YOU CAN CHANGE
Colossians 3:1-15
INTRODUCTION:
A. Change: it is not something we like, nor is it something we take too easily.
1. But we must remember it is inevitable, and often needed.
2. This is especially true in our life with the Lord, for Paul said, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18
3. This is the impetus behind Paul’s command in Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
B. But change for change sake is of no use, neither is it effected by our own determination and will
1. The purpose behind all change, for a Christian, should be to bring glory to God.
a. Again Paul stated, Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10:31
b. So the purpose of change must have the glory of God at its center.
2. This type of change cannot be accomplished simply by willing it to be so – it must have God as its instigator and the Holy Spirit as its propagator!
C. With this in mind I want to look at Paul’s words to the Colossians as found in Col 3:1-15
1. Here we read of Paul speaking to them concerning change.
2. He begins with citing the Foundation for Change
3. And follows this up with the Manner of Change
4. May God continue to work in us to change us more and more into the image of His son and our Savior Jesus Christ.
PRAY
Let us begin this morning by looking at
I. THE FOUNDATION FOR CHANGE, Col. 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
A. The key to lasting change is found in the tiny word “if”
1. As used here it is a conjunction meaning “in the case that”
2. There are some things that should be done, predicated upon, the notion that we have been raised with Christ – thus inferring we have been crucified with Him as well.
3. To put it another way if we have been crucified with Christ we have also risen with Him
- Listen to Paul in Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
4. Real change is based upon our acceptance of the gospel and total belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior!
5. Notice the wording of 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore IF any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
B. This change in our spiritual life, from dead to alive, gives us the ability to do two things that help build a foundation for change: we spoke of them two weeks ago
1. First we are to “set our affections on things above.”
a. This word “set” means to think or judge what one’s opinion is
b. In other words I determine my goals to be of Christ’s kingdom
c. Why? Because what I set my affections upon I will seek & so will you.
2. Then we are to seek those things which are above
a. The word “seek” comes from a Greek word which means to strive after, to crave, to demand – it’s a strong word and it is not passive.
b. It is pursuing, with all that is in us the set goal, like a runner determined to make the Olympics
3. If we are going to see real change in our lives it will only happen as we set God and His kingdom first and then put all we have into seeking out how to do His will.
C. As we set and seek we need to do so with the affirmation that …his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Pet 1:3
1. This means we can do all things in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:13)
2. And we can give thanks …to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:57
3. There is no such thing as “can’t:” “won’t,” “will not,” or “don’t want to” “It’s so hard” maybe, but never “can’t”
D. You can change because ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3
1. It does not matter what the struggle is: anger, homosexuality, cigarette smoking, drunkenness, lying, stealing, drug habits, bad language; the list goes on and on.
2. The foundation for change is not you – it is Christ and His Spirit in you!
3. Notice verse 4: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
4. So, the first question you have to ask is “Do I know Jesus as my Savior and Lord?
- Have you been trying to “reform” yourself – stop trying and come to the Lord for salvation (gospel)
5. If the answer to that is yes, the question is not can you change, but will you follow the Lord and allow Him to change you?
Knowing our life is in Christ, through salvation, and having set our affections on things above we are now ready to begin to change:
II. THE MEANS OF CHANGE, Col 3:5-1
A. Before we look at the rest of this passage let me give you a clear idea of what we are going to look at: it is known as the put off – put on method of change
1. It is most clearly stated in Eph 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
2. Three step process – there is much that goes into change, but for our purpose this morning we will keep it simple: three steps
a. One, Put off: know the problem (as identified by God), determine to get rid of it, through the working of the Spirit
b. Two, be renewed in your mind: know what the word has to say on the issue and accept what God has to say concerning it (not what you want it to say, think it says, or wish it said) – if God calls it sin, then agree with Him!
c. Third, Put On: replace the old sinful habit with a the new godly one – this will take time and practice (it may include many failures, but with eyes set on things above and seeking the same it can be done).
B. Now to the passage before us – here we have the classical put off – put on format.
1. First we will look at “put-offs”
a. In fact they were commanded to stop living sinfully!
b. Note these verses:
1) Col. 3:5 (HCSB) Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.
2) Col. 3:8-9 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another,…
c. Each of these was followed by a clause - Why were they to put these things to death, to put them off,
1) For the first, Col. 3:6-7 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
- This was the way you used to live, but no longer!
2) For the second, Col. 3:9 …seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; aorist participle passive – this was an action completed in the past.
- Remember you have died in Christ and risen with Him, thus you have put off the old man!
d. Its not about being a better person, its about living for the glory of God as a child of God!
2. Then with an understanding of what God’s word says, Put-On.
a. Col. 3:10-14 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
b. Look at what we are to put on
1) …bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any…
2) ...and above all these things put on charity (love – agape)
c. Please do not overlook the phrase in verse 10, …which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him…., speaking of Jesus!
1) Remember the process: put-off - renew your mind – put on
2) This is why salvation is so necessary to real change
- You see …the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
3) It is the renewal in the knowledge of Jesus, understanding it and comprehending it, in light of Christ and His word that effects change.
3. Why?
a. Because we …have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
b. Because Christ forgave us, He created us!
c. It all comes back to Jesus: His kingdom & His will
4. When I preach change I am looking to Christ, who is our example, understanding what He wants, not what I want or would like – I change because of HIM and the knowledge I have of Him and His desires found in His word!
C. If God speaks to an area in your life and shows you the need to change because it is sinful – He can effect that change
1. This is why Peter could write, 2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2. God wants us to be like Him, more and more each day and He gives us the foundation for that change and the means.
3. Now it is up to us to decide if we will let God change us.
CONCLUSION:
A. Please note that change was commanded of those in the first century
1. If, as we are told, it takes psychologists and specially trained “professionals” to change these things, the first century Christians were being told to do something they could not do
2. But it does not and they were not!
B. You (WE) can change
1. In Christ we can defeat sin and live in liberty
2. In Christ and in obedience to His word, we can live a life that is pleasing to God and for the benefit of His kingdom!
C. Oh, look at verse 15, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. PRAISE GOD!
