Living A Christ-Centered Lifestyle

This NT letter we are studying together was written to a group of people who had found life and hope and love in the message of the Gospel! The Gospel is the good news that Jesus saves! we don’t save ourselves… that life, and love, and hope are found IN Jesus – IN Him WE HAVE LIFE — We were made by him and for him… he is God in the flesh, he is at the center of God’s plan, he literally holds everything together and he is bringing all of creation to a glorious conclusion… To receive the Gospel is to Receive JESUS…

So The message of Colossians begins by pointing to Jesus and reminding the church of what they have in IN Christ!

If we are in Christ - it means That:

1) Jesus is our Head – He is our authority, He is the dynamic source of our direction and strength.

2) We are his Body – He indwells his people and unites us together into one family ‘Christ In you the hope of glory”

3) We’ve been given a whole new life to live - Paul is insisting we grow up and mature in this new life - keep living by the Principles of Christ - rejecting other ways of life - because it is as we continue to live in His way of life that we more fully get to know Him and Trust his word.

You can’t separate Jesus from his teaching his commands … He is the way the truth and the life… It is as we join him in living his way of life that we more fully get to know him and grasp the truth of his word.

We are to grow up and live the life he’s given us Paul is insisting we grow up in the faith - keep living by the Principles of Christ - rejecting other ways of life - because it is as we continue to join him in his way of life that we more fully get to know him and trust his word.

So in Chapter 3 Paul starts getting practical - instructions about living by the principles of Christ

READ ch3 - 4:1

Moralism, is what most people outside the church think Christianity is: rules, standards, behavior, cleaning yourself up. It’s primarily about behaving better. And passages like this seem to confirm that kind of thinking.

Often when we teach sections of scripture like this, that have lots of practical instructions about how we are to live, we tend to focus primarily on behavior… The instructions here involve behavior but our external behavior is not the primary focus...

But to understand the scriptures we must pay attention not only to what they are saying but also how its said… This letter doesn’t start with US — it starts with JESUS. Paul starts with the GOSPEL - Who Jesus is and what he’s done --- Jesus is already our head, We are already his body, he has already made us alive!!!

To understand the scriptures we must pay attention not only to what they are saying but also how its said… This letter doesn’t start with US — it starts with JESUS. Paul starts with the GOSPEL - Who Jesus is and what he’s done --- Jesus is already our head, We are already his body, he has already made us alive!!!

The practcical implications that follow in chapter 3 HINGE on the first 4 verses ---

We learn from the scriptures not just from what is says but how it says it… Paul Starts with what JESUS - - not us. He starts with the GOSPEL - Who Jesus is and what he’s done ---

To see this we must consider carefully The first 4 verses - HINGE between the first and second halves of this letter — Remember This letter starts with the GOSPEL - Who Jesus is and what he’s done --- and look at how he begins this section…

The practcical implications that follow in chapter 3 HINGE on the first 4 verses ---

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

But to understand the scriptures we must pay attention not only to what they are saying but also how its said… This letter doesn’t start with US — it starts with JESUS. Paul starts with the GOSPEL - Who Jesus is and what he’s done --- Jesus is already our head, We are already his body, he has already made us alive!!!

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

… what is the focus??

To seek the things that are above, To set our minds on things above?

As soon as we talk about living life, about how we are supposed to live… Our natural tendency is to focus primarily on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness....

But living by the principles of Christ involves focusing on things above? seeking Heaven – why heaven? That’s where Jesus is?

Your life is hidden with Christ (it’s like you are already in the presence of God), one day the reality of this will be made clear when he returns...Christ is your life,

YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST: Let’s be clear living by the principles of Christ isn’t some way to earn God’s favor or forgiveness - This is about living the life believers already have IN CHRIST

YOU HAVE DIED: Its like you’ve already died because the rules and principles you used to live by - Consciously or Unconsciously - no longer fit! - you are part of a whole new existence IN CHRIST

This is what it means to be “in (union with) Christ”: it is to share his death, burial, and resurrection, his glorious position at God’s right side, and his final coming in power. LIKE WE ARE CRAZY GLUED TO JESUS - our spiritual life and our density are determined by CHRISTS work, his activity - the things he has done, is doing in us, and will do in the future…

Seek — set your mind = internal focus of your life - that your heart and mind is focused on CHRIST .

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

So The primary focus of this whole section is not EXTERNAL BEHAVIOR but on the INTERNAL Seek — set your mind = internal focus of your life - that your heart and mind is focused on CHRIST .

So The primary focus of this whole section is not EXTERNAL BEHAVIOR but on the INTERNAL

Living by the principles of Christ - is not about setting the gospel aside and focusing now on our behavior - it is about focusing more and more on the GOOD NEWS.. that JESUS SAVES

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Colossians 3:12 ESV

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

But as soon as we talk about living life, about how we are supposed to live… Our natural tendency is to focus primarily on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness....

Seek — set your mind = internal focus of your life - focus on Christ.

Talking about the attitude of our hearts - internal stuff

Colossians 3:5 ESV

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

A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians 1. Exhortation to Live the New Life (3:1–4)

This is what it means to be “in (union with) Christ”: it is to share his death, burial, and resurrection, his glorious position at God’s right side, and his final coming in power. Thus the Colossians’ spiritual life and destiny are determined by the whole of Christ’s activity.

Colossians 3:12 ESV

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

It is the internal focus of your heart and mind that shapes and produces your behavior… Sin is primarily a heart issue - not a behavior issue. Behavior follows what our hearts and minds are focused on…

Jesus is already our head, We are already his body, he has already made us alive!!!

Our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness ::: That kind of focus turns the good news into a humanistic program of self-improvement…

Our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness ::: Focusing primarily on behavior quickly turns the good news into a humanistic program of self-improvement…and that’s bad news. There is no power in self-effort. No hope in self-effort. No peace in self-effort.

To set our minds on things above?

Heaven – why heaven? That’s where Jesus is? Your life is hidden with Christ (it’s like you are already in the presence of God), Christ is your life,

Sin is primarily a heart issue - not a behavior issue. Behavior follows what our hearts and minds are focused on…

Setting your mind =

Sin is primarily a heart issue - not a behavior issue. Behavior follows what our hearts and minds are focused on…

Example: of Focusing on a new Cell Phone?

it is really the heart behind the behavior SIN

Christian growth doesn’t happen by first behaving better, but by believing better. Believing in bigger and brighter ways what Jesus has already secured for us. Our work is more about coming to a greater understanding of his work, and our hearts becoming captivated by who he is, what he’s done, and what he’s doing.

-- Which Paul refers to as “Idolatry”

If God gets in the way of what we think we really need to be happy and free, then we ignore him - consciously or unconsciously - hoping he will leave us alone. When this happens we are effectively saying in our hearts - that whatever it is we are pursuing - is better than JESUS - more significant, more powerful, more satisfying to me than Jesus.

Colossians 3:12 ESV

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

Christian growth doesn’t happen by first behaving better, but by believing better. Believing in bigger and brighter ways what Jesus has already secured for sinners. Our effort is more about coming to a greater understanding of his work, and our hearts becoming captivated by who he is, what he’s done, and what he’s doing.

And at the same time your behavior can influence and shape your thinking...

The Principles of Christ are not something added in addition to the Gospel – are not something we do on top of believing in Jesus – they are simply the practical expression of a heart and mind that is focused on Christ.

He’s talking about a progressive letting go of all the things we’ve looked to and sought after to make our lives worth living, and grabbing hold of Jesus letting the gospel shape every area of our lives.

The Principles of Chrsit are not something added in addition to the Gospel – are not something we do on top of believing in Jesus – they are simply the practical expression of a heart and mind that is focused on Christ.

Renewing your mind - internal mindset - how you think and view things…Christ is to be heart and mind…

Colossians 3:10 ESV

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

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you

Colossians 3:16 ESV

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.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

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

becoming saturated in this new way of thinking and living by 'the word of Christ', instructing each other in it, even singing and making art about it (3:1-4:1).

Our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness ::: Instead of Christ, and his obedience, his performance, his holiness for us! We end up turning the good news into a narcissistic program of self-improvement…

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - In heaven Gods will is carried out willingly and fully -

BY calling them to focus their minds (internal focus) on Christ, by being renewed in their knowledge of God (understanding the commands of Christ from every angle) as they put to death their old ways and put into practice their new life, placing themselves and their families under the leadership and authority of Jesus, becoming saturated in this new way of thinking and living by 'the word of Christ', instructing each other in it, even singing and making art about it (3:1-4:1).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. That is, concentrate your concern on the eternal, not the temporal.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:1

believers’ lives should be dominated by the pattern of heaven, bringing heavenly direction to their earthly duties. “Set” (zēteite) means “to seek or strive for earnestly” (cf. Rev. 9:6; 1 Cor. 7:27). Fixing their attention decisively toward “things above” involves centering their lives on the ascended (Eph. 4:10), glorified (John 17:5; Phil. 2:9) Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22)

A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians 1. Exhortation to Live the New Life (3:1–4)

This is what it means to be “in (union with) Christ”: it is to share his death, burial, and resurrection, his glorious position at God’s right side, and his final coming in power. Thus the Colossians’ spiritual life and destiny are determined by the whole of Christ’s activity.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. That is, concentrate your concern on the eternal, not the temporal.

A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Colossians Colossians 3:3

It is not easy to understand Paul’s statement, except that it reflects the concept that the revelation of the complete meaning of a Christian’s life must await the full revelation of Christ (verse 4); until then it is “hidden,” just as Christ’s real power and glory are as yet invisible.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:1

believers’ lives should be dominated by the pattern of heaven, bringing heavenly direction to their earthly duties. “Set” (zēteite) means “to seek or strive for earnestly” (cf. Rev. 9:6; 1 Cor. 7:27). Fixing their attention decisively toward “things above” involves centering their lives on the ascended (Eph. 4:10), glorified (John 17:5; Phil. 2:9) Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God (Ps. 110:1; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. That is, concentrate your concern on the eternal, not the temporal.

Whatever you set your mind on will shape your life.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:3–4

At the moment of his salvation, a Christian died to the evil of the “flesh,” the sin nature (Rom. 6:3–8; Col. 2:11), and his life is now hidden with Christ in God. “Hidden” implies both concealment and safety; both invisibility and security. He is not yet glorified, but he is secure and safe in Christ.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

3:4 Christ, who is your life Paul underscores the significance of Christ for the believer: Jesus is not peripheral to life; He is life. He imparts God’s life, and He is the center around which life should be oriented.

revealed with him The believer’s life is hidden in God, and the world does not recognize it. Here, Paul reminds the Colossians that they will share in Christ’s glory when He returns.

The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Reasons to Seek the Higher Calling (3:3–4)

The values and goals of Christians will also be vindicated. The glory of Christ will captivate the minds of unbelievers as well as believers. Unbelievers will know that Jesus is Lord (Phil 2:10), and they will know that they based their lives on the wrong principles. They will also see that Christians built their lives correctly. Their lives and ambitions were energized by Christ through the Spirit, and they sought to contribute to the concerns of Christ on earth.

Until then, the Christian life remains hidden. Christians are misunderstood, belittled, and persecuted. Unbelievers attack both Christians and the Christ whom they love and worship. Someday, however, that will change. The King of glory will return and become the preeminent one in creation and redemption, as Paul wrote in 1:15–20. Christians will share in that great day.

Setting your mind = internal focus of your life - focus on Christ.

Sin is primarily a heart issue - not a behavior issue. Behavour follows what our hearts and minds are focused on…

Whatever you set your mind on will shape your life.

Sin is primarily a heart issue - not a behavior issue. If God gets in the way of what we think we really need to be happy and free, then we ignore him - consciously or unconsciously - hoping he will leave us alone. When this happens we are effectively saying in our hearts - that whatever it is we are pursuing - is better than JESUS - more significant, more powerful, more satisfying to me than Jesus.

Christian growth doesn’t happen by first behaving better, but by believing better. Believing in bigger and brighter ways what Jesus has already secured for sinners. Our work is more about coming to a greater understanding of his work, and our hearts becoming captivated by who he is, what he’s done, and what he’s doing.

Real freedom happens when the rich resources of the Gospel smash my sense of need to secure for myself anything beyond what Jesus has already secured for us!

If that’s how you view the faith then you don’t know Christ

Colossians 3:2–4 ESV

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:3 ESV

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

This means appreciation, rejoicing, and resting in what Jesus has done. Jesus must become more beautiful to your imagination, more attractive to your heart than anything in this world.

Paul talks about “having put off the old self with it’s practices” and having “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of it’s creator’. Pass tense - - His point is that Christianity isn’t turning over a new leaf; it is receiving a new life.

He’s talking about a progressive letting go of all the things we’ve looked to and sought after to make our lives worth living, and grabbing hold of Jesus letting the gospel shape every area of our lives.

Put to death - Uproot

“Most of us have never really under- stood that Christianity is not a self-help religion meant to enable moral people to become more moral. We don’t need a self-help book; we need a Savior. We don’t need to get our collective act together; we need death and resurrection and the life-transforming truths of the gospel. And we don’t need them just once, at the beginning of our Christian life; we need them every moment of every day.”

-Elyse Fitzpatrick

Our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, our obedience (or disobedience), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness ::: Instead of Christ, and his obedience, his performance, his holiness for us! We end up turning the good news into a narcissistic program of self-improvement…

Focusing primarily on behavior quickly turns the good news into a humanistic program of self-improvement…and that’s bad news. There is no power in self-effort. No hope in self-effort. No peace in self-effort.

Paul talks about “having put off the old self with it’s practices” and having “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of it’s creator’. Pass tense - - His point is that Christianity isn’t turning over a new leaf; it is receiving a new life.

Living A Christ-Centered Lifestyle

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