Patterns for Embracing Our New Life

Colossians 3:5–17 ESV

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 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.

Colossians

Change is difficult. There is no easy way to say it. Change does not happen over night and very often never instantaneously. It is difficult and quite frustrating, especially when you are putting your best effort into making a positive change. And when we change it is not always easy to stay changed. We meet new challenges, gain new enemies and sometimes we’re confronted by old habits. Change is difficult but a life in Christ makes it possible. You can be better, you can be different, and you can be free from the old you if you allow your life to be subject to the will of God.

Paul writes the letter to the church at Colossae encouraging them to change and remain steadfast in the life of Christ. They were a new church with new converts. They brought old habits and rituals with them and attempted to mesh them with Christianity. The members at Colossae were attempting their new life with an old heart. They refused to step away from old habits. They were practicing asceticism; worshipping idols they were coveting the items of their neighbors. They failed at letting go of immoral acts. All of this while they believed they were Christians. They believed they could be Christian and never change.

Paul challenges them to separate themselves from their old ways of thinking and living and cling to the new life Christ offered through His death.

Paul advises them that when they came to Christ that they were no longer to be worldly but now spiritual people.

He says to them that they needed to commit themselves to being different, acting different, and living different. This commitment called for:

The main problem with the members at Colossae is their mentality, which says that they need more than what they already have. They believe it takes more than believing and receiving Christ as Savior to be saved. They continued incorporating sinful practices in their services and found themselves moving further away from the beauty of salvation. They desired to be in Christ but failed at committing to being new in Christ. The world had their hearts. They claimed to accept Christ but wouldn’t let go of the world’s baggage What is that baggage . . .

Colossians 3:7–10 ESV

7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

(ESV) 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Paul clearly says, that you must reject the worldly attitude and the fleshly desires to live and do evil. He really tells them learn to tell yourself NO.

ILLUS: In the early 80’s there was an anti-drug program that Nancy Reagan started which was designed to keep kids off drugs and the slogan for that program was a catchy phrase which was, “Just Say No”

Application: Look we all struggle with being the model Christian. It is difficult at times with all the temptations daily. But I have discovered that perhaps the hardest thing for us all is not to resist the devil and those evils in life. OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM IS SAYING NO TO OURSELVES. When we are tempted to indulge in our old habits not only should we say no to the habit but we must say no to ourselves. Remind yourself of who you are and say NO that is not what I need. On the job when people push you to the limit and you feel that moment coming up, just say no! On the road when the car cuts you off, just say no! That lie you want to tell you think you need to tell, just say no! How do we escape the influences of the world? How do we resist the vices of the world? You got it just say no . . . Keep reminding yourself that you are a child of the King

Transition: Paul further encourages that we become committed to the New Life with:

You see it, right there in verse 10 & 11 . . .

Colossians 3:10–11 ESV

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Those verses call for the continuous effort of knowing who Christ is. Paul challenges the church to recognize the necessity of learning about Christ so that they could become like Christ. He expected them to recognize that the knowledge of Christ was for everybody not Just those who were Jews, not just the circumcised, not just the free but Christ died for everybody. Paul challenges them to experience the joy of Jesus that could only come through learning about Jesus. He wanted them to express that joy openly and daily, which could only come from learning more about Christ. He wanted them to be able to testify openly and say that every since I got to know the man I been a better me. This joy and testimony could only come by learning of the character of Christ and by learning about the love of Christ, by learning of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. He says you can’t be like the man if you know nothing of the man. The more you learn of Jesus, the more you will realize the less you need from the world, the less you need to prove to the world and the better you’ll shine in the world.But you have got to know Him. You may not be able to see Him physically but you can learn he is everywhere. You may not hear Him physically but you can learn that he speaks daily to your situation. Paul admonishes the Colossae Church to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

ILLUS: When I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan in order to be able to drive there; I had to take the written drivers exam. I originally noticed that the steering wheel was on the opposite side of the car and they drove on the opposite side of the street. I was given a book and told everything I needed to know was in the book. Study the book and you will pass the test, they said. I thought that since I already knew how to drive it would be pretty easy and unnecessary for me to study. I went to take the test and I failed the test. I was embarrassed and shame. My supervisor said don’t worry everybody fails the first time. I said, “Really, why is that?” He then responded, “Because nobody ever takes time to open the book and study” If I had only opened the book I would have passed the test.

Application: Do you really want to be able to stand before Christ and hear Him say well done my good and faithful servant. Well, that can’t just happen by observing others alone. It cannot happen by living off big mama’s prayers and clichés. There must come a point and time in your life when you must search God’s word for the answers to your life. You want to be better open the word of God and allow Him to speak to you. You want to know more about Jesus? OPEN THE BOOK. Bible study is a great start but it shouldn’t be your only moment of learning. Sunday worship is a great move but it shouldn’t be your only move. Here’s what you do; take your bible off the table dust it off and open it everyday read it for 10 minutes. But reverend, I don’t have time! You have time to eat don’t you. Well, right before you eat open the book. You have time to shower don’t you well right before you get in the shower open the book. Whatever you do have time for take the word and open it right before you do that. What am I saying, if you want to get better you need to make time for the word.

To know Christ you must be willing to learn of Him. To learn of Christ you have got to open the book.

Transition: While committing to the new life includes: A willingness to reject the influences and vices of the world, and a willingness to learn the virtues of Christ, it further calls for A Willingness To Live For Christ . . .

Colossians 3:12–15 ESV

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.

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Paul encourages them to emulate Christ. As a matter of fact he tells them they are chosen by God to be his children. He says since you are chosen here are some things you ought put on and wear so that others will see Christ illuminating through you. He says, when you have learned of Christ and how Christ acts you have no choice but to be what you are called to be. You belong to God. Bought with the blood of Jesus. The world cannot claim you because you were bought. The devil can’t control you because you have been bought.Being bought gives you the power to love right. It gives you forgiving power; it gives you the power to be patient and helpful to others. He says since God has chosen you He expects more out of you. Look at the verse . . .

Colossians 3:14–15 ESV

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.

col 3:

He says to them let Christ have control of you, in other words do the things Christ has done. Live what you have learned.

ILLUS: When I was in high school we wore these wristbands that had the letters WWJD, which stood for “What Would Jesus Do” the idea around this phenomenon, was to remind people to stop and think about what the appropriate action should be in any given situation.

Application: There are many opportunities for us to share Christ with others and to be the example that others can follow but we must make every effort to live for Christ. People must see Him shining throughout our lives. Here’s how you can do it. Don’t just ask yourself what Would Jesus do, but, also ask how would Jesus act?

What would Jesus say?

Where would Jesus go?

What would Jesus think?

When you are being told off ask yourself what would Jesus say?

When your loved ones embarrass you how would Jesus respond?

When you are lied on, what would Jesus say? When you have to make a choice between church and a social outing what would Jesus choose?

When you can afford new Jordan’s, Prada, Coach, Invicta, Car note, house note but don’t consider tithing, what would Jesus do?

Who will Jesus support first, his homeboy at the club or His Church.

What would Jesus do in times of trouble?

Will Jesus forgive or keep holding a grudge?

Conclusion: Paul say’s . . . And be thankful. He tells the church of Colossae to be thankful because Christ has committed to the church. He committed His hands to the cross, His side to the spear, His body to the grave . . .I’m willing to live for Christ because He was willing to die for me . . .

I’m gonna leave you when I tell you, I’ve had many tears and sorrow, I’ve had questions about tomorrow; there been some times I didn’t know right from wrong, but in every situation, God gave me blessed consolation.

He let me know that my problems came to make me strong!!!

Ain’t God alright!

I’ve been a lot of places, I’ve seen a lot of faces! But there have been sometimes I’ve felt so all-alone! And in my darkest hour He let me know that I am His own. Anybody in here can say with me that through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus! I’ve learned to trust in God!

I thank a Him for the mountains, I thank God for the valleys, I thank Him for the storms! He’s brought me through, for if I never had a problem how would I know God could solve them. How would I know what faith in God can do? Through it all I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God!! Ain’t He alright.

Patterns for Embracing Our New Life

Patterns for Embracing Our New Life

Introduction:

Reject The Vices and Influences of The World (vv.7-9)

Learn The Virtues of Christ (vv.10-11)

Live for Christ (ESV)