Colossians - The Supremacy of Christ in Killing Sin
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Introduction
Introduction
Have Congregation turn to Colossians 3:1-12
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Recap - Christ is Supreme
Christ is our Life - Sometimes we say of people: ‘Music is her life—Sport is his life—They live for their work.’ Such people find life and all that it means in music, in sport, in work, as the case may be. They define themselves by their loves. For Christians, Christ is their life. Why? Because we died with him and were raised to life with him, and our life is hidden with him.
Christ is our Life - Sometimes we say of people: ‘Music is her life—Sport is his life—They live for their work.’ Such people find life and all that it means in music, in sport, in work, as the case may be. They define themselves by their loves. For Christians, Christ is their life. Why? Because we died with him and were raised to life with him, and our life is “hidden” with him.
Context Recap - The Supremacy of Christ in all things over and against false teachings creeping into the church that focus on “secret knowledge” and “Mysticism” and obsessions with “angelic visitations” and “spiritual visions” as being the way to true Godliness. For the Gnostics spiritual growth and godliness was to be found in these various “experiences”
Question: What do you think of when someone is described as “Spiritual?” Perhaps you think someone with extra ordinary gifting, Someone with extensive Bible Knowledge? Knowledge of hidden things? Someone who sees angles or regularly has visions? interprets dreams?
Secret Knowledge
Secret Knowledge
True spirituality and Spiritual growth, Paul has made clear, comes only from knowing Christ himself, True spiritual knowledge is Knowledge of Christ that leads to an obedient transformed life! You can have all the ecstatic experiences in the universe, but it doesn't make you spiritually mature if it is not centred around knowing Christ and comprehending his supremacy above all things.
Mystical visions
Mystical visions
Consequences of Christ’s Supremacy for our Christian living. (1-4)
For Christians our Focus is to be on Christ. He is all we need for life and Godliness and true spirituality, we dont need ecstatic visions, secret knowledge and angelic visits.(The context of false teaching). Indeed, our christian thoughts must be set on the things which are above, but only because that is where Christ is and our lives are hidden with him there. We can no longer be concerned with the trivial passing of things of earth; we must be totally concerned with the eternal truths of heaven. Christians will view everything against the background of eternity and no longer live as if this world was all that mattered. we have Died with Christ. we Have been raised with him! This is not an mere “idea or a “concept” it is an otological reality, even though this “reality” is hidden from the world we will appear with him in Glory.
You will appear with him in Glory (4)
Question: Implications - What does this mean for Christian living then, and in particular Our Christian conduct at Rosskeen?
What does this mean for Christian living then, Christian behaviour?
Consequences
Answer: We seek deeper fellowship with Christ and with one another in actively killing our sin or “putting our Sins to death.” (5-9)
Put to Death (Mortify) 5-7 (In Contrast to Stoic Philosophy which was to transcend) What Paul is saying is: ‘Put to death every part of yourself which is against God and keeps you from fullfilling his will.’ He uses the same line of thought in : ‘If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.’ It is exactly the same line of thought as that of Jesus when he demanded that people should cut off a hand or a foot, or tear out an eye when it was leading them into sin (). Its extreme language commanding an attitude of engaging in Mortal Combat when it comes to our sin. Christians must kill self-centredness and regard as dead all private desires and ambitions. In their lives, there must be a radical transformation of the will and a radical shift of the centre. Everything which would keep them from fully obeying God and fully surrendering to Christ must be aggressively and surgically removed.
Taking off Clothes (8-9) Paul says that there are certain things of which the Colossians must “strip” themselves of. The word he uses is the word for taking off clothes. There is here a picture from the life of the early Christians. When Christians were baptised, they took off their old clothes when they went down into the water, and when they emerged they put on new, pure white robes. They got rid of one kind of life and actively put on another. In this passage, Paul speaks of the things of which Christians must rid themselves:
The counter cultural revolution of Christianity - Every one of the “Vices” that Paul lists were embraced as virtue by Greco Roman Society at large,
Sexual Immorality (πορνείαν) (High on the agenda)
Definition (Any expression of sexual activity that is outside of Gods intended plan for human sexual fulfilment and flourishing” All sexual activity outside of monogamous heterosexual marriage). In the ancient world, sexual relationships before marriage and outside marriage were the normal and accepted practice.
Chastity - chastity was the one completely new virtue which Christianity brought into the world at that time.
The sexual appetite and desire was regarded as a thing to be gratified, not to be controlled (it was also an act of worship). The driving force behind Roman Greco culture was the so called liberty (freedom) of ordinary white male Roman citizens to cast of restraint and to have sex with whoever and whatever they wanted, often brutally without care, mercy or consequence, there were no rights or laws on the part of the week, the vulnerable, the oppressed, the sexually victimised or the abused. Power was celebrated, mercy was for the week. Victimhood was not to be empathised or sympathised with but seen as pathetic. Power and lust of it was highly esteemed.
Tom Holland - The sexual appetite was regarded as a thing to be gratified, not to be controlled. The driving force behind Roman Greco culture was the so called liberty of ordinary white male Roman citizens to cast of restraint and to have sex with whoever they wanted, and whatever they wanted, often brutally without constraint or consequence.
Today Even though we live in a sexually promiscuous society that is regressing back to becoming more and more Roman in its expression everyday, We dont actually appreciate how our traditional values on sexual ethics and moral assumptions about liberty, equality, human rights, international law are a consequence of the influence of Christian thinking of a 2000 year old Revolution and the influence Apostole Paul in particular. Christianity truly did turn the worlds values upside down transform the a brutal western world for the better.
That is an attitude which is not unfamiliar today,
Objection Why? If it doesn't harm anyone? Thats the assumption What happens in the privacy of my own life doesn't affect room
Tom Holland (Famous Historian) who now describes himself as a “Christian” (in the non believing sense) He now does so because he recognises the christian roots of all his moral ethical assumptions including restraint on sexual liberty. In (2016), he penned an article for The NewStatesman. Titled “Why I was Wrong about Christianity” Holland seemingly fell for the myth that Christianity was harmful:
In (2016), he penned an article for The NewStatesman. Titled “Why I was Wrong about Christianity” Holland seemingly feel for the myth that Christianity was harmful:
(2016), and penned an article for The NewStatesman. Titled “Why I was Wrong about Christianity” Holland seemingly feel for the myth that Christianity was harmful:
“By the time I came to read Edward Gibbon and the other great writers of the Enlightenment, I was more than ready to accept their interpretation of history: that the triumph of Christianity had ushered in an “age of superstition and credulity”, and that modernity was founded on the dusting down of long-forgotten classical values. My childhood instinct to think of the biblical God as the po-faced enemy of liberty and fun was rationalised.
Why
Delving into ancient history helped Holland understand that he had been misled by the various writers of the Enlightenment.
The longer I spent immersed in the study of classical antiquity, the more alien and unsettling I came to find it. The values of Leonidas, whose people had practised a peculiarly murderous form of eugenics, and trained their young to kill uppity Untermenschen by night, were nothing that I recognised as my own; nor were those of Caesar, who was reported to have killed a million Gauls and enslaved a million more. It was not just the extremes of callousness that I came to find shocking, but the lack of a sense that the poor or the weak might have any intrinsic value. As such, the founding conviction of the Enlightenment – that it owed nothing to the faith into which most of its greatest figures had been born – increasingly came to seem to me unsustainable.
The moral contribution that Christianity has made is still felt today “even as belief in God fades across the West, the countries that were once collectively known as Christendom continue to bear the stamp of the two-millennia-old revolution that Christianity represents.” Holland concludes his ‘aha’ moment:
It is the principal reason why, by and large, most of us who live in post-Christian societies still take for granted that it is nobler to suffer than to inflict suffering. It is why we generally assume that every human life is of equal value. In my morals and ethics, I have learned to accept that I am not Greek or Roman at all, but thoroughly and proudly Christian.
Our attitude to Sexual Liberty is “so long as it doesn't harm anyone else whats the problem” But thats the assumption, that it doesn't harm anyone else” The Brutality of Roman Society shows what happens when we cast off restraint and embrace what is contrary to Gods design for sexual fulfilment, because human sexuality will never find fulfilment outside of Gods plan, it always lusts after more, it always goes to greater extremes and will always lead to degradation and suffering of the individual and society at large.
Our attitude to Sexual Liberty is that so long as it doesn't harm anyone else, But
Our attitude to Sexual Liberty is that so long as it doesn't harm anyone else? But thats the assumption.
Sexual Immorality:
Whats wrong if it doesn't harm anyone else?
Vice and Virtue (Flip the Switch) Because of our Christian heritage, When we here words like, Greed, ambition, lust, we automatically think of them in term of Vices, negatives, but these things were celebrated and embraced as virtue in The Greco Roman Culture. “In the ancient world, it was the role of gods who laid claim to ruling the universe to uphold its order by inflicting punishment – not to suffer it themselves, like Christ did. They where thought to be Capricious and mean, and thats what it meant to be Godlike, They were vain, selfish and powerful and cruel, that only served to endow them with the allure of rock stars. The values of the Gods became that of society.
When we here words like, Geed, ambition, lust, we automatically think of them in term of Vices but these things were celebrated as virtue in The Greco Roman Culture.
Lust
“The notion that a god might have suffered torture and death on a cross was so shocking as to appear repulsive.”
“The notion that a god might have suffered torture and death on a cross was so shocking as to appear repulsive, pathetic, unbeffiting a God” Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another (pfftt why would I do that?) Mercy is for the week and pathetic!
Greed
“In the ancient world, it was the role of gods who laid claim to ruling the universe to uphold its order by inflicting punishment – not to suffer it themselves, like Christ did. They where thought Capricious and mean, and thats what it meant to be Godlike, “If they were vain, selfish and cruel, that only served to endow them with the allure of rock stars”
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive
Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another (pfftt why would I do that?) Mercy is for the week and pathetic!
The values of Christianity and the Values of the world where opposites and now we see the counter cultural radicalism of Pauls Commands to “put to death”
Paul Regardless they are not the values of the Kingdom of God.
The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians The Things Which Lie in the past (Colossians 3:5–9a)
There was passion and evil desire. There is a kind of person who is the slave of passions (palkos) and who is driven by the desire for the wrong things (epithumia).
Now we see the counter cultural radicalism of Pauls Command
There was passion and evil desire. There is a kind of person who is the slave of passions (palkos) and who is driven by the desire for the wrong things (epithumia). We think of sexual liberty as Freedom, but there is no such freedom when you are dominated and controlled by your passions. In bondage to your own will. Thats not freedom.
Take off your Clothes (Rid yourselves)
Dangers/Pitfalls to avoid.
Lust and Greed (pleonexia) (Covertness ESV) Pleonexia is basically the desire to have more. The Greeks themselves defined it as desire which cannot be satisfied, and said that you might as easily satisfy it as you might fill with water a bowl with a hole in it. They defined it as the desire for what belongs to others. It has been described as ruthless self-seeking. Its basic idea is the desire for that which we have no right to have. It is, therefore, a sin with a very wide range.
We think of sexual liberty as Freedom, but there is no such freedom when you are dominated and controlled by your passions. In bondage to your own will. Thats not freedom.
Moralism (Works Righteousness) We seek a person.
The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians The Things Which Lie in the past (Colossians 3:5–9a)
Pleonexia is basically the desire to have more. The Greeks themselves defined it as desire which cannot be satisfied, and said that you might as easily satisfy it as you might fill with water a bowl with a hole in it. They defined it as the sinful desire for what belongs to others
Self sufficiency/Dependency.
Pleonexia is basically the desire to have more. The Greeks themselves defined it as desire which cannot be satisfied, and said that you might as easily satisfy it as you might fill with water a bowl with a hole in it. They defined it as the sinful desire for what belongs to others. It has been described as ruthless self-seeking. Its basic idea is the desire for that which we have no right to have. It is, therefore, a sin with a very wide range.
Take off your Clothes (Rid yourselves)
Works Righteousness.
If it is the desire for money, it leads to theft. If it is the desire for prestige, it leads to evil ambition. If it is the desire for power, it leads to sadistic tyranny. If it is the desire for a person, it leads to sexual sin.
If it is the desire for money, it leads to theft. If it is the desire for prestige, it leads to evil ambition. If it is the desire for power, it leads to sadistic tyranny. If it is the desire for a person, it leads to sexual sin.
If it is the desire for money, it leads to theft. If it is the desire for prestige, it leads to evil ambition. If it is the desire for power, it leads to sadistic tyranny. If it is the desire for a person, it leads to sexual sin.
Take off your Clothes - Change your values. The reasons (incentives) are clear.
Put these things to death, Rid yourselves of (Take off your Clothes) ( Change your values)
Rid yourselves of (Take off your Clothes) ( Change your values)
The New International Version Chapter 3
anger, rage, malice,
Anger Rage and Malice,
Rid yourselves of (Take off your Clothes) ( Change your values) The reasons (incentives) are clear.
Slander, Lies, Filthy Language. (state positively)
Christian speech must be kind. All slanderous and malicious talk is forbidden. The old advice still stands which says that, before we repeat anything about anyone, we should ask three questions: ‘Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?’ The New Testament is unsparing in its condemnation of gossiping tongues which poison truth.
Christians should never forget that they will give account for every idle word they speak.
Christians should never forget that they will give account for every idle word they speak.
Christians must speak truth. It is easy to distort the truth; an alteration in the tone of voice or a meaningful look will do it; and there are silences which can be as false and misleading as any words.
It is easy to distort the truth; an alteration in the tone of voice or a meaningful look will do it; and there are silences which can be as false and misleading as any words.
Take off your Clothes - Change your values. The reasons (incentives) are clear.
Take off your Clothes - Change your values. The reasons (incentives) are clear.
The reasons (incentives) are clear
The reasons (incentives) are clear.
The Supremacy of Christ.
The reasons are Clear
The Wrath of God
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood
(Robbin Mark) When its all been said and done.
The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
(Robbin Mark) When its all been said and done.
Future Glory.
So How do you do that? How do you just change your values?
Application
Application
Dangers/Pitfalls to avoid.
Moralism (Works Righteousness) (Remember We seek a person)
Sexual Immorality
Self sufficiency/Dependency, (We Rely on the finished work of Christ and the power of the Spirit)
Impuruty
Lust
Greed
Question: How do we do this? What is our sin killing, sin busting strategy. Self sufficiency is not enough (Strategy) (Three imperatives)
Answer:
1) We Seek Christ (Knowledge)
We Set our Minds above
2) We Set our Minds above
Focus On Christ
3)We put on Christ
We Seek Christ
We Set our Minds above
We Put on Christ.
We Seek Christ (Hidden Knowledge)
1) We Set our Minds on things above (Knowledge of Christ, His Supremacy, his atoning sacrifice),
We set our minds above
1) We Set our Minds on things above (Knowledge of Christ, His Supremacy, his atoning sacrifice), “Our values are shaped and influenced by the people we are raised by”
2) We Set our Minds on things above
1) We Set our Minds on things above (Knowledge of Christ, His Supremacy, his atoning sacrifice),
We put sin to Death
We put on Christ.
2) We consider consider our hidden and future Glory. (Our new reality/ability “in Christ” to put sin to death) I.e We keep our focus on the prize.
Big Idea
3) We “put on” our new self like putting on clothes. (living out our new identity) It doesn't just happen.
Christ is supreme in putting sin to death
Landing.
Landing.
Landing.
Landing.
(Robbin Mark) When its all been said and done.
(Robbin Mark) When its all been said and done.
(Robbin Mark) When its all been said and done.
“When it’s all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth
Did I live my life for You
When it’s all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I’ve done for love’s reward
Will stand the test of time
Lord Your mercy is so great
That You look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints
I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone”
I will always sing Your praise
Here on earth and ever after
For You’ve shown me Heaven’s my true home
When it’s all been said and done
You’re my life when life is gone”
Encouragement
In your ongoing battle know that the final outcome is secure. Your sin has been fully and finally defeated, cast as far as the east is from the west.
Charles Wesley
“He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.”
Christ is Supreme and Christ is supreme in Killing Sin.