Are you looking for peace? The kind of peace that is not affected by our daily circumstances? Paul shows us in Colossians 3 how we can make our own jails by giving in to our old self, rather than putting on our new self. The result is an everlasting peace that goes beyond our daily work and the difficulties of life. Found out how to accept this peace that God wants to give.
9. Paul gives us a strategy
Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion,
evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. (v5)
But now you must put them all away:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene
talk from your mouth. (v8)
11. Put off the old self…
…you have put off the old self (v9)
12. Put on the new self…
…and have put on the new self, which is
being renewed in knowledge after the
image of its creator. (v10)
13. Paul gives us choice
If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above, where Christ
is, seated at the right hand of God. (v1)
14. What does this look like?
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Meekness
Patience
Forgiveness
Love, which binds in perfect harmony
(v12-14)
15. Paul gives us action
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart
Be thankful
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
Teaching and admonishing in all wisdom
Singing psalms and hymns
Do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him
(v15-17)
17. Revisiting Ron’s Challenge
• Consider three time horizons:
• New Year’s Eve 2014
• First day of your retirement
• Death bed
• Look back - what will truly define your life?
• Where does ‘change’ and ‘purpose’ fit into
your schedule and priorities?
• How are lives changed from the inside out?
18. Who is changing you?
If your identity is the world and everything
in it, then the world will change you
If your identity is the peace of Christ ruling
in you, then the Spirit will change you
19. We are hope for others
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him. (v17)
20. b
Q: What is holding you back from experiencing
the full peace of Christ?
Editor's Notes
Our day is filled with choices. According to some studies, we have around 612 decisions per day, or 4900 per week and over 254k per year
I tricked you – I left off the beginning of these verses
The answer is in these same set of verses (thanks, Paul!)
We have all taken the first step, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior
“renewed in knowledge” == fundamental, deep psychological change by God
We have been raised. The work has been done. It is our choice: choose Jesus (peace and life) or the flesh (prison and death)
(v12-14)
(v15-17)
Do you define yourself by what you do, how happy you are, or by Christ’s rulership of your life?
Want to know how your life is changed from the inside out? You have to determine where your identity comes from.
If we do everything in His name, we become a demonstration of Christ’s hope for others