Colossians 3:12-14 - Forgive One Another

February 23, 2020 am Highlands B. C. Living With One Another Forgive One Another Colossians 3:12-14 Introduction: I. Opening — What are you wearing? II. Illustration => “Killer Whale Clash” A. The Clothes 1. Jacket => (I thought khaki) Olive Green 2. Tie => W. W. F. tie – mustard yellow with black & white orcas B. The Circumstances => Ensemble which sang at the 8:30 am service instead of a choir C. The Complaint 1. My cousin—Melinda 2. “Why are you wearing that?” 3. “It clashes?” 4. “What color do you think that is?” III. Context — In 3:5-9a, Paul told believers what to put off, while in 3:9b-11 he describes the believer's new identity in Christ. In 3:12, Paul begins to tell believers what to put on. In 3:9b-11, Paul describes what God has done for the believer. In 3:12-17 he describes what God expects of the believer in response. A righteous identity must issue in righteous behavior. Such behavior is the outward manifestation of the inward transformation, and it is the only sure proof that such transformation has taken place.1 IV. Review A. Romans 13:8 (NKJV) => love one another, B. Romans 15:7 (NKJV) => receive (accept) one another, C. Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) => through love serve one another. D. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) => Bear one another's burdens, E. Romans 12:10 (NKJV) => in honor giving preference to one another; V. Read Text — Colossians 3:12-14 VI. Pray Instruction: I. The Conditions for Forgiveness (vv. 12, 14) A. Our Salvation by God => “elect” B. Our Position in Christ => “holy” C. Our Relation to God => “beloved” D. Our Commission from God => “put on” = Imperative 1. Compassion => Concern for others 2. Kindness => Doing what is best for others 3. Humility => Considering others better than what they actually are 4. Gentleness => Exercising Self-Control 5. Patience => Continuing Endurance 6. Love (14) => Choosing Sacrifice for the good of another II. The Commitment of Forgiveness (v. 13) A. Commitment to Forbearance 1. “Bear with One Another” => "to endure, to hold out (or stick with) in spite of persecution, threats, injury, indifference, or complaints and not retaliate." 2 2. Mercy => Not Giving what is deserved B. Choosing to Forgive 1. Root word of forgive is grace => “The word means to be gracious to a person; to pardon him for some wrong done against us.” 3 2. Grace => Giving what is not deserved 3. The Ultimate Example is Our Lord Jesus => 1 Peter 2:21-24 (NKJV) 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. * 3 Circles Life Conversation Guide C. William MacDonald, in his one volume commentary, suggests, “Forbearance suggests our not taking offense; forgiveness—not holding it.” 4 III. The Cause of Forgiveness (v. 13b) A. Christ Jesus is our Standard 1. Of Love => John 13:34 (NKJV) – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 2. of Forgiveness => Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) – 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. B. It is hypocritical to think and believe that God will forgive me, when I refuse to forgive someone else! C. Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Invitation: I. Illustration — II. Appeals III. Pray