Sermon Tone Analysis

In the first part of Colossians chapter three, Paul tells us that since we have been crucified with Christ and raised with Christ - we ought to have our minds set on the things of Christ!

We are not to live in our old ways any longer.

Listen to Paul in

We were all separated from God by our sin and we were living in sin.

That is - we were living to fulfill the desires of our hearts.

That does not mean that we were all drunkards, or extortioners, we did not all participate in the same sin, but we were all in our sin.

Paul tells us in that we should no longer live that way - we are to put off those things.

Colossians

The imagery is that of taking off a set of clothes.

We take off the old man.

and

So Paul’s word to Christians is to stop acting like we once did apart from Christ satisfying our own selves and put on the new man - who is becoming more and more like Jesus each day - becoming the Son or Daughter of God that is always better reflecting His character.

We are to be in a process of change - changing from who we once were to who God has created us to become!

The U.S. standard railroad gauge (distance between rails) is four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.

Why such an odd number?

Because that's the way they built them in England, and American railroads were built by British expatriates.

Why did the English adopt that particular gauge?

Because the people who built the pre-railroad tramways used that gauge.

They in turn were locked into that gauge because the people who built tramways used the same standards and tools they had used for building wagons, which were set on a gauge of four feet, eight-and-one-half inches.

"Why were wagons built to that scale?

Because with any other size, the wheels did not match the old wheel ruts on the roads.

"So who built these old rutted roads?

"The first long-distance highways in Europe were built by Imperial Rome for the benefit of their legions.

The roads have been in use ever since.

The ruts were first made by Roman war chariots.

Four feet, eight-and-one-half inches was the width a chariot needed to be to accommodate the rear ends of two war horses."

Maybe "that's the way it's always been" isn't the great excuse some people believe it to be.

Clark Cothern Tecumseh, Michigan.

Walk Together In Christ

Colossians 3:

Colossians 3:12-17

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Paul begins our passage this morning in with Therefore

Because of what God has done for us and who we are today

Therefore - in light of all that Christ has done for us.

In light of us being crucified with Jesus and risen with Jesus - As the elect of God - holy and beloved!

We must remember that God chose us and in Jesus we are holy - we are set apart for His purposes.

We are to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility meekness, longsuffering.

Put On:

Tender Mercies

Kindness

Humility

Meekness

Longsuffering

Paul begins with personal attributes that we need especially in relationship with one another.

Without these things it is impossible to live in harmony with one another.

We have been called into community with one another and we are to begin to live that way now.

Johns 13:35

Now here is a key - the focus is on the individual receiving action - not on the one causing action.

So Paul focuses us on the one who should be longsuffering - patient - not the one who is causing the issue.

He talks about us being humble - not about the one who is prideful in the situation.

The place for us to begin to walk in harmony with one another is with ourselves not others!

Kindness

Humil

Then Paul goes on to verse 13

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

That is to endure one another - this puts the characteristics in verse twelve in action.

We are to put on those things so that we are able to endure being with each other.

When we love someone, we don’t broadcast their faults.

We don’t look for opportunities to bring them down in the eyes of others.

We look to build them up and we care for them.

We choose to overlook some of their more annoying habits.

It may surprise you to know that in the church of Colasae, there were those who were being offended by the actions of others.

Paul calls us to live differently - and puts the focus on us - the ones who could be offended.

1. Burping out loud.

1. Burping and farting out loud.

2.

Not listening or “tuning out’ during conversations.

3.

Not communicating important details.

4. Checking out other women.

5. Being “obsessed” with video games and/or sports.

We care for one another even when we stumble, when we act differently than what we expected or hoped for.

Women’s most annoying habits (according to men):

1. Saying “nothing is wrong” when something is wrong.

2. Overspending.

3. Bringing up “old dirt” as ammunition in arguments.

4. Giving (or asking for) too many “unnecessary” details in conversations.

5. Being “obsessed” with social media (Pinterest, etc.).

“Real love is when you are completely committed to someone even when they are being completely unlovable.”

- Dave Willis

“Real love is when you are completely committed to someone even when they are being completely unlovable.”

- Dave Willis

Paul also tells us that we must be forgiving of one another.

Just as we have received forgiveness from Jesus we are to forgive those around us.

Sometimes we say we have forgiven, but then we carry a grudge.

We really have some conditions that we expect them to meet if they are to really be in the clear.

That is not the forgiveness that Jesus expressed to us nor is it the forgiveness that we are to express to one another.

We don’t wait for an apology - we don’t carry a grudge, we don’t wait for someone else to make it right.

Some may say - that is not fair!

and your right.

It is grace!

We who have experienced grace freely offer grace to others.

It is when you have a false view of grace - i have to earn God’s favor - that is when we religiously impose that view on others.

That is when we make our love conditional.

When we pick and choose who we care for.

But we have been changed by the love of Christ and as men and women touched by God we are to live like Him!

Paul declares in verse 14

Love - true love binds us together.

When we have an issue with someone, we have a love problem.

We may be concerned over who is right and who is wrong - let God take care of that and let us follow His Word to us!

Let us love one another

We can not just say we love one another - we must live it.