Living a Resurrection Life

What to do with verse 12 “Put On Then” what does this phrase mean?

Colossians 3:12-17

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Passage today is connected to 3:1-4

Pray

Hook - College Mens basketball has had a problem for decades. The problem is that some of the best players coming out of high school only spend one year in college and then go pro. They don’t get much of an education and they don’t help out their team for more than a year. They don’t mature and really help build the team.

We call this one year in college basket ball - one and done.

College football requires players to stay for 3 years before they can turn pro.

College Mens basketball has had a problem for decades. The problem is that some of the best players coming out of high school only spend one year in college and then go pro. They don’t get much of an education and they don’t help out their team for more than a year.

College football requires players to stay for 3 years before they can turn pro.

The one and done is a problem that is complex and college mens basketball has not been able to fix.

Many times we view the Gospel of Jesus which includes the Resurrection of Jesus as a one and done.

One time

We may think, I’ve accepted Jesus as the Lord of my life and now I’m done with the Gospel.

We may think, I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus once a year at Easter and that is enough.

This is a one and done attitude with the Gospel.

The Resurrection and Easter is not a “One and Done”.

Illustration - The gospel of the Lord is like water, it gets into every cell of our life. It is essential for living. When you don’t get water in your diet you die. When we are not getting Gospel (including resurrection) in our regular spiritual diet we spiritually shrivel like a raisin.

Illustration - The gospel of the Lord is like water, it gets into every cell of our life. It is essential for living. When you don’t get water in your diet you die. When we are not getting Gospel (which includes the resurrection) in our regular spiritual diet we spiritually shrivel like a raisin.

Illustration - The gospel of the Lord is like water, it gets into every cell of our life. It is essential for living. When you don’t get water in your diet you die. When we are not getting Gospel (including resurrection) in our regular spiritual diet we spiritually shrivel like a raisin.

Why? The Gospel is the daily motivator to live for Jesus - to take action. We will see that challenge for action in our passage today.

What to do with verse 12 “Put On Then” what does this phrase mean?Context - Todays passage is a response to Christ. Our passage today flows well out of Easter and the Resurrection in that Jesus was raised for our justification.

Context - To understand our passage today we need to see that it is connected to 4

Context - Todays passage is a response to Christ. Our passage today flows well out of Easter and the Resurrection in that Jesus was raised for our justification.

Context - Todays passage is a response to Christ. Our passage today flows reasonably well out of Easter and the Resurrection in that Jesus was raised for our justification.

This flows reasonably well out of Easter and the Resurrection in that Jesus was raised for our justification.

Colossians 3:1-4

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Today’s passage answers the question, What should I do? I do I seek those things which are above? How do I set my mind on above?

Today’s passage answers the question, What should I do?

Because Jesus has raised me from sin to life in Christ. Because my life (verse 3) is secure in Christ and nothing can snatch me out of His hands, what should I do? says: set your mind on things above.

How do I do that? Our passage today (verses 12-17) unpacks this.

How does our life change in view of Christ’s Greatness?

In view of what Jesus has done for us?

Jonathan - Really emphasis our response to your great God.

Since we have been raised with Christ … Since we have died to our old life and now God has our life. We have new identity.Our identity in verse 12-13

Transition - In our first point today we understand this.

Since we have been raised with Christ … Since we have died to our old life and now God has our life. We have new identity.

Our identity in verse 12-13

1. Through the Resurrection I Have A New Identity verse 12-13

Who am I? God’s Chosen Ones, Holy and Beloved

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1A. God’s Chosen Ones - We know this, God has initiated a relationship with us. He has a people he has chosen for salvation. If you are a Christ follower, you are part of His chosen people. More than a team, more than a family. The people of God.

1B. You are Holy - You say, Jonathan if you watched my life your would know that there are times that I don’t act holy. If you are a Christ follower, God looks at you through what Christ as done and sees you as righteous. Your position before God is holy - even though we still sin.

1C. We are Beloved or dearly loved...

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Psalm 86:5 ESV

5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

PSalm 86

I Iove the phrase “Abounding in steadfast love”. God has an abundance of love for you that is never changing. That kind of love is for those who call out to Him. A special love for those who have a relationship with Him.

Some of you need to hear this morning that God loves you!

We have a new identity.

says this about your identity.

I Peter 2:9-10

Love , v. 14

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Forgive, vs 13

In God’s greatness, in His mercy, in His love - God has granted you a new identity. If you follow Christ, You are not who you were.

Transition - and so as a response to our new identity Paul says Forgive

Forgive, vs 13

2. Because of the Resurrection I am to Forgive As Christ has forgiven me, vs 13

Through Christ’s resurrection I have been forgiven.

Since I have been resurrected to a new life, I must forgive.

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Why should we forgive? Because Christ has forgiven you.

Why should I forgive? Because Christ has forgiven you.

Application - Married couples, The only way that your marriage is going to last is if both of you are professional forgivers. You have and are going to sin against each other over and over & you will need to forgive - over and over… You are going to have to forgive your children who will hurt you.

My mom reminded me when I had my first child. She said, “Jonathan, they are going to break your heart.” She was right.

Illustration - Several years back as Karis my oldest was growing up (in college), there were a series of choices she made that I didn’t like. I’m not saying they were sinful, I just didn’t like them. This is normal struggle that happens when your child is in college transitioning into adulthood.

I let her choices hurt my feelings. I became angry. I chose not to forgive. I allowed these hurts to build up un-surrendered to God. For about 3 months it effected negatively how I viewed her and how I parented her. I was parenting her out of a low boiling anger on the inside. I had to ask for forgiveness. I was wrong.

I was parenting out of a place of un-forgiveness and anger. I was wrong. The Lord was trying to deal with me on that.

We cannot change how we parent our kids based on being hurt by them, we (like God) must be consistent. Our children don’t need a parent who is going to act on their emotions and have a home that is like a yo-yo and unpredictable. They don’t need to step into the house and wonder which mom or dad are they going to get today. They need a parent who is like God - steady and predictable. If you don’t learn to forgive you children, you will never be steady.

As parents (and grandparents with grown children) - We cannot allow our hurt change how we parent our kids. We (like God) must be consistent. Our children don’t need a parent who is going to act on their emotions and have a home that is like a yo-yo and unpredictable. They don’t need to step into the house and wonder which mom or dad are they going to get today. They need a parent who is like God - steady and predictable. If you don’t learn to forgive you children, you will never be steady.

Illustration - I went through a season with Karis 2 summers ago that ended in a wreck were she rear ended someone. I was upset because of the wreck, but more than that … for 2-3 months I didn’t parent her well, because I was so mad (hurt) with the situation. I had to forgive.

Children (young and old) … Forgive your parents: sometimes they are going to say, do and make you do somethings that you think are absolutely stupid. ...

We forgive and keep forgiving. Why?

Christ has forgiven us. He has forgiven us and keeps forgiving...

The next thing that Paul tells us to do in response to the Gospel (including the resurrection) is to love

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The

Because Jesus has raised me from sin to life in Christ. Because my life (verse 3) is secure in Christ and nothing can snatch me out of His hands, what should I do? says: set your mind on things above.

The next thing that Paul tells us to do in response to the Gospel (including the resurrection) is to love

Transition - Not only has Christ forgiveness been faithful to you, but so has His love.

Love, vs. 14

3. Through the resurrection Christ has called me to love well, vs. 14,

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Above all these - love

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

New Living Translation Chapter 3

18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

So we see that love is not just a feeling, but an action. How many days do we not feel like we love someone, but God calls us to love them.

-You will not always feel love for you spouse

God has made a commitment to love us & He has shown it in the action of the Cross. There are days and seasons that are spiritual struggles, but God’s love in action and affection towards us stays faithful.

-You will not always feel love for you spouse, but God calls you to love in action.

Peace, v. 15

-You will not always feel love for a brother or sister in Christ sitting near you, but you must pray to love them in action well.

So far we have seen that from the Resurrection of Christ that we have received:

A New Identity, the command to forgive and to love, and finally we will look at verse 16.

For sake of time let’s jump to verse 16.

4. In response to the resurrection God’s Word Must Have Deep Roots In My Life, v. 16

16 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. One of the things I am most passionate about for us as a church family. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you. How do we do this?

One of the things I am most passionate about for us as a church family. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you. How do we do this?

Teach each other - You say, I can’t do that. I don’t know how to teach. Here is what we are talking about in teaching each other …

Share with others what God is showing you. That’s all this is.

Admonish - caution, rebuke, or warn - The ability to be mature enough to have uncomfortable conversations with each other.

Do it all for God, v. 17

All of us needs to have someone in your life that will tell you the truth.

I love the south, but one of the most disgusting things about Southern culture is that people will be so nice - that they cover the truth.

Covering the truth in politeness is called a sweet lie. There really is nothing sweet about it.

Find a Christ follower that will tell you the truth (IN A LOVING WAY) when you ask them, “Do I look fat in this dress?” “Do these pair of pants make my hips look big?”.

If you can find a Christ follower who can tell you a hard things in a loving way - you’ve found a gem. Become that persons friend.

Then ask that friend what they think you spiritual strengths and weaknesses are.

As them to point out areas that they think you need to grow in. Ask them to admonish you.

Be willing to be that friend - that in the most gracious love will tell the truth to another.

, Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

How do you know how to share what you are learning well & how can you spiritually warn someone well? Spend time with God, in His word - every day.

Admonish.

Let me ask you a question.

How do you know how to “Teach others” - share what you are learning?

Spend time with God in His Word.

How can you spiritually warn someone well Admonish?

Spend time with God in His Word.

How do you know if the Spiritual Song you are singing is rich and God honoring or if it’s just a Prom Song to Jesus, that has little meaning?

Spend time with God in His Word.

Illustration - I was talking with 2 different church members this week, 2 different conversations was telling me about the Bible lesson she was preparing for children. They said, I want the kids to learn to open their Bible and read the verses for themselves. I want them to be able to get into God’s Word.

As a pastor - That was a high five moment. When you open God’s Word it’s a win.

Can I challenge you, Spend time with God, in His word - every day.

Challenge - This goes for all of our church family, but if you are in leadership at our church - this is especially for you.

Finally verse 17 tells us to

5. Do it all for God, v. 17

We do all of this so that God will be glorified.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Our New Identity is for God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Our challenge to Forgive, love well, and be rooted in God’s Word is for God’s Glory.

We set our minds on things above.

Why? Life is not about us.

Life is about Him.

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

We do all of this so that God will be glorified.

Wy

Living a Resurrection Life

The Resurrection Life

Big Idea - The resurrection changes our life.