CENTERED Series

#20 – God’s Re-Know-Vation Project “But now you must also 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.” - Colossians 3:8-10 (New International Version) Taking Off the Old Self 1. God’s work: a. While we were spiritually dead in our sin, thereby ________________ of saving ourselves, God in His gracious love and mercy gave us life through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Colossians 1:21,12; 2:13; Romans 5:8). “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5 (English Standard Version) b. The sacrifice of Jesus makes it possible for God to forgive _______ our sin (2:13) and declare us not guilty (2:14). “When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” – Hebrews 10:12 (ESV) c. The dead self is dead, even when some of it still __________ (3:5). “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” – Hebrews 10:14 (NIV) 2. Our work: a. We ____________ to the Gospel (as God draws us – John 6:44): i. Faith – ________ in the work of the cross and resurrection. ii. Repentance – turning toward God, away from the world. iii. Baptism – __________ with Christ’s death and resurrection. b. We put to death the sins that lead to death (Romans 6:15; 3:5). “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:24 (ESV) c. We rid ourselves of old, _____________ practices (vv. 8-9a). Putting on the New Self 1. God’s work: a. He _________________ us spiritually as new creations in Christ through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:11-12), “transferring” us from darkness to the Son (1:13). b. God Himself _____________ within us by the Holy Spirit. “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” – Galatians 4:6 (NIV) c. He releases us from _______________ to sin. The old lures and temptations may still exist, but we have power and paths to help resist (1 Corinthians 10:13). “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” – Romans 6:6-7 (ESV) d. He ______________ our experiences for His purposes. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” – Romans 8:28-30 (NIV) e. He continually _____________ us inwardly (2 Corinthians 4:16). 2. Our work: a. We ___________ ourselves to God entirely. God takes first place. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) b. We ___________ ourselves to God’s Word. i. Crave God’s word _________________. “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” – 1 Peter 2:1-3 (NIV) ii. Receive teaching in ________________ (Ephesians 4:22-24). “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) iii. ________ ____ ____ (James 1:21-25)! c. We intentionally replace the old practices with the new practices of virtues (3:12-17) and ____________ ___________ that reflect our Creator (Ephesians 2:10). Mike Gunderson  mike@oakparkchristian.org  1/19/20