Sermons on Colossians 3:5
The various sermons below interpret Colossians 3:5 with a shared emphasis on the active and decisive rejection of sin, particularly focusing on sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and covetousness. They commonly use vivid metaphors to illustrate the necessity of not just avoiding sin but actively destroying its influence. For instance, one sermon uses the metaphor of "slaying" sins, while another likens covetousness to idolatry, using everyday scenarios to highlight its subtlety. The theme of idolatry is prevalent, with sermons drawing parallels between modern distractions and ancient idols, urging believers to seek contentment and fulfillment in God alone. The concept of "mortification" is also explored, emphasizing that the battle against sin is a continuous process requiring spiritual transformation through Christ. Additionally, the sermons stress the importance of personal responsibility in spiritual growth, likening the process to shedding an old garment and highlighting the necessity of self-preaching and self-reminding of one's new identity in Christ.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their thematic focus and application. One sermon emphasizes transformation through the Holy Spirit, suggesting that true change comes from surrendering to God's will, while another highlights the theme of idolatry as spiritual adultery, focusing on the selfish heart as the root of all sin. Some sermons prioritize the theme of contentment, challenging the congregation to resist modern consumer culture, whereas others focus on spiritual discernment and the rejection of worldly solutions. The theme of obedience is also explored differently, with one sermon illustrating it as a pathway to divine protection and blessing, using the story of Jacob as an example. Meanwhile, another sermon underscores the believer's active role in sanctification, challenging the notion of passive spiritual growth and emphasizing the need for personal effort in pursuing holiness.
Colossians 3:5 Interpretation:
Embracing God's Design for Sex and Relationships (LIFE Melbourne) interprets Colossians 3:5 with a strong emphasis on the need to actively and decisively put to death the earthly nature, particularly focusing on sexual immorality, impurity, and lust. The sermon uses the metaphor of "slaying" these sins, suggesting a violent and final action against them, akin to burying them with rocks on top and marking them with a cross as a symbol of victory over sin. This interpretation highlights the necessity of not just avoiding sin but actively destroying its influence in one's life.
Finding Contentment: Overcoming Distractions and Covetousness (Crazy Love) interprets Colossians 3:5 by emphasizing the seriousness of covetousness, equating it to idolatry. The sermon uses the analogy of walking past first-class seats on a plane to illustrate how common and seemingly innocuous coveting can be, highlighting that even such everyday desires are akin to idolatry. The preacher reflects on how covetousness is often overlooked as a sin, despite being one of the Ten Commandments, and stresses the need for contentment with God alone.
Renewal Through Worship: Overcoming Idolatry and Seeking God (Ronald Kitoy) interprets Colossians 3:5 by focusing on the broader theme of idolatry and its manifestations in modern life. The sermon uses the metaphor of "broken cisterns" to describe how people often turn to inadequate, man-made solutions instead of relying on God, the "fountain of living water." This interpretation emphasizes the need to abandon earthly desires and idols, which are seen as spiritually empty and ultimately destructive.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) interprets Colossians 3:5 by emphasizing the concept of "mortification," which means putting to death the misdeeds of the body. The sermon highlights that mortification is not merely about ending bad behavior but involves a deeper spiritual transformation that can only occur when one is in Christ. The sermon uses the Greek term "mortify" to explain the ongoing nature of this battle against sin, suggesting that it is a continuous process rather than a one-time event. The analogy of sin attaching like Velcro to the flesh is used to illustrate the persistent nature of sin and the need for constant vigilance and action to remove it.
Journey to Bethel: Embracing God's Presence and Obedience (Virginia Beach Potter's House) interprets Colossians 3:5 by drawing a parallel between Jacob's need to rid his household of idols before returning to Bethel and the Christian's need to put to death earthly desires. The sermon emphasizes that these desires, such as fornication and covetousness, are akin to idolatry. The preacher uses the analogy of carrying idols in one's pocket to illustrate how modern believers might hold onto sinful desires while attempting to follow God. This interpretation highlights the necessity of active repentance and the removal of idols from one's life to fully embrace God's calling.
Active Transformation: Putting Off the Old Self (MLJTrust) offers a unique perspective by emphasizing the practical application of putting off the old self, as described in Colossians 3:5. The sermon stresses that this is not merely a matter of prayer but requires active effort and decision-making. The preacher uses the analogy of taking off a garment to describe the process of shedding the old self and emphasizes that this is a command that believers must actively follow. The sermon also highlights the importance of self-preaching and self-reminding of one's new identity in Christ as a means to combat the old nature.
Colossians 3:5 Theological Themes:
Embracing God's Design for Sex and Relationships (LIFE Melbourne) presents a theme of transformation through the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that true change comes from surrendering to God's will and allowing His Spirit to replace sinful desires with a desire for holiness. The sermon underscores the idea that God's design for sex and relationships is not only about following rules but about experiencing true freedom and fulfillment in His plan.
Prioritizing God: Overcoming Modern Idolatry (Grace Church Fam) introduces the theme of idolatry as a form of spiritual adultery, where anything that takes precedence over God becomes an idol. The sermon explores the idea that idolatry stems from a selfish heart and the worship of self, which is the root of all sin. It emphasizes the need to restore God to His rightful place as the highest priority in life.
Finding Contentment: Overcoming Distractions and Covetousness (Crazy Love) presents the theme of covetousness as a form of idolatry, highlighting how modern consumer culture encourages coveting through advertising and societal norms. The sermon challenges the congregation to find contentment in God alone, rather than in material possessions or status.
Renewal Through Worship: Overcoming Idolatry and Seeking God (Ronald Kitoy) introduces the theme of spiritual discernment and the need to identify and reject modern forms of idolatry. The sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and relying on His provision, rather than turning to worldly solutions that ultimately fail to satisfy.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) presents the theme that the battle against sin is evidence of true Christian life. The sermon suggests that the presence of this battle is not a sign of failure but rather a sign of spiritual life and engagement with Christ. It introduces the idea that mortification leads to growth in faith, hope, love, prayer, worship, and godliness, which are distinct from mere behavior modification.
The sermon also introduces the concept that mortification is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the necessity of being in Christ to truly put sin to death. This theme highlights the difference between secular behavior change and spiritual transformation.
Journey to Bethel: Embracing God's Presence and Obedience (Virginia Beach Potter's House) presents the theme of obedience as a pathway to divine protection and blessing. The sermon suggests that by putting to death earthly desires and idols, believers align themselves with God's will, which in turn leads to supernatural protection and favor. This theme is illustrated through the story of Jacob, whose obedience led to God's protection from surrounding enemies.
Active Transformation: Putting Off the Old Self (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of personal responsibility in sanctification. The sermon argues that believers must actively participate in their spiritual growth by putting off the old self and not relying solely on prayer or passive waiting for divine intervention. This theme challenges the notion of sanctification as a passive experience and emphasizes the believer's role in actively pursuing holiness.
Colossians 3:5 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Prioritizing God: Overcoming Modern Idolatry (Grace Church Fam) provides historical context by explaining the prevalence of idol worship in ancient Egypt, where the Israelites were enslaved. The sermon describes how the Israelites were exposed to a culture with a complex system of gods and goddesses, which influenced their understanding of idolatry. This context helps explain why God commanded the Israelites to avoid idol worship and highlights the cultural challenges they faced in maintaining their faith.
Renewal Through Worship: Overcoming Idolatry and Seeking God (Ronald Kitoy) provides historical context by discussing the frequent turn to idolatry by ancient Israel, citing examples such as the worship of the golden calf and the establishment of golden calves by King Jeroboam. The sermon explains that these acts were often motivated by a desire for prosperity and security, reflecting a common cultural belief that worshipping local gods would ensure a good harvest.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) provides historical context by explaining that the term "mortification" is derived from the same root as "mortal" and "mortuary," indicating a subject to death. The sermon connects this to the New Testament's use of the term in Colossians 3:5 and Romans 8:13, emphasizing the historical understanding of mortification as a continuous process of putting sin to death.
Colossians 3:5 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing God's Design for Sex and Relationships (LIFE Melbourne) references Romans 12, which calls for transformation through the renewing of the mind, and emphasizes the need to conform to God's ways rather than the world's. This passage supports the message of Colossians 3:5 by encouraging believers to reject earthly desires and embrace a life led by the Spirit.
Prioritizing God: Overcoming Modern Idolatry (Grace Church Fam) references several biblical passages, including Jeremiah 17, which speaks to the deceitfulness of the heart, and Proverbs 4:23, which advises guarding the heart. These references are used to illustrate the internal battle against idolatry and the importance of maintaining a heart devoted to God.
Finding Contentment: Overcoming Distractions and Covetousness (Crazy Love) references Psalm 23, emphasizing the idea of God as the shepherd who provides all that is needed, thus negating the need for covetousness. The sermon also mentions Psalm 73, which speaks of desiring nothing on earth besides God, reinforcing the call to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things.
Renewal Through Worship: Overcoming Idolatry and Seeking God (Ronald Kitoy) references Galatians 5:19-21, which lists the acts of the flesh, including idolatry, and warns that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. This cross-reference supports the sermon’s message about the dangers of idolatry and the need for spiritual purity.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) references Romans 8:13, which parallels Colossians 3:5 in discussing the need to put to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit. This cross-reference is used to support the idea that mortification is a spiritual process enabled by the Holy Spirit.
The sermon also references Galatians 5:24, which speaks of crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires, to illustrate the slow and ongoing nature of putting sin to death.
Ephesians 6:11 is mentioned to emphasize the proactive nature of the Christian's battle against sin, highlighting the need to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes.
Journey to Bethel: Embracing God's Presence and Obedience (Virginia Beach Potter's House) references Exodus 20:3, which commands having no other gods before the Lord, to support the idea that covetousness and other earthly desires are forms of idolatry. The sermon also cites James 4:8, which calls for cleansing and purifying oneself, reinforcing the need for active repentance and sanctification. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 7:1 is mentioned to emphasize the call to holiness and the cleansing of both flesh and spirit.
Colossians 3:5 Christian References outside the Bible:
Prioritizing God: Overcoming Modern Idolatry (Grace Church Fam) references Kyle Idleman's book "Gods at War," which discusses modern-day idols and how they compete for the human heart. The sermon uses Idleman's insights to identify contemporary idols such as food, entertainment, and success, and emphasizes the need to replace these idols with a devotion to Jesus.
Embracing the New Exodus: A Journey of Transformation (Bethesda Community Church) references N.T. Wright, a contemporary theologian, who emphasizes the concept of the New Testament as a new Exodus, highlighting the deliverance from sin and the promise of new life in Christ. This perspective enriches the understanding of Colossians 3:5 by framing the call to put to death earthly desires as part of a larger narrative of spiritual liberation and transformation.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) explicitly references John Owen, a Puritan theologian, who famously said, "Always be killing sin or sin will be killing you." This quote is used to emphasize the continuous and active nature of the battle against sin. Owen's insights into the life cycle of sin and the need to confront it before it grows are also discussed.
The sermon also references Jim Packer, who describes sin as being "dethroned but not destroyed," highlighting the ongoing struggle against sin even after conversion.
Journey to Bethel: Embracing God's Presence and Obedience (Virginia Beach Potter's House) references Reinhard Bonnke, a revival preacher, to illustrate the theme of divine protection for those who walk in obedience. The sermon recounts Bonnke's experience of divine intervention during a life-threatening illness, emphasizing God's protective power over His obedient followers. The sermon also quotes F. Lagarde Smith, who critiques superficial religiosity and emphasizes the importance of genuine spiritual transformation.
Colossians 3:5 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing God's Design for Sex and Relationships (LIFE Melbourne) uses the example of Tom Brady's interview on 60 Minutes, where he questions the fulfillment of his achievements despite having multiple Super Bowl rings. This illustration is used to demonstrate that worldly success and desires cannot satisfy the deeper needs of the heart, aligning with the message of Colossians 3:5 to put to death earthly desires.
Prioritizing God: Overcoming Modern Idolatry (Grace Church Fam) references the movie "The Ten Commandments" to illustrate the cultural perception of idolatry as an ancient practice. The sermon uses this reference to challenge the audience to recognize modern forms of idolatry in their own lives, beyond the traditional understanding of idol worship.
Finding Contentment: Overcoming Distractions and Covetousness (Crazy Love) uses the illustration of walking past first-class seats on an airplane to highlight the everyday nature of covetousness. The preacher describes the experience of desiring the comfort and luxury of first-class, only to realize that this desire is a form of coveting, which is equated to idolatry. This relatable example serves to make the concept of covetousness more tangible and underscores the sermon’s call for contentment in God alone.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) uses the analogy of American football to illustrate the concept of mortification. The sermon compares the Christian's battle against sin to moving the ball forward in a football game, emphasizing the need to gain ground against sin and defend against its advances. The analogy is used to explain the importance of winning small battles in the larger war against sin, highlighting the strategic nature of the Christian life.
Journey to Bethel: Embracing God's Presence and Obedience (Virginia Beach Potter's House) uses a story from Reinhard Bonnke's autobiography, "The Life of Fire," to illustrate divine protection. Bonnke recounts a near-death experience from drinking contaminated water and how he was saved through prayer and divine intervention. This story serves as a metaphor for God's protection over those who are obedient to His call. The sermon also shares an anecdote about a missionary who used candy as a bribe to avoid trouble at a roadblock, illustrating God's providential care in unexpected ways.