Put on Proper Attire

Hopefully that it doesn't talk back and if I did something the other day, somebody was telling me that there's a way you can actually have books read by. That's all I did that and then I have to take it off. LOL, it's going to keep talking back to me. So if it says anything inappropriate. My fault, I didn't, let's let's pray. Father. God, I just thank you for this day that you've met. Thank you for the life. You've given us, thank you for your ten thousand reasons that we should Worship You. Lord guy, you are worthy of our worship. You're worthy of Our Lives, your worship worthy of everything that we have looked God help us to glorify you this morning through your word. Help me as I preach the word to be faithful Lord. The handle it, correctly Faithfully. And help us all hear what you would want us to hear. Lord, that we would walk out of here, maybe not remembering everything. But remembered something that we can take with us that we can put into practice that can spur us on to love and Good Deeds. God, I pray, you do that to an undeserving man. And to undeserving people that have been blessed by magnanimous, magnanimous, glorious King. We pray this in Jesus name, amen. So years ago, I was in the business world and I'm ever reading a book from John T. Malloy, and maybe you've heard of it, called Dress for Success Dress, for Success. It Was Written, tell people to learn how to dress. In in a successful way in different settings and occupations. It considered the physical characteristics of the person. So they will choose the proper colors and styles and material. you know, the way we dress is often very impactful and how people view us rightly or wrongly, We often identify people by the way that they dress, if you see a man running out of a bank and chasing somebody and he's dressed like a cop, a police officer, you going to assume that's the police officer. You would not expect the fireman to come to your house dressed up in a fancy suit, but in the fireman gear. You wouldn't, you wouldn't assume that a bride would be wearing sweatpants as she walked up to the altar, to get married and be odd. If the plumber came to your door in an expensive suit, That was Believers in Christ. We are New Creation, New Creation, think about that reality. So, would be odd if we looked and portrayed the way the world looks in portrays who they are, because we're different. But unfortunately there are times when people who named the name of Christ, do not wear the proper attire. Some of them. Maybe never really. Truly been transformed by Grace. Others of us need to Growing maturity. In Christ, truthfully, I know we all fall short. But if we're Christians, we should want to, and I commanded to change. So today, let's look in the mirror of God's word. see the truths of our identity of Christ and that the sea may be areas of proper attire, we need for you to take off and put on So what is the radar tax for this morning? It's Colossians 3, 12 through 14,

Put on them as God's chosen ones. Holy and beloved compassionate Hearts. Kindness humility. Meekness and patience bearing with one. Another one. If one has a complaint against another forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you. So, also, you must forgive and above all this put on love which binds everything together in Perfect Harmony.

Let's try again for the guy. Take this world this morning and drive it. Deep into our souls in Jesus name. So, the first thing we do, if we are to properly have the right attire clothes ourselves properly. As Believers is remember who we are. Remember, who we are? I touched on to the beginning that we're New Creations. But I think before we look at who we are as Believers, it's good to take a look back, maybe look in the rearview mirror and see what's going on. in the past before salvation, we were under the rule the Dominion of Darkness lost dead and trespasses and since it says in Colossians 1:13, We were in the Dominion of Darkness into 13. We would dead in our sins into 21. We were alienated and hostile in mind doing evil things. Not pretty picture. And is more. Ephesians 2 says and you were dead and trespasses and sins and what you want to walk following the cost of the world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit, that is now at work in the sons of Disobedience, and we lived in the passions of All Flesh. Carrying out these desires. Of The Flash in the mind will by Nature children of Wrath.

That's who we were. But also says, in Colossians, he rescued us, he rescued us from that Domaine of Darkness, the Dominion of darkness and brought us in the Kingdom of the Sunday laws. It says that God made us alive with Christ and the gave us all of our sins.

And he has reconciled Us in his body of Flesh by his death.

Why? Because God being rich in Mercy because of his great love was real of us. Made us alive together with Christ by grace.

The song by Sovereign Grace encapsulate, The Wonder of Salvation. Well, does your blood has washed away? My sin? Jesus, thank you. The father's wrath completely satisfied. Jesus. Thank you. Once your enemy now seated at your table. Jesus. Thank you.

Another song I was listening to this morning. Who the son sets free is free, indeed. I am a child of God. Yes I am. Amen. Amen.

You know, I text today we're going to look at 3 glorious, realities of a Christian identity. Then the attire. As I said, we must be wary because of who we know are Paul and the beginning of this text gives us an imperative Command put on that or some version stay there for a while because of The first he gives us an addictive tells us who we are as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. That's who we are. Do you remember that? Do you remember that day today? What do we forget? In essence fullest 80 because of your new identity dress, the part dress appropriately, don't dress like a pig and don't dress like everyone else. so we're first to unpack these three characteristics and our identity Which chosen now think about that reality. We are chosen by an all-knowing all-wise ignition, omnipotent, glorious, King, and Western for beings, and he chose us. Cuz it wasn't have anything that was in me. He saved us not because of the righteous things we have done because of Mercy. Mercy, Mercy. She's with 140 chose us before the foundation of the world.

I think it was Charles Spurgeon to said, I'm glad that he chose me before the foundation World, cuz after I was born, he would have never chosen me. So he chose us before time. Began.

He didn't choose us again because of intelligence or goodness or anything else in us that can varicocele vacation. John Newton Nueva sinfulness as he wrote The Great hymn, Amazing Grace. Which many saying, but few of us really comprehend The Wonder of How Sweet the Sound that saved a Wretch like Me. We are undeserving. There was nothing in US deserves anything, anything but condemnation. Brothers and sisters. This should humblest emanate. A Heart of Thanksgiving and spur us on to love and Good Deeds. Should it not? but Newton, never forgot God's Amazing Grace even after years of wonderful and fruitful Ministry that blessed many even after years of God sanctifying transforming work in his life which made him a very Godly Man Newton at the event of his life said. Although, my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly. That I'm a great Center. And Jesus is a great savior. Hallelujah. Amen. Yes, we still send, we can never get to heaven, even on our best day, apart from God's grace. But nevertheless, he chose us and we can rejoice in that. I want this message to encourage us, but also spur us on.

It wasn't mean that it shows us. I thought of her all who believe will be safe, right? Isn't that called upon the name of the Lord will be saved. I believe that. The famous bible teacher Donald grey, barnhouse use the wonderful illustrations. Help. People get a sense of election of God choosing us. Yes, people to imagine walking up to heaven and seeing a great sign. All who will enter all who will enter And as you walked through, you turn around. Chosen before the foundation of the world. Chosen before the foundation of the world.

The doctrine of election is comforting. Because we know that if God we're going to save us because of our goodness, we wouldn't get through the day without being contempt. They meant Many trials, may come but we can Rejoice that we belonged to him and remembering this reality will change the way we live. Somebody said that the other day I think it was Thomas Watson. The old Puritan. I wasn't around when he was here was in the 1700's but I did read something that he said, he said this, she said sometimes we know things. It's like eating a meal, you can eat the meal but the meal really doesn't have any benefit to you until you digested. I so we have to digest these things, these things that I'm saying this morning about even The Wonder of God's choosing us and him setting us apart as holy and being full of these things have to marinate or Souls. I'm going to ask you today as you hear these. Texts think about them. Pray God, make this real to me. Will not be boring to me cuz they're not boring things are glorious things, glorious things.

So, was set apart. We're holy but don't back chosen, it's important to remember that. That our life identity is not based on our family history or failures are limitations or weaknesses. Really important.

Identity in Christ transcends, all of that. We belong to the king, We Belong To The King. So the first identifying Mark or as a Christian is, we were chosen elect of God. Secondly, set apart Sanctified set apart for God's, glory and purposes. A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God's Own possession. Why that we would declare their excellencies of men who called us out of Darkness. Was special because of his calling us be consecrated us to himself from all the people in the world full rights about this grace of God. That's come to redeem us in to purify. Himself a people. Of his own possession is very own possession. God owns everything and everyone. But he's chosen us and set us apart. Especially for him. Third, identifying Market is we are dearly loved and I want you to really think about this.

God's paternal love for his children. 1st, John 3 one. He exhausts in this reality behold, what manner of love the father has given to us. That we should be called children of God. We love because he first loved us. Believers of the objects of God's income in comprehensible Special Love. no, I know and I believe that God loves all people don't, people might argue with that. But he does. Because he tells us to love our enemies than to be like our heavenly father who caused the sun to rise on the just and the unjust. He sends his rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. So there's a love that he has. A benevolence type of a lot of kindness that he has for all of them for all people. But God's love for his people. Transcends the love for the unsaved. It transcends, its his it's a paternal love that he has. It's a redeeming, a saving a transforming love. It's a love that adopts us into his family. Making us Heirs of God in echoaires with price. It's a love that unites us with Christ. And therefore, the father loves us and hear this. Daddy loves you, son.

John 17:26, Jesus prays to his father. I have made you known to them and I will make it known so that the love with, which you've Loved Me. Maybe in them and I in them.

The Beach Boys. Roll the song years ago and some of your old enough to remember it. Don't worry, baby. You better remember that song? It says this, everything will be alright. I'm going someplace with this. And he says this. Baby. If you knew how much I love you, nothing could go wrong with you and that always stuck in my head. I said those are amazing words. And you even love is amazing, isn't it? But when we experience human love is a beautiful thing. Right in the sense. There's a truth there, right? There's a comfort in human love. There's a beauty and because it really comes all love comes from God. But obviously, we don't, we can't love the way, the father loves us. But as I said, considered love of God, the omnipotent omniscient, and omnipresent Creator and sustainer of the universe. He knows us and loves us perfectly with a holy love. Psalm 103 tells us that his steadfast love is higher than the earth is about to happen. How high is that?

Pretty hot.

And it's going to last from Everlasting, to Everlasting.

Full praise. That the Ephesians would understand this love and a greater measure in Ephesians 3 chapter chapter 3 verses 16 through 19 19 that according to the riches of his glory, he may Grant you two be strengthened with power through his spirit, in your inner being. So that Christ May dwell in your hearts, through faith, that you're being rooted and grounded in love may have the strength. The work of Grace. Nope, that works. Grace is working in our hearts. To comprehend with all the saints, what is the breath in the length? And the height? And the depth? And to know this Love Of Christ, how great is it? It's the past. Surpasses knowledge. Romans 8 says, if God is for us, who can be against us? It's the love of God for us that gave up his own son. If you did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all how we not also along with him. Graciously give us all think. It's a love thing to wish the Good Shepherd lay down his life for his sheep.

What comfort and peace. We are offering forfeit when we neglect to remember. That The God Who created the heavens and the Earth and holds everything together by the word of his power. Has set his love upon us. So brothers and sisters, how should we live that? Since we're chosen set apart. Holy Set apart from self and dearly loved by him. While the first characteristic is to put out the old garments. In Colossians 3:5 through nine. To put the def. Whatever is Earthly, sexual immorality and Purity. Passion evil, desires, capriciousness anger, wrath malice land of Team talk Azu Creations, we have positionally been. What close to God but we have to put off the old self. It says in Colossians 3, 9 through 10. We must live without by eliminating oil in pure thoughts and motives desires words and actions but third we must put on the new wardrobe.

And the rest of my messages, get pretty going to be pretty much to be about that. The Christian life is not just about getting rid of old sinful desires actions, and words. It's about replacing the old ways with new ways of life ways that reflect the transformation of our life. God chose us out of the mainstream of the world so we would live differently. Put on then. Compassionate Hearts. Kindness humility. Meekness patience bearing with one another, and if anyone has a complaint against another forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you. So, you also must forgive and above all these put on love, which binds everything together in Perfect Harmony. Fall, as we read tells the collect the Colossians to put on then or close yourselves. Meaning, since you're chosen whole evil, love dress the part. Dress the part. it's not about dressing up, an expensive stylish or name brand clothes by by a change of character that reveals christlikeness, Festinate touched on it before I quoted from Romans 13:14. Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Quickly unpack these wardrobe changes and I want you to think about them as we go through them. Are there some things that I see missing in the mirror as I look? when I get when I leave every morning, when I go to bed every night, the things missing, These things I need to put on. The things I need to take off. So compassionate Hearts is the first one. It's a Pity that moves us to action think of the Good Samaritan. Who bandaged the wounded man? Took him to the end and paid for his care.

That's compassion. There's nothing the man could have done for him. There's nothing that the man deserve from him, but he did it. Are there people in our lives that we should be doing that for? Think of Jesus touching the leper. Feeding the multitude and praying, father, forgive them from the cross.

Is this a garment you're wearing? In the original, you mean something like having bowels of Mercy, affect your intestines, that your inner being, that feeling of care and concern and love for people.

Thank God that our Lord has compassion on us a man. How about kindness?

It's a lovely quality, the virtue of a man, whose neighbors good is as dire as his own. It's goodness at Melrose, all harsher aspects of Our Lives. God show this. Kindness to us.

The Christian walk or enter the restaurant and ordered a meal and the waitress was very rude. Has, she tried to talk with him? He was distracted and keep replying. Yes ma'am, yes, ma'am. Wasn't paying attention.

She became very angry and slam down the food and she pretty much ignored him. Giving him really terrible service. So he didn't have much the kind man left a $10 tip. She was surprised that is kindness. And as he was leaving, she called him back to thank him, Philly somewhat ashamed that her rudeness, he smiled warmly. And said he figured, she must be having a bad day. Must have many heavy burdens upon her. She broke down and she had her problems. Any letter for the Lord. Kind of shines the brightest. When we treated unkindly. Write kindness shines, the brightest when we're not treated kindly.

Romans 12:21 to not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Is that a character trade? The new Dent implements and a greater measure. It's sad that often husbands and wives and every kind to each other. They may be kind to their friends. Fellow employees even strangers but not so much with their spouses and we can do that with other family members, right? Even people in our church that we know well sometimes we forget about the kindness.

Do you think you need a wardrobe change, maybe to put on an extra kindness? How do you think that would affect your relationships? How about you melody, humility means not Rising far from the ground that follows in the lowly stuffed of Jesus to Humble himself to death on the cross. Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others more significant than yourself. Each of you should look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.

You have the same attitude of Christ, right? The nature of the very nature of God. Write it took on human flesh. Walked among us as a slave, the bond slave and gave himself, humbled himself even to death on the cross. That's our motto.

Humility is anchored in the accurate, understanding of who we are, as we remember that. Everything we have is received, we have is received from God, it should humble us. What do we have that? We haven't received and if we have it, why do we boast as if we have not received it? Jonathan Edwards stated that your military is the most essential and distinguishing trait in all true piety. Stuart Scott, Pastor author and biblical counselor said, This about you, nobody, it's probably safe to say. The humidity is the one character trait that will enable us to be all that Christ wants us to be. We cannot come to God without it. We cannot love God. Supremely without it. We cannot love and serve others without it. We cannot resolve conflict without it and we cannot communicate properly. Without. John Flavel and old Puritan. He says they didn't know. God will be humble. They didn't know themselves cannot be proud.

And we know that in James 4 and 1st Peter 5, it says that God, resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

One person said pride is the greatest enemy your greatest enemy and your military is your greatest friend.

That's something you have to put on. With dads. God search me o God. No me. See if there's a lot of pride in me I need to put the side. Make this Giottos make, this is not weakness and strength under control, Jesus called himself, Meek or gentle and lowly in heart. Matthew 11:29 yet, he had all the resources of Heaven and Earth at his command. He's committed himself fully to the father. A meet person stands firmly against evil but it's patient. Kind and gentle toward people. Often, unfortunately, we stand more firmly for our own selfish desires and give in to evil. If that is true, remember who you were and who you are in Christ? How about patience? The spear that never loses patience. With others that foolish, this insult, 20 treatment, never drive them to bitterness. And God was patient with us, was he not? He has been patient with us. So patient with us. It's the opposite of a quick anger or Revenge wanting to get revenge. But there's some crucial accessories. Also, to put on bearing with one another and forgiving, first 13, living with people is not always easy. And you are people.

Where is what we must remember that. We also have foibles and idiosyncrasies and annoying behaviors to I know it's hard for us to believe that, but there is some truth there. Russell still sent.

As a pastor Nate said, I'm a Biblical counselor and I have a marital counseling book that I used often. It's called when Center say, I do Sinners plural. So when you got two people that are married, do you have two centers in a merry? Remember that. But Jesus bears with us and has forgiven us, amen. Therefore, you must forgive as the Lord forgave us, people that most easily forgive have received and understands the magnitude. That's how much they were forgiven themselves. I always find that is so true. When people don't want to forgive I really, I ask them. Do you realize how much you've been forgiven? And I think, as I said before, They've eaten that meal, but they never digested. Why did it? It's like a piece of bait. That's marinated. You don't put it in the marinade for 10 seconds. You have to let it sit there for hours. For the really get into the me. I think these truths as I said before, sometimes we miss. And then we need to call to put on love. It's a belt that keeps it all hell together cuz Without Love. Love is patient and kind is not envy or boast, it's not arrogant or rude.

God has been compassionate toward us and kind toward RC forebears and his long-suffering toward us. Jesus humble themself stepping out of Heaven to save us and I love this verse in 2nd Corinthians 8:9. You know, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you threw his poverty can become rich.

How are you looking in the mirror of God's word this morning? Is your wardrobe wanting? How would you rate yourself from 1 to 10 in regards to having a heart of compassion? being kind humble Meek, forbearing forgiving, and loving

Phone number for though maybe today you're realizing that you're lost and you need to save it. Maybe you've come to the place where you said, yeah, I've been hearing this over and over again, but I never really believed in me and have a bad. My heart to receive Jesus Christ.

What do you offer is open to all people? Receiving repentance cry for mercy. Today, we have tomorrow is not guarantee that any of us.

You begin to change you from the inside out. So how do we clothe ourselves to a couple of may be helpful ways? So only pray. Yes. Yourselves what, what area are you needing to grow in? We know that only Spirit ultimately can do that. I remember your identity pray for greater inside in these entities great Wonders. That is people of God was chosen. Holy and beloved Be doers of the word not forgetful hear us. Sometimes people ask me, I know what what God's will is, just open up the Bible. That's as well.

If you're married and you're courageous enough, ask your spouse where you might need to get a wardrobe change. Don't come back and complain to me. If you do that joking, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Let it richly dwell, in your meaning, you treasure it, you obey it, you memorized, you meditate on it. And fix your eyes on Jesus. He's the model. He's not only Our Redeemer. But he's the faithful. Perfect. Redeemer model. These are everything. He's the one that we need to follow.

Only close with an illustration and exultation. Before I became a Believer or read the book Les Miserables I was very moved it illustrates a person that was shown mercy and Grace by Bishop. And the great change that happened because of the new identity is produced in him, in the Musical made from the book, John Valjean. Who sent to prison for a 19 years? He stole a loaf of bread for his niece. That was starving. He broke into a bakery. Saul off of bread was sent to prison for 5 years. Trying to get out cuz he wants to take care of his family and anyway ends up being in jail for 19 years and total

show me after he was released. He would try that, you would go out into the community, but nobody would take him in. He has nothing and he had to show his passport to people. They identify who he was, and people would say that he is, it is it? He was a convict So we ended up knocking on the door of a bishop. And the bishop kind of knew pretty quickly that he was at a convex, an ex-convict?

He brought a man fed him treated them wonderfully.

Now John Val John's a hardened criminal. Now he hates everybody. He hates he doesn't want. It doesn't love, he doesn't. Carry is no kindness, he has no humility.

But this bishop again showed love to him, but the middle of the night, John. John still a hardened criminal still is not getting it. This man's treated him so. Well, don't you see that?

But he had a heart that didn't trust anybody.

He gets up in the middle of the night. He seals some silver plates and he takes off. He takes off and he leaves But he gets apprehended by. The police officer comes back. They bring him back. Did the bishop Tom? And Jabo, John sticking I'm done. I'm going back to prison for life now. It's over.

South. They bring them up. They said Bishop look, we got them. Red handed. And he looks the bishop looks out on. It says, John. John, I'm glad you came back. I wanted to give you the candlesticks. I want to give you the candlesticks. You forgot them.

Jean, Valjean is stunned.

He thought this bishop? Was a self-righteous Pharisee. But he showed Mercy.

so, There's a change that happens. There's a song in in the in the movie but before I get to that, after the police, leave the bishop response to John Doe shot by the passion. And the blood God is raised you out of Darkness. I have bought your soul for God. I bought your soul for God. Now, we know. Play, nobody can buy a soul for God. There's only one that paid the price to buy sofa guy.

Jon Boat Jon leaves and he says, Jean, Valjean is now nothing. Another story must begin.

He's transformed by grace. So in this powerful picture of what Christ has done for them soon as the bishop showed not only Mercy by not turning Valjean in but extravagant Grace isn't that what God has done for us?

He leave the bishop and it begins a new life.

From a hardened criminal to compassionate, philanthropist. Giving and serving others. If we're Believers this morning, Jesus Christ has truly redeemed, our souls, we got his shed, his Precious Blood, so we could be set free from both the penalty and the power of scent. Like Valjean we are called by another name cuz he changed his name or pass, no longer the finds us. We are New Creations This Bishops mercy and Grace. Turn those on. So the only one that could save his soul. In the same way. The grace we've received in Christ. Empowers us to live. Compassionate. Kind gentle, humble Meek lives, patient, forbearing and forgiving is that only easy So we still have the vestiges of sin within us. But as I have a plaque in my office is Faith, doesn't make things easy. It makes it possible. Select Grace Transformers deeply rather see Jesus in US male lives evidence that another story has begun the story of Christ Living in US. The people would see the beauty of his Holiness and give glory to God. Our King, let's pray. Follow me. Thank you. Lord for who you are and what you have done and what you doing when we pray that this word. Wouldn't some Manor awakened in us? A greater understanding of what you've done, and it will call to be. We pray this in Jesus, holy name.

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