LIVING THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

• What does a person who as a Christian look like?
• We let failure, fear, or sin tell us who we are instead of remembering what God says about us: that we are chosen, forgiven, loved, and made new in Christ.
• A Christian identity crisis isn’t about losing faith—it’s about losing .

THE IDENTITY OF CHRIST

• Colossians 1:15 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.”
• Paul’s warning: Colossians 2:8-10 8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
• “What we believe should have a very definite connection on how we live.” Being united in Christ means that we must live out the scriptures and follow His example.

Colossians 3:1-17 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.

• Verse one speaks to the foundation of the Christian life — it represents a focus in a Christ follower’s life.

A. This Means That Our Position Has (Ephesians 2:6).

B. Our Way of Thinking and Living Must . Paul says, “Set your mind on things above.” That means we must reprogram our thoughts, our priorities, and our values.

“Our feet must be on earth, but our minds must be in heaven.” “It means that the practical everyday affairs of life get direction from Christ in heaven. It means that we look at earth from heaven’s point of view.” Warren Wiersbe

C. Our Life Is with Christ. That means your worth and identity are secure.

• Paul shifts from our mindsets to our .
• The Apostle Paul uses strong language in these verses he says, “put to death”.

1. This means that the that lived in us before salvation must die.
2. The Old Self Relationships.
   Verses 8–9 list relational or social sins. They are:
   • Anger
   • Rage
   • Malicious behavior
   • Slander
   • Dirty language
   • Lying to one another

“This list of sins is often thought of as sins in good standing.” “…we have become so accustomed to anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, dirty or foul language and lying that many believers are no longer upset or convicted of these sins. We are shocked when we see a fellow believer commit the sensual sin, but we will watch him lose his temper in a business meeting or family setting and we call it, righteous indignation.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan 

C. “You Have Stripped the Old Nature” (Verse 9-10). When you came to Christ, you took off the filthy clothes of sin.

Now that we’ve stripped off the old, Paul says it’s time to put  something new.

1. We are to Like God’s Chosen People.
   “Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with:

• • Tenderhearted Mercy (Phil. 2:1)
  • Kindness (Eph. 2:7)
  • Humility (Rom. 12:3)
  • Gentleness (Meekness) – It is not weakness; it is power under control.
  • Patience (long-suffering) – This word is literally meant to mean ‘long temper.” The person with a short temper acts impulsively and lacks self-control. In contrast a person who is patient or long-suffering can put up with provoking people or circumstances without retaliating (Luke 23:34).

B. Live in and .

C. Let Christ Your Heart.

D. Let Christ’s Word and Name You. The Word will transform our lives. If we will allow it to “dwell” in us richly. The word dwell means to feel at home. If we read the Word of God then the God of the Word will live in each of us!

• Christ doesn’t just change what we do; He changes who we .

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I understand that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I cannot fix my situation on my own. I believe You are calling me to have faith. I am being drawn to the truth of the gospel. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sins and believe in You as the only One who can establish an eternal relationship with the living God. I want to be Your child and to live as Your child. In Your name, Amen.

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