Colossians 3:1-4 Putting on the New Self

Intro

Happy Father’s Day

Question: When you get a new piece of clothing do you wear it right away or do you wait?

I heard someone once say that when they got a new piece of clothing they didn’t wear it right away because they wanted to let it breathe

What is it? A bottle of wine?

I am a wear it right away kind of guy

I always marveled when people donate clothes and the tags are still on them

If you bought it, why don’t you wear it?

Paul uses the metaphor of putting on the new self in chapter three

He is encouraging his readers to live the new life that Christ has given them

There is a hesitancy of some Christians to move forward and live the new life

They want to linger in the old while still benefitting from the blessings of the new

This morning he shows us how to put on the new self by setting your mind on thing above

Read Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Transition: Paul puts Pre-Eminence to Practice

The theme of the book of Colossians is Pre-Eminence

Pre-Eminence = What is over and above. Superior in noble qualities

Jesus is Pre-Eminent

He is over and above everything else, not by election or by war, but because of his superior qualities

There is no better choice

You won’t find a better option out there

On top of those qualities, Jesus has bestowed upon us this incredible treasure

No other religion offers so much from it’s leader and gives so much to its followers than Christianity

As we get into chapter three Paul takes that begins to show us how to put in all into practice

The first 17 verses of chapter three are all about “Putting on the New Self”

What does it mean to put on the new self?

We are going to look at several practices that put on the new self

Seek Things Above vs. 1

The first practice of putting on our new self is to seek the things above

This deals with our eyes

Everything begins and ends with our eyes

What we think most often starts with what we take in with our eyes

What we say is most influenced by what we saw

Network vs. Netflix

Pauls says that if we have been raised with Christ

That is another way of saying You’re dead to your old life and you are a new creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Since you are a new creation, put on the new self

And it starts with seeking the things that are above

To seek = to search for and find

Our focus needs to be on the things of God

Part of putting on the new self is to adjust our focus in the right places

This doesn’t mean that you are constantly looking up at the clouds

It means you are purposeful about what you put in front of your eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul

They also define our actions

The Bible has a lot to say about our eyes

Our eyes can be arrogant or superior

Proverbs 6:17 ESV

haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Our eyes can be lustful

1 John 2:16 ESV

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Our eyes can also be a blessing

Proverbs 22:9 ESV

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

This shows us that we can dictate what goes before our eyes

We need to assess what we are putting in front of our eyes

Network vs. Netflix

If it is Godly we need to increase it

If it is ungodly we need to eliminate it

Paul tells us to seek the things above

We seek them because that is where Jesus is

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

To be preoccupied with heaven is to be preoccupied with the One who reigns there and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power.

It is also to view the things, people, and events of this world through His eyes and with an eternal perspective.

The things above refers to the heavenly realm and hones in on the spiritual values that characterize Christ, such as tenderness, kindness, meekness, patience, wisdom, forgiveness, strength, purity, and love

Set Your Mind vs. 2

The second practice of our new self is to set your mind

This has to do with our mind

Our eyes dictate what is on our mind and what we think about

Set your mind means to think or have this inner disposition

You must not only seek heaven, but you also must think heaven

Think of it as a compass needle

The thoughts of heaven that are to fill the believer’s mind must derive from Scripture.

The Bible is the only reliable source of knowledge about the character of God and the values of heaven

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Transformation comes from the renewal of our mind and battles conformation to this world

We need to seek out the values of heaven

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Hidden with Christ vs. 3-4

The final practice of our new self is to hide yourself in Christ

Hidden = to cause to be safe or protected by hiding, with the intent of not being found—‘to keep safe, to cause to be protected, to protect, to hide.’

“Hidden in Christ” means security and satisfaction

Your mind is so set on God and you are seeking the things of Christ that its almost as if you went into hiding

We no longer belong to the world, but to Christ; and the sources of life that we enjoy come only from Him.

The Christian life is a “hidden life” as far as the world is concerned, because the world does not know Christ

1 John 5:12 ESV

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

The things that attract us and excite us belong to heaven, not to earth.

This does not mean that we should ignore our earthly responsibilities.

Rather it means that our motives and our strength come from heaven, not earth.