Our Character and Behavior in Christ

TEXT:  Col. 3:5-17

INTRODUCTION:

A.      STUDIES HAVE BEEN FROM COLOSSIANS.

B.      CHRIST AS THE CENTER.

C.      PRACTICAL EFFECT ON OUR LIVES.

I.     3:5-11.  CHANGE OF CHARACTER IS NECESSARY.

A.      PUT TO DEATH MEMBERS ON THE EARTH.

          1.       The old life is to be forgotten.

                   a.       "Wherein ye once walked"( vs. 7;  Eph. 4:17 ).

                   b.       "Put off the old man with his doings"( vs. 11;  2 Cor. 5:17 ).

          2.       What's included in "your members which are upon the earth."?

                   a.       Fornication, sexual misconduct of any kind( Eph. 5:5 ).

                   b.       Uncleanness, impurity, dirt( 2 Tim. 2:19-22 ).

                   c.       Passion, inordinate affection( James 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:25-27 ).

                   d.       Evil desire ( Rom. 12:9;  Luke 9:62 ).

                   e.       Coveteousness, greediness, insatiableness. trans. greediness (Eph. 4:19).  

                              "which is idolatry." - the covetous man gives his heart to the object of his

                              greed rather than to God, and is hence virtually an idolator( Matt. 6:33; 

                              Col. 3:1 )

Indicate fleshly appetites rule.

                   f.        Anger, wrath, malice, "ill-will"( Jas 1:19-20; Eph. 4:26-27 ).

                   g.       Railing, "vilification (esp. against God)" ( Mat. 5:21-22 ).

                   h.       Shameful speaking(filthy communication - kjv)( Eph. 5:3-5 ).

                   i.        Lie not one to another( Rev. 21:8 ).

          3.       Put away in their completeness( vs. 8 ).

          4.       What if we don't put away?( vs. 6 ).

B.      ALL WHICH COMES BETWEEN GOD AND MAN MUST BE PUT AWAY.

          1.       "Renewed unto knowledge after the image"( vs. 10 ).

          2.       United with others as well - distinctions removed( vs. 11 ).

II.    HOW IS THE NEW MAN CHARACTERIZED?(vs.12-17).

A.      vs. 12.  COMPASSION & KINDNESS - Action words.

B.      vs. 12.  LOWLINESS & MEEKNESS - Humility stressed, Attitude,

                             Action.

C.      vs. 12-13.  LONGSUFFERING, FORBEARING - Forgiving as God

                             ( 2 Pet. 3:9 ).

D.      vs. 14.  ABOVE ALL, LOVE - bond of perfectness( Rom. 13:8-10 ).

E.      vs. 15.  PEACE - assurance.

F.      vs. 15.  THANKFUL( Eph. 5:20 ).

G.      vs. 16.  THE WORD DWELLS IN HIM - GOVERNS HIM ( Psa. 119:97 ).

H.      vs. 16.  WORSHIPFUL.

I.       vs. 17.  SUBMISSIVE TO JESUS.

III.   BEING "NEW MEN" IN CHRIST WILL EFFECT

RELATIONSHIPS.( 3:18 -- 4:1 ).

A.      FAMILY( 3:18-21 ).

B.      MASTER-SERVANT( 3:22 -- 4:1 ).

IV.  IT WILL EFFECT OUR SERVICE.

A.      PRAYER( vs. 2-4 ).

          1.       Thanks.

          2.       Preaching.

B.      OPPORTUNITIES( vs. 5 ), WITH REFERENCE TO INFLUENCE.

C.      SPEECH.

CONCLUSION:  IF JESUS IS NOW THE CENTER OF YOU

LIFE, YOU WILL SEE A CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE.