Getting A New Wardrobe Series

Getting A New Wardrobe

Text: Col. 3:5-11

Introduction

1. Illustration: Ten months ago, I had a life changing even; I had bariatric surgery. As of today I have lost 133 lbs. As a result, I have had to have an entirely new wardrobe (several times). I can't wear the clothes I used to wear, and so I needed to get new ones.

2. This morning I want to use my weight loss as an illustration of what needs to happen when we become a Christian. Just as I can no longer wear the clothes I used to wear, we can no longer be the people we used to be either.

3. Paul tells us that the new life is about...

A. Slaying The Dragon

B. Losing The Attitude

C. Putting On The New Life

4. Would you stand with me this morning as we read from Col. 3:5-11.

Proposition: We need to take off our old life and put on our new one.

Transition: This morning I would like us to join King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, because a part of the new life involves...

I. Slaying The Dragon (5-6).

A. Put To Death

1. Illustration: Bruce Wilkinson, author of Prayer of Jabez, said:

Sexual immorality is a threshold sin. On one side of the threshold is immorality and on the other is purity. On one side are guilt, lying, deceit, addiction, and shame, an on the other side are freedom, honesty, transparency, liberty, and a clear conscience. Believers who are in bondage to immorality find that unless they experience victory in this area, they cannot grow in holiness or serve the Lord with passion and power (Victory Over Temptation).

2. Sexually immorality was a major problem in Paul's day. He dealt with extensively in his first letter to the Corinthians, and he deals with it here in Colossians. Sadly, it is also a major issue in the church today.

3. We would do well to head the words of Paul to the Colossian church, where he says, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world."

A. In principle the Colossians had, in becoming Christians, died with Christ. Now they are charged to make this death to the old life real in everyday practice.

B. The verb meaning literally "to make dead," is very strong. It suggests that we are not simply to suppress or control evil acts and attitudes. We are to wipe them out, completely exterminate the old way of life.

C. One commentator said, it's like a man who while working at a machine gets his fingers caught between rollers or caught in the belting. "Another minute and he will be flattened to a shapeless bloody mass. He picks up an axe lying by and with his own arm hacks off his own hand at the wrist.... It is not easy nor pleasant, but it is the only alternative to a horrible death" (Klien, The Expositor's Bible Commentary: Volume 11: Ephesians through Philemon, 211).

D. First in the list of things to put to death in our lives is sexual immorality. This refers to any form of illicit sexual relationship.

E. The term serves to spotlight forbidden sexual behavior between people or indirect participation as an audience. We derive our term "pornography" from this Greek word.

F. In contrast to the loose morals of the ancient Greek world, believers ought to show self-discipline and obedience to God in this area.

G. Next Paul deals with eliminating impurity. Moral uncleanness. Perhaps no sexual act has taken place, but the person exhibits a crudeness or insensitivity in sexual matters. This would include dirty jokes, sexual inuendo and suggestive posts on social media!

H. Although sometimes used of physical impurity, here has a moral connotation. Including uncleanness in thought, word, and act.

I. Then Paul deals with the concept of lust. Evil sexual passion that leads to excessive sexual immorality and perversion. In the NT, where it always has a bad sense, it means uncontrolled desire.

J. Matthew 5:27-28 (NLT2)

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

K. Next Paul talks about doing away with evil desires. Wanting something that is sinister and vile in order to satisfy one's desires.

L. Closely related to evil desires is greed. Relentless urge to get more for oneself.

M. In this context, Paul may have been focusing on greed for satisfying evil desires and for sexual immorality.

N. The greed is described as idolatry because its focus is on filling desires rather than on God (Barton, Life Application New Testament Commentary, 882).