Let's Talk About Jesus: New Life in Jesus
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37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Intro:
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
As we study the book of Colossians, our title is, [Let’s Talk About Jesus]. The subject of chapter three is, [New Life in Jesus].
In the 1990s, the average family in the United States had 1.83-1.86 children in the household. Therefore, the Tidmore family was above average, having three children.
My Grandma Kilgore always told a different story. She was born in 1932. For five years she was the only child. When my great-grandma got pregnant with their second child, they didn’t tell my grandma.
Pregnancy was not a topic of discussion. Great-grandma didn’t even use the word. She called it, “in the family way.” When my great-aunt was due, they didn’t tell my their daughter, instead they sent her to her grandmothers for a week.
When my grandma came home, without any explanation there was a baby in the house.
My siblings and I are all two years and nine months apart. I have heard it said that the second child brings a new dynamic in the family. Especially for the only child.
My siblings and I are all two years and nine months apart. I have heard it said that the second child brings a new dynamic in the family. Especially for the only child.
My siblings and I are all two years and nine months apart. I have heard it said that the second child brings a new dynamic in the family. Especially for the only child.
As the second child, I like to think I made everything better for my parents and brother, but I must not have been all they wanted because they kept trying for one more.
Hannah must have satisfied all my parent’s needs because they stopped with her. However, I have distinct memories of getting a baby sister.
I was almost three when she was born. I remember changes to house. I remember mom and dad making a nursery. I remember Mom and Dad telling me I would get a baby sister.
Because they talked to me about it, in my three-year-old mind, I knew changes would come to our house. My sister was born, and I had some grasp because my parents INFORMED me how her birth would change our lives.
My Grandma Kilgore always told a different story. She was born in 1932. For five years she was the only child. When my great-grandma got pregnant with their second child, they didn’t tell my grandma.
Pregnancy was not a topic of discussion. Great-grandma didn’t even use the word. She called it, “in the family way.” When my great-aunt was due, they didn’t tell my their daughter, instead they sent her to her grandmothers for a week.
Pregnancy was not a topic of discussion. Great-grandma didn’t even use the word. She called it, “in the family way.” When my great-aunt was due, they didn’t tell my their daughter, instead they sent her to her grandmothers for a week.
When my grandma came home, without any explanation there was a baby in the house. Mom used to always remark, that is why Grandma and Aunt Nancy never got along.
When my grandma came home, without any explanation there was a baby in the house.
When I read this chapter, I thought of these two family events. My parent’s informed me how my sister’s birth would affect our family, but my grandma was uninformed.
As I thought of physical birth, my mind connected it to the spiritual rebirth. Paul established in Colossians that Jesus is Lord. His deity meant He was 100% God and 100% Man.
His birth, life, and death were literal. He was not a spirit or a figure, He was a person. The Father had mercy on us, so the Son sacrificed His life, that the Holy Spirit might draw us to the Lord.
Therefore, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are born-again. Think of those two words: BORN AGAIN. The term originated with Jesus.
John
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
When Jesus used this terminology, it confused Nicodemus. How can a grown person go back into their mother’s womb and be born again?
Jesus explained, when we come to Him, our sinful nature dies and we receive new life. However, our spiritual rebirth does more than change our past.
When God saves us, He not only gives us hope for the future, He wants to change us in the present. What type of changes will follow the rebirth?
Unlike my great-grandparents who remained silent on the subject, the Holy Spirit inspired New Testament writes to inform us, “now that we are saved, here is how we should live!”
Paul summarizes one way of living with the comment: set your mind on these above, not on things of the earth.
We are free from the bondage of sin, therefore, we need to live in a way that pleases God. Why? Reread verse four with me:
4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Jesus will return again. When He comes, will He find us seeking Him and living the way He wants us to live? Or will He people who have yet to appreciate their new life in Christ?
If we are truly born again, we WILL Live different. To prove this, I have three points, [The Old Life], [The New Life], and [The Transformed Life].
Let’s begin
1. The Old Life
1. The Old Life
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
7
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
As we look to things above, we need to learn to reject the things of this earth. If we look around us, what do we see? We see sexual immorality, materialism, unwholesome speech, and dishonesty.
It is hard to turn on the TV, get on Facebook, go to Dollar General and not see this in action. But here is a scary problem, there are many Christians who also display these attributes.
If we are truly born again, we will depend on God to put to death in us these things. Why? Because the wrath of God cannot handle sin.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am glad that the penalty for our sin is forgiven and we have new life in Christ. However, we cannot grow comfortable in sin. We USED to walk in them, but we have new life. Therefore, we should not become content walking in them now.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Notice the phrase, “renewed in knowledge” in verse nine. God is not secretive in what He expects from us. He sent His Son to die for our sins.
Furthermore, He provides an avenue to overcome such sins with the help of Jesus. Anger, rage, malice, lies, and dirty language consumed us when we were in sin.
Is it appropriate to allow the works of the old life to become common place since we are born again? According to Paul, the answer is NO!
How then can we overcome the old life? We need to be renewed in the Holy Spirit. When we walk close to God and depend on His Spirit, He renews us! It in His presence we begin to see what needs to change.
It in His presence we begin to see what needs to change.
For instance, let’s say I get angry or use bad language on a regular basis. As I pray, if I will listen, the Holy Spirit will let me know that something is wrong with the way I act.
Then I can look to Jesus, who will help me overcome the Old Life.
2. The New Life
2. The New Life
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let’s think back to the phrase BORN AGAIN. In our old life, we were angry, inappropriate, disobedient, and unclean people. Jesus gave us a second chance and provided NEW LIFE in exchange for the way we used to live.
Now that we are saved, our lives and actions should look different. Let’s go down this list Paul provided:
We are not holy- we are set apart from a life of sin.
We are beloved- God loves us and His love calls out the best in us!
We have mercy- He forgave us and extended mercy to us when we owed Him a great debt.
We are kind- we do what is right by people. We are not arrogant, but we understand how great God’s love is toward us, therefore, we extend His love to others.
We are humble- in our old life we were arrogant, doing everything in our own power. Where did it get us? No where. Now we realize our need for God’s help, so we humble ourselves before Him!
We are patient- we should not be irritable people. Instead we work well with other people.
We are forgiving- THIS IS KEY. When we know how great God forgave us, we will forgive others, showing them the grace God showed us.
We are loving- we want the best in others, and give a self-sacrificing love.
We are peaceful- because we have peace with God, we will have peace with others!
As I read through that list, it sounds a lot like the Fruit of the Spirit. Imagine how great the world and the church could be if EVERY Christian lived out these Godly qualities.
How do we grow closer to God in this new life?
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
If we want to know more about the Lord, we will let the Word of God grow in our hearts. This includes more than simply reading the word, we need to live out the word.
Then in our personal walk with Christ, we will encourage others in their walk with the Lord. We will be people of praise and grace, thanking God for this new life!
Notice verse 17, in the new life, everything we do is in the name of Jesus Christ, giving thanks to the Father.
Let’s ask ourselves, in my life, do I glorify the Father and honor Jesus in everything I say and do? And if I slip up and fail, am I quick to repent, or do I excuse my sins and pretend they are not a big deal?
God is not coy in what He expects of us. Furthermore, He provides an avenue of help to see these qualities become a normal part of our lives.
In our old life we were full of sin and the negative consequences of sin. In the new life, God wants us to display the fruit of the Spirit and glorify Him in word and deed.
3. The Transformed Life
3. The Transformed Life
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
Paul presents a past picture, then he provides insight to what is available to us with the new birth. Now, he shows how the transformed life should affect us in our homes and on the job.
Before we look at the specifics of wives, husbands, children, and workers, let’s lay the foundation.
Long before we grow in our relationship with each other, we have to grow in our relationship with God. If husbands and wives attempt to get along better and they exclude God in the equation, failure is inevitable.
However, when we desire to draw closer to God, He will help us in our interpersonal relationships!
Marriages- God desires strong marriages, but it requires both husband and wives to strive for holiness and love for God.
I like it how Paul always starts with the wives. I bet the men of Colosse are a lot like the men of today. They probably read that and thought, you better believe they need to submit!
Only to read on that they need to love their wives and not grow bitter with them. The word love in the Greek is AGAPE. It is the same type of love Jesus displayed on the cross.
The Love Jesus wants husbands to display to their wives is seeking the highest good of others even at the price of one’s own comfort, safety, and benefit.
When I read that, as a husband, I think that sounds a little bit hard, because there are times I can be somewhat selfish. But here is the progressions, if I pray and draw closer to God, His personality rubs off on me, then it becomes easier for me to love my wife the way she deserves!
And Bekah has told me, it is easy to submit to your leadership because I know you love God and you listen to Him!
Godly marriages are nothing like anything else in this world, because they are built on the foundation of God’s love toward us!
Furthermore, children are to obey their parents.
It would be hard to expect obedience if the mom and dad are disobedient to God.
It would be hard to expect children to use nice words and not yell if they watch their mom and dad fighting all the time.
Can we see how the new birth changes cultural norms and brings about a new way of living?
God wants transformed marriages and families. Then on the job, we will display the transformed life. We will be the best and hardest working employees, honoring God in all we do!
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
In a transformed life, everything we do is to glorify the Lord. How counterculture. We live in a world where people are selfish and self-serving.
Let that never be said of any person who attends Vulcan Assembly of God! We are people who understand our inheritance and hope come from the Lord.
Therefore, we will do what is right by everyone because we have a God in heaven who watches us and will honor us for what we do for Him.
Close:
There is a song I remembering hearing as a child, one line of the chorus says: born again there’s really been a change in me.
Paul provides two pictures, one of the old life, the other that is transformed because of the new life.
My question for us, since we are born again, what changes can we see God making in us? If the answer is NONE, we need to ask, what is wrong?
Because when we are born again, we will not want to do the things we used to do. I am not saying the temptation will not be there, but we will not willingly walk into the temptation.
And if we do give in, we will quickly repent and ask the Lord for His grace and a plan to avoid the temptation in the future.
God is not secretive in what He expects of us. Instead, He provides story after story, principle after principle, and example after example of what it means to be born again.
The new life we have in Christ does not come to us all at once. There is a big change that occurs when we get saved, but then we embark on a journey of continuous improvement.
But we cannot improve on our own. It happens as we set our minds and attention on things that are above. We focus on the Lord, we get into the word, and we develop a walk with God that is full of prayer and praise.
When we do this, He will put to death the works of the flesh and we will begin to display the fruit of the Spirit.
Let me add, it does not matter how long we’ve been born again. I was saved over twenty-three years ago, but there is still room for improvement.
Until the day we leave this world, there will always be room for improvement. Therefore, we must look to Him to change us.
He wants to renew us in knowledge and transform us to become more like Him.
So, who can say with absolute certainty, I am like the Lord, I have grown in Him so much there is no more room for growth, if so, please give us the secret!
Who can join me in saying, there is room for improvement in my life, I love Jesus, but I need to act more like Him. I am born again, but there is still some flesh that needs to be cut out of my life?
If so, remember:
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Let’s ask the Lord to renew us and transform us, making us more like Him!
Our new life should look nothing like our old life. If it does, we need Him to transform us!
He can take our impurity and transform it into genuine, selfless love
He can take our anger and transform it into kindness and gentleness
He can take our agitation and irritation and transform it into peace and forgiveness
He will take our present state and transform it and make us look more like Him!
Let’s ask the Lord to help us with our new life in Him!