Our Spiritual Wardrobe (Part One) Dr. Jim Cecy Keeping the Flow of Thought Colossians 3:1-4 Keeping our Heavenly focus in the midst of earthly realities Colossians 3:5-7 Putting to death the things that are inconsistent with who God is Colossians 3:8-11 Taking off those things that are inconsistent with who we are in Christ Colossians 3:12-14 Putting on those things that are consistent with who we are in Christ
Colossians 3:8-14 “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him — a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
I. Getting Rid Of The Old Garments (Colossians 3:8-11) A Wardrobe of Sin 1. Anger (Greek: orge) (Rm. 1:18; Eph. 2:3; 4:31; 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jas. 1:19-20) 2. Wrath (Greek: thumos) (Lk. 4:28; Acts 19:28; Rm. 2:8; 2 Cor. 12:20; Ga.5:20; Eph.4:31) 3. Malice (Greek: kakia) (Rm.1:29; 1 Cor. 5:8; Eph. 4:31; Tit. 3:3; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:1, 16) 4. Slander (Greek: blasphemia) (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:22; Eph. 4:31; 1 Tim. 6:4) 5. Abusive speech (Greek: aischronologia) (used only in Colossians 3:8) 6. Lying (Greek: pseudomai) (cf. Eph. 4:25; Heb. 6:18; Matt. 5:11)
Taking an Honest Inventory of My Wardrobe of Sin __deep-smoldering resentment and bitterness __ a bent toward sudden outbursts of anger __ malicious name-calling __ uncontrolled rage __ unrighteous indignation __ foul-mouthed abuse __ vicious gossip and slander __ picking on the innocent victim __ engaging in infantile temper tantrums __ cruel lying to one another __ unrelenting criticism __ rallying troops to our side of an argument __ hurting others in word or deed __ ungodly back-biting __ screaming, yelling __ slamming doors or throwing objects __ displaying obscene gestures __ attacking with words __ speaking evil against another __ rotten, filthy language __ talking back to people in authority __ passive-aggression that doesn’t look mad but gets even
James 1:19-21 "This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls."
A. The Command (Colossians 3:8) "...put them all aside..." (Colossians 3:8) = Greek: apotithemi cf. Acts 7:58 “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…”(Is. 64:6) • "…lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12) • "…lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit..." (Ephesians 4:22) • "…laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Eph. 4:25) • "...lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1) • "...putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander..."(1 Peter 2:1) 1
B. The Capability Colossians 3:9-11 "... since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him -- a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all and in all." Spiritual Wardrobe Reminder #1. “The Old Me is dead; the New Me is alive!” Colossians 3: 9 "...since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices and have put on the new self ..." • The Old Self is that unregenerate old me that was once a totally depraved child of Satan. • The New Self is that regenerate new me that will forever be a born-again child of God. “…in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." (Ephesians 4:24) Then why am I still smelly, Lord? cf. Romans 7:21-25 Spiritual Wardrobe Reminder #2. “The New Me is being renewed daily.” "...who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him..." (Colossians 3:10) knowledge = Greek: epignosis = true, deep, intimate knowledge (Colossians 1:9-10; 2:2) • 2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." • 2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” Spiritual Wardrobe Reminder #3 “I'm not the only one being renewed.” "...a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman..." (Colossians 3:11) Spiritual Wardrobe Reminder #4: “The New Me is indwelt by the all-powerful, ever-present Christ.” "...but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11) Colossians 2:9 “For in Him (i.e. Jesus Christ) all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form…” • Christ is the Omnipotent One — He is El Shaddai — God who is almighty • Christ is the Omnipresent One — He is Jehovah Shammah — God who is always there • James 4:1,10 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?. . . . Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” • Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Power of Being “in” Christ 1. IN CHRIST we can be fully clothed with the power of God (Luke 24:49; Col. 1:11) 2. IN CHRIST we can be fully clothed with the armor of God (Rom. 13:12; Eph 6:11) Romans 13:12 "…Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Eph. 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” 3. IN CHRIST we can be fully clothed with the attributes of Christ (Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:12-14) Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” See you next time for Part Two...
II. Putting On Our New Garments (Colossians 3:12-14) • Colossians 3:12-14 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” • Ephesians 4:25-27, 29-32 “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. . . .Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” © 2012 Dr. James M. Cecy, Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA. 93726 www.campusbiblechurch.com 2
Prayer Requests:
Growth Group Homework For the week of October 21, 2012
SERMON SERIES: COLOSSIANS Message Title: “Our Spiritual Wardrobe – Part 1”
Dr. Jim Cecy October 21, 2012
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
1. If you could choose one food to have zero calories (which means you could eat all the time), what would you choose?
2. Who was your most memorable teacher in elementary school and why?
3. Take a look at your notes on the sermon and reflect on this week’s teaching. Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged you or caught your attention? For more information about the Growth Group ministry @ Campus, Visit www.campusbiblechurch.com/growthgroups or contact Pastor Kenton Rahn –
[email protected]. Sunday Messages and Notes: Find at: www.campusbiblechurch.com/messages Weekly Growth Group Homework: Find at: www.campusbiblechurch.com/homework Campus Bible Church Podcast: Search iTunes podcasts: Campus Bible Church Campus Bible Church | 4710 N. Maple Ave. | Fresno, CA 93726 | Office: 559.291.9116
DIGGING DEEPER 4. In our study of Colossians 3:8-11, Pastor Jim compared anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech and lying to a pile of dirty clothes that we choose to put in a hamper or a dumpster. What are some ways that we try to “clean up” our sins and make them more presentable, rather than throwing them away entirely?
8. What do you think is the meaning of the phrase “Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11)? What impact does this have on your life personally?
TAKING IT HOME
5. What is true repentance? How do you know if someone has truly repented? (Matthew 3:5-10; 2 Corinthians 7:9-10)
6. What is the “old self” (Col. 3:9; Eph. 4:24)? If the old self is dead (Gal. 2:20), then why do we still sin?
7. Colossians 3:10 states that “our new self is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” How do believers experience this renewal? (Titus 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-2)
9. Locate the section in your sermon outline titled, “Taking an Honest Inventory of My Wardrobe of Sin.” Read through the list of “dirty outfits” and ask the Spirit of God to show you the ones you need to throw out of your closet.
10. What main lesson are you going to take away from the sermon? How can you apply it to your life?