Gtcotr/ss081113
Continuing
our journey through the book of Colossians we have arrived at Chapter 3. I’ll
be reading from the New Living Translation this morning and making commentary
as we walk through the scriptures together.
In
Chapter 1 we learned that Believers
in every generation have faced similar troubles, tests, trials and
tribulations. Political corruption and evil empires come and go but despite the
problems in the world, the Kingdom of God stands secure. The overriding message
in Chapter 1 was:
· Without
regard to what is going on around us, the Gospel of Jesus is changing lives all
over the world.
Chapter 2 encouraged us to
not be deceived by well crafted arguments, empty philosophies or high sounding
nonsense which comes from human thinking inspired by the spiritual forces of
this world and not Christ. We learned the Paul wanted every Christian to:
· Do not be
deceived by well crafted arguments, empty philosophies or high sounding
nonsense.
As
we survey the 3rd Chapter today,
the Apostle Paul will tell us how to how
to live The
New Life we have with Christ.
Colossians 3
1 ¶ Since you have been
raised to new life with Christ, set
your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor
at God’s right hand.
2 Think about the things of
heaven, not the things of earth.
3 For you died to this life,
and your real life is hidden with
Christ in God.
4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole
world, you will share in all His glory.
5 ¶ 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, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Because of these sins, the
anger of God is coming.
7 You used to do these things
when your life was still part of this world.
8 ¶ But now is the time to
get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
9 Don’t lie to each other,
for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn
to know your Creator and become like Him.
11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are
a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave,
or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.
12 ¶ Since God chose you to
be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted
mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 Make allowance for each
other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave
you, so you must forgive others.
14 Above all, clothe
yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 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.
16 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.
17 And whatever you do or
say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to
God the Father.
18 ¶ Wives, submit to your
husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives
and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, always obey your
parents, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not aggravate
your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly
masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when
they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of
the Lord.
23 Work willingly at whatever
you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
24 Remember that the Lord
will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are
serving is Christ.
25 But if you do what is
wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Colossians 4
1 ¶ Masters, be just and fair
to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.
Chapter 1 – Without regard to what is going on around us, the Gospel of
Jesus is changing lives all over the world.
Chapter 2 – Do not be deceived by well crafted arguments, empty
philosophies or high sounding nonsense.
