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For the next 3 weeks, we are going to be in the passage that I’m about to read. I’m putting it all out there today because I want you to get an overview of it, because the theme of this passage is ALL THE SAME: Jesus is great enough to sanctify you.
Now, “sanctify” is one of those theological terms you might not be familiar with, so I’m going to start by defining some terms for you.
ILLUS: Diagram
SLIDE:
Salvation – being “saved” – an umbrella word, for the whole process of being saved.
SLIDE:
Justification – forgiven, counted righteous, declared not guilty
SLIDE:
Sanctification – being made holy, set apart to God, being transformed with new righteous attitudes and behavior
SLIDE:
Redemption – The rescuing & restoring of what was broken by sin; including body, relationships, mind, emotions, family, culture & finally, entire world
What this passage focuses on is sanctification.
I want to read the entire passage, and then work through just the part that we are going to focus on today.
SLIDE:
Colossians 3:1 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.
SLIDE:
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.
SLIDE:
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
SLIDE:
12 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.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
SLIDE:
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.
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.
SLIDE:
Today we’re focusing just on the first 4 verses.
Colossians 3:1 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.
The one thing:
Faith in Jesus doesn’t just forgive me, it transforms my heart and actions.
EXPLAIN: Indicative vs. imperative mood
In a Christian’s life, the “I must do” is a result of “Jesus has done.”
I have to explain this because it is the foundation of sanctification.
Sanctification (becoming like Jesus in our attitudes, desires, and actions) is built on the facts of what God has done for you. Does it take effort? Sure. But it’s not built on your effort, it’s built on your FAITH in the facts of what God has done in Jesus.
What are those facts?
Here’s the facts about you:
1. You died with Jesus.
What did you die to?
Sin.
Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The world.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
2. You were raised with Jesus.
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
3. Your life is secure in Christ.
“hidden with Christ in God” – what a poetic phrase… but what does it mean?
When you have something that you want to keep secure, so that no one can get to it, you do what? You HIDE it! Perhaps you lock it up in a safe, and put the safe in your closet underneath something.
This is the idea here. It’s secure, your bond with Jesus is complete.
Jesus is hidden - - no one can get to him. His legacy is secure, they will never take him down, no enemy can touch him.
You’re with him.
4. You will appear with Jesus in glory.
Imagine a kingdom where the rightful king has been disputed for a long time, and a cruel imposter, a liar and unjust man has been on the throne. If you were a supporter of the true king and
When Jesus’ glory is seen by all people in his return, they will see that you were right, but that won’t be your greatest joy. Your greatest joy will be seeing Jesus in His breathtaking, satisfying, joy-bringing glory.
Jesus will be worshipped as he deserves, and you will be there with him, seeing it. His joy will be your joy… the day of the
Now, the command:
Set your focus on the things of God.
Colossians 3:1 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.
The starting point of sanctification is your faith in Christ and your focus on Christ.
Focus your thoughts on Jesus.
Think of him. Rejoice in him. If you will put your focus on the things of eternity, the things of heaven, the things of Jesus, you will find that reality is
Focus your loves on Jesus.
“I just don’t have any real passion for Jesus.”
Then one of three things is true:
a. You need to be saved. You aren’t repentant for sin, and haven’t died to it with Jesus, you haven’t been raised with Jesus – you need to repent of your sin and be saved. You can’t have a love for Jesus as long as you are pretty much OK with sin, and do not want to repent.
b. You need to believe what He says is true. He says he raised you from the dead and gave you a new life. He says that you’re dead to sin, and that your life is completely secure in Jesus.
If you were dead and a doctor raised you back to life, you’d be telling that story often, you’d recommend him to your friends, you’d send a thank you note… if the guy wanted, you’d clean his house and wash his car. He would be welcome at your family gatherings and your house any time.
c. You’re distracted by the things of this world, and need to refocus.
Maybe you’re just distracted by the things of this world…
This one’s really quite common. Your life is built around the rhythms of the world, not the rhythms of heaven. Usually what this one looks like: You’ve got plenty of passion and heart for your shows, your hobbies, food, sex, music, politics, your family… but not a lot for Jesus.
You need to re-build your mindset around it. Here are 3 hints to do that:
3 ways to rebuild your mindset around Jesus:
• Until you get used to it, set yourself reminders. Set an alarm on your phone. For a while, I set mine to beep every hour, and I would pray just a few sentences of thanks and asking when I heard it beep.
• Eliminate things that feed earthly mindset, replace them with things that feed a Jesus mindset. If your music doesn’t push your mind toward Jesus, then don’t be surprised if it’s hard to focus on him. Music is powerful.
• Learn to see Him everywhere.
When you eat, thank Him.
When you arrive safely, thank Him.
When you get up, thank Him.
When you get through your day, and lay down, thank Him.
When you read a good story, or watch a great movie, see him there, and thank Him that he’s the real Hero.
When you love someone, thank Him.
When you talk to someone, say something about Him.
HANDOUT:
Let’s start by defining some terms:
Salvation – being “saved” – an ______________________ word, for the whole process, which has 3 parts:
• Justification – forgiven, counted righteous, declared not _________
• Sanctification – being made ________________, set apart to God, being transformed with new righteous attitudes and behavior
• Redemption – The rescuing & restoring of what was _____________ by sin; including body, relationships, mind, emotions, family, culture & finally, entire world
What this passage focuses on is sanctification.
Colossians 3:1 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.
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
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 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.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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.
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.
The one thing: Faith in Jesus doesn’t just forgive me, it ___________________________ my heart and actions.
In a Christian’s life, the “I must __________” is a result of “Jesus has ____________.” Sanctification (becoming like Jesus in our attitudes, desires, and actions) is built on the _______________ of what God has done for you.
Here’s the facts about you: (Colossians 3:1-4)
1. You _________________ with Jesus. (v. 3)
What did you die to?
Sin - Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The world - Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
2. You were ___________________ with Jesus. (v.1)
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
3. Your life is _____________________ in Christ. (v.3)
4. You will appear with Jesus in ______________. (v.4)
Now, the command:
Set your _________________ on the things of God. (v.3)
Colossians 3:1 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.
The starting point of sanctification is your _________________________ Christ and your ____________________ Christ.
Focus your __________________ on Jesus.
Focus your _______________ on Jesus.
“I just don’t have any real passion for Jesus.”
Then one of three things is true:
a. You need to be really ____________________.
b. You need to really ______________________ what He says is true.
c. You’re distracted by the things of this world, and need to __________________.
3 ways to rebuild your mindset around Jesus:
• Until you get used to it, set yourself _______________________.
• Eliminate things that feed __________________________ mindset, replace them with things that feed a Jesus mindset.
• Learn to see Him _______________________.
