How God Changed His People (part 2)

How God Changes His People [part 2] Colossians 3:12-17 November 24, 2019 THE BIG IDEA: As God performs His work of transforming our lives and conforming us to the image of Christ, He calls to intentionally choose attitudes and behaviors that reflect Christ’s character and presence in our lives. This is only possible because of the work which God the Father first started in choosing and loving us. 2. He Equips Us With a New Life that Looks Like Jesus (vv. 13-14) “Put on then … “compassionate hearts” “kindness” “humility” “meekness” “patience” “bearing with one another” “forgiving each other” Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV) 3 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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 “love” 3. He Calls Us to the Internal, Transformative Ministry of the Indwelling Christ (vv. 15-17) “the peace of Christ” “rule” – to umpire; to have the final word “the word of Christ” “dwell” “teaching and admonishing” “singing” 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 “the name of the Lord Jesus” The great gift Paul gave us in v. 17 is a grid, an overlay by which we can determine a couple of things: him. “chosen ones” – Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 1:1-2 o In what I am doing, do I reflect Jesus? Is He honored by both what I do and the quality of my effort? If so, carry on! If not, pause and restart for His glory. “holy” – 1 Peter 1:14-16 o Can I even do what I’m doing in the name of Jesus? If 1. He calls Us to Himself for Salvation (v. 12) “beloved” – Romans 1:7; 5:6-8 not, I need to stop doing it.