Sermon Central
-
New Clothes Series
Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Nov 10, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Believers are called to "put off" the old man and "put on" the new man. Literally, Christians exchange ashes for beauty, wrongness for righteousness.
Characteristics of Christianity pt 2
New Cothes
I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NLT) [Past tense]
In New Testament Terms:
12 ¶ Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col. 3:8-17 (NLT)
YBH? (Yeah but how?) Ways believers are to be clothed with righteousness. [Attitudes Christians have!]
1- I Can Have a Compassionate HEART Toward Suffering. (v. 12a)
1. God wants you to be different - “Tenderhearted mercy” and “Kind”
2- I Can Male a RIGHT Estimation of Myself. “Humility” (v 12 b)
3- I Can be GENTLE. “Gentleness” (v 12 c)
4- I Can be LONG -suffering. “Patience” means enduring. (Vv 12 d-13)
1. “Make allowances for other peoples FAULTS.
2. “FORGIVE those who offend you.”
5- I Can LOVE Like Jesus. (v 14) [Sign of salvation – a MUST]
6- I Can LET God’s PEACE Rule in My Heart. (v 15 a)
7- I Can be a More THANKFUL Person. (v 15 b)
8- I Can at Be at Home in God’s WORD. (v 16)
9- I Can Be a WITNESS for Christ Wherever I go. (v. 17)
It comes down to Witness by life and the Word ( In this sense “clothes make a man”.
