Back To The Spiritual Classroom 3 Relearning The Lessons We Haven't Completely Applied
Col. 3:1-11
Dorn Ridge September 20, 2009
INTRODUCTION:
I. THERE ARE TIMES WE HAVE TO RELEARN HEAVENLY LESSONS.
1.) We must set our hearts on things above.
A.) Because we Have been raised with Christ.
aa.) One of the aspects of our baptisms, which I emphasized last week was the fact that it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
aa-1.) As Christ was raised from the grave, we were raised from the grave of Baptism in order to live a new life in Jesus Christ.
B.) Because Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
ba.) Being raised with Christ, we are to live a new life which glorifies Christ.
bb.) Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and He is our pattern for life.
bb-1.) We must live with a view of things above, recognizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ over us.
2.) We must set our minds on things above. (vs. 3)
A.) For you died.
aa.) When we were baptized with Jesus Christ one of the aspects of the act of baptism is that of a burial.
ab.) When we went down into the waters of baptism we were basically on the receiving end of a funeral service.
ab-1.) The old sinful person was dead in Christ.
ab-2.) Because the old man of sin died, we held a funeral service for that individual burying that part of us forever.
B.) That concept of the old man dying was new to many people in Paul's day.
ba.) At the time of the First Century Church, a person could go and bow before an idol,worship, and sacrifice there, and then go on with everyday life, without any change in life whatsoever.
ba-1.) Pagan culture could worship (even the true Living God) but saw neither need nor reason to change their sinful life.
bb.) Contrary to this godless value system, Christianity emphasized a changed life.
bb-1.) Giving one's life to Christ required the old person to die and the life of sin that he had lived to exist no more.
bc.) Coming to Christ meant a complete and total surrender.
bc-1.) Such high standards and commitment caused many to think twice about coming to Christ.
bc-2.) Such a standard caused many even in the very presence of Jesus to turn their backs and decide that if that was what it took to be a Christian, that the demands of Christ were too great.
C.) Your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
ca.) The picture here is of a great treasure hidden away to be revealed at a latter time.
ca-1.) That is the picture of the Christian. In this present age, the world cannot see the value of Christians or Christianity.
ca-2.) Yet when Christ returns, He will reveal Christians to be His great treasure.
cb.) When we arise from the waters of baptism we look like the same person who a moment before had entered into the water.
cc.) Certainly physically, we are the same person.
cd.) But the person we become spiritually is an entirely different and new person.
cd-1.) The person we become is one whose sins are now covered by the saving blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore a redeemed treasure of God.
cd-2.) Physically we look the same, but spiritually we now become a glorious reflection of the radiance of Jesus Christ.
D.) Christ is now our life.
da.) Instead of sinfulness, God sees us through Jesus Christ.
da-1.) When God looks at us through Christ, He sees not our wickedness, but rather the Righteousness of His Sinless Son.
db.) When we have surrendered our lives to Him, Jesus Christ has taken us for his own, and has paid for us with His own precious blood He shed on the Cross.
dc.) In a very real sense, Christ becomes what life is about.
E.) When Christ appears, then you will appear with Him in glory.
ea.) The fullness of the greatness of being part of the body of Christ comes not now, but when Christ is revealed.
eb.) At that time we will come with Jesus, and be forever with those of the redeemed.
II. THERE ARE TIMES WE HAVE TO RELEARN EARTHLY LESSONS.
The reason we have to continually relearn some of the old lessons, is that God has given us the same body, and the same mind after our baptisms.
What that means is that even though we are new creations spiritually, and are trusting Christ, we have to make conscious efforts to become like Christ.
Being made new spiritually and having salvation, does not automatically put us in close fellowship with God.
Salvation only opens the door so that we can become very close to God, Salvation removes the barriers between us and God. We still have to consciously and continually for the rest of our lives battle with the old man, and decide to become like Christ.
As we have learned this does not come natural, but is a life-long process.
1.) Some things have to be put to death.
A.) Sexual immorality.
B.) impurity.
C.) Lust.
D.) Evil desires
E.) Greed (which is idolatry).
2.) There are things we must rid ourselves of:
A.)Anger
B.) Rage
C.) Malice
D.) Slander
E.) Filthy language
F.) Lies
3.) Reasons for getting rid of these things:
A.) These are things which bring the wrath of God. (vs. 6).
B.) These are aspects that were part of our old life apart from Christ.
C.) These traits and characteristics of the old man do not just disappear instantly when we come to Christ.
ca.) As any of us can testify it is usually a slow, and perhaps even life long battle to put Christ first, and the old man out of the picture.
III. THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE HAVE TO RELEARN WHO WE ARE.
1.) You have taken off your old self.
A.) With its practices.
aa.) The old self is not a person we are proud of. It is sinful, wretched, and separate from God.
ab.) Rom. 7:4-6
ac.) The problem is that though the old man of sin is dead or dying, it has not completely given up its hold on us, but wants to continue on.
ad.) Illustration: When I was a child we used to have hens at home.
There would come a time when the old hens would be killed.
I remember my grandfather putting their necks between a couple of nails on the chopping block and coming down on their necks with a sharp ax.
The moment that ax hit, that bird was dead. But it took maybe one or two more minutes before the body would lie lifeless. It would fly and flop hitting everything in sight until the body stopped moving.
Likewise as Christians, when we are baptized, the old man is dead. Yet though he is dead it takes the rest of our lives for that old man to stop flying and flopping around into the old
sinful life that was once there.
ad-1.) Temptations, sins, and evil desires that were once the focus of the old man, tend to keep fighting at us.
ad-2.) Like the old chicken I described a few minutes ago, that which has become dead still wants to linger on for as long as it can.
ae.) The Apostle Paul recognized this struggle
ae-1.) Rom. 7:14-25
2.) You have put on the new self.
A.) The new self is a work of Christ.
aa.) Scripture states that we are God's Workmanship.
ab.) It is God who has made us into new creations.
B.) The new self must be renewed in the knowledge of its Creator.
ba.) Even though we are God's workmanship, we have to strive to grow in Christ, because the sinful nature that was buried still wants to live, and come to life.
C.) The goal of the new self is to grow to spiritual maturity where Christ is all, and is in all.
ca.) vs. 11
