June 8, 2003 Colossians 3:12-17
“Hand-me downs”
INTRODUCTION
When I was growing up, my family wasn’t exactly poor, but we weren’t well off either. One of the results of our financial condition was that I rarely got new clothes. New clothes were reserved for Christmas and Easter. I spent my growing years wearing hand-me downs. Maybe some of you had the same experience. Some people hate hand-me downs. I liked them. I liked them because they came from my brother. My brother had good taste. He always wore sharp-looking clothes and I figured that wearing his clothes would make me look good too. I also liked my brother’s hand-me downs because I admired my brother. I wanted to be just like him.
This morning, I want to present you with some hand-me downs. They don’t come from me. Hand-me downs from me wouldn’t do you much good anyway. Most of you are taller than I am. No, these clothes come from your Brother – Jesus Christ. I call Him your brother because that is what He called Himself. ( ) He wore these clothes, and now He wants you to put them on.
In verse 12 of this passage, God commands that we “clothe” ourselves – that we “envelope” ourselves with some new clothes – not new as in never having been worn before but new because they are new to us. In one Bible translation known as “The Message”, it says it this way: “Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you.” I know what you’re thinking. You want to pick out your own clothes. You don’t want anyone else telling you what to wear. You haven’t had anyone lay out your clothes for you since you were a little child. But remember – this isn’t your mother commanding you to get dressed. This is God. And just like you did when your mother set out clothes for you, you’ve got to make the decision about whether or not you’re going to put them on. No one’s going to dress you or force you. It’s up to you. Maybe it will make it easier to choose to wear these clothes as you realize just as I did that the One you admire more than anyone else – namely Jesus, your Brother – wore them before you and wearing them will make you look like Him.
There’s a reason that Jesus has provided these clothes for you and why you must put them on. Eph. 4:22-24 If you’ve followed the commands of these verses and of vs. 9 that we looked at last week and have taken off the clothes that went along with the old self, you need some new clothes to put on. In order to successfully conquer an old habit, it is almost always necessary to put a good habit in its place. It is not enough to take off the old, smelly, dirty clothes. Without putting something else on, you would be naked and cold, and would soon pick back up your old familiar clothing. Those may be nasty, but they are comfortable, and they keep you warm at night. New clothes will make you feel different. They can even make you act different. You know the old saying, “Clothes make the man.” These clothes, though worn on the outside can change you on the inside.
We’re going to begin to describe these clothes now. As we do, your first thought might be that they are not right for you. “It doesn’t fit.” “It’s not in style.” “It’s not the right color.” “It’s not right for my personality.” “People will laugh at me. The cost is too high.” When you are in control of your own life, you have the right to choose what clothing you are going to wear. But if you have truly submitted yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ in your life, then you have no choice but to gladly wear the wardrobe that He has picked out for you. Let’s take a look at each piece of clothing.
1. Put on caring. (vs. 12)
“compassion” – not indifferent to suffering even when that suffering is self-inflicted
“kindness” – Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27)
“humility” – “antidote for self-love”; “contrast to the false humility of false teachers” (2:18,23)
We live in a prideful society. We think that the world revolves around us, and when it doesn’t, we try to make it revolve around us. Did you hear about the bomb threat to a plane in Medford, Oregon on Monday? A man who was running late for his flight to Phoenix called in a phony bomb threat in hopes that the plane would be delayed long enough for him to get on board. America West clerks at the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport became suspicious and notified police after the man came to their desk asking about Flight 6262, which by then was on its way back to the airport because of the threat. The plane had been in the air for just a few moments when a flight attendant took a call from the pilot. One of the passengers said that he knew they were in trouble when he saw the attendant turn white. The 30 passengers were evacuated and a bomb squad searched the plane with the help of a dog. All bags were rechecked for any trace of an explosive device, but nothing suspicious was discovered. Did that man show caring toward the passengers that were on that plane? How do you think the attendant who took that call felt about getting back on the plane? The only person that man cared for was himself. Many of us behave in that same uncaring kind of way.
“gentleness” – “willingness to suffer injury instead of inflicting it”; “gentle person knows he is a sinner among sinners”
“patience” – “opposite of resentment and revenge”
All of these threads that go into the piece of clothing called “caring” were woven into Jesus’ life. Jesus exhibited compassion as He looked out on the crowds and had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless – sheep without a shepherd. When He encountered a person with a need, He in kindness met that need. And in humility, gentleness and patience, Jesus accepted the torture and ridicule of His enemies in order that He might provide the way of forgiveness for them.
All of these characteristics that we have mentioned so far and the rest that we will deal with are foreign to the wardrobe of most of the people that we deal with every day. So why should you wear them? Because you have been chosen by God.
It’s a wonderful thing to be chosen. Some people will do almost anything to be chosen. All the reality series – Survivor, Joe Millionaire, The Bachelor - they’re all about being chosen and how people are willing to lie, cheat, steal and be immoral in order to get chosen. You probably heard this week that Sammy Sosa was caught with cork in his bat. Why would he do a thing like that? Maybe because he was afraid of not being chosen because he was not able to live up to the expectations of the fans and the reporters.
The Colossian Christians knew something about that fear. In the Bible, “God’s chosen people” is a designation usually reserved for the Jewish nation. Part of the claim of the false teachers at Colosse was that these Gentiles had to become Jewish in their faith and practice in order to be part of the chosen people. They were being told “You can’t be chosen until you meet some level of expectation.” (1 Pet 2:9) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Paul encourages them by telling tem that they already were a part of the group.
I know what it’s like to be afraid of not being chosen. I remember that as a kid, I would usually be the last one chosen for the kick-ball team. And even when I would get chosen by a captain who took pity on me, the other people who were on that team would often give him a hard time thinking that he had made a mistake. God has chosen you to be a part of His team, and He doesn’t make mistakes.
He chose you because He saw something in you that no one else could see. He called the Colossians and you holy. How can he call them (or us) “holy” after having gone through that long list of sins still present with them? (vs. 4-11). Holy doesn’t mean pure. Holy means “set apart for a special purpose”. People that are set apart for a special purpose live differently from the rest of the people around him. They live pure lives. God chose you because He sees great potential in you. Do you want to be like everybody else, or do you want to be special and reach the great potential that God sees in you? If you want to reach the place that God has for you, then you have to dress differently. You belong to a different family. You must dress in the wardrobe of that family. You wear the uniform of the one who chose you because He saw something in you that no one else could see. He chose you because He loves you.
Put on caring.
2. Put on forgiveness. (vs. 13)
“To bear” means “to endure, to hold out…[against] injury, indifference… and not retaliate.” – MacArthur. The Corinthians did not exhibit this characteristic but took each other to court instead.
“Grievance” – legitimate complaint, not just a misunderstanding
“against” - They put you at odds with one another; standing face to face in opposition to each other rather than standing side by side against the enemy.
He didn’t say “Work out your grievances.” He said, “Forgive them.” He didn’t say, “When they come to you on hands and knees wearing their covering of humility.”
When you are dealing with other people who get under your skin and tempt you to take off your garment of caring, remember that they were chosen too and that they are loved by God. Take a look around you this morning. Go ahead. Look all around. Look at the people seated near you. As you look at them, you may think that God has made a mistake. Watch out though. They may be thinking the same thing about you. But God doesn’t make mistakes. You both have been set apart for a special purpose. The more that you concentrate on that purpose, the less energy and attention you will have for fighting with one another and the easier it will be to forgive one another.
If things progress further between Mt. Zion and New Life, and we continue to grow together there will be some misunderstandings and some real grievances. The way we’ll get past those is be remembering that we are fighting against the same enemy and for the same goals.
How did Jesus forgive you? Immediately, completely, forever, gladly.
Mt. 18 – the parable of the unforgiving servant
3. Put on love. (vs. 14)
overcoat, accessory, belt; “It just makes the outfit.”; store that sells accessories called “afterthoughts”. Love is not or must not be an afterthought.
“Nothing is acceptable to God if it is not motivated by love.” – MacArthur (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
By purposely putting on an attitude of love and doing loving actions toward people, I start to develop loving feelings toward them.
Part of the reason that we gather here today and will enjoy a meal together is to begin to build up new relationships and strengthen current ones.
“To try to practice the virtues of 3:12-13 apart from love is legalism.” You might be able to wear these clothes for a while without love, but eventually they will chafe on you so bad that you will have to get rid of them.
4. Put in peace. (vs. 15)
“attitude of rest and security”; Prime Minister Sharon, in the press conference on Wed., made the comment that without security in Israel, there can be no peace for its people.
“rule” – “used to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest…guides believers in making decisions…”; Peace becomes the basis for making decisions. What will promote peace between me and others? What will promote peace between me and God? Since I am secure and at peace, I don’t have to make decisions based on self-preservation and self-accumulation.
Internal peace leads to external peace. When there is no external peace, it is usually an indication that there is no internal peace.
“agreement, pact, treaty or bond”
The church is a body not a building. That’s why we can meet in a school building and still be New Life Baptist Church. That’s why the people of Mt. Zion Community Church can still be a church even though they are not meeting in their building today. And that’s why we can worship together as one church today because we are all part of the Body of Christ.
He’s not just dealing with individual members being clothed with these characteristics, but the whole body. A body without clothes is naked and is unable to go out in public. There comes a time for us to get naked before God so that He can cleanse us. We need to get open, honest and transparent before God – totally vulnerable. But when the time comes for us to take the church body out into the public, we need to clothe ourselves with all these attributes. Right now, when we as a church go out into public, how do they see us – compassionate, gentle, kind? Or unforgiving, judgmental, harsh and always fighting among ourselves? My prayer for New Life and Mt. Zion is that regardless of whether or not we eventually become one body of believers, we will be able to develop an active peace with one another and begin to work together to reach the communities that surround us. That will be a true testimony of the peace that resides within us and the peace that draws us together into fellowship.
5. Put in gratitude. (vs. 16)
Thankful for what? For salvation, for forgiveness, and in this context, for each other. Even when you don’t feel like being thankful for each other. What exactly Paul had in mind for us to be thankful for, we don’t know. That’s okay. In another passage, we are told, “In everything give thanks.” (1 Thes. 5:18)
When I am thankful for what God has given me and the people and circumstances He has placed in my life, it makes it possible for me to be at peace. I don’t have to be struggling for something more or to get my own way.
6. Put in the Word. (vs. 17)
These virtues will naturally flow from a mind that is controlled by the Word.
“permeate every aspect of the believer’s life and govern every thought, word, and deed.”
“dwell” – “to live in” or “to be at home”
The Word is supposed to be “in you” not “on you”. Some people wear Scripture, but it never has gotten inside.
God has given us all these different characteristics that we are supposed to “put on”. Do you know what you call people who “put on” love or any of these other characteristics? You call them hypocrites. (i.e. it’s all just a “put on”) Don’t compassion, forgiveness and love have to come from the inside? We come to church each Sunday morning, and we wear a certain set of clothes. I’m not talking about the cotton, silk and polyester that covers our bodies. I’m talking about the smiles that we put on and the gentleness that we show when someone does something that offends us or makes us mad. We wear these kind of clothes on Sunday morning, but as soon as we take off our Sunday cotton, we also take off our Christian characteristics. If you want these characteristics to be more than just a temporary shell that you put on, then fill up with the Word. It is the Word on the inside that makes the qualities on the outside genuine and lasting.
Overflows into means of expression. Gets out of control (like when coffee overflows the edge of the cup).
Have you ever had or known someone else who had an article of clothing that was so loud and outlandish that it grabbed your attention immediately, and you couldn’t see anything else about them? The Word is supposed to be so standoutish in us that that’s all people can see.
Internal filling leads to external expression in the form of teaching, warning and singing. It’s impossible to maintain the outward expression without the inward support. It’s also impossible to stifle the outward expression when the inward filling is present. Jeremiah tried to keep silent but was unable to do so. (Jer 20:9) …his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
It is not just the pastor’s responsibility to teach and to warn. Each person has a responsibility to have a spiritual impact on the lives of everyone else in their spiritual community. If I am filled with the Word, I will be able to recognize danger and error in another person’s life and help them work to correct it. The wisdom that I need to do this comes from the Word. It answers the excuse of, “I wouldn’t know what to say” which is the reason that so many refuse their responsibility to speak up to meet the needs of those around them.
Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and the choir director get into it, stand back. One week our preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, ’I Shall Not Be Moved.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director the led the song, ’Jesus Paid It All.’ The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn was ’I Love To Tell The Story.’ The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir then sang ’Oh, Why Not Tonight.’ When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him a way. The choir then sang, ’What A Friend We Have In Jesus.’
Many church feuds have been fought over the style of music that is used in a church.
“psalms” – Old Testament book of Psalms
“hymns” – expressions of praise to God
“spiritual songs” – testimonial in song over what God has done for us
Gratitude is the internal source for the expression of singing.
In a few moments, we will all sit down together to some wonderful food. There is always so much good food at church dinners that you just don’t know when to stop. It has the effect on me that clothes that fit loosely when I left home that morning start to fit me like a glove. And just as a glove can be difficult to get off because it fits so tightly, all your hand-me down clothes will begin to fit you like a glove when you are filled up with the Word. You’ll have trouble taking them off. You won’t even want to take them off. They will become a part of you.
Result: People will see Jesus in you!
To do something in the name of Jesus is to “act consistently with who He is and what He wants.” It is to do all that we do for the glory of His name (1 Cor. 10:31)
The more that I wear Jesus’ clothes, the more that people will think they are seeing Jesus coming when I’m on the way.
CONCLUSION
One day, we will change clothes again. The type of clothes that you wear then will be determined by the person that you are today.
