Living the New Life in Christ

Text: Colossians 3:1–17

Theme: Since Christ has raised us to new life, we must set our minds on Him, put off the old life, and put on the new life clothed in His love. Aim: To encourage believers to embody the new life in Christ with holiness, unity, and gratitude.

Introduction

Church, can I ask you a question this morning? If you’ve been raised with Christ, does your life look brand new?

Paul is writing to the believers in Colossae to remind them: when Christ saved you, He didn’t just dust you off, He raised you up to a brand-new life! Somebody say “brand new!”

This new life isn’t just about shouting on Sunday—it’s about living differently on Monday. It’s about what we set our minds on, what we take off, and what we put on.

So today, I want to preach from this subject: “Living the New Life in Christ.” And I want to leave you with 3 points from Paul’s letter:

Set Your Mind on Christ (vv. 1–4)

Put Off the Old Life (vv. 5–11)

Put On the New Life (vv. 12–17)

Point 1: Set Your Mind on Christ (vv. 1–4)

Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

That’s a mindset shift!

Illustration: Church family, remember when you first learned how to drive? They told you to keep your eyes on the road ahead, not just on what’s right in front of you. If you stare at the ground, you’ll crash. In the same way, Paul says keep your eyes lifted—look up to Christ!

Application: Too many of us let the news, social media, or the job control our mindset. But Paul says, “Lift your focus! Seek higher things!”

Call and Response:

Preacher: “Where is your mind?”

Congregation: “On Christ!”

Preacher: “Who raised you up?”

Congregation: “Jesus did!”

Paul reminds us that our life is hidden with Christ in God. That means when people look at us, they ought to see Him shining through us.

Point 2: Put Off the Old Life (vv. 5–11)

Paul gets real practical here: “Mortify therefore your members… put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication… lie not one to another.”

He’s saying, “Kill it, don’t coddle it.” Don’t play with sin—cut it off.

Illustration: You ever had old clothes in the closet you refuse to throw out? Maybe it’s a shirt with holes, shoes with no sole, jeans that don’t fit anymore. They don’t match who you are now. Paul says, “Take off the old garments of sin—you can’t wear that in your new life!”

Application: In our community, we’ve seen how old destructive patterns—brokenness, jealousy, violence—can tear us apart. But Christ calls us to strip off those things and walk in newness.

Call and Response:

Preacher: “What are we taking off?”

Congregation: “The old life!”

Preacher: “What are we putting to death?”

Congregation: “Sin and self!”

Paul says in Christ there is no Greek or Jew, bond or free, Black or white, rich or poor—we are all one in Christ Jesus.

Point 3: Put On the New Life (vv. 12–17)

Paul says, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering…”

Not only do we take off the old, but we’ve got to put on the new! And the greatest garment Paul tells us to wear is love, which ties everything together in perfect harmony.

Illustration: You ever been to a wedding where everybody was dressed in their best? Paul says when you step out as a believer, your clothing ought to match your calling. Mercy, patience, forgiveness, love—that’s your new wardrobe in Christ.

Application: Young people, this means how you treat your classmates. Parents, how you treat your children. Spouses, how you treat each other. Church family, how we treat one another. The peace of Christ should rule in our hearts.

And verse 16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” That means the new life is full of worship, thanksgiving, and joy!

Call and Response:

Preacher: “What are we putting on?”

Congregation: “The new life!”

Preacher: “What’s our best garment?”

Congregation: “Love!”

Celebratory Close

So, church, if you’ve been raised with Christ—

Set your mind on Him.

Put off the old life.

Put on the new life in love.

And when you do, the world will see Christ living in you!

Because one Friday, He took off His robe of glory and put on a crown of thorns. He put off His heavenly garments and put on humanity. He bore our sins on the cross— But early Sunday morning—can I get a witness?—He rose with all power in His hands!

And now because He lives, we can live the new life!

Say yes!

Say yes!

Say yes to the new life in Christ!

Hallelujah! Amen.