Put Away the Old – Put On the New
Colossians 3:1-17
If … you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
(5) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (6) Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (7) in which you also once walked when you lived in them. (8) But now you must also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (9) Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. (10) and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, (11) where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all, and in all.
(12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering: (13) bearing one another, and forgiving one another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. [NKJV]
OPENING REMARKS
When I underwent heart surgery a few years back my life changed
. I had to change my diet – no longer the fat and greasy foods
. I had to change my activities – no longer the sedentary lifestyle
. I had to change my attitude – no longer saying: I can do what I want to do
. Instead I had to choose what was best instead of what was merely acceptable
So too when you become a Christian your life changes as well
. You change your diet – no longer desire a harmful lifestyle
. You change your activities – no longer participate in undesirable situations
. You change your attitude – no longer my importance matters
. Instead you now look to Christ for the best for His glory instead of what is merely acceptable
TEXT
I. SEEK THINGS ABOVE (1-4)
John Phillips
.. Where are you looking?
. The psychologist says: Look Within!
. The opportunist says: Look Around!
. The optimist says: Look Ahead!
. The pessimist says: Look Out!
. God says: Look Up!
.. Paul wants us to live above the world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. Sin’s temptations assail us from without. Our sinful temperament attacks us from within. The answer to it all is Christ.
--- [Exploring Colossians and Philemon: An Expository Commentary, Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2002, pp. 159, 163(adapted)] ---
John MacArthur
Paradoxically, before Christians can reach the world, they must first leave it. … It is only when we rise above the world that we can … appreciate the appalling spiritual poverty in which most people live and learn to fix our minds on heavenly realities.
--- [The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Colossians and Philemon, Chicago: Moody Publications, 1992, pp. 125-126] ---
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I will live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [ESV]
II. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (5-11)
Therefore
. Reflects back to the first four verses.
. As citizens of heaven we need – No! We Must! – cut the ties of any sinful pattern of our former unsaved condition and look heavenly towards our Savior.
Put to Death –
. If you are a Christian –
. Put to death your members which are on earth (fleshly nature – old man)
. Literally means: To make dead.
Richard Baxter
Use sin as it will use you; spare it not, for it will not spare you; it is your murderer, and the murderer of the world: use it, therefore, as a murderer should be used. Kill it before it kills you
--- [cited, John MacArthur, p. 136]
Rom. 6:6-7, 12-13
[Know] this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. … Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of you body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [NASB]
.. Born again –
What a privilege – what an honor: but how does that translate into our everyday living?
. Does your life reflect what has taken place in your life?
3 John 12 – Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself
. Or does your life reflect what you were and have refused to change?
2 Peter 1:5-11 – … do not forget that you were purged from sin – make your calling and election sure …
.. What a testimony to have before others.
. I lived like Lot – committed incest (cf. – Gen. 13:10-12; 19:1-38 to 2 Peter 2:6-9)
. I lived like Samson – committed suicide (cf. – Judges 13:1-16:31 to Hebrews 11:32-34)
.. You may be saved – but if there is no change in your daily living my friend you run the risk of losing all, but your salvation (saved by the skin of your teeth). – 1 Corinthians 3:5-17
Therefore, put to death your members which are on earth -
A. Heart (Feelings – Longings) – v. 5-7
.. Know full well that the old heart longs for the opportunity to be in control of your actions.
. You must daily resist the temptation to give into your fleshly desires.
Galatians 5:16, 19-21
… Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust [desire] of the flesh.… Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I told you in time past, that those who practice [habitually] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
.. Here Paul lists:
. Fornication: sexual immorality
. Uncleanness: filthy thoughts, words, looks, gestures, and jokes
. Passion: physical lustful living
. Evil Desire: depraved mental passion
. Covetousness: the love of money amounts to idolatry
.. This kind of behavior you expect from the unregenerate – surely not from a Christian!
Because of these things the wrath of God will come upon … the sons of disobedience …
J. Vernon McGee
Men are not lost simply because they do these things, neither are they lost because they haven’t heard of Christ. Men are lost because they are sinners, sinners in their hearts. And, because they are sinners, they do these things.
--- [Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee: First Corinthians through Revelation, vol. 5, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983, p. 356] ---
In which you also once walked when you lived in them
.. Those of us who know the Lord practiced these sins, as well as many others (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11) – I hope that we are not still doing these things!
B. Tongue (Emotions) – v. 8-11
.. The above list of sins from our depraved heart are recognized for the horrific wickedness that they represent to Christians – they are so repulsed from them that they will usually do their utmost to avoid those desires like the plague.
. However, often we have some old habits that are not so easy to put away. For some reason they are not seen as repulsive as those dreadful sins of our hearts. – So we seem to determine that they are not that bad and besides – – No One Is Perfect – – which excuses and allows us to hold onto our many pet sinful habits – God has forgiven me, so I will be okay.
. My friend: be aware that if this is your line of reasoning then you are being deceived into a thinking which is condemned by God through His Word – cf. Rom. 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? [God Forbid!] How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
.. The most destructive instrument every man, woman, and child has about them is their tongue.
James 3:5-10
The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
.. Oh, how our tongue expresses the following:
Must also put off
Gk. word is used for the removing of clothing – As a person takes off his dirty clothes at the end of the day, so should believers discard the filthy, tattered rags [habits] of their old life [John Macarthur, p. 143].
Anger – Gk: a deep, smoldering, resentful bitterness. It is the settled attitude of angry person. Wrath – Gk: a sudden outburst of anger. Suddenly we explode. Sometimes it surprises all of us.
Malice – Gk: a vicious nature which is bent on doing harm to others – nursing a grudge.
Blasphemy – Gk: to speak in a slanderous manner that destroys another’s reputation.
Filthy Language – Gk: foul speaking, cursing or obscene communication with the mouth.
Lying – Gk: a falsehood used to deceive – a way of life for millions – including Christians.
.. Why?
Because you have put off the old man and put on the new man with his deeds –
Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law.
In Christ – all are equal – cf. Col. 3:23-25, … there is no respect of persons [KJV]:
Racial – Greek or Jew
Religion – Circumcised or Uncircumcised
Culture – Barbarian or Scythian
Social Position – Slave or Freeman
III. PUT ON THE NEW SELF
Therefore
As the elect [chosen] of God, holy [set apart] and beloved [objects of love]
Put On! – [Same principle as above]
A. Heart (nature) – v. 12-14
. Tender Mercies – Gk: heart of compassion – people are not just numbers, but individuals
. Kindness – Gk: not being harsh – concerned about your neighbor
. Humbleness of Mind – Gk: lowliness of mind – putting others above oneself
. Meekness – Gk: a willingness to suffer injury instead of inflicting it, gentleness
. Longsuffering – Gk: being long tempered, does not get angry at others, opposite of revenge and resentment
. Bearing with One-Another – Gk: to endure, to hold out in spite of persecution, threats, injury, indifference, or complaints and not retaliate
. Forgiveness – Gk: to be gracious, forgiving like Christ – the grave of all squabbles (Phillips, p. 180)
. Love – Gk: unconditional love does no wrong to a neighbor
B. Tongue (Emotions) – v. 15-17
.. Peace of God [Christ] – Gk: concept of agreement and an attitude of rest or security
. Rule – Gk. used to describe the activity of an umpire abiding by the rules
. One Body – Unity among all is found when individuals have peace in their own hearts
. Be Thankful – Thankfulness towards God’s providence maintains a peaceful heart
.. Word of Christ – God’s revelation | cf. Hebrews 1:1-2, God … has in these last days spoken to us by His Son
. Dwell – Gk: to live in or to be at home
. Richly – Gk: abundantly or extravagantly rich
. In Wisdom – Proverbs 9:10 - the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
. In Teaching and Admonishing – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | positive and negative side of using the truth
. In Psalms – hymns – songs – singing – grace (thankfulness)
. Whatever – Word or Deed – do all in name of Christ to God the Father
CONCLUSION
Galatians 6:14
[M]ay it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [NASB]
. What are you boasting in?
. How are you living your life?
. Has change come about in your life?
. How you answer those questions may depend on your standing with God. If you do not have a desire to change and make no attempt to change your life – ask yourself why.
. Our text here shows us that Christians live a changed life.
. How are you living your life?
INVITATION
Lost - If you have never seen a need for Jesus Christ as your Savior –
. I invite you to come to Christ – He can change you today.
. Why don’t you call on His name today?
. God forgives sinners when they repent and turn to the crucified and resurrected Christ.
. Place your faith in Jesus and God will show you mercy.
Believer/Church – I urge you too to fully trust Jesus Christ today with your life. You were able to trust Him to save your soul.
. You too can trust Him to guide your life.
. Trust Him – walk by faith in the Lord today!
Come Worship The Lord
.. Our Invitation is open to all –
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen
Underwood Baptist Church
bea0210@hotmail.com
July 22, 2007
