Sermon Notes - Colossians 3:12-17 - Littleby Baptist Church - June 26, 2022

1.     Chapter 3

a.      As followers of Jesus, we need to embrace what our Lord has done for us.

b.     We need to let go of our past.

                                                    i.     It has been erased.

                                                  ii.     Wiped away.

                                                iii.     Made clean.

c.      We are not those people anymore.

d.     That is why we need to turn from our sin and turn to Jesus.

e.      If we trust in Him it is easier to live out our faith.

2.     Colossians 3:12

a.      Therefore – Read vs. 10

                                                    i.     We are being renewed.

b.     As followers of Jesus who are being renewed, we are to live a certain way.

c.      We are to clothe ourselves in virtue.

d.     We are to hold on to the Peace of our Lord.

e.      We are to get into His Word and let it change us.

f.      We are to put on… (2^nd half of verse).

g.     As Children of God, as those Jesus has made holy, we are to not be…

                                                    i.     Colossians 3:8-9

h.     Read verse 12 again.

i.       As God’s chosen ones, we need to strive to live righteously.

j.       We are going to faulter and fail in our attempt.

k.     But as the Holy Spirit works in us, these types of behaviors will become easier and more apparent to others.

3.     Colossians 3:13

a.      Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience help us to bear with one another.

b.     They help us to look past the things that would normally aggravate us about each other.

c.      Following Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit work in us, helps us to look at each other as He looks at us.

d.     We are all human and far from perfect, so having compassion for each other can go a long way.

e.      Show each other kindness by being there when needed or filling a need in general.

f.      Being humble and remembering God is the one in control, not us.

g.     Gentle by showing mercy.

h.     Patient by showing restraint in the face of adversity.

i.       As followers of Jesus that is exactly what we are supposed to do.

j.       We need to bear with one another and we need to forgive.

k.     How are we to forgive?

                                                    i.     Just as the Lord has forgiven you.

                                                  ii.     Ephesians 1:7

                                                iii.     The Lord forgives graciously.

                                                iv.     His forgiveness is freely given to all.

l.       Proverbs 17:9

m.   When we forgive those who hurt us, when we conceal an offense, we are living the list found in Colossians 3:12.

n.     When we hold onto those hurts, things like what is found in verse 8 and 9 take over. Behaviors that separate friends.

o.     It may sound like an oversimplification, but we are to let go and let God.

p.     We are to let go of the hurt and let God heal us.

q.     We are to let go and forgive those that hurt us, knowing that God has done the same for us.

4.     Colossians 3:14

a.      Above that great list of virtues that should be evident in our lives.

b.     We are to put on Love.

c.      Jesus did not hold a grudge against us for sinning.

d.     He loved us and climbed on that cross.

e.      Love breaks down barriers.

f.      Love will wipe away anger, wrath, malice… it will stop slander and filthy language.

g.     Love is what helps us to have compassion, to show kindness, to be humble, to be gentle, and to have patience.

h.     Put on Love.

i.       The ultimate bond.

j.       It is love that brings us together.

5.     Colossians 3:15

a.      Peace of Christ… not some relaxing day kind of peace.

b.     This is a peace that only comes from our Lord Jesus.

c.      John 14:27

                                                    i.     My peace I give to you.

                                                  ii.     A gift similar to salvation.

                                                iii.     A gift given as we draw near to our Lord.

                                                iv.     A peace that only comes from Him.

                                                  v.     That is the peace that Paul is talking about.

d.     To which you were also called to one body…

                                                    i.     This peace helps us live as one body, one united group of believers.  

                                                  ii.     It is a peace that helps us to relate to one another.

                                                iii.     It is a peace that breaks down barriers.

                                                iv.     John 13:34

                                                  v.     The Peace of Christ helps us to love each other as Christ loves us.

                                                vi.     Not always easy, but with the Holy Spirit at work in us and the Peace of Christ ruling our hearts it is possible.

e.      Rule your hearts…

f.      If the Peace of Christ is in us, if we let go and let it lead us, it will rule our hearts.

g.     What does that mean?

                                                    i.     Jesus’ Peace is not some referee calling fouls when we step out of line.

                                                  ii.     When the Peace of Christ is ruling our hearts, we are truly submitting to Him.

                                                iii.     He is with us when we are together.

                                                iv.     He is helping us to live the things listed in verse 12 and 13.

                                                  v.     With His Peace we seek His will for each time we gather, each conversation, and even how we pray for each other.

                                                vi.     As a body of believers our Lord is in control.

h.     Then we are to ‘Be thankful.’

i.       As we live the virtues.

j.       As we love those around us.

k.     As we let our Lord Jesus guide us.

l.       We are to have an attitude of gratitude.

m.   We are to be thankful for the people God has brought into our lives.

n.     We are to be thankful for all He has done for us.

6.     Colossians 3:16

a.      Seems to be a common theme for Paul in this letter.

b.     The Word of Christ, the Holy Scripture, our Bibles are to dwell richly among us.

c.      As a group of believers, we are to help each other grow in Godly wisdom and knowledge.

d.     Proverbs 27:17

e.      We are to help each other improve our grasp of what God is teaching us through His word.

                                                    i.     Not some touchy-feely experience, but by the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

f.      As we study the Word of God, as we help each other grow, our faith grows.

g.     We become rooted and established as followers of Jesus.

h.     We remain grounded and steadfast as trials, false teachings, and reasonable arguments comes our way.

i.       The great part about it is, that the more we are grounded in our faith.

                                                    i.     The more we are rooted in the Word of God.

                                                  ii.     The more time we spend with our Jesus.

j.       The more our hearts change, worry and fear can truly be replaced with gratitude.

k.     As we let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us… the likelihood of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, and singing bursting from our lips increases.

l.       When we are grounded in the Word of God, our hearts are focused on Him, and we are more likely to sing His praises.

m.   As the Word of our Lord dwells in us, our hearts will be filled with gratitude.

7.     Colossians 3:17

a.      Whatever we do in word or deed…

                                                    i.     Any words that come out of our mouths.  

                                                  ii.     Every action we take.

                                                iii.     Should be in the name of our Lord Jesus.

b.     Think about that for a minute.

c.      This verse is not only talking about coming to church, working when your boss is not watching, or going that extra mile to meet a need.

d.     The verse says ‘whatever’ we say or do.

e.      Every action and every word.

f.      Not just on Sunday’s, but every day.

g.     Anything we say or do, should be in the name of our Lord Jesus.

h.     Here’s the challenge for each of us…

                                                    i.     What are we saying and doing that is not in Jesus’ name?

                                                  ii.     What things in our lives should make us shudder when we think about Jesus standing with us as we do them or say them?

i.       The challenge for each of us, is to reflect on this and ask God to help.

8.     2 Timothy 1:7

a.      The Holy Spirit has come to give us Power, Love, and Sound Judgement.

b.     Power to overcome these things in our life that do not honor God.

c.      Love that knows no limits.

d.     Sound Judgement that helps us to see what in our lives need to change.

9.     What in your life needs to change?