Colossians 3 - “Take Jesus with You”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - What if, you had the greatest thing you could ever want…(i’ll let that percolate a little bit)
Guys, maybe that cool car! Ladies, maybe that jaw dropping jewelry piece!
It’s yours now. It’s in your garage, on in your jewelry box.
You know all about it.
You keep it safe.
You study it.
It your greatest personal treasure.
But…here’s the drawback
You never actually use it,
You never take it out,
You don’t even talk about it.
You just ‘have it.’ (This is the stuff my nightmares are made of)
Your hidden treasure, it’s super cool!! But don’t you think it wants to get out and stretch its legs? Or to get some time out in the sun!!
Of course it does.
How much of a shame would it be, if you owned this personal treasure, but you never took it out and used it?
Yet, do we not do that with Jesus?
Does He want to stay on the bookshelf of your mind?
Or does He want to “stretch His legs a little bit” in your life? To show you what He can do!!
Does Jesus go home with you?
Does Jesus go to work with you?
Does He go to school with you?
Does He drive in the car with you?
What do you let Jesus do in your life?
Is He active in your life, 24-7? Or merely an academic exercise that you kick around on Sundays?
Opening Background - The Colossian church got this loving letter of redirection by Paul to avoid religion, and instead engage in a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
Starting by Faith in Jesus
and continuing by Faith in Jesus.
So…You’ve Got Jesus now! Good!!
So let’s put this “new life” into practice!
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 4) Transition from positional truths to practical truths.
Coming out of Col 2 - Now that you you know “religion” cannot save you (ch. 2)…because its a counterfeit Christ, a shadow of the reality…
Here’s what you need to know:
(v. 1) if then you were raised with Christ - if you’re saved, you’ve been raised with Christ.
if then - or since you have been raised, resurrected, or saved with Christ, THEN, do these things.
If (condition) you do these things, then (action) you will accomplish much of spiritual value (relationships).
It’s worth noting that there is a “Conditional” aspect of our faith.
We’ve all been taught that God loves us unconditionally. And that is True.
That’s true regarding salvation. If, you’ve been truly born again, you are covered. Your “union” with God cannot be fractured. “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)
But, does God enjoy it when you’ve cussed that person out? When you drank that substance? Or when you clicked that link on that screen?
You can damage your “communion” (fellowship/relationship/closeness) with God. Impeding the sanctifying (cleansing) work He wants to do in you.
It’s critical “if you love, then do what I say.” (John 14:25, 21, 23)
True Love = Action (not just words)
You can also, improve your closeness with God, accelerating the sanctifying work He wants to do in you.
God isn’t just “always watching when you do something wrong,” but it’s encouraging to know that He is “always watching when you do something right.” Even when nobody else knows…He knows.
raised with Christ - That’s what water baptism represents and why we do it, because it represents our “reborn” life (from the grave)
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
seek (look for with your heart) those things which are above (heavenly/Godly)
“Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33)
See the world through “eternal eyes.” That what you see here in now impacts eternity in some way.
This is your ONLY chance to “do the right thing.” In heaven, you won’t have the chance anymore, because you’re holy and you’ll naturally always do the right thing.
(v. 1b) where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God - He is on the throne currently because He has already defeated His enemy (sin, death, and the devil).
He is seated - because the work of atonement is finished.
He is currently interceding (praying) for us. (Heb 7:25)
He is at the right hand (strength), in the position of authority.
Jesus is still in charge.
(v. 2) Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth
The only two actions assigned to the reader here (vv. 1-4) is to seek, and set.
Look for heavenly things.
Once you find the, set (ponder, intend to go deeper, sink your teeth into/consume)
When you found what you were looking for…dig in!!
Here are your two choices and their outcomes.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
If we only knew the eternal impact we CAN have, based on our actions NOW…we would take this life much more seriously.
To think you can make a trade off now, while in a temporary existence, that positively impacts your future eternal existence is “mind blowing.”
Heaven is hard to wrap your head around, but we know that it’s goodness is beyond our wildest imagination.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Jesus created the pleasures on earth that we enjoy now…
Jesus also created the treasures in heaven.
If Jesus designed life such that our eternity is infinitely greater than our earthly existence, and communicated that to us…we would be nuts to not consider trading in some of our earthly pleasures for heavenly treasures.
So set your mind on the things above.
(v. 3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God
you died - This is a “positional reality”…or a “Truth” describing the “believers” existence. There are four positional realities in (vv. 1-4)
(#1) You died - to the bondage of sin (pleasures) and to death itself.
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
Death has NOTHING on the believer.
(#2) You were raised - as mentioned in (v. 1)
(#3) Your life is hidden with Christ - He’s the keeper of your life now, (the maker of the heavens and earth). You’re in “pretty good hands,” right?
(#3) You will appear with Him in glory - the believers final state of existence is honorable, with dignity and God will enjoy your presence!
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
God will be joyful that you are there!
(v. 4) When Christ who is our life (because our life is hidden in Him) appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory -
Jesus is coming back.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
So Christ will be appearing to you and me at some point and you will be transformed into a glorified body.
This is speaking of the “bodily resurrection” where our bodies go to heaven.
FYI - ALL “denominations” believe in the bodily resurrection because they HAVE TO, because it’s included in Scripture.
Unfortunately, some quietly relegate to the end of the end of the ages, because they don’t understand where it fits with end times; which is because their end times is all a big metaphor.
But it fits right in, and must be sometime before the Tribulation, and this has been the standard Christian view since beginning of the church age (don’t let anyone fool you and say it’s a modern invention, it’s not).
Just as Jesus’ body was resurrected from the dead; He is planning to resurrect our bodies as well. (1 Thess 4:16-18)
This is what Paul is speaking about (v. 4) When Christ appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. Point being, we have an amazing future to look forward to.
And when you know where you’re going in the future, you’ll live expectantly and joyful in the present (here on the earth)
Read along (vv. 5 - 7) Practical Truth in light of the positional truth above.
(v. 5) therefore - what’s “therefore” there for? What’s before it.
The whole point of the Bible is to transform us (Rom 12:2), not simply to inform us.
In light of these four positional truths (vv. 1-4):
put to death your members (your earthly/fleshly nature) which are on the earth.
Yet earlier (v. 3), Paul said we died (past tense) — and here, Paul says to actively die (present tense). What’s that all about?
Our new nature (spirit), presently, battles with our old nature (flesh).
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
The battles are still being fought, even though the war has been won. That’s not a typical way of thinking.
To win these battles you must “die” to yourself…the way up (to be exalted) is down (to humble yourself)…
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
The method of our death is slow and painful (crucifixion)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Us men think, “i’ll take a bullet for my wife.”
But, would you “take out the trash for your wife?” Would you do the dishes for your wife? Would you skip golf or fishing with the guys to meet her for lunch instead?
Our “Death [most often] is by a thousand cuts.”
These are the “base” sinful (B.C.) traits that we need to “put to death,”
(v. 5b) fornication (porneia — sexual immorality), uncleanness (impurity), passion (lust/sensual appetites), evil desire (unholy desires/irregular appetite to sin), and covetousness (greed), which is idolatry -
These are “animalistic”/base desires, completely detached from God’s desires for us.
These things are idolatry because they place themselves in the center of our attention instead of God who belongs there.
And ANYTHING that takes the rightful place of God, is an idol. A false God.
(v. 6) Because of these things the wrath of God is coming (lit. “comes,” present-tense) upon the sons of disobedience, (v. 7) in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Paul may be speaking of these two present-tense types of wrath:
“Consequential Wrath” of God
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Present Tense. If you sow bad seeds in life, you’ll reap a bad harvest in this life.
Think of this in terms of your habits (smoking causes lung cancer), relationships (adultery causes divorce), finances (improper credit card use causes poverty).
USMC saying — “Play stupid games; win stupid prizes.”
“Abandonment Wrath” of God.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
Present Tense. If you reject God now, He will give you, at some (undefinable/unknowable) point, a “debased mind” that has completely abandoned the desire to seek God.
After repeated attempts to get our attention, if we repeatedly reject Him, at some point He hardens our heart against Him.
In which you yourselves once walked - we were formerly “slaves to sin” (Eph 2-3; Rom 6:17)
This is our background.
Leave it in our background.
To bring it back, is
As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
That is no way to live a Christian life.
That it not setting your sights on the things above (v. 1)…
Read along (vv. 8 - 11) Get those stinky graveclothes off…put the new clean cloths on.
(v. 8) But (to the new man) you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
Put off the old man (rid yourselves) - like taking off a coat. The grave clothes. (Eph 4:22).
Take off these things:
anger - (chronic hatred)
malice - or “ill-will”
blasphemy - or slander, or gossip
filthy language - shameful or abrasive language.
We’re to put these things off - get the stink off of you.
(v. 9) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds
This chapter is focused on practical/daily life application. That means this is how you are to act at your job.
Don’t compartmentalize your life where you act differently Monday thru Saturday than you do on Sunday.
Don’t tell a white lie at work to get out of something when you wouldn’t do it here in church.
Take Jesus with you!! Wherever you go throughout your week. Don’t leave Him here at the church!
But don’t just live a life of “do nots”
I don’t do this, I don’t do that…
To live your Christian existence simply as a “sin avoider,” makes your existence:
Unfruitful & Boring- you’re not taking new ground, you’re only playing defense and no offense.
More Risky - because you focus more on “do not touch the big red button”
Put off, so that you can PUT ON…
(v. 10) And have put on (your new clothing) the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him -
Who is the “new man?”
Jesus is the new man - or the “new model” that we are putting on. We’re being “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29) & “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom 12:2), bringing me to a full maturity (commitment) to the Lord.
Kris Langham from TTW said that it’s like how a son grows into the likeness of their father.
We’re becoming more like our father over time.
We need to grow in our knowledge of Christ.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Come out on a Wednesday service and grow in knowledge of the Word.
The more you know, the more you can put into practice.
(v. 11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew (God see’s no distinction based on our nationality), circumcised or uncircumcised (no distinction on the basis of our religious background), barbarian, Scythian (even if you were raised totally foreign), slave nor free (God doesn’t care about our socio-economic status) - there are NO DISTINCTIONS based on background in the body of Christ. We are ALL the same.
God cares about both genders (there’s only two), every race, ethnicity, social strata, and nationality…the SAME.
We’re all equal before God.
but Christ is all and in all - Our Unity is found in our Christian Identity
Christ’s church includes “all who have called on the name of the Lord,” regardless of race, national background, whether you were raised in Christian home or not, whether rich or poor.
Our Identity in Christ is dwarfs any other identity we may have.
Closing
Closure -
Salvation is Binary. You’re either saved or your not. In this chapter, by emphasizing “right living,” Paul is in no way challenging our Union with God.
Paul is encouraging the believer on our Walk, which is step-by-step (continuous). Paul acknowledges our binary Union with God, but is encouraging us to continue in Communion with God.
Communion is not just here. And it’s not just once a month. It should continue!!
Closing Application - Remember, “Put off the old Man, Put on the New.”
If you want to truly do good (and you should), you need to take off the old grave clothes and put on the new man (Jesus Christ)…every. day.
It’s possible by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Pray and ask…
“Take Jesus With you.” Literally think WWJD:
In your home.
Whats on your screen that Jesus wouldn’t do?
What would He put on that screen instead?
In your work.
What ungodly way do you act at work vs. in church? Language? Gossip?
How would Jesus change your behavior at work this week?
Or wherever you’re going this week.
This is your ONLY chance to DO THE RIGHT THING!! Don’t waste the opportunity to change.
“Take Jesus with You.”
Closing Illustration - The Lords Prayer says, “May Your kingdom come on earth as in Heaven,” -
“Lord, make the earth like it is in heaven!”
But it is only possible for His Kingdom to come, if you dethrone yourself from your kingdom first.”
Two kingdoms don’t work.
Urge to Action -
Before you leave here, think of one thing you want to change this week. And commit to it.
Let’s Pray -
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Benediction -
Prayer Service tonight 6-7 pm
Next week, JJ Barazza from CC Savannah is teaching. Please welcome him warmly and I’ll see ya’ll in two weeks after vacation.
