Introduction

Good morning, family! Today, we're diving into a truly transformative part of Scripture. We're going to explore Colossians 3:1-17, focusing on three key themes: living for Christ, uniting in Christ, and loving like Christ.

As C.S. Lewis once said, "'Putting on Christ'...is not one among many jobs a Christian has to do; and it is not a sort of special exercise for the top class. It is the whole of Christianity. Christianity offers nothing else at all." Let that sink in. Our faith, our belief, our relationship with Christ, it's all about living, uniting, and loving through Him.

The Scripture passage for today is Colossians 3:1-17. It reads:

[Read passage]

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, open our hearts and minds to this message today. Show us how we can live, unite, and love more like Jesus. Guide us as we dive into Your Word, and may it shape us into the people You've called us to be. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Living for Christ

Living for Christ is a transformative journey that requires us to shift our focus from earthly desires to heavenly pursuits. It is a call to seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. This is not a passive act, but an active pursuit of a life that reflects the values and teachings of Jesus Christ. It is about setting our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. This is a profound shift in perspective that requires us to reevaluate our priorities, our actions, and our attitudes.

We have died to our old selves: It means our lives are now hidden with Christ in God. This is a powerful metaphor that encapsulates the transformative power of faith. When we accept Christ into our lives, we are not just adding another aspect to our identity. We are fundamentally changing who we are. We are dying to our old selves, to our old ways of thinking and acting, and we are being reborn in Christ. Our old life, with its earthly desires and sinful nature, is gone. In its place is a new life, a life that is hidden with Christ in God.

Not without its challenges: Living for Christ requires us to put to death what is earthly in us: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. These are strong words that highlight the seriousness of the commitment we are making. We are not just turning away from these things; we are putting them to death. This is a decisive and final act. It is a clear statement that these things have no place in our lives.

More than what we turn away from: It is also about what we turn towards. It is about putting on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. This new self is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. It is about bearing with one another and forgiving each other, just as the Lord has forgiven us. It is about letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts and being thankful.

Not a solitary pursuit: It is a communal journey that we undertake together as the body of Christ. It is about teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God. It is about doing everything, in word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A radical and transformative journey: It is about dying to our old selves and being reborn in Christ. It is about turning away from earthly desires and turning towards heavenly pursuits. It is about putting on a new self that reflects the image of its creator. It is about living in community, teaching and admonishing one another, and doing everything in the name of Jesus.

Uniting in Christ

Uniting in Christ is the idea of coming together as one body, one church, under the headship of Christ ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO