Living For Jesus (2)

Introduction

What exactly does it mean to “live for Jesus?” Paul helps us understand that many of us struggle with what it means.

Today we are in Colossians chapter 3. Paul is going to help us understand what it means to live for Jesus!

Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3:1–4 NIV84

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

It all begins with what we set our minds on, and where we set our minds.

Set your minds on things above.

We are to set our minds on heavenly things rather than earthly things.

Colossians 3:5–11 NIV84

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Colossians 3:5-

Put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature

Paul tells us we are to put to death everything that belongs tor our sinful nature.

The first list that he gives us begins with sexual desires.

Sexual immorality

The Greek word porneia—meaning any kind of sex other than how God said sex was to be used.

Impurity

This would be a wider perversion of sexual passion.

Lust

The Greek word pathos—uncontrollable passions.

Evil Desires

This has the idea of illicit cravings to pursue evil.

Greed

This is coveting or deeply wanting what does not belong to you.

Idolatry

Paul says that these five things are forms of idolatry.

Idolatry is turning to anything other than God for satisfaction—trusting in earthly satisfaction to fulfill what only God can fulfill.

Because of man’s idolatry God’s wrath is coming!

We used to walk in these ways

The misuse of sex in our world should not shock us, that is what the ungodly do. However, what what should shock us is how many “followers of Jesus” are actually wrapped up in these actions. That should never be!

There are some other issues that should also be removed from our lives. Paul gives us a second list, which involves speech.

Anger

A settled attitude of hostility—in other words always hostile.

Rage

Verbal outbursts of evil passions.

Malice

Is ill will towards others. It is a vicious disposition that results in hurting those around them.

Slander

This refers to injurious, malicious speech.

Filthy language

Speech that is filthy, disgraceful, and dishonorable.

Lying

This refers to deceptive, distorting, and untruthful speech.

Christ is all and in all!

Paul reminds us that all of us—no matter what our background is, or where we started—It is Christ in us!

No matter where we start. No matter who we are. All of us are supposed to live differently.

Colossians 3:12–14 NIV84

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-

Clothe Yourselves with:

Compassion

A show of sensitivity to those suffering and in need.

Kindness

This shows itself as a sweet disposition and thoughtful interpersonal dealings.

Humility

This is having a realistic view of oneself.

Gentleness

Not behaving harshly, arrogantly, or self-assertively but with consideration for others.

Patience

This is the quality of self-restraint, and long-suffering.

Bearing with each other

Forbearing—Putting up with others and enduring discomfort.

Forgiveness

Not holding a grudge or grievance against others.

Love

This is once again the Greek word agape. Loving without expecting anything in return, and/or doing what is best for another person.

Paul tells us that Love (agape) is put on lost, because it holds all the others together.

Colossians 3:15 NIV84

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 -17

Colossians 3:15–17 NIV84

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

-17

In these next few verses we are given four imperatives—or commands:

Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts

The hallmark of all followers of Jesus is that we should be ruled by the peace of Jesus!

Be Thankful

We are to have an attitude of gratitude—always being thankful!

Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us

We see the word of Jesus dwelling in us it becomes a permanent part of our lives. This happens as we study, meditate, memorize, and apply the words of Jesus to our hearts. Then we can teach and admonish those around us in how we ought to live.

As we teach and admonish we begin develop an attitude of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs filled with gratitude (thanksgiving) in your hearts!

Doing everything in the name of Jesus our Lord

Everything we do is to be done to love and please Jesus!

Give Thanks

Three times in these last three verses Paul tells us to express thanks.

At the end of verse 15 we’re told “and be thankful.” Then at the end of verse 16 were told to sing “with gratitude in your hearts to God.” And finally, in verse 17 we are told “giving thanks to God the Father . . .”

In everything we do—all day, all night no matter what is going on we are to be thankful. Why? Because Jesus Christ is working in us, through us, and around us!

So What?

Today, it is really a “So Where” question. Where is your heart set? It is set on the things of this earth? Or is your heart set on heaven?

This morning I want to encourage us to set our minds on things above. Life here on this earth is short. In fact, none of us a guaranteed another minute. So only what we do for Jesus will last forever!