Who Are You Wearing? Colossians 3:5-17

INTRODUCTION

LAST WEEK ON LEGALISM…

It’s a good thing that we just spent some time last week talking about legalism because when a preacher gets up behind a pulpit and begins to say, don’t do this do that, don’t act this way act that way, don’t look like this look like that… It can feel like legalism.

THIS WEEK’S BEAUTY…

The text will point us to the beauty of what it looks like to “put on Christ”!

The text will indicate the beauty of what it looks like to put off the things that hide Christ in our lives.

If we are going to know Jesus together….love Jesus together…and obey Jesus together,

and hope to make disciple making disciples for his glory, then we need to take seriously when the Bible points us to how to do this well as a local church family. Our text today does that very thing.

AWARD SHOW ILLUSTRATION

It seems like every time we turn around, there’s a new awards ceremony show on TV.

One comedian remarked that this self-congratulatory nonsense is only eclipsed by the strange costumes these celebrities wear as though they are attending the Galactic Senate gathering in a Star Wars movie.

As they move from their vehicles onto the red carpet toward the main entrance,

reporters line the sidelines. Some with very special interview spots set up to broadcast to fans everywhere.

And because we live in a culture that is obsessed with appearances; historically, invariably the question is asked, “WHO ARE YOU WEARING?”

Meaning, what designer do you have on?

Where did you get this?

We’ve got to know everything you want to tell us…

WE SEE WHAT YOU’RE WEARING,

WE WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE WEARING?

It’s not a bad question is it? It’s a good question to ask ourselves day by day…especially today as we look into the text.

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In Paul’s writing to these believers - these Colossians - He is teaching them that God has called and equipped them to live out our identity in Christ, together!

He’s done the same for us.

We do this well as we put off the sinful “rags” (habits) of our former nature

AND

consciously put on the new "garments" of our redeemed nature.

WHEN PAUL WRITES…as God authors the Holy Scripture through his pen…HE WRITES FOR ACTION!

DOCTRINE DEMANDS DUTY

CREED DETERMINES CONDUCT

FACTS DEMAND ACTS

And the first place he goes...is to tell the Christian…TAKE - THAT - OFF!

1. DON’T WEAR A DEAD MAN’S GRAVE CLOTHES (5-9)

Colossians 3:5–9 ESV

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

It’s a clear command here to PUT TO DEATH all the STUFF that screams of the carnal/sinful man! Habits, Speech, Thoughts…everything.

It’s a partial list of sins, but it’s clearly what the Colossians were struggling with. God knows exactly to whom He is speaking; Paul knows exactly to whom He is writing.

These types of (mostly) physical passions and temptations to sin with our bodies and minds can easily become STRONGHOLDS and lead to SO MUCH PAIN in so many lives!

As we lean in to the LORD’s strength and let him fill us with His Spirit in these areas; it strengthens us to overcome OTHER temptations with greater confidence.

DEAD PASSIONS (5):

Sexual immorality. (PORNEA)

Ephesians 5:3 ESV

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 ESV

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Put quite simply, this is unwholesome thoughts about others physically.

WE LIVE IN AN OVER-SEXUALIZED CULTURE! There isn’t much that IS true, and lovely, and beautiful.

The Bible clearly blesses physical intimacy between a husband and wife in the covenant of marriage - it clearly condemns ALL FORMS AND ACTS outside of this context.

Don’t put that on. Don’t go digging up a dead man’s clothes of sexual immorality.

IMPURITY (LUSTFUL) & DISHONORABLE PASSIONS (Sensual appetites) & EVIL DESIRES (unholy)

Impure thoughts and meditations AREN’T just lustful, but that’s the context here.

Matthew 5:28 ESV

28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

COVETOUSNESS - THIS CONSUMER-DRIVEN CULTURE IS A GOTTA-HAVE-IT-KIND-OF-CULTURE

this is more than greed, this is a “I should have this - I deserve this…and you’ve got it; and I WANT YOURS…and for you NOT TO HAVE IT!” (Marxism)

It’s okay to do without…we are a people who are content.

1 Timothy 6:5–10 ESV

5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

WE DON’T GO GRAVE DIGGING TO PUT ON THESE DEATHLY PASSIONS OR THE DEATHLY PRACTICES MENTIONED

DEAD PRACTICES:

ANGER, WRATH, MALICE

SLANDER, OBSCENE TALK FROM YOUR MOUTH

Obscene talk: (aischrologia) / abusive language / shameful / filthy language)

It’s really hard to tell others about the rivers of living waters flowing out of us when it seems like we have sewage instead of clean, pure water running through us.

Ephesians 5:26 ESV

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

DO NOT LIE TO ONE ANOTHER

Sometimes we’re tempted to lie to one another to IMPRESS others, to HIDE things from others.

DEADLY PRIDE:

(look at verse 11 with me)

Colossians 3:11 ESV

11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

When we put other identities IN FRONT OF / AHEAD OF our new identity in Christ - it is an act of prideful self-promotion

GREEK / JEW,

Circumcised / Uncircumcised,

babarian / Scythian

slave / free

The Marxist-based ideology and worldview that places INTERSECTIONALITY and IDENTITY POLITICS at the forefront of labeling people / a key identifier is a doctrine of demons!

it denies the beauty and truth of imago dei.

it minimizes the work of Christ

it reeks of bondage instead of freedom

it is tethered to PRIDE and VICTIMHOOD and a COVETOUS drive

It’s not just ethnicity or political views…it shows up in the church world, too when people IMMEDIATELY want you to know some identity OTHER THAN CHRIST

I’m a charismatic; I’m a baptist; I’m a non-denominational; I’m “spirit-filled”, I’m…

CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL!

He needs to be on the throne of our lips as well as our hearts and minds.

Transition:

There are some great reasons to GET RID OF THESE THINGS IN OUR LIVES…beyond the very straightforward instruction to “put them to death” and “put them off”.

who wants to hang out with a gross, dirty-minded, greedy, angry, malicious, slandering, cussing, lying, self-obsessed person?

(5) these things point to idolatry - not a living relationship with God

(6) these are rotten fruits of a sinner that invite the wrath of God - Jesus was crucified on Calvary’s cross for sin

(7) this is NOT who we are / whose we are

(8) these are dead men’s/women’s clothes

you have to dig up a grave to find these…then put them on

(9) get in the way of Christ being our everything

TRANSITION:

WHO ARE YOU WEARING? THE OLD MAN? DEAD MEN’S CLOTHING LINE?

2. Put on your brand new GARMENTS OF GODLINESS (10-14)

Colossians 3:10–14 ESV

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

For those who are IN CHRIST - those who are being transformed by the power of God…we have a new set of clothes - GARMENTS OF GRACE that we need to put on every day.

THIS FLOWS RIGHT OUT OF OUR NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST!

HE IS OUR ALL IN ALL (11)

WE ARE GOD’S CHOSEN ONES (12)

HE HAS MADE US HOLY (setting us apart for His glory)

WE ARE HIS BELOVED

WE SHOULD “DRESS APPROPRIATELY”

While I’m nervous at how high men’s shorts are getting these days…I’m NOT talking about external appearances (per se).

But our passions, practices, and self-assessment ought to reflect something substantially different that the grave clothes of a dead corpse.

—

The ancient world was merciless. One historian notes : the maimed, the sickly, the aged were discarded; the mentally iill were subjected to inhumanities. But Biblical Christianity brought compassion to bear and it still does.

“It is not too much,” says William Barclay, “to say that everything that has been done for the aged, the sick, the weak in body and in mind, the animal, the child, the woman has been done under the inspiration of Christianity.”

Notice the garments of the new self:

compassionate hearts (12)

move people to acts of mercy

kindness

humility

meekness

patience

bearing with one another

forgiving one another

dealing with complaints quickly

the way we want God to forgive us when we err

completely covered up in LOVE

MEN - don’t worry this is NOT some touchy-feely feminine expression

expressed in our protector/provider roles

expressed in deep trust

expressed in healthy family and brotherhood within the body

LADIES - this is more than sentimentality

this is a deep, run-to-the-roar kind of mama bear love that is expressed in sisterhood with the body

genuine concern for the ladies young and old, new and seasoned

CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS KIND OF BEAUTY AND TRUTH AND LOVELINESS AND BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD on display where you work, where you live, and where you play?

My friends, this is what it LOOKS LIKE to belong to Christ - according to the Bible.

This is NOT 2025 cultural Christianity.

This is Biblical Christianity.

R. E. O. White, the British preacher, observed regarding the fullness which these verses command:

“The surest sign that you are carrying a full bucket is wet feet.”

That is true to our experience, is it not? Whenever we attempt to carry a full bucket to clean the floor or wash the car, we always get wet feet!

And when our lives are full - with the goodness of God, they will overflow.

One other fact about this wardrobe: these garments can be worn only in community with others, in relationships.

It’s tempting to think…this would be easy if I didn’t have to be around people.

It’s so much easier to THINK about compassion than to be compassionate.

(We have to live interruptible lives if we’re going to be compassionate)

It’s so much easier to be kind when we are away from people that “push” us a little.

We could be humble and meek if everyone else was all the time.

We could probably master “patience” in isolation.

But that is not the way any of this works!

Christians become better Christians in community, in their families, among their neighbors, in their dorms, in their churches, where there is sweat and breath.

The truth is: God gave us new garments for His glory and the blessing of OTHERS.

It’s not a one-time thing! “Put on / Clothe yourselves” is a present imperative: “Put them on and keep putting them on.”

Which takes us right to this final INCREDIBLE SUMMARY of what happens when we TAKE OFF GRAVE CLOTHES AND PUT ON OUR NEW GARMENTS OF GRACE…

3. Help one another GLORIFY GOD and keep the focus on Christ (14-17)

WEARING SAINTS CLOTHING HAS SOME LASTING EFFECTS ON THE BODY OF CHRIST:

remember this is to a church body - this is a WE / US / OUR kind of experience, not just a I / ME / MY experience

Colossians 3:14 ESV

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

NOTICE:

LOVE, HARMONY, AND PEACE

work together.

Colossians 3:15 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

EVIDENCE OF CHRIST RULING OUR HEARTS / UMPIRING OUR SOULS.

WE WILL BE A PRAISING PEOPLE…

BE thankful

resonates from our core

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 5:20 ESV

20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

LOOK AT THE REST…

Colossians 3:16 ESV

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

When we are clothed IN HIM, wearing our new garments of grace, when the peace of Christ is umpiring our minds and hearts, when thankfulness spills out…

OUR CONVERSATIONS WILL BE SEASONED WITH GOD’S WORD

WE CAN GET INTO THE WORD TOGETHER and experience the RICHNESS of God’s voice

THE WORD CAN GET INTO US AND DWELL RICHLY

we get to teach one another

admonish / encourage / strengthen one another IN ALL WISDOM

OUR SINGING WILL BE ENHANCED

OUR WORSHIP will be marked with SCRIPTURE FED and SPIRIT LED MUSIC

Colossians 3:17 ESV

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

WE WILL HELP ONE ANOTHER GLORIFY GOD

without grumbling

without complaining

WITH THANKSGIVING

WITH OUR EYES FIXED ON JESUS!

KNOWING, LOVING, AND OBEYING HIM TOGETHER!

MAKING DISCIPLES FOR HIS GLORY!

CLOSING:

You may have heard Christianity is ethics or morality PLUS belief in Jesus.

It’s not, though.

New Testament Christianity is radical. It’s counter-cultural.

Jesus wants to make PEOPLE NEW - He completely revolutionizes the way people think, act and live.

Believing the gospel; repenting - that is step one. Trusting Jesus as your only hope for salvation is step one.

But this thing of having your entire life shaped and defined by Jesus - so that Christ lives THROUGH YOU - that is a lifelong journey of worship, surrender, and discipline…and we were DESIGNED to do this together; in covenant community as a church body.

BUT IF YOU ARE HIS…

IF WE ARE GOING TO LIVE FOR HIM

IF WE ARE GOING TO REACH THE PEOPLE AROUND US WITH THE GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST;

WE’RE GOING TO NEED TO STOP GRABBING STINKING GRAVE CLOTHES THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THE WEEK.

There may be some old clothes that you’re really comfortable in…BUT THEY HAVE GOT TO GO!

(who wants to hang out with a gross, dirty-minded, greedy, angry, malicious, slandering, cussing, lying, self-obsessed person?)

How can we win this generation? the next gen? the previous gen?

Be filled with the Spirit - ask God to help you display the fruit of the Spirit.

PUT ON YOUR NEW, CUSTOM-FITTED, TAYLOR-MADE GARMENTS OF GRACE!

(compassionate, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiving, loving people have a “look “that people are drawn to)

WHO ARE YOU WEARING?

Christ in us, resurrecting us, totally transforming us, minimizing OUR identity so that HIS is WAY OUT FRONT - that has become uncommon theology these days.

But it’s what Paul preached. NOT LEGALISM - BUT SANCTIFICATION.

DOCTRINE DEMANDS DUTY

CREED DETERMINES CONDUCT

FACTS DEMAND ACTS

WHO ARE YOU WEARING? WHO WILL YOU WEAR THIS WEEK WHERE YOU WORK, LIVE, AND PLAY?