THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS
(New Life Realized - January 1, 2023)
Series Big Idea: "Humanity is only complete in God the Son"
Sermon Big Idea: "True holiness is living a human life here on earth in alliance with God
Key Scripture (Colossians 3:1-4:1)
We are coming back to our series of sermons in the Book of Colossians today. I can think of no greater way to start the new year off right than to unpack this passage. It is lengthy, but for us to get an understanding of our new life in Christ, we must read the entirety of chapter three.
The doctrinal section of chapters 1–2 and the practical section of chapters 3–4 rest on Colossians 3:1–4. These words complete the argument against the false teachers with greater praise of Jesus' supremacy and admonition to keep Christ paramount in all areas of a person’s life. Paul encouraged the Colossian Christians to stay in Christ (2:6–7), and not fall for empty ideas (2:1–5) (2:8–10). Since believers are identified with Christ, living by Jewish regulations (2:11–17) would deprive them of their rewards (2:18– 19). They no longer need to follow legalistic regulations because they died with Christ and are raised with Him (2:20–23).
(Colossians 3:1-4:1)
So, if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. 4 When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. 11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. 12 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 in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 18 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. 4:1 Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
In all of Apostle Paul’s writings, he always put Christ ahead of everything else, no matter what he was discussing. To him, Christ is life (Philippians 1:21). Christ Jesus drastically changed Paul’s life when he met the Messiah. He does the same thing to us today when we meet Him. I want to discuss some of the drastic changes Jesus makes in a person’s life as He makes that person a new creation.
1. A person’s Heart is deeply impacted
In Paul’s mind, our new life in Christ is a resurrected life (Colossians 3:1). Rules and reforms can’t take the place of the power of the resurrection, which is needed to explain why Christ brings such big changes. Because of this resurrection, he calls us to “seek the things above.” We were once dead in our sins but now we are alive in Christ! Our identity is in Him now. Paul intends for believers to “seek” or continually go after the things that are approved in heaven. Additionally, the Holy Spirit seals us(Ephesians 1:13) and our hearts are protected. One day all will be revealed!
2. A person’s Habits are profoundly influenced
Christ not only changes our hearts but our habits. Paul uses the example of taking off and putting on clothes to explain this change. When we were without Christ, we were bound to our old habits which Paul lists (Colossians 3:5-9). But when we are saved, these old ways are to be cast aside. Now the old life we once lived is dead. Paul stresses that we should never go back and put these old garments on again. When Christ comes into our life, everything becomes brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
3. A person’s Home is overwhelmingly changed
There is nothing that is left untouched in our lives when we come to Christ. Paul obviously believes the home is where the most radical difference is made. He says that God's peace should "reign" in us. Paul wants peace to settle disagreements at home. He believes "Christ's message" should govern our family decisions (3:16). Having a Bible in our house isn't the same as God's Word living there. The Bible in our family implies we seek God's will with "knowledge." We can see how radical the Christian household is. Every decision and action honors Jesus (3:17).
In the closing verses of our text, Paul argues that marriage has always been and always will be vital to the health of the home. In this text, Paul emphasizes submitting or giving oneself to the Lord's will. He doesn't think women are inferior. But rather husbands and wives each have a unique job or obligation. Paul emphasized husbands loving their spouses without animosity. Radical Christ-commitment breeds love in the home.
4. A person’s Vocation is radically improved
Paul explains that the tremendous change Christ brings at home should be taken to the job. First, he calls employees to stewardship (3:22–25). "In everything" (3:22), obey. This doesn't include criminal or immoral acts, which believers must avoid, but rather an honest day's job for compensation. Workers should serve "heartily" as if "to the Lord" (3:23).
Paul also explains employers' Christian responsibilities (4:1). They must care about their employees. Good working conditions, proper salary, fair benefits, and employment awards represent what the Lord of the harvest does for His devoted employees.
Conclusion:
Salvation is instant. Sanctification is a process. Once we are saved God sees us as glorified (Romans 8:29- 30). But what Paul has discussed in this passage takes time to change. It obviously depends on the depth of the roots of the world in a person’s life. For example, a child that comes to Christ and has been protected in a Christian home probably will not experience the same struggles as a child whose home was filled with the world as a way of life. We are transformed by God’s Word, our experiences with God and others, and gospel experiences with the world. You may be saved, but are you allowing God to sanctify you?
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:
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