Chico Alliance Church
“Kingdom Clothes”
Review
On the basis of our new internal identity with Christ, Paul calls for us to put off the external things that identify one with the ways of the Old Kingdom and put on the clothes consistent with our new self and citizenship in the New Kingdom.
• God rescued us from the kingdom of darkness.
• God transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son.
• God redeemed and forgave us.
• God identified us with Christ’s death, which frees us from the law of sin, and death.
• God identified us with the resurrection of Christ, which placed us under the spirit of life in Christ.
• God continually hides us with Christ in Himself.
• God plans to reveal us in a blaze of glory along with Christ when he is revealed in glory.
• We are continually being renewed according to the image of the one who created us.
This is a renewal that transcends earthly considerations.
Racial/religious distinctions (Greek or Jew; Jews called all those outside their nation Greeks);
Ceremonial or religious distinctions (circumcised or uncircumcised);
Cultural distinctions (anyone foreign to Greek culture was a barbarian, and a Scythian a wild, savage nomad);
Economic or social distinctions (slave or free).
Christ is all, and is in all. That is, normal human distinctions are overruled and transfigured by one’s union in Christ.
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. God’s renewal process does not depend on a person’s nationality, ceremony, culture or economic status. It is a renewal in which labels make no difference. Christ participates in and coordinates the renewal process.
“He who began a good work will complete it.”
“Rooted and now being built up in Him.”
“Author and perfector of our faith.”
It is our destiny – predestined to become conformed to the image of Christ. The goal of this progressive renewal of the soul is Christlikeness. By the phrase “Christ is ALL and in ALL Paul again reinforces his theme.
The supremacy of Christ. “Christ is all.”
The sufficiency of Christ. “Christ is in all.”
On the basis of these wonderful truths, we are challenged to respond in worship.
• Hold fast to Christ. (What have you done this week to hold Him?)
• Pursue the eternal. (How have you pursued the eternal this week?)
• Contemplate the eternal. (How often did you fill your mind with eternal issues)
• Deal with our members yet unredeemed and earthly. (Who won out in these areas?)
Living this way is WORSHIP. You can sing all you want. You can do all kinds of things but this is the heart of worship; response to God.
Deny exposure or expression of our members and flesh in regard to:
• Sexual sin of any kind
• Impurity of any kind
• Desires and passions for earthly things
• Greed or the desire for more
• Anger and wrath
• Hurtful actions to God or others
• Hurtful words
• Shameful talk
• Lying
The Old Kingdom and the old self functioned this way, we died to the old ways and crucified the old self on the cross along with its passions and desires. This message turns a focus to Colossians 3:12-17 to consider the uniform associated with the New Kingdom. What kind of character and expression of our members identifies us as Christians? Demonstrate the character of the King who rescued us and indwells us. From here on through most of the rest of his letter Paul describes kingdom life. Since by reason of our death and resurrection with Christ we are no longer under the law of sin and death, what does life lived according to the law of the spirit of life in Christ look like? Paul describes how we should respond to so great a salvation. He continues the picture of putting away or taking off clothing by listing things to put on in their place. The word used here “to put on” deserves a brief visit.
Word Spotlight
“To submerge,” also intransitive “to plunge,” “go down” (the sun in Mk. 1:32; 4:40), figurative “to arm oneself.”
a. “To strip” (cf. Mt. 27:28), b. “to divest oneself,” “to take off.” In the NT we find ??????? in 2 Cor. 5:4, where it can hardly mean that Paul wants to avoid the nakedness of the intermediate state (cf. v. 5; Phil. 1:23), but perhaps refers to the loss of the earthly body when there is no hope of a heavenly body.
In the NT this occurs only in Col. 3:9, where it has the strong sense “fully to put off” with no possible return to the old state, and Col. 2:15, where it does not mean “to divest oneself of,” but “to disarm” (opposite of ?????, “to arm oneself”).
(word in our present )
a. “To draw on,”
b. “to put on,” “clothe oneself with.”
1. In the NT it occurs literally
2. Figuratively we find it in 2 Cor. 5:3; where Paul desires to be clothed with the heavenly body. We also find it with reference to Christian armor in Rom. 13:12; 1 Th. 5:8; Eph. 6:8, 11, investing with qualities in Col. 3:12, and investing with incorruptibility in 1 Cor. 15:53-54. The object is personal in Gal. 3:27: “We have put on Christ,” or, as an imperative, in Rom. 13:14: “Put on Christ” (cf. also Col. 3:10: “Seeing...you have put on the new man”). Behind this usage stands the concept of Christ as the second Adam.
“To put on over.” The only NT use is in 2 Cor. 5:2,4 for investiture with the heavenly body at the parousia.
This occurs only in Col. 2:11, where the sense is figurative (cf. Rom. 6:2-3; Gal. 2:19).
So what may we infer from our present command to “put on”? Paul exhorts the Colossians to sink down into kingdom living. Slip into kingdom clothes. He does not call us to try harder but to trust farther. Sling off the old. Sink into the new. Be absorbed into the character of the King of the New Kingdom. Romans 13:10-14
Paul calls these believers to cast off the deeds of the old life and make not allowances for the yet unredeemed members and sink into Christ whose life is characterized by the following list among other things. God intends, by this exhortation, to call our attention to the need for faith, and trust based on the Word of God that renews the soul that manifests the fruit of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. Who does Paul address here? Notice the continual motivation to living according to the Spirit of life in the New Kingdom life.
“And so, as elect of God, holy and having been loved…”
Paul motivates by calling attention back to the fantastic truth of our relationship with God.
In view of your new identity…
In view of who you are in Christ…
In view of your new capacities as a new creation…
In view of God’s eternal love…
Sink into the new uniform. Wear God’s clothes because you have God’s heart.
“elect of God”
Powerful parallel passage using the verb form in Ephesians 1:3-6 . The point in time middle voice here indicates a point time action (before the foundation of the world) on behalf of Himself. God chose us for Himself. That makes us “chosen of God” and chosen for God in order that we would be holy and blameless before Him or in His presnece. Paul mentions these very same truths in earlier in this letter (1:22) God has reconciled us to Himself through the death of Christ in order to present us (point time at salvation) before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach. Because of Christ we stand holy and blameless before God. But God chose us also to live holy and blameless before men.
16"You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. John 15:16
Note: If you are interested in further study of “election” see notes or get tapes from Ephesians series.
“holy”
Special, saints, set apart for special use, different, separated (in character) from all that is evil.
“having been loved and still loved” (perfect passive)
We are deeply loved. We are rooted and grounded in love. On the basis of this wonderful standing with God. Sink into “kingdom wear.” Wear the kind of clothes that identify us with the kingdom. Wear God’s clothes.
1. Sink into deep feelings of compassion
The word used here refers to inward parts, bowels, or loins. It is used literally of Judas falling and his bowels gushing out. The reference is to inward deep feelings and affection.
The prodigal son’s father’s response to the return of his son.
The internal response of the good Samaritan to the plight of the man left for dead.
In Matt 18 it is the master’s response to the slave who owed more than he could pay.
We see this deep inward stirring in Jesus himself.
The leper begging for mercy.
The multitude lost without a shepherd or leader.
The hungry crowd.
The needy multitude
The blind men
The Woman who lost her child
Put on Jesus sweater, it looks great on you. More saints have been seen in Jesus’ sweater.
Titus demonstrated deep feelings toward the Corinthians
Paul expressed deep feelings toward the Philippians
8For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philip. 1:8
Paul used this word three times in the short letter to Philemon expressing a sense of inward refreshment and encouragement or inward feeling.
Because the love of God resides at the core of all kingdom kids, we must not restrain it or allow it to be thwarted from manifestation.
Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. 2 Cor. 6:11-12
But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 1 John 3:17
We must not be afraid to feel for others. Those with the specific gift of mercy will be wired more closely to the hurts of others but here every specially chosen child of God bears the capacity and responsibility to feel deeply for people made in the image of our common Creator. To not feel for people ought to cause one to honestly look at whether God’s love resides at the core or at least look for possible blockage. You might be afraid to feel because it hurts so badly.
Let God deal with that. We will miss the full potential of all kingdom kids by failing to allow our hearts to feel for others.
compassion
To sympathize with the plight of another To take pity, feel for.
“Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion.” 1 Cor 1:3
Paul encourages us to sink into Christ’s “feelings of compassion.” The capacity is there, wear it.
Feel deeply about your fellow man. It is not something that we need to develop or learn but to express and unleash. Paul says that we are to demonstrate unhypocritical love. Part of that genuine love mentined in Rom 12 says rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Peter sums up his challenge to quality relationships talking about sympathy. 1 Peter 3:8-9
All the lists of godly character are so similar. They reflect the character of Christ. Let consider one more piece of clothing to wear this morning.
2. Kindness
In relation to God this word describes something that goes beyond internal feelings but actions which touch the life of others. Rom 2:3-4 speaks of the “kindness” of God that leads to repentance. Eph 2 speaks of God making us alive together with Christ so that in the ages to come he might continually demonstrate to us for eternity the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Titus 3 speaks of the kindness of God and love for mankind appearing resulting in salvation on the basis of mercy not personal works so that we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. In the Godhead, kindness acts on behalf of the helpless to relive their misery or reinforce their sense of love and acceptance.
How could such things manifest to one another through us? Luke 6:27-38
Do you wonder why you do not experience the abundant life? Part of it has to do with being reflectors of the character of Christ. The fullness of God comes as we come to really comprehend the love of God for us and the love of God through us. This life according to the Spirit of life in Christ comes by understanding and sinking down into the very heart of God who has demonstrated all of these things to you, and put this love in you by His Holy Spirit. God wants us to demonstrate His perfect love to those in our sphere of influence. That is impossible! Yes, on our own but Jesus called us to be yoked with Him in the task.
“Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is “kind” and my burden is light.”
You are not asked to give away what you do not have. You are not being asked to do what you are incapable of doing. God simply asks that we sink down into all that we are in Christ, to be yoked with Him and thus bear fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God by the power of his indwelling Spirit.
Paul asked the Philippians to demonstrate such things to each other. Philip. 2:1-16
Not only does such kindness and attitude of personal sacrifice for the sake of others build up the body, but it attracts people to the Christ in us and manifesting through us.
Peter also admonishes us in regard to these issues. 2 Peter 1:2-9
Conclusion
How do we really feel about people?
• God is stirred to respond to people in deep feeling and compassion out of the very core of his being.
• That same God dwells in us.
• We were chosen to be presented before God holy and blameless in vital relationship.
• We were chosen to bear fruit before all men as a demonstration of a changed heart.
That renewed heart was designed after the God who created it. It is a heart designed to respond to people just as God responds.
• People in need of basic necessities of life
• People in need of a shepherd and direction in life
• People in need of rest
• People in need of a healing touch and a helping hand
• People in need of unconditional acceptance
• People in need of genuine caring and kindness
• People in need of the cleaning of the leprosy of sin
• People in need of truth
Paul calls us to sink into God’s clothes so graciously tailored specifically for us to wear.
Today we exlplored:
• Deep feelings of compassion
• Kindness
Next week we will consider some other parts of the wardrobe.
• Humility
• Gentleness
• Long-suffering
• Forbearing
• Forgiving
• Love
Let’s allow God to continually deal with all that hinders our love-filled heart from loving.
This week, sink down into the very heart of God.
Understand his relationship with you.
• He chose you before the foundation of the world.
• He called you apart as a special vessel for an eternal purpose.
• He loved you and still loves you.
• He feels deeply about every need in your life.
• He acts with kindness toward you.
Once you have contemplated such a wonderful love for you, think about allowing that love to flow through you to others.
Your family, your church, your friends, your associates, your enemies
Pray for his love to flow through you
• Ask forgiveness for blocking his deep feelings of compassion in self-protection.
• Ask God to allow you to feel again.
• Bless, give, meet needs, share truth, pray, and do acts of kindness as specially called channels and ambassadors of Christ on earth.
