Sermon on 16 August 2020 by Ps Paul
Introduction
Colossians 3:1-4 talks about how Christ is related to us, Christians. Verses 5-17 is about how we should live our lives as Christians.
Message
1. Christ is our Life
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ… - Colossians 3:1a
We are all sinners.
For everyone has sinners; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23
Praise Jesus Christ who died for us, saving us from eternal death and giving us new life. Our life belongs to Christ; let us live for Him.
But God showed is great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. – Romans 5:8-9
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. – Philippians 1:21
Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. - Colossians 3:1b-2
2. Christ is our Focus
It is human nature to focus on what matters to the human body – what we eat, what we wear. We want to enjoy a comfortable life. There is nothing wrong to enjoy the blessings we receive, but our focus should not be to store up treasures on earth.
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:19-20
Instead, focus on Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. – Hebrews 12:2
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8
Jesus is the centre of it all - our life, our family, our church. We work hard because we want to please Him. Let us seek Him daily and meditate on His word.
For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. – Colossians 3:3-4
3. Christ is our Confidence
We have victory over sin and death, through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the resurrection and the life.
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:56-56
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” – John 11:25
If you truly believe in the Lord Jesus, believe every word in the bible which comes from God. Let us not doubt Him but have faith (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8).
Put off. Renew. Put on. These are 3 important steps on how to live our lives.
Put off
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. - Colossians 3:5-9
God is holy and righteous. Therefore, as His children, we should put off everything that is unrighteous. Unrighteousness stems from the lust of eyes, the lust of flesh and the pride of life. These are not from God. Sexual immorality, impurity and lust is being unfaithful to your spouse or future spouse. When a person commits sexual immorality, it breaks the communion with the spouse. If we are unfaithful in our spousal relationship on earth, how can we be faithful in our relationship with God in heaven? Guard our heart and mind (Matthew 5:27-28).
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. – Psalm 119:9
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11
Be wary of greed. A greedy person is an idolater (Colossians 3:5). God has already provided all our needs. Give thanks to God for what we have (Psalms 30, 75, 92, 100, 105, 106, 107, 109, 118, 136, 138).
Beware of anger and rage. God is slow to anger and is filled with mercy, compassion and love. If we hold on to anger for too long in our hearts, it will turn into hatred. Go to the Lord in prayer, and let His word guard our heart and mind.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. – Psalm 145:8
And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Malicious behaviour, slander, dirty language and lies show we are not in the truth. Do not scheme your way to get ahead of others.
Renew our mind
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as your learn to know your creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilised, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. – Colossians 3:10-11
Christ lives in us. Let us become more like Him, by learning His word from the bible and obeying Him. Let His word, rather than the world, guide us and shape us. Renew our mind through God’s word.
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:18-20
Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Hebrews 12:2
Put on
When we put off unrighteousness, we need a good replacement to put on. Put on tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, making allowance for each other’s faults, forgives, love, living in peace, and giving of thanks.
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever your do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. - Colossians 3:12-17
God is merciful. Remember the parable of the unforgiving debtor (Matthew 18:21-35) who had a master that forgave his debt but himself did not forgive another person who owed him, forcing the debtor into prison until the debt was repaid.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7
Let us make allowance for each other’s faults, for we are not perfect. Let us also not take one another’s kindness for granted.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. – Ephesians 4:15
We have to be humble and gentle always. When we receive more authority and responsibility, we must remember to be gentle to those who work under us. Our Lord Jesus is the greatest example of humility and gentleness.
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29
God is love. Let us put on love and live in peace. Pray for one another. Encourage one another to run the race of life well. Avoid adding burden to one another; instead add joy. Give thanks in all situations, for Christ is with us. Give testimony to Christ.
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. – Colossians 3:17
Closing
As a reflection for today, ask yourself - how much does Christ mean to you?
Christ is our life, our focus, and our confidence.
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