1.1-3.25
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4
Title: Colossians - Rewind
Introduction: This past week was a significant week in the history of modern Christianity. Thursday especially had special significance. In 1891 June 7th Charles Spurgeon preached his final message. In 2002, June 7th marked the final day that Martin Burnham would be alive, while it also marked the final day of captivity for Gracia. What causes these individuals to be remembered long after the normal person would be remembered? There is not a doubt in my mind that we remember them because of their great sacrifice for Christ as well as their ability to lead authentic Christian lives. They stand out because they understood the lesson of the book of Colossians and they applied it to their lives which in turn caused it to be lived out in their actions.
Central Idea: Christians should live their lives in light of the secure salvation of their souls.
Main Transition: This morning we are going to rewind our study on Colossians. We have been out of the book for almost a month. Before we can jump back in to finish it out we need to take some time and focus on the book as a whole. Now that we know what we know about Paul’s message to the Colossians, lets reveal how we need to respond to the book as a whole. First we deal with the doctrine of the book this is where we can find the source of true confidence. This then radically changes our lives to the point that we develop authenticity to our faith. This then ventures home and changes the way that we relate to one another as members of a family. This truly helps us to understand the impact that Christ has on our family.
I. The source of true confidence
A. Your new position (1:13)
1. Remember that as Paul is writing he is writing to believers in Colossae, a city that has been under siege by false doctrine that is now trying to seep into the church.
2. But Paul calls them to a higher calling and a better understanding.
a. Paul enters into the doctrine of the book by declaring a truth that affects authentic Christians, our entire outlook should be changed by this verse. (1:13)
b. Because of Christ’s work on the cross we who have trusted in Christ as Savior are rescued from the consequences of sin.
B. The completed work of Christ
1. Paul then lays out how Christ is our Savior.
2. Christ is our creator (1:15-16)
Illustration: All week we have focused on this truth, That Christ is the creator who died on the cross to save His creation. Richard Stepanek shared with us last week how it was our creator that came to once again save His special creation.
3. Our creator comes to earth taking on the form of man and dying on the cross. (1:20) When we were hostile toward God, He takes away the sins of the world, for you sake and for mine.
4. After Christ rises again and ascends into heaven, the body of believers still remains, the purpose of this body is to tell the world about salvation from sin.
a. Paul tells us that he was made a minister of this body v. 25
b. This body was used of God to revile the mystery of the Old Testament, the hope of Glory found in Christ as Savior. V. 27
c. Therefore, we have the responsibility as a church to ensure that we are presenting every man complete in Christ v. 28
5. Paul then lays out five examples of the completed work of Christ, we were set apart by Christ 2:11, We were identified with Him 2:12, He forgives us 13, He canceled out our debt and nailed it to the cross, 14, He caused us to be triumphant 15.
C. Stop Thief (2:18)
1. In light of all that Christ has done we must stand guard not to allow the world to sneak their philosophies into the completed work of Christ.
2. As believers we do not answer to the world, nor are we to be swayed by them. This means that as we see the world with all it’s religious frill we have no need to be controlled by them, or be guilty because they seem more pious than we.
3. Do not let the world rob you of your faith and its benefits.
Transition: As Paul has challenged us with the doctrine of Christ we should be brought to our knees as we understand what Christ did for us. However, we cannot stay on our knees, we need as well to be actively engaged with the world around us. We need to have a firm foundation rooted in Christ, then we need to bring that into our lives as we seek to establish authenticity to our faith.
II. The authenticity of your faith
A. Results of your new position (3:1-4)
1. Paul writes in a manner that snaps us to attention – If you have been raised up with Christ.
a. Paul challenges our faith – If you are truly a believer in Christ Jesus, Prove it with your life.
b. If you believe that the first two chapters of this book of Colossians is true, if you believe that the creator God came to earth because of your sins and that He lived a perfect life, that He died in your place paying for your sins, that he rose again, you cannot stay as you once were.
2. Your future is forever changed, Christ is now your master, you no longer serve sin and the world. Christ is now sustaining your life and one day soon you will be with Him in glory. There is no way that you can remain unchanged by this truth.
B. A lifestyle to reject (3:5-11)
1. Our complete outlook has changed we are no longer members of the world, we have a heavenly residence.
2. Therefore, why do we subject ourselves to the ways of the world.
3. As we have read through this list can we possibly allow ourselves to live like this anymore?
Illustration: So often we find ourselves rationalizing in our minds that we are saved and it will not hurt to indulge just this once. Maybe we decided that it would be better to lie than to face the consequences of telling the truth. I for one struggle with this area, it would be easier to live the way of the world rather than to swim up stream. But we are to put on the new self. This renewal is open to all and freely given even if the immediate temptation is great.
C. A lifestyle to adopt (3:12-17)
1. We are changed people because of what Christ has accomplished in our lives, we need to live like it.
2. Our actions should reflect our master (12-14), our hearts should change and soften to the things of the Lord (15, 17)
3. Our minds must be busy studying the Word of God and causing it to be real in our lives. (16)
Transition: We have already asked this question many times in our study of Colossians, but here it goes again. Do you live like you are a servant of Christ? Are you authentic in your Christian faith? Or, do you live like a devil during the week and pretend on Sunday? If you do, its time to reevaluate your heart and make sure that you are an authentic Christian. Don’t wait to be found out in the end by Christ who will say, “I do not know you.” Trust in Him today! Finally, this morning we are also challenged to bring Christ home to the family.
III. The impact of Christ in your Family
A. The Marriage relationship (3:18-19)
1. Wives, Paul starts with you so I will as well, your God given position is to be a help mate to your husband, Your example is as the church is to Christ so to are you to be subject to your husband (Epe. 5:22-24)
2. Husbands, we have been through this once already but your responsibility is to be Christ to your wife. You have the privilege and responsibility of equipping your wife to better serve Christ. You have the privilege of giving yourself up entirely to your wife. Christ died of the church, but not in vain. He died that the sins of the world would be forgiven. (Epe.25-33)
3. Husbands do not take this responsibility lightly.
B. The parenting dilemma (3:20-21)
1. One side of the dilemma is that the children are to obey their parents
2. The other side is that the parents should not exasperate their children.
3. Parents it is your responsibility to train and teach your children the things of the Lord. Proverbs tells us that we are train up a child in the way they should go and they will not depart from it. This is a delicate balance to teach a child and yet not cause them to lose heart.
Illustration: It would be wise if each and every day as a church body we would pray for each other as parents. Pray that God would use our children to reach out to a lost world. Pray that we would train our children, and that we would help them grow in Christ and not lose heart.
C. The actions of a godly servant (3:22-25)
1. We have not dealt with this passage yet, but I feel like it fits for today.
2. Slaves in Colossae where house servants, servants in the field, and so on, today we would call them employees.
a. Paul instructs them to prove that you are a Christian by truly honoring your master, not because they deserve it but because your true master is Christ
b. Your actions will be found out and you will be judged accordingly.
Illustration: The prime example of this would be Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers, served faithfully in Potipher’s house, served time in prison, and ultimately used of the Lord to protect his family during a terrible drought. He served the Lord faithfully, even when the trails and tribulations where way beyond his understanding, He proved he had authentic faith when it mattered the most.
Conclusion: This morning we reviewed the first three chapters of the book of Colossians. The doctrine of the book should have a profound impact on your mind and your heart. It is easy to become absorbed in the day to day activities of life and skip the truth that we were created by an all powerful God, that we sinned against Him and that He sought us out and sent the Redeemer. If you have never trusted in Christ, do so today. If you are a believer in Christ, the next portion of the book directly affects the way that you should live. Your life is a reflection of what Christ is doing in your heart. Live out authentic Christianity, and make sure that your family is involved and active in their own Christlike development. A review of this book is necessary as we are confronted with the reality that we have no choice but to act like what is truly going on in our hearts. Therefore, if you are a believer, Prove it, act like it. This means we have to forgive past hurts and abuses from others, and that we make sure we are not abusing each other in the process.