Sermons on Colossians 3:10
The various sermons below converge on the understanding of Colossians 3:10 as describing an ongoing, transformative process of putting on the "new self," emphasizing that spiritual renewal is gradual, communal, and deeply relational rather than instantaneous or purely intellectual. They commonly use the metaphor of changing clothes to illustrate this continual renewal, highlighting that believers are becoming what God has declared them to be, with the character of Christ being formed within. Several sermons underscore the tension between the believer’s present experience and their declared identity, framing sanctification as both positional and experiential. Notably, some sermons expand the concept of renewal beyond cognitive knowledge to include emotional health, arguing that unresolved wounds and thought patterns must be addressed for genuine spiritual maturity. Others emphasize the eschatological dimension, portraying the new self as presently hidden and awaiting full revelation at Christ’s return. The theme of identity is also richly developed, with the new self described as a radical reorientation of life around Christ, secured in a covenantal relationship rather than a contractual one, and tied to the restoration of the divine image in humanity.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and practical applications. While some focus on the holistic integration of emotional and spiritual growth, insisting that renewal involves "doing the work" of healing, others prioritize the experiential knowledge of Christ as a lived reality that reshapes every aspect of life, using vivid metaphors like nesting dolls or marriage to convey security and commitment. The eschatological perspective introduces a future-oriented hope that tempers present struggles with the promise of ultimate glory, a nuance less emphasized in sermons centered on immediate transformation. Additionally, one approach critiques the translation of "self," emphasizing the corporate and creational dimensions of the "new man" and linking renewal to the restoration of the image of God, which carries implications for worship and spiritual communion. Another sermon highlights the ongoing battle with sin as evidence of union with Christ, framing sanctification as both confirmation and participation in Christ’s life rather than the basis for forgiveness. These differences shape how the renewal in knowledge is understood—whether primarily as intellectual, emotional, relational, eschatological, or corporate—and influence the pastoral tone regarding the believer’s present experience and future hope
Colossians 3:10 Interpretation:
Journey of Discipleship: Connect, Cultivate, Contribute (Oak Community Church) interprets Colossians 3:10 as a call to an ongoing, transformative process in which believers “put on” the new self, likened to taking off old clothes and putting on new ones. The sermon uses the analogy of learning to drive and learning a language to illustrate the gradual, communal, and sometimes awkward process of spiritual growth. The preacher emphasizes that this transformation is not instantaneous but is a slow, “crockpot” process, not a “microwave” one, and that it is best cultivated in community. The sermon also notes that the Christian life is about “becoming what God has already declared us to be,” highlighting the tension between our declared righteousness and our lived experience. The “new self” is described as the character of Christ being formed in us, and the process is both individual and communal, involving connection, cultivation, and contribution.
Embracing Holistic Health: Spiritual and Emotional Growth (Freshwater Church MN) interprets Colossians 3:10 as an ongoing, active process of “putting on” the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge. The sermon uniquely applies this to the integration of emotional health with spiritual maturity, arguing that unresolved emotional wounds and unhealthy thought patterns from one’s family of origin, life experiences, and cultural influences can hinder the renewal process. The preacher uses the clothing metaphor from the text but extends it to include the need to “rip out roots” of unhealthy sources and to “do the work” of emotional healing as part of spiritual renewal. The sermon’s distinctive angle is its insistence that spiritual maturity cannot be separated from emotional health, and that the renewal in knowledge is not just intellectual but holistic, involving the heart and emotional patterns.
Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 3:10 in the context of the hiddenness of the believer’s new life. The preacher notes the tension between the believer’s present ordinariness and the promised future glory, emphasizing that the “new self” is real but not yet fully visible. The sermon draws on the language of “hiddenness” to explain why Christians do not yet appear glorious, despite having been made new. The preacher connects this to the broader biblical theme of the “already/not yet,” arguing that the renewal in knowledge is a process that will culminate in visible glory when Christ appears. The unique insight here is the focus on the eschatological (future-oriented) aspect of the renewal, and the use of cross-references to show that the present hiddenness is a common New Testament theme.
Understanding Sin, Wrath, and Our Union with Christ (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 3:10 as describing the ongoing process of sanctification in the believer's life. The sermon highlights that "putting on the new self" is not a completed act but a continual renewal "in knowledge after the image of its creator." The preacher draws a distinction between the definitive act of becoming a new creation in Christ and the progressive nature of being renewed, emphasizing that perfection is not achieved in this life. The analogy of "becoming what we are" is used to illustrate the tension between the believer's new identity and the ongoing struggle with sin, suggesting that the renewal in knowledge is both positional and experiential, rooted in union with Christ.
Colossians 3:10 Theological Themes:
Embracing Holistic Health: Spiritual and Emotional Growth (Freshwater Church MN) introduces the distinct theological theme that spiritual renewal and maturity in Colossians 3:10 are inseparable from emotional health. The preacher argues that the “renewal in knowledge” is not merely cognitive but involves addressing deep-seated emotional wounds, unhealthy thought patterns, and sources of dysfunction rooted in family, culture, and personal history. This theme is developed through the assertion that the fruit of the Spirit cannot flourish where emotional immaturity and unresolved pain persist, and that true spiritual growth requires “doing the work” of emotional healing as part of putting on the new self.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) presents the theological theme that the believer’s identity is fundamentally and irrevocably changed in Christ, and that this new identity is the truest thing about a person, surpassing all other markers such as hobbies, skills, or past failures. The sermon emphasizes that the “renewal in knowledge” is a lived, relational, and experiential process, not just an intellectual one, and that the believer’s security and value are found in being “hidden in Christ.” The preacher also develops the idea that the Christian life is a continual process of aligning earthly practices with a heavenly position, and that this is a covenantal, not contractual, relationship.
Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) adds the theological theme of eschatological hope and the “already/not yet” tension. The preacher highlights that the new self is real but hidden, and that the full manifestation of the believer’s renewal will only be revealed at Christ’s return. This theme is developed through the assertion that the present ordinariness and suffering of believers do not negate the reality of their new identity, but rather point forward to a future unveiling of glory that is certain because it is “hidden with Christ in God.”
Reflecting the Divine: Humanity's Unique Image of God (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that the image of God in humanity is not lost but defaced by the fall, and that redemption in Christ initiates a process of restoration. The sermon uniquely ties the restoration of the image to the concept of spiritual worship and the capacity for relationship with God, arguing that as believers are renewed, they increasingly harmonize with God on a spiritual level. The preacher also challenges the dichotomy between "spirit" and "not spirit," asserting that humans possess a spiritual element that enables true worship and communion with God, which is being restored through the new creation.
Understanding Sin, Wrath, and Our Union with Christ (Desiring God) adds a nuanced facet to the theme of sanctification by emphasizing that the renewal described in Colossians 3:10 is evidence of genuine union with Christ. The sermon asserts that the ongoing battle against sin and the pursuit of holiness are not the grounds of forgiveness but the confirmation of the believer's new identity and acceptance with God. This theme is developed through the idea that the process of renewal in knowledge is both a sign and a means of participating in the life of Christ.
Colossians 3:10 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Journey of Discipleship: Connect, Cultivate, Contribute (Oak Community Church) provides historical context by explaining the role of disciples and rabbis in the ancient world. The preacher notes that, unlike modern students who might only seek knowledge from a professor, disciples in Jesus’ time sought to “be who their rabbi was,” patterning their entire lives after their teacher. This context illuminates the depth of transformation implied in “putting on the new self,” as it is not just about learning information but about a total reorientation of life and character in the image of the teacher—here, Christ.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) offers historical insight into the religious culture of Colossae, noting that the prevailing religion required little personal change—rituals and sacrifices were performed, but there was no expectation of inward transformation. Paul’s insistence on a new self being renewed in knowledge was thus radically countercultural, demanding both inward change and outward response. The sermon also references ancient Jewish social customs, such as the honor of sitting at the right hand of the host, to illustrate the significance of being “seated with Christ.”
Reflecting the Divine: Humanity's Unique Image of God (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by referencing the ancient understanding of "image" in Genesis, noting the significance of the plural pronoun "let us make man in our image" as an early indication of the Trinity. The sermon also discusses the cultural and theological implications of capital punishment in Genesis 9, explaining that the value of human life is grounded in the enduring image of God, even after the fall. This context situates Colossians 3:10 within the broader biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption, highlighting the continuity of the image of God motif throughout Scripture.
Colossians 3:10 Cross-References in the Bible:
Journey of Discipleship: Connect, Cultivate, Contribute (Oak Community Church) references Matthew 4 and Mark 3 to illustrate Jesus’ call to discipleship as a process of connection, cultivation, and contribution. The sermon also alludes to Romans (on spiritual gifts and the body of Christ) to support the idea that every believer is uniquely made to contribute to God’s kingdom. These passages are used to reinforce the communal and transformative nature of “putting on the new self.”
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) references 1 John 5:12 (“the one who has the Son has life”), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”), Romans 6:1-2 (on dying to sin and living in newness of life), 1 John 1:9 (confession and forgiveness), James 5:16 (confessing sins to one another), and Acts 14:15 (turning from worthless things to the living God). Each passage is used to expand on the meaning of the new self: 1 John 5:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 establish the reality of new life and new creation; Romans 6:1-2 underscores the break with sin; 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 highlight the ongoing need for confession and forgiveness as part of the renewal process; Acts 14:15 is used to illustrate the call to turn from old patterns to the living God.
Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) draws on Romans 8:19-21 (creation waiting for the revealing of the sons of God), 1 John 3:1-2 (the present hiddenness and future revelation of God’s children), 1 Corinthians 15 (the contrast between the perishable, dishonorable present body and the imperishable, glorious resurrection body), and Matthew 13:43 (the righteous shining like the sun in the kingdom). These cross-references are used to show that the hiddenness of the new self is a consistent biblical theme, and that the full glory of the renewed self will only be revealed in the eschaton.
Reflecting the Divine: Humanity's Unique Image of God (SermonIndex.net) references several passages to expand on Colossians 3:10: Genesis 1:26-27 is used to establish the original creation of humanity in God's image; Genesis 9:6 demonstrates that the image persists after the fall and undergirds the value of human life; James 3:9 is cited to show that all people, regardless of salvation status, are still made in God's likeness; 1 John 3:1-2 is employed to illustrate the future consummation of believers' likeness to Christ; and John 4:19-24 is discussed to argue that humans possess a spiritual capacity for worship, aligning with the restoration of the image. Each reference is used to trace the theme of the image of God from creation, through the fall, to redemption and ultimate glorification.
Understanding Sin, Wrath, and Our Union with Christ (Desiring God) draws on Colossians 2:13-14 to explain the basis of forgiveness for both sinful actions and desires, emphasizing that Christ's death cancels the entire record of debt. Romans 8:13 is referenced to support the necessity of ongoing spiritual warfare against sin as evidence of true life in the Spirit. These cross-references are used to reinforce the interpretation that renewal in knowledge is both a present reality and an ongoing process, rooted in the believer's union with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 3:10 Christian References outside the Bible:
Journey of Discipleship: Connect, Cultivate, Contribute (Oak Community Church) explicitly references Advance Pitman, a church planting leader, who is quoted as saying, “The primary call on my life is not to do something for Jesus, it is to be with Jesus.” This quote is used to emphasize the relational aspect of discipleship and the importance of being with Christ as foundational to putting on the new self. The sermon also mentions JD Greear, who is cited for his statement that the question is not if we are sent on mission, but only where and how, reinforcing the idea that every believer is called to contribute.
Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) explicitly references C.S. Lewis, quoting his observation that the “dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship.” This quote is used to illustrate the future glory of believers and the hiddenness of their present identity, tying directly into the theme of Colossians 3:10.
Colossians 3:10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Journey of Discipleship: Connect, Cultivate, Contribute (Oak Community Church) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate Colossians 3:10. The preacher compares spiritual growth to learning to drive, describing the awkwardness and gradual progress of a new driver, and to learning a language, emphasizing the necessity of community and practice in moving from babbling to fluency. The sermon also uses the metaphor of microwave dinners versus crockpot meals to contrast the slow, transformative process of discipleship with the desire for instant results. Additionally, the preacher tells a story about a man restoring a classic car but never driving it, using this as a metaphor for Christians who are transformed but never “used” in God’s mission. The analogy of “roommate syndrome” in marriage counseling is also employed to warn against a relationship with God that becomes transactional rather than intimate.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) uses the story of the $450 million sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Salvator Mundi” painting to illustrate how a priceless acquisition becomes the center of one’s life, rearranging everything around it—just as Christ becomes the center of the believer’s life. The preacher also uses the metaphor of Russian nesting dolls to depict the believer’s security and identity “in Christ,” and the analogy of marriage to describe the daily, covenantal commitment of living out the new self. The sermon references a social media trend about “day 41” (after 40 days/years of trial, breakthrough comes), using it to encourage perseverance in the slow process of transformation. Finally, the preacher tells the story of the Japanese art of kintsugi—repairing broken pottery with gold—to illustrate how God restores and beautifies the brokenness of believers as they are renewed in Christ.