Message: A Life Pleasing to God
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17
Instructions for the Christian life (vs1-10)
Since we are in Christ, we follow Christ (vs1)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
1) Seek the Things of God (vs1)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
How do we seek the things of God? By setting our minds on Christ (vs2)
Setting your mind on Christ means daily turning your attention away from this world, and towards God through prayer and the Word.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
How do you know if you are setting your mind on God or the world?
A.W. Tozer asks these questions:
What do I want most? What do I think about most? How do I use my money? What do I do with my spare time? What people do I like hanging out with most? Who and what do I admire? What do I laugh at?
Paul is emphasizing knowledge of Christ through our relationship with him.
- We died with Christ (vs3)
- We are hidden in Christ (vs3)
- We will appear with Christ in glory (vs4)
2) Kill Sin in Your Life (vs5-8)
Sinful behavior begins with sinful thoughts and desires (vs5)
- Sin distorts love (vs5)
- God will judge sin (vs6)
- Sin belongs in our past (vs7)
“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” Romans 6:6
3) Put off the Old, Put on the New (vs9-11)
Renew your mind (vs10)
The more we know Christ, the more we become like Him.
We were made in God’s Image. Sin distorted that image. Christ transforms us into his image.
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:29
Motivation for Godly Living/Why Should We Live Differently? (vs12-17)
1) We Are Chosen (vs12)
We cannot lose our salvation because we did nothing to earn it
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” Ephesians 1:4
2) We Are Loved (vs12)
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
3) We Are Forgiven (vs13)
When we put on the new self, we will look like Christ (vs12)
Do these attributes describe your life? Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Meekness, and Patience
We can only have peace with God though Jesus Christ (vs15)