Established
A whole new wardrobe.
Review:
- Christ is established as the sole difference maker in making peace with God for mankind.
- Now, we are charged with being established as followers of Jesus. Embodying the life and spirit of Christ.
- Last week we were exhorted by Lem to shed the skin of sin. We must lose some things to take on some new things.
- Today we will put on a whole new wardrobe.
Pray
Read Colossians 3:5-14
Who you are in light of the gospel—understanding your identity matters. (You need to see you as God sees you!)
- God chooses who his people are. (12a)
John 15:16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
- God’s people will look and be different from the world. (12a)
Colossians 1:22 “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation…”
- God knows and cares for His people with deep affection. (12a)
Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Put on the new family wardrobe—this is how we roll!
Biblical context
- Isaiah 61:10 “He has clothed me of garments of salvation.
- Job 29:14 “I put on righteousness as my clothing.”
Family dynamic
READ Philippians 2:1-5 Same mindset of Christ. Doing things the way He did them.
- Compassion- sympathy that leads to action birthed out of affection (love).
For the benefit of another.
- Kindness- goodness toward one another; friendly, generous, caring, considerate.
For the benefit of another.
- Humility- not thinking highly of yourself; thinking of yourself less.
For the benefit of another.
- Gentleness- kindly tender and soft; mildness of temper.
- Football player holding a baby—acknowledging vulnerability and being protector.
For the benefit of another.
- Patience- ability to endure, and wait amidst difficulty.
- Example- waiting in a long line or waiting for changed behavior in someone.
- How did you do at your family gatherings in patience or any of these Christ-like identifiers?
For the benefit of another.
- Bearing with and forgiving one another. (13)
- How long of an account do you keep with your spouse, a brother/sister, a former friend?
For the benefit of another.
- Put on Love—the coat that covers over all of these layers and pulls it all together. (14)
- Love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional commitment to the well being of another.
- Love leads us to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient with others.
For the benefit of another.
Questions to ask of yourself:
- Do you identify as a child who has been chosen by God?
- How are you doing with wearing these Christ-like garments: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love?
- What is one garment you need to work on this week to better identify with Christ? For the benefit of another!
Benediction: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
We shed the old skin and put on our new clothes!
Series Information
When a person loses hope they lose the energy to keep going forward. When hope is present vision, passion and strength can thrive. Paul writes the letter of Colossians to establish a hope that never fades and will ultimately strengthen the church to fulfill its mission come what may.