BEHIND THE BOOK Connecting to the Bible (Observation) COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 (READ VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS) JULY 12, 2017 Be Complete by Warren Wiersbe (my 3-point preaching outline comes from this book) The Complete Christian by Matthias Media Colossians by John MacArthur (MacArthur series of commentaries) Colossians by Peter O Brien (Word Biblical Commentary) Colossians by Douglas Moo (Pillar New Testament Commentary Series) Colossians by FF. Bruce (New International Commentary on the New Testament) Colossians by David E. Garland (The NIV Application Commentary) The Message of Colossians by John Stott (The Bible Speaks Today Commentary Series) In chapter 3 Paul begins to focus on the practical application of the doctrines he has shared in chapters one and two. First, he links his application to the doctrine with a First: A Reminder 1a If can also be translated as since and in this case, is better translated since. Paul has already stated the Colossian believers are in Christ (1:2). He would say if, if he doubted that, but he has already made his case for their conversion (1:2-8). you have been raised with Christ = co-resurrected Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ. Romans 6:3-4 - Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 1
The certainty of death ensures the certainty of life. We were buried in order that we too might walk in newness of life. We are obliged and can live as Christians because we have been re-born. See Romans 6:11-19. Our new life is real and is powered by the same power that resurrected Christ. There is no reason not to live the Christian life. Sin does still remain in us but it cannot overpower us. Godliness is living in the reality of our resurrection, recognizing our union with Christ and outworking the in-working of God. This is our Second: Responsibility 3:1b-2 seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. seek = present tense = keep seeking Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. the things that are above = spiritual life Galatians 5:22-24 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. V 2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. The real battle for our lives occurs in the mind Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind Garbage in garbage out Darkness in darkness out Light in light out Death in death out Life in life out Set your mind = present tense = keep on thinking or have this inner disposition A Christian not only seeks heaven but thinks heaven. The Christian who thinks heaven will seek heaven. 2
Philippians 4:8-9 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. where Christ is = Just like a compass points to true north, our thoughts reveal our true north. ILL Martin Luther wrote The Bondage of the Will. Jonathan Edwards wrote The Freedom of the Will and they both said the same thing. The will is in bondage to sin until Christ frees it to obey. This is why we must set our minds Three: The Resource 3:1c where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. We cannot obey God without God Psalm 110:1 - The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. Romans 5:10 - While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son The power of God to bring all things into a right relationship with himself is at work in us, to bring us into a right relationship with Jesus. Colossians 1:19-21 - For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death God accomplishes this by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead John 14:15-17 - If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. Romans 8:11 - If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. This is because of 3
Fourth: The Reason 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. you have died = past tense 2 Corinthians 5:17 - if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation We have died with Jesus at Calvary. The penalty for our sin has been paid and it bears no power in our lives any more. Death cannot claim us because we have already died and been born again (John 3:3). In addition, your life is hidden with Christ in God Having been born again, we can live new lives until Fifth: The Revelation 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. We do not yet appear what we will be but neither are we what we once were. Revelation 5:1-6 - Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, When Christ, who is our life, appears as He is, then we will be what we should be. Conclusion: Paul s application for the Colossians who are (2:10) complete in Christ is to live complete in Christ. They are to see Jesus as the reason for their salvation and the resource of their sanctification. Small Group Questions: 1 Why is it important to remember that we have been crucified with Christ and are raised to new life? 2 What are our responsibilities in this new life? To live in the reality of #1. 4
3 Why is important that Christ is seated at the right hand of God? It means he is resurrected. The right hand is the place of power/authority. It means Jesus authority is ours. 4 How do we keep seeking and set our minds on things above? Practicing the disciplines of prayer, Scripture, fellowship, worship, etc. 5 What does it mean you have died? 6 What is your takeaway from this particular text? Behind the Book is only one aspect of Heritage s teaching ministry which seeks to employ our church s mission statement: Connecting to God, Growing with Others and Impacting the world: (CGI - a Christ-generated image ). On Wednesday evenings, we connect to Sunday morning s Bible passage and discover what it says through in-depth Bible study. Sunday morning in corporate worship (9:30am) we grow from the passage by learning what it means for our daily living. In Community Groups (10:45am) we practically apply the text, being impacted by it and learning to impact the world with it. CGI provides a balanced approach to life and Bible study; an upward look (Connect), an inward look (Grow) and an outward look (Impact) ensuring that our mission fulfils our vision to be a God-centered, Great Commission congregation. It s a well-known and beneficial way to approach the Bible Connect/Observation, Grow/Interpretation, Impact/Application. This approach to Scripture also reminds us about who our God is and how he is unique among all the religions of the world as we Connect to the Father, Grow in Christ and are impacted and impact the world by the Spirit. 5