Feet On The Earth - Head In The Sky Series

I’ve seen people nearly cry as they told of wanting to become a Christian.

I’ve seen the excitement in people’s eyes as they told of what Jesus meant to them.

Why do they react that way? Because Christ supplies what they have needed in their lives.

It could be because they have always wanted another chance. A fresh start in life. And they realize that once they become Christians they have a “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10). They have a new self, a new start to a life they have fouled up on their own

Or… it could be that they realize that – in becoming a Christian – they can gain the love of they may have missed in life. As Paul says, once we were baptized – we became “…God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved" (Colossians 3:12)

Once we realize what we have gained by “Putting On Christ”, we can experience a constant state of excitement and thanksgiving. Just by putting on Christ…

IV. But, how do I know if I have put on Christ successfully?

Well Paul gives us a list of those too:

Don’t lie to each other

Show compassion

Show kindness

Be humble

Be gentle

Show patience

Bear with one another

Forgive grievances

Forgive as the Lord forgave you

Be thankful

Sing songs of praise

Teach & admonish one another with all wisdom

AND over all things, put on Love which binds all things together

Do you recognize something all these have in common? (pause and wait for an answer)

Answer: These are descriptions of how a Christian should treat others.

Tell each other the truth…

Be compassionate, kind, patient, forgiving others

Sooo… think about this…

Is there anyone you are having trouble forgiving?

Is there anyone you have trouble speaking nicely about?

Is there anyone you have problems being kind and compassionate and gentle with?

“Oh…” you might say… “that doesn’t count – they don’t go to this church!”

That’s cheating. Notice what it says in Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Did God forgive you because you were in the “right place”?

Did God forgive you because you DESERVED to be forgiven?

Did God forgive you because you were better than the person next to you?

Oh no… God forgave you EVEN when you were His enemy

God forgave you even when you were self centered and self righteous.

God forgave you even when you deserved to die for your sins.

The way you KNOW if you’ve put on Christ completely is when you can honestly look at someone who’s offended you - forgive them. It’s when you are willing to bear with them.

ILLUS: Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed that someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never heard of the incident.

"Don’t you remember it?" asked her friend.

"No," came Barton’s reply, "I distinctly remember forgetting it."

CLOSE: The beauty of becoming a Christian is that – God gives us a new life.

A life freed of the filth and shame and guilt of the past.

A life filled with God’s love and acceptance.