Christ, Our Life

Intro

Text - Colossians 3.1-4

Colossians 3:1–4 NKJV

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.

Sermon Title - Chris, Our Life

Background

Verses 3 and 4 is a short side statement or comment by Paul

inserted in the vast discourse of Paul’s epistle

Yet, this statement is the very core message of this epistle

Colossians - similar to Ephesians in many ways

inheritance - Col 1.12

mystery of God in Christ - Col 1.26-27; Col 4.3

Christ sitting in the irhgt hand of God - Col 3.1

walk, good works, etc - Col 1.10

Paul delivers the same message to the Colossian saints, with a focus on life in Christ

What does it mean to have Christ is our life?

Sermon Points

“Christ, our life” means we are dead, and were raised up with Christ

Colossians 2:11–13 NKJV

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

The circumcision of Christ

the body of sin is declared dead - the old life

nailed to the cross of with Christ

symbolized by water baptism

Romans 6:4 NKJV

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:13–15 NKJV

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

We are raised with Him and made alive with Him

in the same work of God - Christ’s resurrection

by the Spirit of God

God “disarmed” the powers that were controlling us!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not only God’s acknowledgement of your faith.

It is also God’s means of releasing you from the grip of sin, from the power of demonic forces that control the fallen world!

UNTIL YOU A PERSON IS BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, HE/SHE IS NOT FREE FROM THE POWER OF DEATH AND SIN!

Romans 8:2 NKJV

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

“Christ, our life” means were are to “seek things that are above”

Colossians 2:20–23 NKJV

20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

STOP living “subject to” earthly regulations

subject to regulations - be confined to, be ruled by,

the Jews believed faith in God is all about following rules

modern Christians believe that faith in God is about do’s and dont’s

outward religion is powerless in restraining sensual indulgence

Put to death your members in the flesh

Colossians 3:5–7 NKJV

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.

put to death - mortify, keep dead, stop the activity

Colossians 3:1–2 NKJV

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.

START reaching for things “above”

ILLUSTRATION - imagine yourself waking up in a different place.

Would look for things from your place of origin?

Or would you explore the things of that new place?

things above are those connected with the place where Christ sits - at the right hand of God!

Power and Majesty

victory over the flesh, sin, evil, demonic spirits, etc.

holiness, righteousness, justice, godliness

establishment of God’s kingdom

salvation of people

things above - God’s purpose, God’s way

Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV

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.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

to the glory of God means it will accomplish God’s purpose in His kingdom

Example -

my education - will it serve a purpose in God’s kingdom

my marriage - will it benefit the kingdom of God

my work/job/business

WHAT’S THE POINT?

TO LIVE WITH CHRIST IS TO KNOW HIS WILL FIRST, THEN DO YOUR THING SECOND.

Trial and error Christians do their thing first, then ask God for His will.

TO LIVE WITH CHRIST IS TO KNOW OUR POSITION FIRST, THEN DO THINGS THAT WILL ADVANCE THAT POSITION.

First, seek God’s kingdom and will

Next, seek God’s way to accomplish His will

Then, do things in the power of God’s kingdom!

Conclusion

When we “died” (to our self) God hid us in Christ:

He wrapped us in Christ’s resurrection power

He covered us with His Holy Spirit

WHY?

So that our will and desires will not have preeminence over His will and desires!

So that only God’s plans will be accomplished!

When Christ, our Life, finally appears:

at His return

because His work is finished!

God will bring us out with Christ!

We will appear with Christ in glory!

because we allowed His purpose to be accomplished in us!

because allowed God to have His way!

SONG - Have Your Way

Have Your way, Have Your way

Holy Spirit fill our hearts

And have Your way

As we pray, As we pray

Speak Your word into our hearts

And have Your way.