Welcome to afaithtalk.com. This is our third week in Colossians and it’s a great one. This is my favorite chapter of the book. I’m so glad you’ve come to join me.
Before we begin, let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, the wonder never ends in You and I praise and thank You for this book giving us a clue as to what You have planned for us. I ask, guide us through this chapter. Help us see, Lord, all that You want us to see. In Your holy and precious Name, I pray. Amen.
Please read Colossians 3:1
Put On the New Self
1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
If you have been raised with Christ…
To stay in Colossians:
11 In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], 12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God, [as displayed] when He raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12
Through baptism and faith you have died and been raised with Christ. So keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Yes, He is there, He is here, He is everywhere, always. Omnipresent. God Almighty.
Please read Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Keep focused habitually. Make it a habit. To focus on the things above.
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8
For you __________ to this world, and your new, real ______ is ____________ with Christ in God.
Please read Colossians 3:5
5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
Because it replaces your devotion to God. That’s why we need to deprive of power the evil longings of our bodies. Focus on Him.
Please read Colossians 3:6-7
6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming [b]on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts], 7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ].
Our God is Holy and a jealous God. He will not demand you focus on Him, but He will woo you into relationship, if more would only pay attention. For one day, judgment is coming.
Please read Colossians 3:8-11
8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— 11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] [c]barbarian or [d]Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].
This is a hard one to do. Worthy of prayer that’s for sure.
Rid yourself of all these things: _________, _________, _________, __________ and _________ language which is (abusive, __________, ___________). Do not _______ to one another for you have…put on the ______ self who is being ____________ renewed in ______ knowledge in the image of Him who ________ the new self—a renewal in which there is no distinction between people, because Christ is _____ and in _______ [so believers are ______ in Christ, without _____________].
Please read Colossians 3:12-13
12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
So, as God’s own chosen people. Amazing.
Who are _______ [set apart, sanctified for _____ purpose] and _____-__________ by God Himself.
Yes, I have prayed this many times.
Lord I ask You to fill my heart with compassion, kindness and humility. Help me be gentle and patient, able to bear graciously with others, and willing to forgive all complaints against me because You have forgiven me all my sins.
And it goes on…
Please read Colossians 3:14-15
14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others]. 15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
Wrap me in love which binds everything together in unity and come be the Peace controlling my heart and let my mouth profess thanks to You for all You do for me. For every moment I am with You.
Please read Colossians 3:16-17
16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Lord, may Your words be the first words that come to mind. Help me lead with wisdom and always be grateful for the blessed gift that allows me to depend on You at all times. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ Name.
Yes, you are more than welcome to make those prayers your own. Follow them up with the armor in Ephesians 6 and ask for even 2 Peter 1:5-8, for even it says, “they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8.
Please read Colossians 3:18-20
Family Relations
18 Wives, be [e]subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and [f]fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. 20 Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing [g]to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings].
Yes, he does get all in our business. Wives: Respect your husband. Husbands: Love your wife. Children: Obey your parents with an attitude of respect.
Please read Colossians 3:21
21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
Do not provoke or _________ or __________ your children [with demands that are ________ or ___________ or ______________ or ____________; nor by _________ or ______________;
Treat your children tenderly with lovingkindness.] Why? ___
Please read Colossians 3:22-25
22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. 23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. 25 For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].
Whatever you do, put in your very best effort, knowing what?
_______________________________________________________ and you will receive the ___________ which is your greatest reward.
Praise His Holy Name. One chapter remains. It’ll be here next week. Pray this one. Let’s Grow Our Faith.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:4 A reference to His second coming.
- Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain this phrase.
- Colossians 3:11 A derogatory term used to describe uneducated, uncultured people who were not fluent in the Greek language.
- Colossians 3:11 The Scythians were savage equestrian herdsmen who were skilled archers and often worked as mercenaries and/or slave traders. The Scythian women were known to dress as warriors and fight alongside the men.
- Colossians 3:18 The wife is to submit voluntarily to her husband (not to men in general); not as inferior to him, nor in violation of her Christian ethics, but honoring her husband’s responsibilities and authority as head of the household.
- Colossians 3:18 I.e. not in conflict with Scripture.
- Colossians 3:20 Lit in, as “in the Lord’s presence.”