Sunday, September 21 – Scott Webster

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RICH LIFE or POOR LIFE

Humanism- “you do you” “man is the center, man is the solution” Colossians 2:8 

Mysticism– “I need a sign” “there are hidden truths for the spiritual elite” Colossians 2:18 

Legalism- “you need to do more” “What Jesus did on the cross wasn’t enough” Colossians 2:16

(Colossians 3:5-10 NLT) 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 

Old Life (Put Off)

Focus on earthly things (vv. 1–2)

Old self, corrupted by sin (v. 9)

Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed (idolatry) (v. 5)

Anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lying (vv. 8–9)

Division, hostility (Jew/Greek, slave/free, etc.) (v. 11)

Guided by sinful nature & worldliness

Living for self & earthly gain

New Life (Put On)

Set mind on things above (vv. 1–2)

New self, renewed in Christ’s image (v. 10)

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience (v. 12)

Forgiveness (v. 13), love (v. 14), peace (v. 15), thankfulness (v. 15–17)

Unity in Christ—”Christ is all, and is in all” (v. 11)

Guided by Christ’s peace & Word (vv. 15–16)

Doing all in Jesus’ name with gratitude (v. 17)

(Colossians 3:5-10 NLT) 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

1. Clothe yourselves with character.

(Colossians 3:12)  God chose us to be a holy people.

Gentleness = “power under control” 

(Matthew 11:29) “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart”.

(Matthew 5:5) “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth”. 

“patience” in verse 12, means to be long-tempered toward other people

2. Let peace and rule.

(Colossians 3:13 NLT) 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” –C.S. Lewis

FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

Forgetting

Dependent on the apology of others

Putting trust back in them

Reconciliation

Weakness

FORGIVENESS IS:

A command and a choice

Letting them off your hook – no longer giving them power over you

Letting God bring about justice

A heart posture of mercy and grace

“Lord, I choose to forgive (name the person) for (say what they did) even though it made me feel (name the painful feelings).

Lord, I choose not to hold any of those things against (name) any longer. I thank you for setting me free from the bondage of my bitterness towards (name). I now ask you to bless (name). In Jesus name I pray, amen.”

(Colossians 3:14-15 NLT) 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. 

AGAPE Love – sacrificial love that seeks the highest good of others; unconditional love; the highest form of love; God’s love

(John 13:35) “By this all men will know that you are My disciples”–“if you have love for one another.”

3. Fill your life with His .

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

WHEN CHRIST FILLS YOU, IT CHANGES YOU! AND WHEN WE ARE FILLED WITH HIS RICHES IT OVERFLOWS INTO ALL AREAS OF OUR LIFE!

(Psalm 130:7) O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.

(Psalm 23:4-6) Even when I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

When we have the RICHES of Christ in us, the overflow cannot be stopped!

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you today?

Did you make a fresh start with God today?

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