Sermon Study Guide

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The Responsibility to Live Radically for Christ “Colossians: Together for Christ” Colossians 3:10-17

July 29, 2018 BIG IDEA In our era, clothing ourselves with Christ is a radical way to live. But the Lord has chosen us to be his messengers so that people are saved and he is glorified. To succeed we can set out on a new path. We can adopt a new way of living. We can willingly accept the responsibility to live radically for Christ.

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: Last week, within Paul’s metaphor of taking clothing on and off, we learned to do away with sin before it kills us. Today, we move to the positive and learn what behaviors to put on. We desire to do this because we have a responsibility to show Christ to others. We do that by living for him in a way that is rarely seen. Colossians 3:10-17 9

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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MAIN IDEA Putting on the new self enables the gospel to change others. The gospel breaks down barriers and our Christ-like behavior becomes a radical departure from a standard way of life.

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. Putting on the New Self Means that We Can Present Jesus to the World by Offering the Life-Changing Gospel to All People. Colossians 3:11 – Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. One amazing feature of the gospel, is that it is for everyone. The love of Jesus can transcend any time, space, race, or culture. -

The Gospel Breaks Down Religious Barriers

Gentiles and Jews were far apart. Jews would not enter the home of a Gentile. Yet the gospel could unite them. -

The Gospel Breaks Down Cultural Barriers

The Jews would have been horrified by these examples. Barbarians were uneducated people and Scythians were savages. Yet the gospel could break down barriers for all. -

The Gospel Breaks Down Social Barriers

The huge social gap between slave owners and slaves could only be bridged by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

a. What are some of the barriers in America that seem impossible to break down?

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b. Can you think of ways that the gospel could make a difference in these various areas? What can you do to help?

2. The New “Self” is Diametrically Opposed to the Old The meaning of each word or phrase in the scripture below is set in parentheses: Colossians 3:12-16 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy (separated to God) and beloved, compassionate hearts (tender sympathy and heartfelt compassion), kindness (compassion or benevolence in action), humility (understanding our place as subservient before God), meekness (gentleness and serving others), and patience (self-restraint—a steady and measured response when being provoked), 13 bearing with one another (putting up with each other with the attitudes just mentioned) and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (believers are to allow peace to rule in our hearts because we will have peace with each other, and the closer we get to Christ the closer we will become in our own personal relationships), to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (which helps us to enjoy this Christ-given peace). 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (this is study of the Bible and applying it), teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms (probably meaning directly from the book of Psalms) and hymns (other songs of praise) and spiritual songs (as opposed to secular), with thankfulness in your hearts to God. a. Love is the underlying most important attribute on this list. Why is that?

b. What does love look like between two Christians?

c. How did Jesus show his love for us?

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3. We Can Live for Christ Alone to Make a Radical Impact On Our Community Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. We are to do all things for the glory of Christ. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” a. Why does God want to be glorified?

b. Can you think of behaviors in your life that need to be changed in order to glorify God? Now would be a good time to pray and ask God to help you.

PRAY Lord, I am sorry when I live for myself. My desire is to glorify you. Help me to see the error of my ways. Help me to put on the clothing of Christ-likeness. I ask for your power to transform my life. Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week:  

The Holiness of God: Extended Version – a book from R.C. Sproul (Tyndale) God's Passion for His Glory: Living the Vision of Jonathan Edwards – a book from John Piper (Crossway)

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA The husband and wife: The importance of living with mutual respect (Col. 3:18-19).

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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