In Him.&q uot; .&quo t; (1) (Heb. 1:3)

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview May 15, 2011 "Be Focused" Background & Lesson: Colossians 3:1-17 Motivation: If we want to be like Jesus, we must commit to holy living (I Pet. 1:15). Paul describes two types of actions inherent in holy living: 1) putting off sinful behavior (not delaying but abandoning), and 2) putting on the garments of Christ, living " In Him.&q uot; Examination: I. Where Should I Look? (1-4) A. Resurrect "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.&quo t; (1) (Heb. 1:3) 1. Expectations "If" Believer's Study Bible, p : 3:1 "The first-class conditional assumes the reality of the condition being stated, therefore it makes sense to say since' and not if.' Therefore the verse could also be translated, Since, then, you were raised with Christ...' It is an affirmation rather than a probing produced by doubt (cf. 1:23; 3:9). The present imperative connotes continue seeking,' i.e., as you have been doing." 1 / 10

2 2. Elevation "Seek those things which are above" Jesus said "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness " (Matt. 6:33; Luke 21:28; I Pet. 1:3-9,4:7-19). Too often our vision and desires are so earth-bound that we're not willing to " lift up our eyes " (John 4:35). 3. Identification A firm understanding of "Where Christ is" will shape our relationship with Him - He is resurrected, no longer dead in the tomb like all other religious teachers (Rev. 1:8,18). He is resting " sitting " (as opposed to " standing " in Stephen's honor - Acts 7:55). He has accomplished His work of redemption and now expects us to spread the good news. Christ is also reigning at the right hand of God." He has been given " all power " (Matt. 28:18), and " all wisdom " (2:3). He is our sovereign and our source (Eph. 2: 6-10). B. Raise "Set your mind on things above, not on the things of the earth&quo t; (2) The continuous action of the verb tense describes a mindset or an attitude. Christians are sometimes criticized for being "so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good." By contrast, author and Pastor Randy Alcorn writes that a study of the most socially active Christian leaders reveals that they all had a clear vision and awareness of heaven; in fact " things above " were prime motivators for their good works. ( Deadline, Randy Alcorn) (2 Cor. 4:16-18; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 10:25). 2 / 10

3 C. Reason "For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (3) Believer' s Study Bible, p. 1699: " 3:3 Hidden, expresses a permanent condition created by God in Christ. The fact that the Christian's old sin nature has been crucified with Christ and buried together with Him in baptism (cf. Rom. 6:3-5) and that he is now liberated, resurrected to live a life pleasing to God, must be accepted by grace...through faith' (Eph. 2:8,9), just as was the initial salvation (cf. 2:6). Having begun in the Spirit,' by allowing God's power to work in them by faith, believers are not made mature by the flesh' (Gal. 3:3), by striving to live the Christian life in their own power without total dependence on God" (cf. Mark 10:27; John 15:5; Phil. 4:13). D. Redemption "When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory " (4) Hershel Hobbs (Baptist Faith and Message ) writes of salvation in four aspects: 1) regeneration, 2) justification, 3) sanctification and 4) glorification (BFM, IV - Salvation). In this verse, Paul points to the " glorious appearing " (Titus 2:13) of Jesus and our future glorification (Matt. 25:21; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 3:21). II. What Should I Bury? (5-11) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1699: 3:5 "Some expressions of Gnosticism permitted the practice of license, based on the assumption that the deeds of the body could not corrupt the soul (cf. 2:8). Paul condemns such philosophy with the command to put to death, that which, is carnal within you, your members which are on the earth.' With words put to death,' Paul does not suggest suicide (a supposed euthanasia to benefit and liberate the soul), but the mortification of the deeds of the flesh, a list of which follows immediately. The form of the verb in the Greek implies that Paul's readers have not been putting to death the deeds of the flesh by faith but that they are to begin doing so. 3 / 10

4 Evil desire' is a translation of the same Greek word which is usually rendered lust '." A. Practices "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth... " (5) (Rom. 6:11). 1. Fornication (sexual immorality) 2. Uncleanness (dirty mindedness) 3. Passion (uncontrolled passion) 4. Evil desire (lust for unholy things) (James 1:14-15) 5. Covetousness (lust for material things) - This is equated with "idolatry" bec ause covetousness takes our mind and passion off of God and places them on things. (Luke 12:15) B. Punishment "Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience " (6) Believer's Study Bible, p. 1699: 3:6 "The wrath of God ( orgé tou theou, GK) is in the process of coming upon the sons characterized by disobedience as distinguished 4 / 10

5 from sons characterized by obedience - those who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior (cf. Rom. 1:18-21; 2:5; Eph. 2:1-10; 2 Pet. 3:9). The wrath of God is directed against the devil, his angels, and sin, which destroy those for whom Christ died. But it is also coming upon those who pridefully refuse the only remedy for overcoming the power of sin: Christ's atoning sacrifice (John 3:36; 1 John 5:12). The love of God is not a later stage in an evolutionary process away from the more primitive concept of the wrath of God. Rather, the wrath of God is a necessary result of the holiness and love of God, who hates that which is destroying His creatures. Rather than evolving away from the wrath of God, the unbelieving world is rapidly devolving toward it" (Prov. 29:1; Rom.1:16-19; Rom. 5:9; Eph. 2:1-3, 3:6; I Thess. 5:9: Rev. 3:10; Rev. 6:15-17). C. Past "In which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them&quot ; (7) Just as he reminded the Corinthians (I Cor. 6:11), Paul points out to the Colossians that those very sinful practices were in their lives before Christ. In fact, they " lived in them ". However now that they are " in Christ ", those sinful ways should be left in the past. Put- Offs " But now you yourselves are to put-off all these :... out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds " (8-9) (Eph. 4:22). 1. Anger - While anger is a natural emotion, it must be controlled and properly targeted. 2. Wrath (passionate outbursts, rage) 3. Malice ( Ill-will, spite) 4. Blasphemy (evil speaking) 5 / 10

6 5. Filthy language (rough, abusive talk) 6. Lying - A violation of the ninth commandment Just as one puts off a dirty set of clothes, Paul says that a conscious decision and corrective actions have to be taken to put-off these disgusting habits. D. Put-On "and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him " (10). Just as we take off our old clothes and put on a white robe for baptism, Paul urges the putting off of the works of the flesh and the putting on of " the new man " (2Cor. 5:17). One's beliefs should radically transform one's actions. This " new man " is continually " renewed in knowledge " according to the pattern of Jesus Christ. In other words, we are to be equipped and formed as fully devoted followers of Christ. ( Eph. 4:24) E. Partners "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythia, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." (11) The gnostics' belief system was based on a superior knowledge, an inherent elitism. Paul teaches that " in Christ " we're all equal, even those foreign to Greek culture (barbarians), savage invaders (Scythians) and slaves. This was a radical concept then and is hard for some to comprehend today. (I Cor. 15:24-28) III. What Should I Display? (12-17) 6 / 10

7 As the "elect of God, holy and beloved" we are to "put on" spiritual garments A. The Form of Spiritual Garment (12-14) 1. Tender mercies (tenderness of heart, tender affections, merciful in action) 2. Kindness ( graciousness, kindly in heart) 3. Humility (humble in mind) Recognizing God's place (Isa. 6:1) and our place (Isa. 6:5) 4. Meekness (gentleness, accepting) 5. Longsuffering (forbearance, patience) 6. Bearing with one another (bearing one another's faults, being nice, generous) Forgiving one another... "as Christ forgave you" (13) 8. "Love, which is the bond of perfection" Believer's Study Bible, p. 1699: 3:14 "The phrase bond of perfection' ( sundesmos tes teleiotetos, Gk.) ironically connotes a prison chain or bond which is described as leading to Christian maturity. The love produced by Christ constrains, restricts, or forces Christians to love and 7 / 10

8 serve one another. Love ( agape, Gk.) is the mark of the true servant of Jesus Christ; and it is in the restriction of that chain alone that one can find the true freedom to rise to the heights for which he was created. There is no higher place on earth than at the pierced feet of conquering love." B. The Fit of our Spiritual Garment "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful " (15) These garments that we are to " put on " will only fit through the power of God's Holy Spirit. Only in relying on His Spirit will we have peace and be thankful (2:7) (I Cor. 6:19-20) C. The Fabric of our Spiritual Garment "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord " (16) Believer's Study Bible, p : "3:16 This is the only time the phrase the word of Christ' is used in the NT. Other references refer to the word of God ' and the word of the Lord.' The word of Christ ' refers to the revealed word, whether spoken by Christ or of Christ. Dwell in you' refers to the body of believers as well as the individual. Judaism is a singing religion, but Christianity is even more profoundly a singing faith than any other in history. Singing makes conventional instructional channels, such as teaching and preaching, even more useful vehicles for acquiring wisdom. The Colossians are to emphasize the ministry of teaching and admonition by the singing of psalms, hymns. and spiritual songs." (John 1:14; Rom. 8:9; Eph. 5:18-21; Rev. 8 / 10

9 21:3) D. The Fashion of our Spiritual Garment "and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him " (17) Doing anything in Jesus' name would be following a course of action that Jesus would approve. It is being an ambassador for Him (2 Cor. 5:20). Once again Paul emphasized thanksgiving (1:3, 1:12, 2:7, 3:15,17; I Thes. 5:17-24) Application 1. Holy Living begins with genuine conversion. 2. Holy Living requires us to "put off" sinful practices. 3. " Holy Living mandates us to "put on" the garments of Jesus Christ, walking in Him". Leader Pack: Item 15: Poster: Unit 3; Item 16: Poster: Christian Apparel Biblical Illustrator: p. 35: "Moving Beyond the Social Divisions" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: 9 / 10

10 Dates: 2011: 1/19-5/11 - Midlink & Meal; 5/1 - HUB Senior Celebration; 5/2-3 - GCT Staff Retreat; 5/3 - FBI Memorial Service & Reception; 5/5 - National Day of Prayer; 5/7 - College of Biblical Studies Graduation; 5/14 - LeTourneau University Graduation; 5/14 - HaMoreh Ministry Benefit Dinner; 5/ Summit Spring Retreat; 5/21 - Night of Worship; 5/22 - Parent Commitment; 5/24 - FBA Pre-K Promotion; 5/26 - FBA 4 th Grade Promotion - Chapel; 5/26 - FBA 8 th Grade Graduation - WC; 5/27 - Houston Christian High School Graduation; 5/29 - Memorial Day Weekend, normal sched. - David Self preaching; 5/30 - Church offices closed for Holiday. 10 / 10