Colossians - Chapter 3

Deliberate Christianity

…if you’re a Christian, ACT like it

Colossians – Chapter 3

Review

1. History Review
1. When : 62 A.D
2. When : When Paul was in prison (either in Rome or in a Roman prison)
3. Who : to – Church (specifically Christians) at Colosse.
4. Who: wrote it – Paul
2. Chapter 1
1. Encouraging, greeting, and the Gospel
2. Characteristics of Christ
3. Chapter 2
1. Beware of “enticing words”
2. Misrepresented or misguiding philosophies, interpretations, traditions, etc can pull Christians from the center – CHRIST!

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading Colossians?
2. What’s your opinion of Colossians (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?  Compare it to Daniel or Romans, etc as well as your impression of it on its own.
1.  
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1.  
4. Can you group any of these chapters together?
1.  

Lesson

1. vv. 1-4 [READ – Col 3:1-4] Your life with Christ
1. v 1 – “if”

                                                               i.      Not “if you walk onto a freeway blindfolded, something bad could happen”.

                                                             ii.      But rather, “if you’re breathing, then you’re alive”

                                                            iii.      As in previous discussions, it’s the argumentative “if” (sorta like “since”) not the conditional “if”.

                                                            iv.      This implies that Paul is not questioning their salvation.  In fact, he’s affirming it.  Since these things, then you should be doing…BLAH

2. v 1 – “risen with Christ”
   I love this phrase because of its double-meaning!  “What double meaning,” you wonder?  I’m glad you asked…

                                                               i.      Primarily, spiritually.  Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was in our stead.  We’re sentenced to death without Christ.  But our acceptance of His substitutionary death for us (and resurrection) allows us to reach beyond death, to eternal life and rise up with him.  We ARE raised up (risen) with Christ.

                                                             ii.      Secondarily, physically (for some of us).  Many of us were literally raised with Christ.  In our homes, in our churches, in our schools, from our parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.  This is a huge blessing.

3. V 1 & 2 - “seek” (KJV) or “set your hearts” (NIV) and “set” (KJV) or “set your mind” (NIV) – this implies ACTIVE action, not passive or accidental things.  It’s a conscience action or decision.
4. V 3 – “your life is hidden”

                                                               i.      Outsiders can’t see it.  They see your shell/tent/body.  They see what they believe is your life, but they don’t see your REAL (or FULL) life.  They can even see actions that may be different than others, but they can’t see that relationship to and with Christ.

5. V 4 – Christ becomes our center of existence.  We began to live upon our acceptance of Him as we were dead until that point.  His return will immediately deliver our reward of residence in Heaven.
1. vv. 5-17 [READ – Col 3:5-17] Your life with other Christians
1. v 5 – Start with acting on the fact that you’re not (as stated in Romans) a slave to the sins of this world.  They do not hold your bondage.  Put them away; to death. 
2. What does it mean to “put them to death”?

                                                               i.      V 7 – “walked” (KJV) / “used to walk” (NIV) – PAST TENSE!  These things aren’t how you walk in your life any longer (since you accepted Christ).

                                                             ii.      V 8 – But you must remove those things that were part of that old life, including anger, wrath / rage, malice, blasphemy / slander, filthy language.

1.       What are each of these?

2.       Anger – not all anger is bad or sinful, but it’s hard to control.

3.       Wrath – personally, I see this as anger with action and little thinking behind it.

4.       Malice – Anger that has aged.  It’s very healthy anger.  It’s strong.  It’s hard to kill.  It’s become part of you.  It’s a cancer.

5.       Blasphemy / Slander – Blasphemy connotates Divine slander, but it really means slander against whomever the context is about.  You can blaspheme (slander) anyone, God or human.

6.       Filthy language – SO many forms…hate, gossip, curses, etc…

                                                            iii.      V 10 – Put on the new man.  The old man (Adam’s sentence) is gone.  If that was all we had (the removal of the old man), we’d still be nowhere.  We have to accept, embrace, put on the new man and the things that means.

3. Why is this important?

                                                               i.      V 6 – God’s wrath is coming and these things (at least) are center to that wrath.

4. Key of these:

                                                               i.      fornication (KJV) / sexual immorality (NIV)

                                                             ii.      uncleanness (KJV) / impurity (NIV)

                                                            iii.      inordinate affection (KJV) / lust (NIV)

                                                            iv.      evil concupiscence (KJV) / evil desires (NIV)

                                                             v.      covetousness/idolatry (KJV) / greed (NIV)

5. V 9 – Don’t lie to one another
6. V 11 – Treat each other fairly.  You’re all the same.

                                                               i.      We’ve seen this from Paul many times before.

7. V 12-15 – have “bowels of mercy” (KJV) / “heart of compassion” (NASB) – (I don’t care for how NIV translates this verse.)

                                                               i.      Yes, there are the obligatory “Baby, you move me” jokes about the bowels being the seat of passion of this culture/timeframe.

                                                             ii.      Is there value in discussing “elect” here?

1.       In my opinion, not really.  Paul’s context is Christians.  By definition, Christians ARE “elect”.  It’s when you’re not a Christian that “elect” concerns you.  As we know his audience and context, I don’t feel this verse is relevant to that discussion, even though many still include it.

                                                            iii.      Compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind (KJV), meekness (of spirit), longsuffering – This is how we’re to treat each other (Christians), but we’re often most impatient and intolerant of each other.  Examples?

1.       Worship music styles

2.       Levels of effort (Whining “She’s not doing as much as I am.  Why isn’t she helping more?”)

3.       Gauging their “spirituality” buy how much (or little) they’re involved in.

                                                            iv.      Also, bear with one another, forgive each other, and most of all – LOVE each other. (v 13 & 14)

                                                             v.      Be peaceful and thankful (v 15)

8. V 16 & 17 – Paul wraps this section of dealing with other Christians with an overarching idea – Keep your heard and mind on God and the rest will fall into place.

                                                               i.      Let the Word of Christ dwell in you.  How?  Paul doesn’t elaborate here, (but he has), but this means we have to KNOW and STUDY His Word.

                                                             ii.      Teaching with wisdom.  (Sorry.  You all are out of line with Scripture here.  Well, maybe not, since I don’t “teach” as much as “facilitate discussion”.)

                                                            iii.      Admonish each other with Psalms and hymns.

1.       Admonish means what?  Advise, caution, warn.

                                                            iv.      Be thankful to God.

                                                             v.      Whatever you do, do it in God’s name, to His glory.

1.       Not your glory.  Not your friend’s.  Not a group’s. God’s.

3. vv. 18-23 [READ – Col 3:18-23] Your life with Others
1. v 18 – “wives, be submitted”
2. Is this license for multiple spouses?

                                                               i.      No.  This is a plural group to plural group statement.  The intention was to talk to female spouses and male spouses collectively, not make a statement about the marriage relationship construction.

                                                             ii.      Yet, some groups use these verses (and others) for that purpose.

3. Is this because the wife is lesser priority or less important?

                                                               i.      No.  It’s a ROLE, not a position.  There are multiple roles in many organizations, but just because the guy on top (President, owner, CEO, etc) is there, doesn’t mean he’s the most important.  It’s certainly not that he gets all the work done himself, right?

4. Is this to establish control or domination?

                                                               i.      No.

5. Is this to allow husbands to make all decisions all the time (as a blanket rule)?

                                                               i.      No.

6. This is a “harmony” verse.  This verse doesn’t end at “husbands” (although some would like that).  It ends with “as fit in the Lord”.

                                                               i.      It’s honoring to God to do this.

                                                             ii.      God built women this way (to be secure with the leadership of a husband).

7. Does this mean it’s easy?

                                                               i.      On the contrary, Paul picks a SINGLE thing to instruct wives on and this is it because he knows it’s hard.  There would be other things he could instruct wives on (and does other places), but this is the key, but it’s also hard.

8. Is this verse only for wives?        

                                                               i.      No.  This verse speaks volumes to husbands (or should).  It implies a great responsibility to husbands.  And it’s bigger than just between husband and wife.  Like it or not, intentional or not, the marital relationship involves God.  Her role and success as a wife of honoring God as a wife is related to the husband’s position.  Should I (as a husband) cause my wife to fail in her honor to God?!

9. Is this common in the world today?

                                                               i.      No.  It’s amazing to see how the world is counter-Biblical, anti-God in just about everything if one looks closely enough.

                                                             ii.      The world presents men (especially fathers) and aloof and out of touch, (mis)guided by their wife and children, blowing with the wind.  Sitcoms today are FULL of this junk.

10. V 19 – Husbands, love and don’t be bitter.

                                                               i.      Why does he say this?  Two reasons – some don’t (love) and some do (become bitter or treat harshly).

                                                             ii.      This is still a counter-cultural idea to many of these folks, especially in a multi-cultural city.

                                                            iii.      Women were possessed, treated poorly frequently, etc.  Certainly not appreciated for their mental capabilities.

                                                            iv.      There’s also the element that to not “treat harshly” implies a directive to be sensitive and caring in how she’s treated.

11. V 20 – Children, obey your parents.

                                                               i.      Notice, the word “obey” is used for children, not wives.

12. V 21 – “do not provoke”

                                                               i.      Children ARE delicate (to a point).  You have a responsibility to not frustrate them, but encourage them.  Do not bring them down, but lift them up.

13. V 22-23 – On the job…with Paul.

                                                               i.      Do your best when working; don’t just “get by”.  Your representation of Christ, your employer’s opinion of Christ could be influenced by your diligence.  Work as if you’re doing it for Christ, because you ARE!

4. vv. 24-25 [READ – Col 3:24-25] The bottom line motivation…
1. Know that it’s from God that your reward will come.  Not man.
2. But if you do wrong, you’ll reap what you sow.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 17 or 23
2. How do you feel about Colossians Chapter 3 now?
3. If there are possibly two implications of the phrase “raised with Christ” (ie, raised up from death and reared from childhood), does that impact Paul’s argument later of “Since you’re raised up, ACT LIKE IT?”
1. No.  It’s a blessing to have that kind of rearing, but God gives each of us a path.  The score is the same (ZEROS across the board) once we accept Christ.  We’re all held to the same standard (Christ) of living.
4. What’s the point of this chapter?
1. Cut the crap, you’re associated with Christ, so start acting like it!
2. Christians shouldn’t be plagued with the same infighting and issues non-Christians are.  Get along, do you work, point to God.
5. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?
1. Examine your marriage.
2. Examine your parenting.
3. Examine your work.
4. Examine your friend-relationships.

Print | posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 5:16 PM |