The Christian Wardrobe

Colossians 3:12–17 (ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 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. 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.

Introduction: Uniforms are often the indicators of the type of work and job people do in their daily lives. . .

Transition: The believer is required to wear the garments from the Holy Closet of Christ.

DT: As Christians our wardrobe is not optional. We must put on the virtues of Christ and worship Him daily in our lives as we seek to lead others to new lives in Christ.

AIM: We will live with Christian character so that Christ is glorified in our lives.

Transition: Paul offers us three categories of garments in the Christian wardrobe that we as believers and those whom are not yet converts must consider and don as we follow Christ. The first is the Virtues of Christ.

The Virtues of Christ (vv.12-14)

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Paul lists seven virtues that the Christian must wear as though they are clothing. Paul begins by explaining that these virtues are to be “Put on”, which means they are intentionally a part of the makeup of the Christian. Paul encourages them to emulate Christ. As a matter of fact he tells them they are chosen by God to be his children. He says since you are chosen here are some things you ought put on and wear so that others will see Christ illuminating through you.

Compassionate Hearts - a heart that empathizes with other people.

Kindness- the quality of being helpful or beneficial toward others, generosity without cause

Humility- subjecting oneself to modesty and subjecting to others with a willingness to follow without ambition to rule them

Meekness- it really works hand and hand with humility. It is the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance. You know how to be in charge without flaunting your power and position.

Patience- is the state of remaining tranquil while awaiting an outcome, to endure circumstances and people.

Forgiveness- to freely extend grace toward others. I know they don’t deserve it but neither did you. “The text says, as the Lord has forgiven You!”

Love- Can be described as affection toward others but love is all of these virtues in action daily toward everyone.

Transition:

Illustration:

Application: Everyday you and I need to be in the appropriate dress. As a Christian you cannot afford to be underdress. The devil will have you believe it is ok to act and treat people worldly but that id contradictory to the principles of the Kingdom. You are God’s child and you represent Him. When people see you who do they see?

Transition: These are not optional qualities and characteristics. These are mandated, but here is the second category of the Christian wardrobe. The Peace of Christ.

The Peace of Christ (v.15)

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

Paul seems to separate this virtue from the previous seven listed because it is not something he says they need to put on but something that must be subjected to as a Christian. Now, how did I get that? Look at the verse. It says, “Let the peace of Christ rule” in other words Paul is telling the Colossians that peace must take charge and have dominion over them as they walk before men. What does that walk look like. The text says, “you were called in one body”. Peace promotes unity.

Peace with Christ- comes from His salvation work on the cross. We gain it when we accept Him our savior. There is no enmity between us and Christ.

Peace with others- is evident in our lives when we can walk and talk with others without envy and chaotic resentment. We recognize that we are all the children of God who have been granted His mercy.

Peace with self- Is realizing that you are a Child of the King and you may not be perfect and you may be flawed but you still belong to Him and one day you will be like Him.

Transition:

Illustration:

Application: Be a Christian who knows how to yield to the reign and authority of peace in your life. Everything does not have to be a battle in your life. Every person does not have to be your enemy. Every hurt from people does not have to be addressed. Let peace rule you. I know counting to ten does not always work but you can pray and allow the authority of peace to rule how you react and interact. When we say to people things like, you made me do this or you made me say that, we are telling them we gave them power over us. Do not allow people to control you let peace control you.

Transition: Paul presents another category of the Christian wardrobe in the text which I want to call the Life of Worship.

The Life of Worship (vv.16-17)

“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. 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.”

Paul is explaining to this group that worship is not some routine or an act. Worship is a lifestyle. We must recall to whom Paul is writing. Some were pagans and idolaters who were believing that there were rituals that needed to be followed and angels that needed to be prayed to in order to be saved and a super saint. They practiced asceticism because they believe it was the way to hear from God and look holy.

Paul says your life will demonstrate who you are and what you believe by how you live daily before God.

Study The Word- not just for your own wisdom but so that others will know Christ.

Sing Praises to God- Noticed Paul did not say entertain each other. He said sing to God!

Be Thankful

Do what brings God glory

Illustration:

Application: Our lives cannot be consumed with our material possessions. It cannot be consumed with our professional successes. Our lives must be consumed with God! There should never be anything or anyone more significant in your life than God.

Transition: The Christian wardrobe is pertinent for the believer. We bring shame to ourselves and God when we are underdress or naked.

Conclusion: Get dressed and represent God effectively. You may be saying right now, Pastor I really try hard to live right. I really want to do these things but life is so difficult. I have so much going on. I struggle with sin and there are some things I do even now that I am ashamed to talk about.

Can I tell you that you are in the right place at the right time. This message is for you. This message is designed with you in mind to show you that we all have been there and some of us are still there but we have a Savior who is walking with us and strengthening us along the way.

Jesus died so that you can wear the wardrobe. He rose so that you can live.