (3:16)
Colossians 3:16 (CSB)
Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms [psalmos], hymns[humnos], and spiritual songs [odais], singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Psalm 67 (CSB)
For the choir director: with stringed instruments [humnos]. A psalm [psalmos]. A song [odais].
May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may he make his face shine upon us
so that your way may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy,
for you judge the peoples with fairness
and lead the nations on earth.
Let the peoples praise you, God,
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has produced its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.
The bottom line: do what Jesus would do—and be grateful. (3:17)
And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
From Colossae to Turner
From Colossae to Turner
Have you let yourself be chosen, set apart, and dearly loved by God?
Is your behavior governed by fear or grace?
Are you practicing gratitude?