How God Changes His People

How God Changes His People [part 1] Colossians 3:1-11 November 17, 2019 THE BIG IDEA: If we understand who Christ is and who He has made us to be, in His power, we can begin to leave behind the behaviors of our old life. Christ wants to do far more than modify our outward behaviors. He wants to transform us internally and begin renewing every aspect of our lives. o o We have been saved from the penalty of sin; are being saved from the practice of sin; and, one day, will be saved from the presence of sin. We were formed in God’s image, and deformed from God’s image by sin. But through Jesus Christ, we can be transformed into God’s image! Indicatives – what God has declared to be! 1. Christ has delivered us from darkness and placed us in a Kingdom of Light (1:13) 2. Christ is God (1:15) 3. You are raised in Christ (3:1) 4. You have died, been raised, and are hidden with Christ (3:3) Imperatives – commands of what we should do 1. Seek (chase, go after, desire) the things that are above. 2. Set your minds (mind-set; way of looking at people & circumstances) on things above. It is clear that desires lead to deeds, appetites lead to actions, and mindset leads to understanding and wisdom. If we are to purify our actions, then we must first purify our hearts and minds. 3. Kill the sinful desires in you. Titus 2:11-12 Puritan leader John Owen said, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV) 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. 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 5 its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 11 4. Put away (take off) the behaviors that belong to your old life. Positive Steps a Christian Can Take to Kill Sin 1. 2. 3. 4. Humble confession of the sinful behavior Total surrender of the will each day Reassurance by the Gospel of your full acceptance by God Memorize specific Scripture you will use when tempted or when offering thanksgiving for God’s deliverance 5. Pursue and utilize wisdom 6. Ask God to stir your affections for Christ. Remember, God wants to do more than modify your behavior. He wants to transform your heart.