Colossians 3:1–11

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality,

impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One

who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

A little review

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Leaving man made religion

Religious regulations Clean and uncleanDo and do notSound good

Absolutely worthless

THE BIG “IF”Verses 1-4

A starting point A continuing process

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Salvation & Baptism

Sanctification

Jesus has power

Where your mind goesChristianity is both knowledge and action

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Believers are to think and live in the Spirit, not in the flesh

Recognize our position

Dead to sin and alive to God

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Our life and our hope

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Exchanged Life

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Galatians 2:20

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

THEREFOREColossians 3:5-11

An execution

…consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Broad categories

Immorality-Sexual sinImpurity-all other aspects of sexual sinPassion-Lustful desireEvil desire-a desire to have what is not yoursGreed-Desire for more beyond what is needed

Idolatry

You are WorshippingYourselfand not God

The Old Age

For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

Take off the dirty clothes

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

What you think and say

Anger-prolongedWrath-quickMalice-vicious thoughtsSlander-damage a reputationAbusive speech-inappropriate languageLies

Put on the clean clothes

and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge

according to the image of the One who created him—

The new self

Renewed

Created by God

No classes of Christianity

a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.