This is the thirteenth in a verse by verse exposition of the book of Colossians. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of August 9, 2015. This message deals with putting off our old sin nature. This post contains an audio recording of the sermon, as well as my sermon notes (sermon notes are not necessarily a complete transcript).
SERMON AUDIO:
SERMON NOTES:
v.4:
Here we see yet another motivation to seeking and setting the mind on things above. Christ is our life, and we will appear with Him.
Christ is called our “life” because he is, quite literally, the essence of our lives. It is Christ who gives us life and nurtures it by his own eternal presence.
- Romans 8:10
- John 14:19
Appearing with Him is a reference to the second coming of Christ, at the end of the tribulation. When Christ returns, He will appear in glory. Believers too, will appear with Him in glory.
- Revelation 19:11-16
v.5:
Only because we have been transformed by Christ, only because He is our life, could we even begin to think about adhering to the commands that follow. Such a drastic change as is described here, can only come by the power of God. All the willpower in the world, is not enough.
- Zechariah 4:6
If we are to put to death such powerful an enticing sins, we must truly learn to rely on His power.
- Fornication = any type of sexual sin.
- Impurity = This goes beyond actions, and encompasses evil thoughts and intentions.
- Passion/evil desire = lust, the physical and mental sides of it.
- Covetousness = a greedy desire of more and more.
Paul relates all of these to idolatry. When we get involved in these sins, we follow our desires rather than God’s. It amounts to worshipping yourself, which is idolatry.
- Ephesians 5:3-5
vv.6-7:
Such a life is not fitting for a Christian, which is why such actions and attitudes are to be put to death. It should go without saying that such a life invites the wrath of God.
- Romans 1:18-19
Thankfully, the Christian, having been forgiven, is not appointed to wrath.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:9
Every Christian, was once a non-Christian, and once walked in this type of sinful life.
v.8:
Thanks to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, the believer can now put the old life to death. To “put off” is a Greek word used for taking off clothes. Just as you remove your dirty clothes at the end of the day, believers must shed the dirtiness of their old, sinful lives.
vv.9-10:
Since our old man has been crucified with Christ, and our new man has been resurrected with Him, we should endeavor to act in a way that honors Him.
- Colossians 3:17
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been renewed in the knowledge of Christ. This knowledge is revealed in the Bible, and without such knowledge, there can be no spiritual growth.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- 1 Peter 2:2
As we grow spiritually, we will continue to become more Christ-like as we are conformed to the image of our creator.
- 1 John 3:2
In fact, believers are a new creation.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
v.11:
This salvation, and the resulting transformation, is available to anyone. As indicated by this verse, all have equal opportunity before God.
- Romans 10:13
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Posted on August 9, 2015
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