Conformed to Christ

Scripture Reading/Prayer

Tonight’s passage is going to come from the book of Colossians, chapter 3:1-11. If you’re using one of the black Bibles on the table, it’s on page 984. Let’s stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word:

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

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.

Let us pray: Our almighty Father in heaven, we thank you that because of Jesus Christ and his work of redemption, we are able to seek the things above, where Christ is, because we have been saved through his death on the cross and his promised resurrection is our assurance that we will one day dwell with him forever. As we examine this passage tonight, I ask the Spirit to our open our hearts to hear and understand the Gospel and what your Word has to say to us, and I ask this in the name of Christ, amen.