A Brand New Life

Intro: Robert Blake trial—verdict—not guilty—announcer’s next statement gave me the thought for today’s sermon—they said, “ in just a few minutes, Robert Blake will walk out of this courtroom into a brand new life.

A BRAND NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
COLOSSIANS 3:1-10

Background: Paul didn’t see the resurrection of Jesus Christ as one man’s victory, but he saw it as victory for all men. Jesus didn’t just get a new life, he gave new life. So today, we all have the opportunity for a brand new life in Jesus Christ.

I. Seeking Things Above—v.1
When we walk into this brand new life our compass points north. We no longer seek the same things, we look above. We seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things are added to us.

1. We seek God’s will for our lives—the new life has new goals—we no longer seek after the same things. We want God’s best for our lives and our family. Paul said, ‘do we seek to persuade men or God.’ Our focus and attention is above.

2. We look for a city whose builder and maker is God. Our destiny changes in Jesus Christ. We look for invisible things, not the visible. We look up for our redemption draweth nigh.

3. Spiritual Goals—I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek after him. We don’t run the race for a crown that tarnishes, but for the crown of life that lasts forever.

Ill) the other day I heard about this man who is a multi-millionaire who has recently given his life to Jesus Christ. He walks into churches and writes checks for great amounts to bless the church. He is riding around the country giving money to people in need. He said, I have spent my whole life trying to get, I will spend the rest of my life trying to give away.




II. Setting Your Affections—v.2 Setting is a fishing term—setting your hook. To paraphrase this: letting the things of God sink in deep. Not just having a shallow or superficial relationship with Jesus Christ, but letting the things of God go deep into your spiritual man.

a. desiring spiritual things—with even a greater intensity the brand new man goes after the things of God. Jesus said, ‘with great desire have I desired to have this meal with you.’ Jesus said, ‘my meat is to do the will of God.’
b. Passionate—Wednesday night—Bride and Bridegroom. When you give your life to Jesus Christ, it isn’t a dating relationship. You don’t just see each other now and then. It is a marriage relationship; it is covenant with each other; it is sealed in the Holy Spirit.
c. Zeal—see my zeal for the Lord. The zeal of thine house has eaten me up. When Jesus purged the temple he fulfilled the scripture about that the Messiah would have a zeal for the house of God.

Ill) a real sun tan—not just tanning cream. One can wash off, the other is permanently fixed.

III. Putting Off The Old Life—v.8
a. dying to self—the first step in the new life is to die to the old one. One fountain can’t pour out sweet and bitter water, light and darkness can’t be found in the same place—for the new life to take place, the old life must be buried with Christ.
b. Crucifying the flesh—our flesh has desires, and appetites. We must die so that He might live.

c. Leaving things behind—Paul could never have been the great apostle of God if he was always letting his old life hinder