Sermons on Colossians 3:5-9
The various sermons below interpret Colossians 3:5-9 with a shared emphasis on the necessity of putting sinful behaviors to death, using vivid analogies to illustrate the urgency and seriousness of this task. They all highlight the Greek term "nekrosate," which means to mortify or kill, underscoring the need for decisive action against sin. One sermon uses the analogy of a wild animal, while another likens sin to Velcro that clings to the flesh, both illustrating the persistent and untamable nature of sin. Additionally, the sermons emphasize the transformative power of accepting Christ, with one comparing this transformation to the acquisition of a priceless painting, suggesting that Christ should become the focal point of one's life. The concept of "epignosis," or deep experiential knowledge of Christ, is also highlighted, suggesting that true transformation involves more than intellectual understanding.
While the sermons share common themes, they also present distinct theological nuances. One sermon emphasizes God's power as a tool for living free from sin and making a difference in the world, contrasting it with cultural conformity. Another sermon focuses on the believer's new identity in Christ, stressing that this transformation is about living out the reality of being in Christ rather than merely becoming a better person. A different sermon presents the Christian life as a constant battle against sin, framing this struggle as evidence of being alive in Christ and a path to spiritual growth. Lastly, one sermon uses the analogy of necrotizing fasciitis to describe sin's lingering effects, emphasizing the need for active engagement in putting sin to death and adopting a new life in Christ.
Colossians 3:5-9 Interpretation:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) interprets Colossians 3:5-9 by emphasizing the need to "put to death" sinful behaviors, likening sin to a wild animal that cannot be tamed but must be killed. The sermon uses the Greek term "nekrosate," meaning to mortify or kill, to stress the seriousness of dealing with sin. The preacher also uses the analogy of a baby gray squirrel that turns into a tiger, illustrating how sin can grow uncontrollably if not dealt with decisively.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) interprets Colossians 3:5-9 by comparing the transformation in Christ to the purchase of a $450 million painting, which becomes the center of one's life. The sermon emphasizes that accepting Christ should lead to a complete reorientation of one's life, where everything revolves around Him. The Greek word for knowledge, "epignosis," is highlighted to indicate a deep, experiential understanding of Christ that goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) interprets Colossians 3:5-9 by emphasizing the concept of "mortification," which means putting sin to death. The sermon highlights that mortification is not merely about changing behavior but involves a deeper spiritual battle that requires being in Christ. The preacher uses the analogy of sin attaching like Velcro to the flesh, requiring constant vigilance and effort to peel it away. The sermon also references the original Greek term for "put to death" and connects it to the broader theological concept of mortification, which is about actively engaging in a spiritual battle against sin.
Colossians 3:5-9 Theological Themes:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) presents the theme of God's power not as a toy for entertainment but as a means to live free from sin and to make a difference in the world. The sermon emphasizes that God's power is given to those who align their lives with His will, not to those who conform to cultural norms.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) introduces the theme of a new reality in Christ, where one's identity is completely transformed. The sermon stresses that this new identity is not about becoming a better person but about understanding and living out the reality of being in Christ, which is the truest thing about a believer.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) presents the theme that the Christian life is a constant battle against sin, which is evidence of being alive in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that the struggle with sin is not a sign of failure but a normal part of the Christian experience. It introduces the idea that mortification leads to growth in faith, hope, love, prayer, worship, and godliness, distinguishing it from mere behavior modification.
Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ (Impact Church FXBG) introduces the theme that sin is dead but doesn't know it yet, using the analogy of necrotizing fasciitis to describe how sin, though dead, can still affect the believer if not actively put to death. The sermon emphasizes that the follower of Jesus must put to death their old life and put on the new life, highlighting the importance of actively executing sin rather than passively allowing it to linger.
Colossians 3:5-9 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) provides historical context about the city of Colossae, explaining that the local religion required no personal change, only ritualistic practices. Paul’s message to the Colossians was revolutionary because it demanded an inward transformation and an outward response, contrasting with the prevailing religious norms.
Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ (Impact Church FXBG) provides historical context by explaining that the Colossians, coming from a Gentile background, were influenced by pagan religions with different moral codes. The sermon highlights that some of the behaviors Paul condemns were considered acts of worship in pagan religions, which contrasts with the Christian call to put these behaviors to death.
Colossians 3:5-9 Cross-References in the Bible:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) references Romans 8:30 to explain the concept of glorification, stating that believers are already glorified in God's eyes. The sermon also references John 10:10 to emphasize the abundant life that Christ offers, contrasting it with a life lived according to worldly standards.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) references 2 Corinthians 5:17 to highlight the new creation believers become in Christ. The sermon also cites 1 John 5:12 to affirm that those who have the Son have life, emphasizing the transformative power of accepting Christ.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) references Romans 8:13, which also speaks about putting to death the misdeeds of the body by the Spirit. This cross-reference is used to support the idea that mortification is a spiritual battle that requires the power of the Holy Spirit and is only possible for those who are in Christ.
Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ (Impact Church FXBG) references Colossians 2:20 and Colossians 3:3 to emphasize the idea that believers have died with Christ and their life is hidden with Christ in God. These references are used to support the notion that the old self is dead and should be put to death in practice.
Colossians 3:5-9 Christian References outside the Bible:
Living Abundantly: Embracing God's Transformative Power (Crescent Valley Baptist Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in the discussion of Colossians 3:5-9.
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in the discussion of Colossians 3:5-9.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) 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 relentless nature of the battle against sin and the necessity of mortification.
Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ (Impact Church FXBG) references Arquette Hughes, a theologian, who states that "doctrine demands duty" and "creed determines conduct." This reference is used to highlight the connection between theological beliefs and practical living, emphasizing that what one believes about God should determine how one acts.
Colossians 3:5-9 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Transforming Lives: Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Impact Community Church Edenvale) uses the illustration of Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Salvator Mundi," which sold for $450 million, to explain how accepting Christ should become the center of one's life. The sermon describes how the painting's purchase led to a complete reorganization of the buyer's life, drawing a parallel to how Christ should reorient a believer's life.
Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ (Impact Church FXBG) uses the analogy of a dead snake that doesn't know it's dead to illustrate the concept of sin being dead but still affecting the believer. The preacher shares a personal story about killing a snake with a plastic bat to protect his children, using this vivid imagery to convey the necessity of actively putting sin to death.
Engaging the Battle: Mortifying Sin in Christ (Open the Bible) uses the analogy of an NFL football game to illustrate the concept of gaining ground against sin. The preacher compares saying no to sin to moving the ball forward in a football game, emphasizing the importance of winning small battles in the larger war against sin.