Christ Our Life

I. The Foundation — Raised With Christ (3:1–4)

- A. "If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things above" —you seek what you desire (3:1).

- B. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth (3:2).

- C. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God (3:3).

- D. When Christ who is your life appears, you will appear with him in glory (3:4). Cf. Romans 6:4–11 “4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” ; 1 John 3:2 “2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not been manifested as yet what we will be. We know that when He is manifested, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” .

II. Put Off the Old Self (3:5–11)

- A. Put to death what is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire, covetousness — which is idolatry (3:5–7). Cf. Romans 8:13 “13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die, but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the practices of the body, you will live.” .

- B. Put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, and lying (3:8–9).

- C. You have put off the old self and put on the new, being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator (3:9–10).

- D. Here there is no Greek and Jew, slave and free — Christ is all, and in all (3:11).

III. Put On the New Self (3:12–14)

- A. As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience (3:12).

- B. Bearing with one another and forgiving, as the Lord forgave you (3:13). Cf. Ephesians 4:32 “32 Instead, be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.” .

- C. Above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (3:14).

IV. Let Christ Rule and Dwell (3:15–17)

- A. Let the peace of Christ rule — act as umpire — in your hearts, and be thankful (3:15).

- B. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (3:16). A church that feeds itself on the word — the means of grace that keep a congregation healthy long after any one preacher is gone.

- C. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks (3:17).

V. Live Christ in Relationships (3:18-25)

subject - to be inclined to follow, respect the leadership - Eph. 5

love/embittered - care for with great affection and loyalty, not cynical or harboring resentment

obey - be obedient

exasperate - challenge to the point of losing heart, show anger making them despair of pleasing their parents

work heartily/integrity - the Lord knows and watches