GET SOME NEW CLOTHES COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

CHRISTLIKENESS  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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BEING LIKE CHRIST

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I. INTRODUCTION

ONE MAN SAID
“Fame is a vapor, popularity is an accident, and money takes wings. The only thing that endures is character”

A middle-aged business executive approached the front entrance of the office building in which he worked. A young feminist came up at the same moment, so he stepped back and held the door open for her to pass on through. She looked at him and said with annoyance, “Don’t hold the door for me just because I’m a lady.”

To her surprise, he looked right back and replied, “I’m not. I’m holding it open because I’m a gentleman.”

Likewise, we as Christians must always act toward others on the basis of what we are in Christ Jesus, and not on the basis of what they may or may not be.

It is not enough to simply know you must grow in specific areas of character; you must become intentional about character growth, taking steps that demonstrate that solid character is essential for your long-term success as a spiritual leader.

Remember, the character transformation process will have its ups and downs. God is patient with you, and you can be patient with yourself. It will take time to see lasting change, sometimes more time than you want to take. But God takes much longer to grow an oak tree than a squash! He is the enabler of this change through the work of the Holy Spirit. You can trust in His power to help effectuate this change as you work on the exercises.

WHILE EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT GOD’S PROMISES AND WHAT GREAT THINGS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR GOD
GOD SAYS,
Romans 8:29 KJV 1900
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
TO BE CONFORMED MEANS TO BE LIKE NATURED.
GOD IS INTERESTED IN YOUR CHARACTER
BECAUSE GOD IS INTERESTED MOST IN OUR CHARACTER, WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE OUR CHARACTER
BUT, HOW CAN WE BE LIKE CHRIST WITH SO MANY WORLDLY THINGS GRASPING FOR OUR ATTENTION?
HOW CAN WE BE LIKE CHRIST WHEN OUR CULTURE OR FRIENDS SAY WE HAVE TO ACT LIKE THEM?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE LIKE CHRIST IN THIS MODERN ERA?

A. A CHANGE OF CLOTHES

ONE OF PAUL’S DISTINCTIONS IN WRITING IS WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE
HE GIVES US THE INDICATIVES BEFORE THE IMPERATIVES
IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAYS, SINCE YOU ARE, THEN YOU SHOULD DO
ALL OF HIS LETTERS DO THIS
HE BEGINS BY TELLING YOU WHAT YOU ARE OR WHO YOU ARE, THEN TOWARDS THE MIDDLE AND END OF THE LETTER, HE SAYS THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU SHOULD DO
THINK ABOUT WHAT JESUS SAYS
Matthew 12:33 KJV 1900
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
WHAT YOU DO IS GOING TO TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE.

1. PAUL BEGINS THE CHAPTER BY SAYING IF YOU ARE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE

THEN HE GOES ON TO SAY,
Colossians 3:3 KJV 1900
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
IF YOU ARE DEAD, THEN YOU ARE GOING TO KILL THE EVIL THAT ATTACKS YOU
IF YOU ARE REALLY DEAD, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO COMMIT SEXUAL IMMORALITY, POSSESS IMPURITY, HAVE EVIL DESIRES, AND COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S WIFE, WHICH IS IDOLATRY-IDOL WORSHIP

2. PAUL SAYS AS CHOSEN ONES

TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR, I’M CHOSEN BY GOD
CHOSEN TO REPRESENT HIM, WORK FOR HIM, TO BE A WITNESS, LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND SEE THEM RECOVER.
YOUR FRIENDS MAY NOT BE CHOSEN, YOUR TEACHER MIGHT NOT BE CHOSEN, YOUR FAMILY MIGHT NOT EVEN BE CHOSEN
BUT YOU SHOULD THANK GOD THAT HE CHOSE YOU
CHOSEN TO BRING FORTHH FRUIT, CHOSEN TO PROSPER, CHOSEN TO PROCLAIM HIS WORD, CHOSEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, CHOSEN TO STEP INTO MY DESTINY REGARDLESS OF THE ADVERSITY, CHOSEN TO WALK IN THE NEW LIFE OF THE SPIRIT

3. PAUL USES THE METAPHOR OF CLOTHING TO DESCRIBE THE SANCTIFIED LIFE

WE LAY ASIDE ONE COAT AND PUT ON ANOTHER
ONCE WE WERE WEARING THE DEVIL, BUT NOW WE ARE WEARING CHRIST
HERE IS WHERE THE SHIFT COMES
WHEN YOU PUT ON CHRIST YOU BECOME COMPASSIONATE, YOU ARE KIND, MEEK, PATIENT, FORGIVING, AND LOVING
VERSES 12-17 SHOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LIVE AS ONE ENTIRELY CLOTHED WITH CHRIST

How painful almost to get a situation, but to miss it.

How vexing almost to catch a plane, but to be left at the terminal.

How sad almost to escape drowning, but to be engulfed in the water.

But, oh, how above-all-things terrible to be almost a Christian and yet in the lake of fire for eternity!

It has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

May it not be said also that it will be trodden by millions of almost-Christians!

Oh, be warned, then, against being an almost-er, for to be almost saved is to be certainly lost!

DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE CLOTHES
TO WALK IN NEW LIFE, REGARDLESS OF PEOPLE’S OPINION OR YOUR CULTURE
YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS OUT
CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES
LIKE THE BIBLE SAYS,
Romans 13:14 KJV 1900
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

B. A CHANGE OF CONDITION

THE OUTSIDE CHANGE BECOMES THE CONDITION FOR THE INSIDE CHANGE
IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE AND I PUT ON MY COAT, THEN I GET WARM ON THE INSIDE
THE ACTION ON THE OUTSIDE IS GOING TO CHANGE THE RESULT ON THE INSIDE
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR COAT, THE PEACE OF GOD WILL RULE IN YOUR HEARTS
I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT WITH ALL OF THE RESTLESSNESS AND ANXIETY AND UNCERTAINTY
I NEED SOME PEACE AND IF I CHANGE ON THE OUTSIDE, THERE IS NO ANXIETY, STRESS,
THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM RULES ON THE INSIDE
WHEN CONFUSION COMES, IT HAS TO BOW, BECAUSE SOMETHING ELSE IS RULING
WHEN WEARINESS COMES, IT HAS TO BOW BECAUSE PEACE IS IN CONTROL
WHEN WORRY COMES, IT HAS TO BOW BECAUSE PEACE IS IN CONTROL
WHEN FEAR COMES, PEACE IS IN CONTROL
CONFLICT, PEACE IS IN CONTROL
ANOTHER INSIDE BENEFIT IS THE WORD OF CHRIST

1. WHEN YOU PUT ON THE LORD JESUS, THE WORD WARMS YOU FROM THE COLD

THE WORD WILL STRENGTHEN, CULTIVATE, AND REMIND US THAT HIS WORD IS THE VERY AIR WE BREATHE.
BUT WE HAVE THE CHOICE TO EITHER TO RECEIVE OR REJECT
WE HAVE TO LET IT LIVE ABUNDANTLY IN US
NOT JUST ON SUNDAY
NOT JUST WHEN WE ARE IN A CRISIS BUT ALL OF THE TIME
AND NOT JUST THE PARTS WE WANT BUT THE ENTIRE COUNSEL OF GOD
PAUL SAYS IN
Acts 20:27 KJV 1900
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
YOU CANNOT JUST PICK WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM GOD
YOU HAVE TO LET IT DWELL IN YOU IN ALL WISDOM
Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST CONTAINS THE WEALTH OF GOD’S WISDOM

ILLUSTRATION

1 Corinthians 2:7–10 KJV 1900
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

APPLICATION

STOP FAULTFINDING IN ONE ANOTHER AND LOVE, FORGIVE, BE HUMBLE
STOP ALLOWING WORLDLY THINGS TO FILL YOUR HEART AND LET GOD’S WORD DWELL RICHLY OR ABUNDANTLY IN YOU.
THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE SERMON
YOU HAVE TO READ YOUR WORD DAILY
JUST A SERMON ON SUNDAY IS NOT ENOUGH
IT’S TIME TO REMOVE ALL OF THE DISTRACTIONS FROM YOUR LIVES AND START GIVING YOUR TIME TO THE WORD.

III. A CHANGE IN HOW THINGS ARE DONE

WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
IF WE ARE TEACHING, WE DO IT IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, INSTRUCTING, SINGING AND GRATITUDE EMBRACES ALL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
WHEN WE ARE UNITED AND LIVE UNDER CHRIST’S NAME IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION
EVERYTHING SHOULD BE DONE WITH AN AWARENESS OF HIS CALLING, HIS COMMANDS, HIS PROMISES, HIS LIFE
WHEN I WOULD GO TO WORK, I WOULD GO TO WORK IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
EVRERYTHING I DID, I SUBMITTED HIS LORDSHIP
I DID NOT WORK IN THE CHURCH TO CATCH THE EYE OF THE PASTOR. I DID NOT ONLY DO MY BEST WHEN THE BOSS WAS LOOKING
I DID WHAT I DID IN THE NAME OF IN THE LORD
I DID IT WITH ALL MY HEART IN HIS NAME
WHEN PEOPLE WOULD PRAISE ME, I WOULD TURN THE PRAISE BACK TO HIM.

1. THE MARKS OF REAL WORSHIP

FOLLOWING VESE 15, THE FOCUS IS ON BOTH WORD AND DEED
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT DEFINES TRUE WORSHIP
ONE’S TALK SHOULD BE MANIFESTED IN HIS WALK
WORSHIP IS NOT LIMITED TO JUST A FEW SONGS AS WE GATHER TOGETHER
TRUE WORSHIP INCLUDES ALL AREAS OF LIFE
WORSHIP IS REALLY DEFINED AS SUBMISSION TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST
WORSHIP, THEN, IS A LIFESTYLE THAT IS NOT LIMITED TO ONE ACT IN ONE PLACE AT ONE TIME ON ONE DAY

2. EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

PAUL REDEFINES WORSHIP IN TERMS OF YOUR WHOLE BEING
PAUL’S USE OF THE LORD ALWAYS REFERS TO GOD, WHICH MEANS THAT PAUL USES THE WORD LORD AS IN DIVINE STATUS
THE NAME OF THE LORD IS OFTEN FOUND IN THE O.T.
THE BEST LINK BETWEEN WORSHIP AND EVERYDAY LIVING IS
Micah 4:5 KJV 1900
For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, And we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.
WE HAVE TO ABANDON OUR LIVES OF IDOLATRY IN THE WORSHIP OF THE ONE LORD OF ALL
THIS WORSHIP IS TO SURROUND ALL AREAS OF LIFE SINCE ONLY WORSHIP CAN POINT TO THE UNIVERSAL POWER OF GOD
AS YOU DO THIS DON’T FORGET TO GIVE HIM THANKS IN ALL THINGS

ILLUSTRATION

MY LIFE AT HOME AND EVERYWHERE I WENT AND WITH MY JOB

APPLICATION

DON’T JUST DO THINGS WHEN YOUR SUPERIORS ARE WATCHING

APPLICATION

REMEMBER THAT GOD IS ALWAYS WATCHING
HE IS WATCHING WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING WHAT YOU TALK
HE IS WATCHING WHEN YOU ARE COMPLAINING WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PRAISING
IT IS MUCH ESIER TO CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES AND PUT ON THE NE MAN PERMANENTLY AND NOT JUST TEMPORARY
SO, MANY CHRISTIANS CAN CHANGE CLOTHES QUICKLY
I SAW A WOMAN WEARING A TICKA AND THEN WASH IT OFF AND COME TO CHURCH.
DON’T CHANGE CLOTHES TO PLEASE PEOPLE
PUT ON CHRIST, THE NEW MAN, AND LET HIS LORDSHIP LEAD YOUR LIFE.
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