Summary: What defines a spiritually pure church? Paul uses Colossians 3 to expound on how changed lives and a new standard of excellence create a purity in the church that is pleasing to God.

The Spiritually Pure Church

Colossians 3:1-17

I. Different Demands on Your Life (v. 1-4)

a. New perception (v. 1-2)

i. Vision like the Spirit (Romans 8:5)

ii. Obstacle without it (Matthew 16:23)

b. Reasons for the new demands (v. 3-4)

i. Death of the old nature (Romans 6:2, 11; 1 Peter 2:24)

ii. The reward of the future (Philippians 3:20-21)

II. No Sign of Old Sins (v. 5-11)

a. Ruthless dealing with past desires (v. 5)

b. Not children charted for destruction (v. 6-7; Ephesians 2:1-7)

c. Attention to the smallest details (v. 8-10)

d. Demanded without distinction (v. 11; 1 Corinthians 12:13)

III. Demands that Designate Purity (v. 12-17)

a. A loving nature (v. 12-14; John 13:35)

b. Godly contentment (v. 15; Philippians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

c. Utilization of worship and the Word (v. 16; Ephesians 5:25b-26; Hebrews 10:24-25)

d. A constant “Jesus” representation (v. 17; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

REFERENCE NOTES

Romans 8:5— 5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Matthew 16:23— 23But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s."

Romans 6:2, 11— 2May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 11Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24— 24and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Philippians 3:20-21— 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Ephesians 2:1-7— 1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

1 Corinthians 12:13—13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

John 13:35— 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Philippians 4:11— 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

1 Thessalonians 5:18—18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:25b-26— 25bas Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

Hebrews 10:24-25— 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

1 Corinthians 10:31—31Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.