Colossians 3:1-4
Intro: . As we stand here on the start of a New Year, it is a good time to reflect on the year that is ending and it is a good time to look forward into the year that is soon to begin. It is also a good time for God’s people to take inventory of their walk with the Lord.
As we cleaned that room in our house, there were some things that were retained, some things that were released and some things that were remembered. As I read these verses, I find that they challenge God’s children to do exactly the same thing. As we look at our lives in the light of these verses, we are challenged to retain some things, to release some things and to remember some things.
Notice the challenges contained in these verses as I preach on the thought An Old Challenge For A New Year.
I. v. 1-2a SOME THINGS MUST BE RETAINED
In a spiritual sense, Paul is telling us that there are a couple of precious spiritual possessions we would do well to hang on to.)
A. v. 1a An Awareness Of Our Foundation – Paul tells us that we are “risen with Christ”. The word “if” is not a statement of possibility, it a declaration of a spiritual reality. Paul is saying, “Since you are risen with Christ…”
Paul is discussing our spiritual position! When Jesus Christ died on Calvary, every person who would ever place their faith in Him also died that day, Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:1-11. In a spiritual sense, we died to the penalty and the power of sin when Jesus died on the cross. Because I am dead, I do not have worry about being punished for my sins. The price has been paid and I have already died, Rom. 6:23. Because I have died with Christ, I have also been liberated from the power of sin in my life, Rom.
B. v. 1b-2a An Attention To Our Focus – Since we have been raised to a new life in Jesus, we are told to “seek those things which are above”. The verb “seek” is in the Present Tense, Imperative Mode. In other words, we are told to “continually be seeking those things which are above”. Verse 2 builds on that thought by telling us to “set” our “affections on things above, not on things on the earth”. The word “affections” refers to the “mind”.
We are told here to focus our thoughts on heavenly things not earthly things. We are to set our minds on the things of God and on the things that bring glory to Him. A quick look at some of the verses following this verse give a little insight into what Paul is talking about here. We are to pursue:
· A deeper knowledge of Jesus, 3:10· A clean, holy life, 3:5-9· Godly virtues, 3:12-17
· Holiness in our domestic life, 3:18-21· Holiness in our social life, 3:22-4:1
· An effective prayer life – 4:2· A fruitful witness – 4:3-6
In other words, we are to live like Jesus lived, 1 John 2:6. We are to live out the fruit of the Spirit on our lives day by day, Gal. 5:22-23. We are challenged to live out our lives with genuine spiritual values, and not the values of a fallen world. As we give our attention to these spiritual, heavenly things, we are enabled to live a heavenly, holy, God-honoring life in this world.
We are to allow a heavenly perspective to govern our earthily walk! Every decision, every activity, every plan and purpose is to be considered in the light of eternity. As we prepare to enter a New Year, may the Lord help us to realize who we are and what we have in Jesus. May that realization change our walk for His glory!
II. v. 2b 8 SOME THINGS MUST BE RELEASED
Paul tells us in verse 2 that we are to focus our thoughts on Heavenly things. While we do that, we are to avoid getting caught up in all the things in this world that would swamp our minds and hinder our walk. If we allowed the mind to focus on this world, it would have no time to give itself to the things of God.
Here in Colossians, Paul mentions some dangerous distractions that would hinder our walk if they were allowed to. Let me show you what he says we need to avoid.
A. 2:8 False Doctrine – Paul warns these early believers about those who would carry them off into false doctrinal beliefs. The word “spoil” means “to carry off the; to carry someone off as a captive”. The enemy would love nothing better than for God’s people to get themselves trapped in some false system of belief that takes the emphasis off Jesus. He tells us that the enemy does thin through:
· Philosophies· Vain Deceit –· Traditions of Men · The Rudiments of the World –
B. 2:16-17, 21-23 Foolish Demands – Paul also warns believers to watch out for people who would place them back under the Law. Jesus came to deliver us from legalism and from the harsh, impossible demands of the Law. Christians are to stand in the liberty they have been given in Jesus Christ. Paul is telling these believers that “no man has the right to be their judge”. If they have been saved by Jesus, they have been delivered from the demands of the Law and they enjoy great liberty in Jesus. The only reason that liberty should be limited is for the sake of a weaker brother or sister, Rom. 14-15; 1 Cor. 8-10. The whole point of these verses is this: true spirituality does not consist in the keeping of man-made, external rules; but in a personal, faith relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
C. 3:5-10 Fleshly Deeds – In these verses, Paul lists several common sins of the flesh and admonishes believers to eliminate them from their lives. Let’s take a quick look at these verses and what they forbid.
· v. 5 Fornication · v. 5 Uncleanness · v. 5 Inordinate Affection . 5 Evil Concupiscence.
· v. 5 Covetousness · v. 8 Anger· v. 8 Wrath· v. 8 Malice· v. 8 Blaspheme –· v. 8 Filthy Communication· v. 9 Lying
III. v. 3-4 SOME THINGS MUST BE REMEMBERED
(Ill. As we cleaned up in our room on Friday, we opened a large tote. On top were several things that didn’t matter and they were discarded. As we dug deeper, we discovered some things that caused us to take a trip down memory lane. We found pictures of our children when they were young and cute. Some of Joan’s baby things were in there. Several of my college degrees were in there as well. It was a good opportunity for us to stop and remember the blessings of the Lord.
These last two verses of our text serve as reminders of some important spiritual truths today. We need to consider them before we leave these things behind.)
A. v. 3a There Has Been A Death – We are reminded again that we have died to sin and to the influence of this world. One of the surest ways for the child of God to enjoy spiritual victory in his or her life is for that person to understand that they are crucified with Christ, Gal. 2:20. If we can get a grip on that truth and do what Rom. 6:11 tells us to do, we would grow deeper in the things of the Lord.
B. v. 3b There Has Been A Deposit – When we were saved, we were given new life in Jesus. This new life imparts to us the “divine nature”, 2 Pet. 1:4. This new life guarantees the believer eternal security, 1 Pet. 1:5; Heb. 7:25; John 10:28. Because we are hidden in Jesus, we are in protective custody and none of the enemies of the soul can approach us, attack us or take us out of Jesus.
C. v. 4 There Has Been A Dream – Paul closes this paragraph by reminding us that this world is not the best there is. We may have to deny our flesh down here, but it will be worth it all over there. We might have to battle Satan here, but we will enjoy victory there. When Jesus comes, our faith in Him will be
Conc: That’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? But, as we stand here on the cusp of a New Year, we need to take a good, hard look at our lives and at our walk with the Lord.
· Are there some things in your life that need to be Retained? Does your focus need to be adjusted?
· Are there some things in your life that need to be Released? Do you need to lay down some of the things mentioned in this message?
· Are there some things in your life that need to be Remembered? Do you need to take a trip down memory lane and nail a few things down today?
If there are needs and the Lord has spoken to your heart, this altar is open. You mind Him! If you need to be saved, you can do that today. If He is calling you, then you need to come to Him and be saved.
Whatever the needs may be today, you should listen to the voice of the Lord and do what He us telling you to do. Let’s seek to make 2025 the best year of our lives for the glory of God