Series Big Idea: "Humanity is only complete in God the Son"

Sermon Big Idea: "Living a genuine Christian life means behaving in a way consistent with the character of Christ"

Key Scripture (Colossians 3:12-17)

True believers in Christ are called to represent the love of Christ in all areas of their lives. Our identity as chosen people of God should shape the way we think, speak, and act. We are called to live in unity and love, imitating the character of Christ our Savior.

This is not always an easy task in a world that is full of conflict and division. However, the good news is that we are not left alone in this endeavor. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to live out our faith and represent Christ's love. In (Colossians 3:12-17), Paul gives us practical instructions on how to live as chosen ones, rooted in the love and grace of Christ.

(Colossians 3:12-17)

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. 14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. 16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude 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. 

Remember, teachings were circulating at Colossae that threatened the true gospel and the unity of the church. Paul wrote this letter to remind these believers of the supremacy of Christ and to encourage them to keep their faith in Him. And to live lives that reflected His character.

He reminds them they are “chosen ones” (v 12). In other words, they were the real deal. Genuine Christians who had been called to a higher purpose, as all true Christians are. To support that statement, he provided a list of virtues that should characterize their lives (v 12-13). These were essential qualities that would help them to maintain the unity and love within the body of Christ.

Furthermore, Paul emphasized the importance of love as the perfect bond of unity (v 14). Love is what holds the body of Christ together, and it should be at the center of everything. The peace of Christ should also govern hearts, controlling any thoughts or actions that go against the unity and love of the church.

Paul also reminded them to let the message of Christ dwell richly within them (v 15-16). This means that they were to be constantly filled with the Word of God, allowing it to shape their thoughts and actions. They were to use the scripture to teach and admonish one another in wisdom, as well as offer praise and thanksgiving to God through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (v 17).

My friends, just as this early gathering of believers, if we are true Christians, we are chosen ones of God. Our lives should be marked by love, unity, and gratitude. We too are called to put on the character of Christ and allow His love to guide our interactions and relationships with others. This means forgiving one another, showing compassion, and living in peace with one another. We must also constantly fill our hearts and minds with the message of Christ, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.

Conclusion

How can we practically apply this passage in our daily lives? First, we must constantly remind ourselves of our identity as chosen ones of God and the responsibility that comes with it. We must also actively seek to represent the virtues listed in (Colossians 3:12-17) in our words and actions. This may mean sacrificially forgiving others, showing kindness and compassion to those in need, and striving for unity within the body of Christ. We must also make time for studying and meditating on God’s Word, allowing it to dwell richly within us and guide our thoughts and actions.

As chosen ones of God, we have been given a great privilege and responsibility. We must strive to exemplify the love of Christ in all areas of our lives, living in unity and peace with one another. Let us continually remind ourselves of our identity in Christ and seek to reflect His love and grace to those around us.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Colossians. The Teacher’s Outline & Study Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1994.

Garland, David E. Colossians and Philemon. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1998.

Moo, Douglas J. The Letters to the Colossians and to Philemon. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 2008.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977.

Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians. Edited by Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885.

Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: William B. Eerdmans Publishing; Paternoster Press, 1996.

Phillips, John. Exploring Colossians & Philemon: An Expository Commentary. The John Phillips Commentary Series. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Anders, Max. Galatians-Colossians. Vol. 8. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. Galatians–Colossians. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1996.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Lucas, R. C. Fullness & Freedom: The Message of Colossians & Philemon. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Melick, Richard R. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. Vol. 32. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991.

Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1917.

Dunnam, Maxie D., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. Galatians / Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon. Vol. 31. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982.

Bowman, Robert M., Jr., and J. Ed Komoszewski. Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2007.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

AFTER THE MESSAGE

After hearing today's message there may be a decision you have made and you want a pastor to connect with you. We want to make it easy for you. Just scroll to the bottom of this page and fill out the form and our pastor will contact you.