Dressed to the 9's

ME:

Dressed up

(Decked out … Stylin … She’s Hot (This is what I say to my wife)

Have you ever heard the phrase said about someone who is all dressed up, “They are dressed to the 9’s?”

It’s an English idiom that means .... “to the highest degree or perfection”

This comes from the idea that it took 9 yards of material to make a 3 piece suit.

When I was younger I use to think I was dressed to the 9’s!

Then I got married and was made aware that I was not always styling.

Transition Statement: Why do we dress up anyway?

WE:

To impress (Person / Employer)

Occasions

Weddings

Funerals

Parties (Halloween / Christmas)

Change your appearance

In some cases, you can change your identity (Clark Kent/Superman)

Transition Statement: In this study of the book of Colossians we have found this idea of dress.

GOD:

Colossians 3:13–17 (ESV)

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

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.

This idea / Phrase “PUT ON” is found three times in Colossians ....

3:10 and have put on the new self

3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

It’s this imagery of clothing being PUT ON!

Clothing was something that revealed ones identity in society.

Paul writes to this church praising them about their ...

“New Identity” “New Self”

Its the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer.

It’s not about FEELING better of good

It’s about BEING better / Holy / Righteous / good

Not about checking boxes ....

(8) Anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk

When you are “BEING,” all of these things evaporate

It’s not about your feelings in the events of life, its about how you are being in those events.

(12) Compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, patience

When you are “BEING,” all of these things manifest themselves

We have reviewed the vices and attributes Paul has mentioned to this church.

He adds a couple more ......

(13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

In the NIV they put a period at the end of VS 12. Starts a new sentence in Vs 13.

The NIV translates the words “Bearing and Forgiving” not as present participles but IMPERATIVES. (Commands)

The one I want to focus in on this morning is the one, and I believe Paul would agree with me, that is to the highest degree .......

The one, when put on, brings about perfection to the highest degree in Christ.

LOVE

When you “put this on” you are dressed to the 9’s!

Paul states “which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Not specifically the “Attributes” but “THE CHURCH.” (Ecclesia)

Paul is writing to the Ecclesia.

“Perfect Harmony” the Greek word is (Teleiotes)

Used 2 times

Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”

And here in Colossians “Perfect Harmony”

Teleiotes means A state of completion or perfection

Translated today .... “It doesn’t get any better than this.”

When we have “put on” LOVE we are dressed to the 9’s (To the highest degree/perfection)

This is what the church (ecclesia) should look like .... dressed to the 9’s

Transition Statement: I would go as far as to say this is how every social dynamic should look like.

YOU:

Every marriage .....

Every Family ....

Every Neighborhood ....

Every Community ....

Every City ....

Every State ....

Every Nation

Not just the church but ....... ESPECIALLY the Church!

Love to the Highest Degree

Perfect Love

This is what John Wesley would call Sanctification ..... “Perfect Love”

ARE YOU DRESSED TO THE 9’s?

Transition Statement: What should being “dressed to the 9’s look like for you?”

WE:

JESUS!!!!!!

You want to know why we might not be dressed to the 9’s .....

Because we don’t know Jesus!

Know of Him but we don’t know HIM

To know the Love of God you have to know the GOD of Love!

To experience to Love of God you have to experience the GOD of Love!

To be the Love of God is being dressed to the 9’s.