Relate to Jesus for Who He is

The Walk

Colossians 3:17 — Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Your life has changed (spiritually speaking)

because of Jesus

You have been filled in Jesus (2:10)

You have been made alive with Jesus (2:13)—FORGIVEN

Learn to live out the change (Learn is the operative word)

SEEK THE THINGS that are above, where Christ is (3:1),

seated at the right hand of God

SET YOUR MINDS on things that are above (3:2)

For you have died, and

YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST (3:3).

Choose to RELATE to JESUS for WHO HE IS

Choose to WALK IN HIM — FOLLOW HIS LEAD

What does that look like? New mindset leads to new path

PICTURE OF PATH (3:12-14)

(PUT ON) a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, LOVE

PICTURE OF PATH—JESUS

Reflects JESUS

REQUIRES JESUS—WALK IN HIM—NOT EASY

PICTURE OF PATH—COMPETING DESIRES (3:5-9)

(INVOLVES SAYING “NO”)

COMPETING PASSIONS PULL AT OUR HEARTS

Sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness, idolatry

COMPETING EMOTIONS/DESIRES/PURSUITS

Anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscenities, deceit

PICTURE OF PATH—DEATH

(3:5) PUT TO (3:8) PUT THEM ALL AWAY

Consider them as dead—you don’t have to move there.

JESUS has freed you to choose a better path

PICTURE OF PATH—JESUS IS KEY

PICTURE OF PATH—LIFE IS FOUND—HOW?

TRANSITION TO BLACK/YELLOW

as I mention shirts

PUT OFF/PUT ON SLIDE Garments darkness/light

Involves the MIND

Colossians 3:9–10 — 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.

PUT OFF/PUT ON—INVOLVES THE MIND

AS YOUR MIND GOES, YOU GO

REQUIRES EFFORT

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

REQUIRES EFFORT

This requires CONSISTENT effort—put off/put on

How many days a week do you get dressed?

INCLUDES STRUGGLING (Romans 7&8 / sacrifice)

PICTURE OF PATH—JESUS IS KEY

(CHOOSE JESUS)

HOW? 3 PRACTICAL STEPS (3:15-17)

Let the PEACE of CHRIST RULE in your hearts (3:15)

John 14:27 — Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Let the PEACE of CHRIST RULE in your hearts

Grace to you and peace from God our Father--God’s peace

Galatians 5:22 — Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE . . .

Let Christ’s PEACE RULE—(arbitrate/umpire/lead)

PEACE is not indifference—IT IS WELL-BEING

SOCIAL ASPECT/You are not alone on the path

(Hey, did you mean to wear that?--clear)

Colossians 3:15 — And let the PEACE of CHRIST RULE in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the WORD of CHRIST DWELL in you richly (3:16)

DWELL—to inhabit

Let Christ’s Word (God’s Word) LIVE with you.

RICHLY—IN ABUNDANCE

PRAYERFUL READINGS—EPHESIANS—NEXT?

(Read to live, not to be informed)

IN ALL WISDOM

Colossians 3:16 — Let the WORD of CHRIST DWELL in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another IN ALL WISDOM.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another . . .

Colossians 1:9 — Asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

NOT ALONE ON THE PATH (teaching/admonishing)

Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

WITH CHRIST’S WORD AND HIS PEACE TO GUIDE OUR HEARTS . . . WE ACT

Colossians 3:17 — 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.

Do EVERTHING in the name of the LORD JESUS

Acting in someone’s name means both representing Him and being empowered to do so—let everything be done in dependence on the Lord Jesus (James Moffatt)

PICTURE OF PATH—JESUS IS THE KEY

Giving thanks to God the Father through him.

SUMMARY

Your life has changed because of Jesus

Learn to live out the change

Choose to RELATE to JESUS for WHO HE IS

REQUIRES EFFORT/NOT WITHOUT A STRUGGLE