Sermons on Colossians 3:1-17
The various sermons below interpret Colossians 3:1-17 by drawing on rich metaphors and analogies to convey the transformative power of living in Christ. A common thread among these interpretations is the emphasis on intentionality in spiritual growth, likening it to a "Mind diet" or the act of "putting on" virtues as one would clothing. This intentional pursuit of a relationship with Christ is seen as essential for both mental and spiritual health. The sermons also highlight the importance of identity in Christ, using vivid imagery such as wearing a varsity jacket or changing clothes to illustrate the visible and significant transformation that occurs when one embraces their new identity in Christ. Additionally, the concept of living under the influence of God's power, described as having "God on you," is a recurring theme, encouraging believers to live abundantly and impactfully by embodying Christ-like virtues.
While these sermons share common themes, they also present unique perspectives on the passage. One sermon emphasizes the interconnectedness of mental and spiritual health, focusing on the "Mind diet" as a preventive measure against spiritual degeneration. Another sermon contrasts living in the flesh with living in the spirit, highlighting the transformative power of God to free believers from sin. A different approach explores the blessings of being chosen, adopted, and redeemed in Christ, shaping a believer's identity and purpose. Meanwhile, another sermon underscores the intentionality required to "put on" the character of Christ, likening it to an actor assuming a role. Lastly, a sermon introduces the idea of vulnerability and authenticity in one's relationship with Christ, suggesting that shedding the old self is necessary to fully embrace the new life in Him.
Colossians 3:1-17 Interpretation:
Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) interprets Colossians 3:1-17 by emphasizing the concept of a "Mind diet," drawing an analogy between physical and spiritual health. The sermon suggests that just as a healthy diet is essential for physical well-being, a focus on spiritual nourishment through God's word is crucial for mental and spiritual health. The preacher uses the Greek term for "set your mind" to mean "to seek so as to possess," highlighting the intentional pursuit of a relationship with Christ.
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) interprets the passage by contrasting living in the flesh with living in the spirit. The sermon emphasizes the need to "put to death" earthly desires and to live with "God on you," a phrase used to describe living under the influence of God's power. The preacher uses the concept of glorification, both present and future, to encourage believers to live in the power of God.
Living Out Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (Union City Wesleyan Church) interprets Colossians 3:1-17 by focusing on the transformation that occurs when one is "in Christ." The sermon uses the analogy of wearing a varsity jacket to illustrate putting on Christ, suggesting that being in Christ should be as visible and significant as wearing a team jacket. The preacher emphasizes the importance of identity and position in Christ, using the Greek preposition "en" to explain the proximity and relationship with Christ.
Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (River City Calvary Chapel) interprets Colossians 3:1-17 by using the metaphor of changing clothes to describe the transformation from the old self to the new self in Christ. The sermon draws a parallel between Cary Grant's transformation from Archibald Leach to a sophisticated actor and the Christian's transformation through Christ. The preacher emphasizes that believers are to "put on" virtues like kindness and mercy as an actor puts on a role, suggesting that these virtues should become an integral part of their identity.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) interprets Colossians 3:1-17 by emphasizing the concept of being "in Christ" as opposed to merely being near or for Christ. The sermon uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the process of putting on virtues like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. The speaker highlights the importance of actively choosing to "clothe" oneself with these virtues daily, akin to choosing what to wear, to live a life that reflects Christ's love. The sermon also uses the analogy of buying clothes online to illustrate the importance of being intentional about what virtues we "put on" in our lives.
Colossians 3:1-17 Theological Themes:
Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) presents the theme of mental and spiritual health being interconnected, with a focus on the "Mind diet" as a way to prevent spiritual degeneration. The sermon emphasizes the importance of focusing on things above and setting one's mind on Christ as a means of spiritual renewal.
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) introduces the theme of living with "God on you," which involves embracing God's power to live free from sin and to impact the world. The sermon highlights the distinction between living in the flesh and living in the spirit, with an emphasis on the transformative power of God.
Living Out Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (Union City Wesleyan Church) explores the theme of identity and purpose in Christ, emphasizing that being in Christ affects every part of life. The sermon discusses the blessings of being chosen, adopted, redeemed, purposed, and sealed in Christ, and how these blessings shape a believer's identity and purpose.
Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (River City Calvary Chapel) presents the theme of identity transformation, emphasizing that believers are to actively "put on" the character of Christ, much like an actor assumes a role. This theme is distinct in its focus on the intentionality and effort required to embody Christ-like virtues, suggesting that spiritual growth involves a conscious decision to adopt new behaviors and attitudes.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) presents the theme of intentionality in living a Christian life. The sermon emphasizes that being in Christ requires a conscious decision to embody Christ's virtues, not just for personal spiritual growth but to impact others. It introduces the idea that living in Christ is not just about personal salvation but about bringing Christ's love to others, thus expanding the traditional understanding of Christian living.
The sermon also introduces the theme of vulnerability and authenticity in one's relationship with Christ. It suggests that Christ desires us to be vulnerable and open, shedding our old selves to truly embrace the new life in Him.
Colossians 3:1-17 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) provides historical context by discussing the cultural acceptance of sin and the need for Christians to stand against it. The sermon references the Roman practice of slavery to explain the concept of redemption, highlighting the rarity of someone purchasing a slave's freedom as an analogy for Christ's redemptive work.
Embracing Spiritual Maturity Through Christ's Transformation (Parma Christian Fellowship Church) provides context about the early Christian church in Colossae, highlighting the challenges they faced in a polytheistic society and the transition from Jewish traditions to the new covenant in Christ. This context helps explain the emphasis on spiritual maturity and growth in Paul's letter, as the Colossians were navigating a complex religious landscape.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) provides historical context by explaining that Colossae was known for manufacturing prestigious red garments from wool. This cultural reference is used to explain Paul's metaphor of clothing oneself with virtues, as the people of Colossae would understand the significance of wearing garments that represented identity and authority.
Colossians 3:1-17 Cross-References in the Bible:
Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) references Hebrews 12:1-2, which speaks about fixing our eyes on Jesus and running the race with perseverance. This passage is used to support the idea of focusing on things above and setting one's mind on Christ.
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) references Romans 8:30 to discuss the concept of glorification, explaining that believers are already glorified in God's eyes. The sermon also references John 10:10 to emphasize the abundant life that Christ offers.
Living Out Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (Union City Wesleyan Church) references 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 to explain the transformation that occurs when one is in Christ, highlighting the new creation and the change in perspective that comes with it.
Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (River City Calvary Chapel) references Romans 8:11 and Ephesians 2 to support the idea of being raised with Christ and living a new life. Romans 8:11 speaks of the Spirit giving life to mortal bodies, while Ephesians 2 discusses being made alive in Christ and seated in heavenly places. These references reinforce the sermon's message of transformation and new identity in Christ.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) references the story of the woman caught in adultery from the Gospels, where Jesus challenges those without sin to cast the first stone. This story is used to illustrate the importance of forgiveness and not living in judgment, aligning with the virtues Paul encourages believers to "put on" in Colossians 3.
The sermon also references Ephesians 4, which speaks about being humble and gentle, making allowances for each other's faults, and living in love. This passage is used to support the idea of clothing oneself with gentleness and patience as part of living a life in Christ.
Colossians 3:1-17 Christian References outside the Bible:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) references old preachers who used the phrase "God on you" to describe living under the influence of God's power. This reference is used to emphasize the importance of living in the spirit and experiencing God's transformative power.
Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (River City Calvary Chapel) does not explicitly reference non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in the analysis of Colossians 3:1-17.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Colossians 3:1-17.
Colossians 3:1-17 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) uses the analogy of the "Mind diet," a popular diet in 2023 that focuses on brain health, to illustrate the importance of spiritual nourishment. The sermon also uses the example of watching sports and news as potential distractions from focusing on Christ.
Living Out Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (Union City Wesleyan Church) uses the analogy of wearing a varsity jacket to illustrate putting on Christ, suggesting that being in Christ should be as visible and significant as wearing a team jacket. The sermon also references the story of Alice in Wonderland to illustrate the importance of having a purpose and direction in life.
Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (River City Calvary Chapel) uses the story of Cary Grant's transformation from Archibald Leach to a sophisticated actor as an analogy for the Christian transformation described in Colossians 3. This illustration highlights the idea that adopting new behaviors and attitudes can lead to a fundamental change in identity, much like Grant's repeated portrayal of a suave character eventually became his reality.
Embodying Christ: Living a Life of Love and Virtue (LIFE NZ) uses the speaker's personal experience of buying clothes online and in-store as an analogy for the importance of being intentional about the virtues we "put on" in our lives. The story of mistakenly buying mint green chinos instead of tan ones serves as a humorous illustration of how easily we can be misled if we are not careful and intentional, paralleling the need to consciously choose Christ-like virtues.