Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Title: A Perfect Picture of Gospel People

Text:

Main Idea: Put On The Chosen Life

Put on a Humble Character (vs.

12)Put on a Forgiving Attitude (vs.

13)Put on a Heart of Love (vs.

14-15)Put in the Word of Christ (vs.

16-17)

Introduction

Attention - Most every parent in the modern age has gone through the agonizing torture of getting perfect baby picture.

I found some pretty bad ones that are hilarious...

And while it is next to impossible to get the perfect baby or family picture, God has provided for us the perfect picture to see what God’s people are to look like!

What is the Hearer’s problem?

What is the Biblical Solution?

What do the hearers need to know?

Main Textual Idea: The Colossians were in danger of getting it wrong, So Paul gives them a perfect snapshot of the Christian life.

They question was for them and for us is will we copy this picture and put it on in our own lives?

This is his challenge and this is the...

Main Idea: Put On The Chosen Life

Interrogative:

Now, in verses 12-14 He gives three Characteristics that we are to “Put on”

A Godly Character

Transition:

A Forgiving Attitude

Body (Satisfaction)

A Heart of Love

1.

Put on a Godly Character (vs.

12)

Lead in…We are often told that we need to be more Godly or that we should act in a Godly, Christlike way.

But what does Godliness look like?

Well, I can tell you this, Godliness will profoundly effect one’s character...

Text -

Explanation - In the same way as last week’s passage when Paul admonishes the Colossians to “Put to death” and “having put off the old self,” so he challenges them to replace that action with another action of Put on something to replace it.

They are to put on a Godly Character.

This is a command that, because of the aorist tense of the verb, must be obeyed at once!

We are to take off the old, dirty clothes and replace them with clean, pristine

What does this character look like?

Well, Paul gives five words that describe Godliness very well.

But before we examine these five words, I want you to notice Paul’s reason they should put these characteristics on in the first place.

Do you see it?

The reason they are to actively “Put on” these five characteristics is because of who they are!

They are part of the chosen life!

The Colossian Christians are “chosen ones” -

The Colossian Christians are “holy” -

The Colossian Christians are “beloved” -

This is who they are and this, if you are a true christian, this is who your are as well!

You are chosen by God to be holy and loved!

And so, because you are God’s son or daughter, there is a certain character that you must exude.

In fact, Paul says you are to put these things on!

Look at these amazing characteristics...

“Compassionate Hearts” -

“Kindness” -

“Humility” -

“the having a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness, modesty, lowliness of mind.”

“Meekness” -

“Meekness” is praotēs (πραοτης), “an inwrought grace of the soul, that temper of spirit in which we accept God’s dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.

It is the humble heart which is also the meek; and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contend with Him.

“Patience” - Not easily provoked.

Jesus is the epitome of this

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.

God can instantaneously make you godly and doesn’t need to use you in the process.

Yet, He has chosen to work with His children by having them participate in the process through obedience.

Your obedience to His commands will make you more and more like Christ.

Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is commanding the Colossian Christians to put these characteristics on!

And we are to as well!

This is what it means, in part, to be godly!

Illustration - Not this last Christmas, but the one before, I was asked to be a guide in “The Journey To Bethlehem”.

My name was Mordechai and I was from the Tribe of Benjamin.

My job was to take a group of people from Nazareth to the town of Bethlehem so they could be registered for the census!

Illustration - The other day, our grandson was trying on my shoes!

Along the journey we encounter shepherds, magi, townspeople, livestock and an imposing Imperial Roman army.

We made it to the inn only to be turned away, and then pointed in the direction of the stable where the most precious gift of Christmas lay, the Christ Child.

In order to play the part of Mordechai, I needed to “Put on” a few things to make me believable as this character.

I needed to put on the proper clothing

I needed to put on the proper mind set - We didn’t travel in busses, we traveled in very large camels.

I even needed to put on the proper voice - “Oy vey!” Do you have any idea how long and painful this journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem is going to be?

Argumentation - Folks, in order to become a godly person, you must...

Do you have a compassionate heart?

Are you kind to people even if they don’t deserve it?

Are you meek?

Strength under control?

Are you patient with believers and unbelievers alike?

Application - How do I grow in these characteristics?

First - Are you “God’s chosen one”?

Second, if your are - Pray and ask God for an increasing measure of each of these characteristics.

Third - Like I purposefully acted out my role as Mordechai, so you must purposefully act out your role as a follower of Christ!

Pray and then do!!

Review - Put On The Chosen Life

Put on a Godly Character

2. Put on a Forgiving Attitude (vs.

13)

Lead in…Do you love the fact that, in Christ, you are forgiven?

What an amazing reality!

It is at the heart and soul of our faith!

But then, as a forgiven people, we are to be forgiving!

Jay Adams wrote a book years ago, “From Forgiven to Forgiving” And this is our great privilege as forgiven people.

Which is easier for you to be forgiven or to forgive?

Forgiving someone is hard work, because people can be hard to live with!

They can really hurt us!

To live above with the saints we love,

Oh, that will be glory.

But to live below with the saints we know,