Sermons on Colossians 3:3

Colossians 3:3 Interpretation:

Embracing the Power of the Cross and Resurrection (Arrows Church) offers a vivid, multi-layered interpretation of Colossians 3:3 using a unique “Gospel according to Tupperware” analogy. The preacher uses nested plastic containers to illustrate the believer’s new spiritual position: Christ in you, you in Christ, Christ in God, and all sealed by the Holy Spirit. This metaphor is not only visual but also theological, emphasizing the security and hiddenness of the believer’s life. The sermon highlights the Greek nuance of “hidden” as not merely concealed but protected and enveloped, suggesting that the believer’s true identity and security are inaccessible to any force except God. The analogy is extended to stress that neither the believer nor the devil can “break in” to this hidden life, underscoring the permanence and inviolability of the believer’s union with Christ and God.

Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) interprets Colossians 3:3 through the metaphor of the $450 million Da Vinci painting and Russian nesting dolls. The painting analogy illustrates how, when Christ becomes the center of one’s life, everything else is rearranged around Him, just as the owner’s life revolves around protecting the painting. The Russian nesting dolls metaphor is used to show the believer’s life “hidden in Christ”—layer upon layer, the believer is enveloped in Christ, and no matter how many layers are removed, the core remains secure in Him. The sermon also references the Greek word for “knowledge” in Colossians 3:10, emphasizing that the knowledge of this hidden life is experiential and ongoing, not merely intellectual.

Rahab: Faith in Action and Transformation (FCF Church) interprets Colossians 3:3 by connecting Rahab’s story to the concept of a “hidden life.” The preacher draws a parallel between Rahab’s old life being destroyed with Jericho and her new life being “hidden” in the community of God’s people, suggesting that the believer’s real identity is not in their past but in their union with Christ. The sermon uses the phrase “your real life is hidden with Christ in God” to emphasize that true identity and purpose are found only in Christ, not in external labels or past actions. The preacher also employs the marriage analogy, likening the hidden life to the daily, intimate, and transformative relationship of marriage, where everything is shared and one’s identity is redefined.

Finding Strength in Community: The Hidden Life (FCF Church) builds on the previous sermon’s interpretation but adds a communal dimension. The “hidden life” is not just an individual experience but is discovered and protected within the context of Christian community. The preacher uses the analogy of a herd protecting an antelope from predators to illustrate how the church, as a “one another” community, is essential for safeguarding the believer’s hidden life from spiritual attack. The sermon also references the Greek word “ekklesia” to stress that the church is a people, not a building, and that belonging to this body is integral to living out the hidden life described in Colossians 3:3.

Aligning Our Vision with God's Purpose for 2023 (Destiny Church) offers a unique interpretation of Colossians 3:3 by using the metaphor of changing one's vision prescription to illustrate the shift from an old, self-focused life to a new, Christ-centered identity. The sermon draws on the Greek grammatical structure, noting that the phrase "if you have been raised with Christ" is a first-class condition, meaning it assumes the truth of the believer's resurrection with Christ. The preacher emphasizes that "your life is hidden with Christ in God" means believers must abandon their old spiritual "prescriptions" (ways of seeing and living) and fully embrace a new identity and vision shaped by Christ, not by past experiences or cultural expectations. The analogy of wearing outdated glasses that look good but no longer provide clear vision is used to highlight the futility of clinging to old patterns when God calls for a new, Christ-shaped perspective.

Living with a Heavenly Perspective: Embracing Our Identity (Lakeside Christian Church) interprets Colossians 3:3 by focusing on the dual reality of the believer's death and hiddenness in Christ. The sermon contrasts the future-oriented language of the NIV with the present, participatory language of the Passion Translation, suggesting that being "hidden with Christ in God" is both a current spiritual reality and a future hope. The preacher explores the idea that the believer's true life is secure, sealed, and incomprehensible to the world, and that this hiddenness is both protective and transformative. The analogy of dual citizenship (heaven and earth) is used to explain the tension between living in the world and being fundamentally oriented toward the things above.

Embracing Eternal Living: A Journey of Transformation (Dallas Willard Ministries) provides a philosophical and theological interpretation, suggesting that Colossians 3:3 points to the believer's participation in "eternal living"—a present, ongoing experience of being caught up in what God is doing on earth. The sermon references the Latin phrase "deus absconditus" (the hidden God) and Isaiah's description of God as one who hides himself, connecting this to the idea that our life is hidden with Christ in God. The preacher argues that this hiddenness is necessary for human freedom and identity, allowing people to choose intimacy with God or to hide from Him. The sermon also frames spiritual transformation as a process of gaining true knowledge and identity by being united with Christ.

Embracing the Kingdom: Transformative Power of God's Word (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets Colossians 3:3 as a paradoxical statement about identity: "You are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." The preacher explores the existential depth of not knowing one's true life until it is found in God, emphasizing that human attempts to define identity apart from God are ultimately futile. The hiddenness of the kingdom and the believer's life is seen as a spiritual reality that is only fully revealed in union with Christ. The sermon also connects this hiddenness to the practice of dying to self and living in the character and power of God, using the analogy of salt (sodium and chloride) to illustrate the inseparability of God's character and power in the believer's life.

Faithful Sacrifice: Trusting God's Provision and Joy (Open the Bible) interprets Colossians 3:3 as the foundation for radical Christian sacrifice. The preacher asserts that to "take up your cross" means to consider oneself already dead, and thus all possessions and ambitions are already surrendered to God. The phrase "you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" is used to challenge listeners to stop asking "What am I going to do with my life?" and instead ask, "What does Jesus Christ want me to do with the life he is giving me?" This shift in perspective is presented as the key to joyful, sacrificial living.

Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Faith (MLJTrust) offers a doctrinally rich interpretation, emphasizing the mystical union between the believer and Christ. The preacher explains that being "hidden with Christ in God" means the believer's old self is dead and buried, and their new life is secure, inaccessible to the power of sin, and guaranteed by Christ's resurrection. The sermon uses the analogy of an electric wire that is "dead" until connected to the power source, illustrating how the believer is now "alive unto God" through union with Christ. The preacher insists that this hiddenness is not merely a future hope but a present, unassailable reality.

Living in Holiness: Embracing Our Identity in Christ (Lakeshore Christian Church) interprets Colossians 3:3 as a statement about the believer’s new identity and security in Christ, using the metaphor of being “clothed with Christ.” The sermon uniquely emphasizes the “hiddenness” of the believer’s life as a covering—like a garment—that allows access to God’s holy presence, despite ongoing imperfection. The preacher draws on the Greek term for “hidden” (krypto), explaining it as both a protection and a concealment, suggesting that our true spiritual life is not visible to the world but is secure and protected in Christ. The analogy of being “clothed” is extended to mean that when God looks at us, He sees the righteousness of Christ, not our own failures. This is a notable expansion beyond the typical “hidden” as simply “secure,” focusing on the active, ongoing covering and transformation.

Living Victoriously Through Our Union with Christ (MLJTrust) offers a deeply theological interpretation, focusing on the believer’s mystical union with Christ. The sermon draws on the doctrine of the Covenant and the federal headship of Christ, paralleling Adam’s headship over humanity with Christ’s headship over the redeemed. The preacher insists that Colossians 3:3 is not a call to strive for hiddenness or death to sin, but a declaration of fact: the believer has already died and is now hidden with Christ in God. The Greek perfect tense is highlighted (“you have died”), emphasizing a completed, once-for-all event. The “hidden” life is described as a present, objective reality, not a subjective experience, and the preacher insists that the Christian’s life is as much in Christ now as it ever will be, regardless of feelings or visible evidence. This interpretation is distinguished by its insistence on the objective, unchangeable nature of the believer’s position.

Finding Confidence and Identity in Christ for the New Year (MLJTrust) interprets Colossians 3:3 as the ultimate assurance for facing the future. The preacher uses the metaphor of being “grafted” into Christ and being “rooted and grounded” in Him, but most notably, he highlights the phrase “your life is hid with Christ in God” as the highest possible security—beyond even being members of Christ’s body. The “hiddenness” is not just security but invulnerability: nothing in the world, not even the believer’s own failures, can threaten this position. The preacher stresses that this hiddenness is the work of God alone, not the result of human effort, and that it is the foundation for all Christian confidence and hope.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) provides a unique existential and eschatological interpretation. The preacher, John Piper, focuses on the “hiddenness” as the explanation for the apparent ordinariness and weakness of Christians in the present age. He notes that the resurrection life is real but invisible, and that the “hidden” life will only be revealed at Christ’s return. The analogy is made to seeds sown in dishonor but raised in glory, and the preacher draws on the Greek and Pauline usage of “hidden” to stress that the true glory of the believer is not yet manifest. This interpretation is notable for its psychological and pastoral sensitivity, addressing the discouragement believers feel when their lives do not appear glorious or victorious.

Hope in the Age to Come: Transformative Living (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 3:3 as the foundation for radical Christian living. The preacher uses the metaphor of a parachute to illustrate the security of the “hidden” life: just as a parachute frees a person to take risks, so the certainty of being hidden with Christ frees believers to live sacrificially and courageously. The “hiddenness” is not just about security but about empowerment for risk-taking love. This is a fresh application, connecting the doctrine of hiddenness to practical, world-changing action.

Living in Freedom: Our Identity in Christ (Desiring God) offers a detailed and layered interpretation of Colossians 3:3, focusing on the paradox of having "died" while still physically alive. The sermon unpacks the "death" as a spiritual reality accomplished through union with Christ by faith, emphasizing that the "old self"—defined as the rebellious, hostile, unbelieving, and spiritually dead aspect of a person—has been put to death. The preacher uses a series of Pauline cross-references to clarify that this death is not physical but refers to the end of the believer’s insubordination and inability to please God. The sermon uniquely highlights the paradox that the "dead" self (in Adam) must itself die (in Christ) for new life to emerge, and that this is not a process but a finished reality for the believer. The analogy of being "in Christ" is explored through the lens of baptism as a symbol of burial and resurrection, and the preacher draws out the implications of being "hidden"—that the believer’s true life is now secure and inaccessible to the powers of sin, law, and the world.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) provides a novel interpretive framework by explicitly addressing the paradox of being "dead" in sin (Ephesians 2:1) and then "dying" with Christ (Colossians 3:3). The sermon distinguishes between two types of death: the inherited spiritual deadness from Adam and the death to self that occurs through union with Christ. The preacher clarifies that the first death is characterized by blindness, hardness, and rebellion, while the second death is a gracious act of God that unites the believer with Christ’s death, resulting in the old self’s condemnation being borne by Christ and the creation of a new nature. This double-death motif is a unique contribution, emphasizing that the believer must pass through both deaths to experience true life. The preacher also uses the Greek linguistic nuance of "union" with Christ to stress that the believer’s new life is defined by faith, tenderness to Christ, and glad submission, contrasting sharply with the old self’s rebellion.

Embracing Holiness: The Journey of Sanctification (SermonIndex.net) offers a vivid and memorable analogy to interpret Colossians 3:3, using a Tupperware lid and a donkey to illustrate the believer’s life being "hidden with Christ in God." The preacher invites the congregation to imagine themselves as God, looking at a person "in Christ" and seeing only Christ, not the "junk" of their former self. This metaphor is used to drive home the point that the believer’s past is covered and their identity is now inseparable from Christ’s. The sermon also explores the Greek verb for "put to death" (??????, nekro?), explaining its aorist tense, active voice, and imperative mood to stress the urgency, decisiveness, and personal responsibility involved in mortifying the earthly nature. The preacher’s technical linguistic explanation adds a fresh layer to the interpretation, emphasizing that the command is not optional but a call to immediate and effective action.

Transformative Unity with Christ Through the Holy Spirit (SermonIndex.net) interprets Colossians 3:3 through the metaphor of a lamp and electricity, suggesting that the believer is like a lamp that only becomes what it was made to be when filled with the light (Christ). The sermon uniquely frames the "hidden" life as the indwelling of Christ, where the believer’s true identity and transformation are only possible through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. The preacher stresses that self-effort cannot achieve this transformation; only the presence of Christ within can bring about the change, making the believer a vessel for Christ’s glory. The analogy of the lamp with broken wiring further illustrates that outward appearance is meaningless without the inner reality of Christ’s life.

Colossians 3:3 Theological Themes:

Embracing the Power of the Cross and Resurrection (Arrows Church) introduces the theme of spiritual security and inviolability in Christ. The sermon develops the idea that the believer’s life is not only hidden but also sealed and protected by the Holy Spirit, making it impossible for any external force—including the believer themselves or the devil—to break this union. This theme is further nuanced by the assertion that the hiddenness is not about invisibility but about being enveloped and safeguarded within the triune God.

Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) presents the theme of continual transformation and realignment. The hidden life is not a static state but a dynamic process where the believer’s identity, priorities, and actions are constantly being rearranged around Christ. The sermon adds the facet that this transformation is both positional (a new reality) and practical (a new rhythm and response), emphasizing the ongoing nature of sanctification.

Rahab: Faith in Action and Transformation (FCF Church) introduces the theme of redemptive identity. The hidden life is portrayed as a radical redefinition of self, where past labels and failures are replaced by a new identity in Christ. The sermon also explores the idea that this hidden life is discovered through faith and action, not merely belief, and that it is lived out in community, not isolation.

Finding Strength in Community: The Hidden Life (FCF Church) adds the theme of communal protection and mutual responsibility. The hidden life is not only about personal security in Christ but also about the necessity of Christian community for spiritual survival. The sermon explores the “one another” commands as essential tactics for protecting and nurturing the hidden life, emphasizing that isolation makes believers vulnerable to spiritual attack.

Aligning Our Vision with God's Purpose for 2023 (Destiny Church) introduces the theme of spiritual vision as a dynamic, ongoing process that requires believers to continually "update their prescription" by aligning their perspective with Christ's finished work. The sermon uniquely frames spiritual stagnancy as the result of clinging to old patterns and self-reliance, and it insists that true spiritual progress is only possible by embracing one's hidden life in Christ and shifting from self-dependence to Christ-dependence.

Living with a Heavenly Perspective: Embracing Our Identity (Lakeside Christian Church) presents the theme of dual citizenship and the tension between present and future realities. The sermon adds a fresh angle by exploring how the believer's hidden life is both a source of security and a call to live out one's heavenly identity now, not just in the future. The preacher also highlights the transformative power of renewing the mind and the importance of speaking scriptural truths over one's life as a means of aligning with this hidden reality.

Embracing Eternal Living: A Journey of Transformation (Dallas Willard Ministries) introduces the theme of "eternal living" as a present participation in the life of the Trinity, rather than a distant future hope. The sermon also explores the necessity of hiddenness for authentic freedom and identity, suggesting that God's hiddenness allows for genuine relationship and choice.

Embracing the Kingdom: Transformative Power of God's Word (Dallas Willard Ministries) develops the theme of hiddenness as essential to spiritual identity and transformation. The sermon uniquely connects the hiddenness of the believer's life to the hiddenness of the kingdom of God, arguing that true identity is only found in surrender and union with Christ, not in self-definition or external achievements.

Faithful Sacrifice: Trusting God's Provision and Joy (Open the Bible) adds the theme of radical surrender and joyful sacrifice, rooted in the reality of having already died with Christ. The preacher challenges listeners to view all of life as already surrendered, making sacrificial living and giving a natural outflow of their hidden life in Christ.

Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Faith (MLJTrust) emphasizes the theme of mystical union and the absolute security of the believer's life in Christ. The sermon insists that the believer's hiddenness in Christ guarantees victory over sin and assures final perseverance, presenting this as a source of unshakeable assurance and motivation for holy living.

Living in Holiness: Embracing Our Identity in Christ (Lakeshore Christian Church) introduces the theme of imparted righteousness as the basis for access to God’s presence. The sermon uniquely connects the “hidden” life to the Old Testament concept of holiness and the need for cleansing to approach God, arguing that being hidden with Christ means being covered by His holiness, not our own. This is further developed by linking the “hidden” life to the process of sanctification—an ongoing transformation that is both positional and practical.

Living Victoriously Through Our Union with Christ (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the believer’s union with Christ as a completed, objective reality. The preacher insists that sanctification and victory over sin flow from recognizing this union, not from striving to achieve it. The “hidden” life is not a goal but a present possession, and the sermon develops the idea that all of Christian living is rooted in this accomplished fact. This is a distinct theological emphasis on the “indicative” (what is true) as the basis for the “imperative” (what to do).

Finding Confidence and Identity in Christ for the New Year (MLJTrust) adds the theme of divine initiative and perseverance: the hidden life is entirely the work of God, and therefore absolutely secure. The preacher develops the idea that God’s action in placing the believer “in Christ” is the guarantee of final salvation, and that this security is the only true basis for Christian hope and courage in the face of an uncertain future.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) introduces the theme of eschatological revelation: the hiddenness of the believer’s life explains the present tension between the “already” and the “not yet.” The preacher uniquely emphasizes that the hidden life is a source of humility and patience, as well as hope, because it means that the true glory of the Christian is not yet visible, even to themselves. This theme is developed with reference to the future unveiling of the sons of God and the transformation of creation.

Hope in the Age to Come: Transformative Living (Desiring God) adds the theme of hope as the engine of radical love and risk-taking. The preacher argues that the security of being hidden with Christ is what frees believers from the need for earthly security, enabling them to live sacrificially and courageously. This is a distinct application of the doctrine to Christian mission and social engagement.

Living in Freedom: Our Identity in Christ (Desiring God) introduces the theme of the believer’s emancipation from the controlling power of sin, law, and worldly principles as a result of their death with Christ. The sermon emphasizes that this death is not a gradual process but a completed act, and that the believer’s new identity is defined by faith and union with Christ, not by adherence to external regulations or self-effort. The preacher also highlights the paradoxical nature of Christian existence: the old, spiritually dead self must die so that the new, faith-filled self can live, underscoring the radical discontinuity between the believer’s past and present.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) develops the distinctive theological theme of "double death"—that the believer must first recognize their inherited deadness in sin and then experience a second, redemptive death through union with Christ. This theme is expanded by contrasting the old nature’s incapacity for faith and obedience with the new nature’s capacity for faith, love, and glad submission. The sermon also explores the difference between the "life" of the old self (active in sin but spiritually dead) and the "life" of the new self (alive to God through faith), providing a nuanced account of spiritual transformation.

Embracing Holiness: The Journey of Sanctification (SermonIndex.net) adds a new facet by focusing on the believer’s security and identity in Christ. The preacher’s illustration of being "hidden" in Christ underscores the theological reality that God sees the believer through the lens of Christ’s righteousness, not their own failures. The technical explanation of the Greek verb for "put to death" introduces the theme of sanctification as an urgent, decisive, and Spirit-empowered act, rather than a passive or optional process. The sermon also distinguishes between mortifying sin as a response to peace with God (the Christian’s motivation) versus as a means to achieve peace (the legalist’s error), offering a nuanced perspective on the relationship between justification and sanctification.

Transformative Unity with Christ Through the Holy Spirit (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme of transformative union with Christ as the foundation for sanctification and spiritual vitality. The preacher emphasizes that the believer’s life is "hidden" not as a static status but as an ongoing process of being filled and transformed by Christ’s presence through the Holy Spirit. The analogy of the lamp and electricity highlights the necessity of inner spiritual reality over outward conformity, and the sermon stresses that true holiness and Christlikeness are the result of divine power, not human effort.

Colossians 3:3 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embracing the Power of the Cross and Resurrection (Arrows Church) provides historical context by referencing the cultural and religious significance of being “seated with Christ in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6) and the ancient understanding of spiritual circumcision and sealing with the Holy Spirit. The sermon explains that in the Greco-Roman world, being “hidden” or “sealed” signified ownership, protection, and authority, which would have resonated with the original audience’s understanding of legal and familial security.

Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) offers contextual insight into the religious environment of Colossae, noting that the prevailing religions required no personal transformation—rituals and sacrifices were performed without expectation of inward change. Paul’s insistence on a new, hidden life in Christ was thus a radical departure, demanding both inward transformation and outward response. The sermon also references the cultural significance of seating arrangements in ancient Jewish society, highlighting the honor of being seated at the right hand of the host as a metaphor for the believer’s exalted position in Christ.

Living with a Heavenly Perspective: Embracing Our Identity (Lakeside Christian Church) provides historical context by explaining that Colossians was written by Paul while in prison, addressing false teachings that combined elements of Judaism (rituals, Old Covenant thinking) and Gnosticism (emphasis on secret knowledge and a distant, impersonal God). The preacher explains how these influences led to a dethroning of Christ in the minds of the Colossians, and how Paul's letter reasserts the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. The sermon also references the ascetic practices of the Stylites, particularly Simeon the Stylite, who lived atop a pole for 36 years as an extreme attempt to separate from worldly influence, illustrating the historical context of asceticism in early Christianity.

Living in Holiness: Embracing Our Identity in Christ (Lakeshore Christian Church) provides detailed historical context about the concept of holiness in the ancient world, especially in Jewish culture. The preacher explains that in the Old Testament, access to God’s presence required ritual cleansing and sacrifice, and that only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies. This background is used to highlight the radical nature of being “hidden with Christ in God”—that ordinary believers now have access to God’s presence because they are covered by Christ’s holiness, not their own ritual purity. The sermon also references the Greek word ekklesia (“called out ones”) to emphasize the distinctiveness of the church in its original context.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) references the cultural expectation of visible glory and honor in the Greco-Roman world, contrasting it with the hiddenness and apparent ordinariness of the Christian life. The preacher notes that in both Jewish and pagan cultures, glory was associated with visible power and status, making the idea of a “hidden” life countercultural and paradoxical.

Living in Freedom: Our Identity in Christ (Desiring God) provides historical context by referencing the symbolism of baptism in the early church as a public declaration of burial and resurrection with Christ. The preacher explains that in the first-century context, baptism was not merely a ritual but a powerful sign of the believer’s identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, marking a definitive break with the old life and entrance into a new community defined by faith and union with Christ.

Colossians 3:3 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing the Power of the Cross and Resurrection (Arrows Church) references Galatians 2:20 (“I am crucified with Christ…”), Ephesians 2:6 (“seated with Christ in the heavenly realms”), and Ephesians 1 (sealed with the Holy Spirit) to build a layered understanding of Colossians 3:3. These passages are used to show the multifaceted nature of the believer’s union with Christ—crucified, raised, seated, and sealed—each adding depth to the concept of the hidden life.

Living Wisely: Embracing Purpose Beyond the Temporary (CrossRoads Church) cross-references Romans 6:11 (“count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus”), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (“if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”), Romans 6:6 (“our old self was crucified with him”), Romans 12:1-2 (“living sacrifice”), and Matthew 16:25 (“whoever loses their life for me will find it”). These passages are used to reinforce the idea that dying to self and being hidden in Christ is foundational to wise living and true spiritual life.

Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) references 2 Corinthians 5:17 (“new creation”), Romans 6:1-2 (“dead to sin”), 1 John 5:12 (“the one who has the Son has life”), Acts 14:15 (“turn from worthless things to the living God”), 1 John 1:9 (“confess your sins”), and James 5:16 (“confess your sins to one another”). These passages are used to illustrate the practical outworking of the hidden life—turning from sin, embracing new identity, and living in ongoing confession and transformation.

Rahab: Faith in Action and Transformation (FCF Church) references Matthew’s genealogy (Matthew 1), James 2:25 (“Rahab was made right with God by hiding the spies”), Ephesians 2:8-9 (“by grace you have been saved through faith”), Romans 12 (“living sacrifice”), John 15 (“I am the vine, you are the branches”), and 1 Corinthians 12 (“body of Christ”). These passages are used to connect the hidden life to faith, action, community, and spiritual union with Christ.

Finding Strength in Community: The Hidden Life (FCF Church) references Ephesians (Christ as head of the church), 1 Corinthians 12 (body of Christ), Romans 12 (one body, many members), 1 Peter 5:8 (“your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion”), John 8:44 (Satan as the father of lies), John 10:10 (“the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy”), Ephesians 6 (armor of God), Hebrews 3:13 (“encourage one another daily”), Colossians 3:16 (“let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another”), and James 5:16 (“confess your sins to each other and pray for each other”). These references are used to show the necessity of community, mutual encouragement, and spiritual vigilance in living out the hidden life.

Aligning Our Vision with God's Purpose for 2023 (Destiny Church) references Romans 6 to explain the believer's death to sin and new life in Christ, using Paul's rhetorical question, "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" to reinforce the idea that spiritual progress depends on embracing one's new identity. The sermon also cites John 15 ("abide in him and you shall bear much fruit") to emphasize dependence on Christ, and Romans 12:1-2 to highlight the importance of renewing the mind. Isaiah 55 is referenced to stress the reliability and effectiveness of God's word, and 1 Corinthians 3 is mentioned in relation to future glory and the testing of works.

Living with a Heavenly Perspective: Embracing Our Identity (Lakeside Christian Church) draws on a wide array of cross-references: Galatians 2:20 ("I have been crucified with Christ..."), Romans 6 (death and resurrection with Christ), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation), Ephesians 2:6 (seated with Christ), Ephesians 1 (power of the resurrection), 1 John 3:1-2 (children of God), Romans 8:14-17 (adoption and inheritance), Romans 12:2 (renewing the mind), Proverbs 23:7 ("as a man thinks, so he is"), and Philippians 4 (rejoicing and peace). The sermon uses these passages to reinforce the themes of identity, transformation, and the believer's secure position in Christ.

Embracing the Kingdom: Transformative Power of God's Word (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Matthew 16 ("deny yourself, take up your cross"), Romans 6 (buried with Christ, newness of life), and Matthew 6 (God as "in secret") to support the idea of dying to self and finding true life in the hiddenness of the kingdom.

Faithful Sacrifice: Trusting God's Provision and Joy (Open the Bible) references Mark 8:34 ("deny yourself, take up your cross"), Colossians 3:3 ("you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God"), and alludes to other passages about sacrifice and joy in Christ. The sermon also cites Dietrich Bonhoeffer's summary of Jesus' call to discipleship and uses the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17) as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's call to radical surrender.

Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Faith (MLJTrust) extensively references Romans 6 (union with Christ in death and resurrection), Galatians 2:20 ("crucified with Christ"), Ephesians 2 (alive with Christ), Colossians 3:3 ("your life is hid with Christ in God"), and Romans 8 (assurance of final perseverance). The preacher uses these passages to build a comprehensive doctrine of the believer's mystical union with Christ and the practical implications for victory over sin.

Living in Holiness: Embracing Our Identity in Christ (Lakeshore Christian Church) references Isaiah 6 to draw a parallel between the holiness of God and the need for cleansing, connecting it to the believer’s hiddenness in Christ. The sermon also references Romans 12 (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”) to support the idea of a new mindset, and Philippians (boldly approaching the throne of grace) to illustrate the privilege of access to God. The preacher further cites passages about being “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) and the removal of sin “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) to reinforce the themes of covering and forgiveness.

Living Victoriously Through Our Union with Christ (MLJTrust) draws extensively on Romans 5–7, especially the parallel between Adam and Christ, and the doctrine of union with Christ. The preacher references Galatians 2:20 (“I have been crucified with Christ”), Ephesians 2:5–6 (“seated with him in the heavenly places”), and 1 Corinthians 12:13 (“baptized by one Spirit into one body”) to support the idea of the believer’s participation in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The sermon also cites Romans 8:1 (“no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”) and Galatians 6:14 (“the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”) to illustrate the implications of being hidden with Christ.

Finding Confidence and Identity in Christ for the New Year (MLJTrust) references 1 Corinthians 1:30 (“of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption”), Ephesians 5:30 (“members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones”), and Colossians 3:3–4 directly. The preacher also cites Romans 5–7 and Philippians 2:12–13 (“work out your own salvation…for it is God who works in you”) to reinforce the themes of union, security, and divine initiative.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) cross-references Romans 8:19–21 (creation waiting for the revealing of the sons of God), 1 John 3:1–2 (we are God’s children now, but what we will be has not yet appeared), 1 Corinthians 15 (the resurrection body), and Matthew 13:43 (the righteous will shine like the sun). The preacher also references Colossians 2:10 and 3:10 to highlight the tension between the believer’s present ordinariness and future glory.

Hope in the Age to Come: Transformative Living (Desiring God) references 1 Peter 3:15 (“be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you”), Romans 7 (the struggle with sin), Philippians 3:20–21 (transformation of the body), and Romans 8:21 (creation set free from bondage). The preacher also cites Revelation 21–22 (the new heavens and new earth, seeing God’s face) to expand on the future hope that undergirds the hidden life.

Living in Freedom: Our Identity in Christ (Desiring God) draws on several Pauline passages to illuminate Colossians 3:3: Romans 6:6 ("our old self was crucified with him"), Galatians 5:24 ("those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh"), Romans 8 (the mind of the flesh is hostile to God), Galatians 2:20 ("I have been crucified with Christ"), Ephesians 2:1 ("you were dead in your trespasses"), Colossians 2:20 ("if with Christ you died to the elemental principles of the world"), Romans 7 (dying to the law), Romans 6:2 (dying to sin), and Galatians 6:14 (crucified to the world). Each reference is used to clarify what "death" means in Colossians 3:3—namely, the end of the old self’s power, the believer’s release from the law and sin, and the new life of faith in Christ.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) references Ephesians 2:1 (dead in trespasses and sins), 1 John 3:14 (abiding in death), Matthew 8:22 (let the dead bury their own dead), Luke 15:24 (the prodigal son was dead and is alive again), 1 Timothy 5:6 (self-indulgent is dead while she lives), Ephesians 4:18 (darkened in understanding), 2 Corinthians 4:4 (unbelievers blinded to the gospel), Romans 8:7 (mind of the flesh is hostile to God), Romans 6:17, 6:20 (slaves of sin), Romans 6:5 (united with Christ in death), Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), Colossians 3:9-10 (put off the old self, put on the new), and Romans 6:8 (if we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him). These references are used to build the case for the double death and new life, showing the continuity and development of Paul’s thought across his letters.

Embracing Holiness: The Journey of Sanctification (SermonIndex.net) references Colossians 2:12 (buried with Christ in baptism), Galatians 2:19-20 (crucified with Christ, died to the law), Romans 6 (died to sin, baptized into his death), Ephesians 1:17-19 (the power available to believers), Romans 5:1 (justified by faith, peace with God), and the story of Saul and the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15) as an Old Testament parallel for the necessity of utterly destroying sin. Each passage is used to reinforce the theological and practical implications of being dead to sin and alive in Christ, as well as the urgency and seriousness of mortifying the flesh.

Transformative Unity with Christ Through the Holy Spirit (SermonIndex.net) references John 17 (Jesus’ prayer for unity and glorification in believers), Ephesians 2:10 (created in Christ Jesus for good works), Ephesians 3:16-17 (strengthened with might by his Spirit, Christ dwelling in hearts by faith), and Hebrews 4:12 (the word of God as a discerner of thoughts and intents). These references are used to support the sermon’s emphasis on union with Christ, the transformative work of the Spirit, and the necessity of responding to God’s word for true sanctification.

Colossians 3:3 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing New Life Through Biblical Meditation (Dripping Springs Methodist Church) explicitly references Richard Foster, author of “Celebration of Discipline,” when discussing the definition of meditation. Foster’s definition—“the ability to hear God’s voice and obey His Word”—is used to frame the practice of setting one’s mind on things above, as described in Colossians 3:3. The sermon also alludes to the practice of Lectio Divina and the use of the Lectio 365 app, drawing on Christian contemplative traditions to illustrate how meditation on the hidden life is both ancient and practical.

Finding Strength in Community: The Hidden Life (FCF Church) explicitly references Larry Crabb, a Christian psychologist and author of “The Safest Place on Earth.” Crabb’s concept that the church is meant to be a “hiding place” and the “safest place on earth” is used to reinforce the idea that the hidden life in Christ is protected and nurtured within the context of Christian community. The sermon also mentions Jenny Allen, a Christian author and Bible teacher, whose personal testimony about spiritual attack and the power of community is used to illustrate the practical necessity of the “one another” commands for protecting the hidden life.

Embracing Eternal Living: A Journey of Transformation (Dallas Willard Ministries) explicitly references C.S. Lewis, particularly his book "The Abolition of Man," to discuss the cultural shift toward control and the loss of values and freedom. The preacher uses Lewis's argument to critique modern attempts to explain human behavior solely in terms of brain chemistry or social structures, contrasting this with Paul's vision of spiritual transformation and freedom in Christ.

Living Victoriously Through Our Union with Christ (MLJTrust) explicitly references Martin Luther and the Reformation, noting that Luther’s breakthrough came from realizing the difference between the fact of justification and the feeling of it. The preacher quotes Luther’s experience as the foundation for understanding the objective nature of being hidden with Christ, and credits the Reformation’s emphasis on justification by faith as a recovery of this Pauline doctrine.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) explicitly references C.S. Lewis, quoting his famous statement that if we could see the future glory of any ordinary Christian now, we would be tempted to worship them. This is used to illustrate the hiddenness and future revelation of the believer’s true life.

Colossians 3:3 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing the Power of the Cross and Resurrection (Arrows Church) uses the “Gospel according to Tupperware” as a secular, everyday analogy to illustrate the theological concept of being hidden with Christ in God. The preacher uses nested plastic containers to visually demonstrate the layers of spiritual union and security, making the abstract concept tangible and memorable for the congregation.

Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) employs two detailed secular analogies. First, the $450 million Da Vinci painting is used to illustrate how, when something of immense value enters one’s life, everything else is rearranged around it—paralleling how Christ becomes the center of the believer’s life. The story includes details about the logistics and security measures taken to protect the painting, emphasizing the total reorientation of life around what is most valuable. Second, the Russian nesting dolls (matryoshka) are used to depict the believer’s life hidden in Christ—layer upon layer, the core remains secure, no matter how many external layers are removed. This metaphor powerfully conveys the idea of security, identity, and the inaccessibility of the believer’s true life to external threats.

Rahab: Faith in Action and Transformation (FCF Church) uses the analogy of a marriage to illustrate the hidden life in Christ, likening it to the daily, intimate, and transformative relationship of marriage, where everything is shared and one’s identity is redefined. The sermon also uses the story of a forgotten chicken in a crock pot as a humorous but pointed illustration of the necessity of being connected to the power source (Christ) for the hidden life to be active and fruitful.

Finding Strength in Community: The Hidden Life (FCF Church) uses the analogy of a herd protecting an antelope from predators to illustrate the necessity of Christian community for spiritual survival. The preacher explains in detail how an isolated antelope is vulnerable to attack, just as a believer who is isolated from the church is vulnerable to spiritual attack. The sermon also references the “one another” commands as a strategic “tactic” akin to military strategy, emphasizing the practical and protective function of community.

Aligning Our Vision with God's Purpose for 2023 (Destiny Church) uses several detailed secular analogies: the annual eye exam and changing glasses prescriptions to illustrate the need for spiritual vision correction; the treadmill and gym metaphors to depict the illusion of spiritual progress without true transformation; and the concept of dashboards and vision boards from the business world to challenge listeners to evaluate their spiritual "key performance indicators." The preacher also references financial advice from Warren Buffett and Charles Munger about buying a house, using it as an analogy for seeking wisdom from God in practical decisions. The sermon humorously discusses dietary choices (honey buns, Twinkies, salads with unhealthy toppings) to illustrate the difference between spiritual "junk food" and healthy spiritual nourishment.

Living with a Heavenly Perspective: Embracing Our Identity (Lakeside Christian Church) provides a detailed historical example of Simeon the Stylite, who lived atop a pole for 36 years as an extreme form of asceticism, to illustrate the dangers of going to extremes in seeking separation from the world. The sermon also uses the analogy of driving in England (needing to know the rules of the road) to explain the importance of understanding both heavenly and earthly citizenship. Additionally, the preacher uses the example of being promised a new car by a trustworthy friend to illustrate the nature of faith and rejoicing in God's promises before seeing their fulfillment.

Faithful Sacrifice: Trusting God's Provision and Joy (Open the Bible) recounts the story of Adoniram Judson's letter to his future father-in-law, asking for consent to marry his daughter and take her to Burma as a missionary, fully aware of the dangers and sacrifices involved. The preacher uses this historical example to challenge listeners to consider what they are asking of their own children and to model radical commitment to Christ. The sermon also references William Carey's famous saying, "Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God," to inspire bold prayer and action.

Hope in the Age to Come: Transformative Living (Desiring God) uses a vivid analogy from skydiving: the preacher describes a scenario where someone jumps out of an airplane without a parachute, and another person, equipped with a parachute, jumps after them to save them. The parachute represents the hope of glory—the security of being hidden with Christ—which frees the rescuer to take risks. This analogy is used to illustrate how the certainty of the believer’s hidden life empowers radical, sacrificial action in the world, as the “parachute” of hope removes the fear of loss or failure.

Living in Hope: Our Hidden Life in Christ (Desiring God) references the ordinary experience of looking in the mirror and feeling unimpressive, as well as the image of a person dying in a nursing home, to illustrate the contrast between the hiddenness of the believer’s true life and the apparent weakness or dishonor of the present body. These secular, everyday images are used to make the theological point more relatable and poignant.

Embracing Holiness: The Journey of Sanctification (SermonIndex.net) uses a vivid secular analogy involving a Tupperware lid and a donkey to illustrate the believer’s life being hidden with Christ in God. The preacher invites the congregation to imagine themselves as God, looking at a person "in Christ" and seeing only Christ, not the "junk" of their former self. This everyday, almost humorous illustration is designed to make the abstract theological concept of being "hidden" in Christ tangible and memorable, especially for those struggling with guilt or a sense of worthlessness.

Transformative Unity with Christ Through the Holy Spirit (SermonIndex.net) employs the analogy of a lamp and electricity to explain the believer’s union with Christ. The preacher describes how a lamp, no matter how perfect on the outside, is useless without electricity flowing through it—just as a believer is lifeless without the indwelling presence of Christ. The story of a broken projector lamp, which looked fine externally but had burned-out wiring inside, is used to illustrate the futility of outward religiosity without inner spiritual reality. This analogy is extended to emphasize that only when Christ fills the believer does their true purpose and identity emerge, making them a "light of the world."