A Heart Striving for Christ

How do you approach the holiday season?

For many of us, this time of year can be some of the most challenging things for us to endure.

This may be because of:

Unmentioned Strain in Relationships

The loss of a loved one

The different type of life you as a Christian compared to your family

Whatever it may be, you and I because of the time we live are given an opportunity to approach this time of year with a perspective unlike any other.

In order to do this we are going to turn our attention to a passage of scripture that will be thoroughly encouraging and hopefully thought provoking.

Text Idea: Thus far in the book of Colossians, Paul has begun rooting the Christinas in their new identity, and in living out this new identity, he encourages them to submit their hearts to Christ and emulate Him in their lives.

Sermon Idea: The Christian life is one of a redeemed heart striving to emulate the character of Christ, and live out the new identity God has given them.

Interrogative: How does encourage the believers for the task before them?

Transition: He provides one foundational truth, followed by six instructions on how to demonstrate the work of Christ in our lives.

Col. 3:12-17

The New Identification of the Heart V. 12a

If we approach this text without looking at the prior context, and particularly zooming in on these terms Paul uses to describe believers, we may see the following instructions from the wrong vantage point.

The Christian life is a life lived from a place of grace granted to us by God through our savior.

See how God has described us, chosen, holy, and beloved.

This reveals the depth of God’s love, for He has called me as one of His own, gave me a new name, and now my instructions are to live out the new identity He has given me.

Just as a child legally adopted now belongs to a family, it takes time for that new reality to be lived out in their day to day.

We see this is exactly what is meant by Paul, for back in verse 3 he makes clear that the old me is dead, and my life is hidden in Christ.

Thus, if I belong to Christ I am guaranteed my place at the table, and while I wait for my ticket home I am living out the reality of my new life.

Transition: So as we move into these instructions, we must remember that they are from a standing of grace, where we are seeking to emulate the character of our Lord and Savior.

A heart putting on the character of Christ V.12b

These characteristics are found perfectly blended in Christ, thus in giving us this list, Paul is beginning by encouraging us to emulate the overall character of Christ.

A word on each:

Compassion: We see so often the compassion Christ had on the downcast of society. Do we approach our families and world this way?

Kindness: Are you know as a kind person. Does the good and kind nature of our God radiate in your day to day?

Humility: The biggest bane for most of us. Christ is the ultimate example of humility, thus as His followers we should seek to humble ourselves and serve just as the King came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

Gentleness: are you slow to anger? There is a place for righteous indignation, but how do you approach your frustrations and people opposed to you.

Patience: Remember the patience God showed and shows you as He waits and draws you to repentance.

Each one of these characteristics of Christ reflect the general disposition that we as a Christian ought to emulate.

Just as a father seeks to demonstrate to his son what it means to be a man, we too look to Christ who has made us His own and seek to emulate His character.

From here Paul will now begin to transition to more specific commands.

A heart forgiving like Christ V.13

Rooting his command in the work of Christ, Paul commands us to bear with one another and if we have any complaint forgive each other.

This is clearly not a suggestion, for He says as the Lord has forgiven you, you MUST forgive.

So often Jesus points to the sign of a firgiven heart is their willingness to forgive.

Think of the parable from Matt. 18 where Jesus details the story of man who after being forgiven a large debt by his master does not forgive another servant a smaller debt. When discovered the man was tortured.

The lesson here is simple, as Christ has forgiven you, you must forgive.

Transition: from here we are given another characteristic of God, which Christ also describes as the fulfillment of the entire law of God.

A heart loving like Christ V.14

At the end of the day Jesus summed up every command and instruction perfectly when He said to love God and Love our neighbor.

This is the same love He displayed to us, and here he points out that this chief grace is what unifies us.

Think about a wedding. So often we are going to here 1 Cor. 13 brought up and here what love is.

The only perfect display of that love described is found in God, thus what we are seeking to do is put off the unloving flesh and put on this love we see in Christ.

Going off of Paul’s reasoning here as well, think about what that would mean for our congregation and your families.

If I live my life, following the same loving, sacrificial, example of my savior, it would be revolutionary.

Transition: Building off of this idea of unity, Paul is moving to a command that reminds us of the inherit unity we have as believers.

A heart ruled by the peace of Christ V. 15

Paul is here reminding the believers of the most important fact of their lives.

There is so much joy found in Christ, but first and foremost the work of Christ has brought peace between God and man.

What Paul is saying is for the Christian to remember the peace that now exists between God and us set the table for the peace that ought to exist between believers.

The idea of hatred for another Christian is completely counter to the picture of the body illustrated by Paul.

Picture a three legged race. We have two people bound togehter seeking to run a race. In order to accomplish it well, they must be willing to work with one another.

Much the same for us to run this race together and make an impact for the kingdom of God, our hearts must be ruled by the Prince of Peace who has made us into one body, and who exists as the head of the body.

Transition: So we are ruled by peace, but how is it that this ruler guides and governs His people?

A heart guided by the Word of Christ V.16

Let your life be saturated by the Word of Christ.

Their are so many amazing things revealed to us about God in His Word, but we need to remember that all of this Word ultimately is pointing to Christ.

Come to this Word to be encouraged and instructed and to have your mind pointed back to Christ.

Paul is instructing them to let it dwell in them, and he gives to primary means for this to be done:

Teaching and admonishing

Singing- can be an excellent way for us to express praise and for instruction in the Word.

So, Paul has given us a list of things to emulate in our lives, and he draws this section to a close with a summative statement.

A thankful heart dedicated to the glory of God V. 17

What is your why behind your actions?

Paul encourages the church to have a heart that seeks to do everything for God and His glory.

This is the Christian life. For maturing as a Christian is recognizing that the only thing that really gives meaning to the actions I take is that they ultimately reflect God.

Their is no area of your life that you cannot be honoring God. You’re not allowed to be one way as a boss and another as a church member.

No, as we have seen the Christian life is not a life lived on a balance, but instead it is one that is from a place of grace.

From this standing of grace, I am daily seeking to demonstrate by the power of the Holy Spirit living and working within me the character of my Savior.

With that being said, a final note as we get ready for Thanksgiving.

V. 15-17

See the call to thankfulness toward Christ.

We are thankful because He has made us right with God, and He now calls us to a better life.

A life of love, joy, peace, and hope. So remember your first love and seek to honor Christ with thanksgiving in your heart.