Stop Transforming Yourself

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Colossians 3:1-17

INTRODUCTION

Colossians 3:1–17 (ESV) 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 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 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. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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. 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.

Practice Range. David shooting in pond of course he hit his target

Vs. 1- target changed when we were “co-resurrected” with Christ.

7 Ways We Allow Jesus To Transform Us

1. Seek (1)

Colossians 3:1 (ESV) 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

What are you trying to find in life?

ILL Tara’s diamond.

2. Set (2)

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

1. Foundation.

2. What you continually think about.

1. Can’t stop the bird from landing.... but stop building nest.

3. Hide (3)

Colossians 3:3 ESV

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1. Died to old self

1. Galatians 2:20 – no longer you living.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2. People don’t see you– they see Jesus.

4. Ready (4)

Colossians 3:4 ESV

4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1. 2nd Coming

5. Die (5)

Colossians 3:5 ESV

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1. Your actions die. – Sin disappears.

2. Fornication= any sexual sin

3. Uncleanness= impurity, all evil thoughts and intentions.

4. Passion= sexual lust– physical side.

5. Evil desire= mental side of sexual sin.

6. Covetousness= greed1. Desire to gain more, especially the forbidden.

7. These are all IDOLATRY.

6. Walk (6-7)

Colossians 3:6–7 ESV

6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

1. Daily living.

2. Negative example– for Christians this means we walk in obedience.

If your life keeps going in the same direction what is your destination?

7. Change (8-14)

Mowing- dirty clothes/ shower/ clean clothes.

Sin/ salvation/ new life

Take Off (8-9, 11)

Colossians 3:8–9 ESV

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

1. Anger

1. Smoldering bitterness

2. ILL- camping- starting fire next morning- move the large stump.

2. Rage

1. Outburst of sinful anger

2. When a firecracker is thrown in coals.

1. Not the anger of Jesus in Temple.

3. Malice

1. Damage done by evil speech.

4. Slander

1. Say evil things about a person

2. To hurt their reputation.

5. Lies

1. Let your yes be yes, no be no.

2. No need to swear.

6. Prejudice (11)

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.

1. Don’t classify by external looks.

Put On (10, 12, 13)

Colossians 3:10 ESV

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

1. Knowledge

- Truth

2. Image of Christ

– measure life by Him

3. Compassion

Colossians 3:12 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1. Heart of compassion

- emotions- care

2. Kindness

1. goodness toward others

3. Humility

1. antidote to self love.

2. Think more of others than self.

4. Gentleness

1. Willingness to take hurt than inflict hurt

2. Take it or give it.

5. Patience

1. Put up with injustice with hope of relief.

6. Bear with each other

Colossians 3:13 ESV

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.

1. Help each other through difficult times.

7. Forgive

1. As you are forgiven

8. Love

1. 1 Corinthians 13

2. Love is the zipper/ button/s velcro/ shoe strings

3. Greatest commandment-

4. Love makes is possible to PUT ON.

Internal Change (15-17)

2 Areas of Internal Change

1. Peace

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.

1. Jesus is Lord= no compromise

1. Hebrew Shalom – a since of well-being a prosperity.

1. Satisfied that Jesus is Lord.

2. Internal Peace in self bring peace within the church.

2. Rule in heart–

John 14:27 ESV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

1. Rule- umpire or judge

1. Peace validates the activities of the church when the congregation is submitting to Jesus.

2. Heart– the individual heart must be at peace if the congregation is to be at peace.

3. One Body= church- the reason there is a need for peace= one body.

4. Thankful= thankfulness and peace go together.

1. Lack of peace brings ill will and bitterness/ peace bring thankfulness.

1. Phil 4:6—7 thankfulness bring peace/ they go together.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2. Worship

Colossians 3:16–17 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. 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.

1. Public and private

2. Words of Christ dwell in you

1. Words about Christ

2. Is the church promoting the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

3. 3 Levels to Teach Christ

1. Through Spiritual Gifts

1. Teaching– orderly arrangement of truth

2. Admonishing= strong encouragement

2. Through Songs

1. Psalms – O.T. put to music

2. Hymns– Colossians 1:15-20 is an example

3. Spiritual Songs

1. non worship singing– Gospel songs/ radio

2. Spiritual= not secular.

4. Music is a vehicle to exercise a spiritual gift not a spiritual gifts, talents are different than spiritual gifts.

5. music is only legitimate when tit points people to Jesus.

3. With Thanksgiving

1. For the grace of God

2. We don’t deserve it so we say “Thank You”

CONCLUSION

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.

In the name of the Lord

ILL– Troy Built Lawn MowersFamous for Rooter tillers.

Lawn mowers– = MTD- a generic brand that buys use of other’s names.

Don’t put Jesus’ name on an inferior product.

Change your heart.