November 12, 2023

COLOSSIANS 3: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW

November 12, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

The evidence of a life that had been given—and received—the gift of salvation is manifest by a change in the person’s life. It may be because they had never felt loved, and the knowledge that God, the Creator of the universe, loves them as an individual is so amazing it changes them from inside out. Perhaps it is the knowledge that their shameful past can be completely forgiven, and life can start new. Whatever the reason, salvation brings new life, and it is evidenced by a radical change that is observed by all who knows them. Paul speaks of this change in Colossians 3.

Focal Passage: Colossians 3.

 Out with the old:                                                                                                         

  • In the first two chapters of Colossians, Paul had warned the church that there would always be people who would try to turn believers from Christ back to the world. Why is this still true? Read Col. 3:1-3. After salvation, what are we to keep our thoughts on? What are some of the things “above”? What things has God promised?
  • What are some of the (inexhaustive) list of sins that we are no longer to participate in? How do these differ from those listed in Gal. 5:19-21? What does he mean “you died”?
  • Read 2 Cor. 5:17. What are some possible changes that show a life has been changed by God? Read Col. 3:5-9a. What are some things that we are to leave behind when we accept Jesus as Savior?
  • Read vv. 9b-11. Why are all these changes obvious? Read Rom. 6:5-6. If someone says they are saved but there is no change in their life, is their salvation real? In that case, is “the old person” still in control, and living a life of sin? Are we free to sin after salvation?

In with the new:

  • Read vv.12-17. What is the “therefore” there for? If you are a Christian, what are some of the fruits of the Spirit that will be evident in your life? How do these differ from the fruits of the Spirit listed in Gal. 5:22-23?
  • In verse 14, which Greek word is used for love? What are the three types of love? Who can describe agape? (To be clear, it is the sacrificial love that Christ has for us, especially when He gave His life to be beaten and killed for our sins.) Do you have that kind of love for anyone you can think of, without including eros or phileos?
  • In vv. 15-17, can you condense some of the charges Paul gives to us, in how to relate to other believers (or non-believers)? When you get impatient, or ill-tempered, especially with members of your own household (or on the road!), are you obeying verse 17?
  • Turn to 1 Cor. 13; are there any particular “love is…” verses that you find exceptionally difficult? Does it take conscious thought for you to remember these are God’s words, not suggestions from Paul, nor for people of another time and culture?

Change your life:

  • Read vv. 18-25. Why might Paul have found it necessary to give special instructions to the family? Do you remember what the Greek word for submit means? What does it mean to “subordinate” yourself to someone? If you work, think of your boss: although it is not a marital situation, when he tells you to do something, even if you think it will not work—and possibly he allows you to present your side—if he still insists, then you do it. It is not really different in a marriage. In a good marriage, with good communication, there will be few times a wife has to subordinate and hush! If that happens, give the whole thing to God, and let Him “fix it.” Why is this so very hard to do?
  • How is the husband supposed to conduct his life? What are some reasons a husband might be bitter? Read Eph. 5:25-28. What is God’s best for a husband?
  • What can you do when you see a father provoking his child, perhaps being verbally abusive or breaking their spirit, and what can you do about it? If you, as a wife, see this happening, what can you do?
  • In verse 22, what is the analogy today for a slave situation at the time of Paul? Paul gives us instructions as to pleasing your boss (or professor), even though he might not be godly. How are you to obey him? When would you not obey him? In verse 23 why does Paul tell us we are to be blameless in everything we do? In vv. 24-25, what are the points we need to consider when it comes to doing everything we do as if we are doing it for the Lord?

Applications:                                                                                                                                                         

1) Change your thinking (verse 2)                                                                                                              

2) Wrestle against your nature (vv. 12b-14a)

3) Accept that every thought and act is for Him (vs. 23)

Close:

Paul gives us long lists of a “before and after” picture of our salvation. In the “before” list, many of us would have to admit that we brought much shame on ourselves, our families, and perhaps even friends by our behavior. As a believer, we still feel shame when we read these lists, even though we know, from Colossians 2, that Jesus took all of those sins with Him when He hung on the cross, and we don’t have to bear the shame of them anymore. Still, as we read them, it’s hard not to feel deep sorrow that we lived like that at one time in our lives.

In the “after” salvation lists, the fruits of the Spirit exude peace just to read them. We long for the day when we can control our actions and our verbal responses to the point where we don’t have to feel badly the rest of the day when we’ve responded in the flesh. May we control the whole body, as James tell us (James 3:2)!

Sandy Day

November 12, 2023

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