Title Living like Christ
Text: Colossians 3:1-17
Introduction
Colossians 3:1 begins the section where Paul starts to turn from Christian doctrine to Christian duty.
We going to see a clear example of this as we look at Colossians 3:1-17
1.Our Christian Doctrine (3:1-4)
2.Our Christian Duty (3:5-17)
What is our Christian doctrine? (1-4)
Paul mentions 3 Christian doctrines in verses 1-4 and what they mean
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Doctrine 1. The death of Christ.
Lots of people know Christ died on the cross but they don’t know what it means.
1.The death of Christ means you died with Christ also (v3)
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Explanation: When Christ died on the Cross you and I died with him.
Therefore: Your life is now hidden with Christ in God
Explanation: When a man was dead and buried; the Greeks very commonly spoke of him as been hidden in the earth.
Doctrine 2. The resurrection/Ascension of Christ means you also rose and ascended with Christ.
B. You have been raised with Christ (1-2)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Explanation: When Christ rose from the dead we rose with him also. (Born Again)
Therefore: Since you have been raised from the dead let your hearts and minds be raised also.
Doctrine 3. The return of Christ means you will return with him also
C. You will reappear with Christ (v4)
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Summary of doctrines: We died with Christ, We rose with Christ, We will reappear with Christ.
2. Christian doctrine is also meant to move us to Christian duty
Question: If we believe in the death, resurrection and the return of Christ then what is our Christian duty?
Paul’s Answer: To live like Christ!
Faith without works is dead!
How do you live like Christ?
To live like Christ we must do two things.
A. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: (v5-9)
1. Exactly what are we to put to death that belongs to our earthly nature?
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
2. Why are we to put all these things to death? (v6)
“Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
These are all things that make God angry. These are things that hurt us and also hurt others
3. So how are we to put these things to death?
The world’s answer: Just keep trying as hard as you can not to do them.
The Bible’s answer: The only way we can put these things to death is by bringing them under the control of the Holy Spirit and treating them as though they were dead.”
“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:16)
If the first thing we must do is to take off the old nature then the second thing we must do in order to live like Jesus is to put on the new self (v10-14)
v10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
We find the answer to what we to put on in order to live like Jesus in v12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
How are we to put these things on?
By applying God’s knowledge to our lives (v10)
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(v11) I am a part of God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
To apply God’s knowledge to our lives means
Quote: To live with a new self-perception, one rooted in the gospel and in which each sees himself as having become a “new man” in Christ. As the believer re-orients himself in faith to this objective reality, he is subjectively restored in ever-increasing measure. The new man emerges or comes to expression in greater fullness as the believer apprehends with ever-deepening faith who he is in Christ.
But what if we are not sure if something should be put off or put on?
Paul closes our section by giving us 4 ways to decide.
1. Does the Word of Christ support it? (v16)
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2. Does it show God’s love to others? (v14)
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
3. Do I have the peace of Christ when doing it? (v15)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
The peace of Christ will either confirm my actions or convict my actions.
4. Can I say it or do it in the name of the lord? (v17)
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
