Sermons on Colossians 3:9-10

Colossians 3:9-10 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Living Out Our Identity in Christ (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by describing the cultural norms of Ephesus (and by extension, Colossae), where lying, theft, and other vices were commonplace due to the lack of social safety nets and the prevalence of poverty. The sermon explains that the early Christian call to honesty and generosity was radically countercultural, setting believers apart from their surrounding society. The preacher also notes that the communal sharing and mutual support within the church were practical responses to the economic realities of the time, and that the call to "put off" the old self was a public, visible declaration of a new way of life.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by describing the early Christian baptismal practice: converts would remove their old clothes, be baptized, and then be clothed in a new white robe, symbolizing the putting off of the old self and the putting on of the new. This vivid cultural practice underscores the radical, public nature of conversion in the early church and helps explain Paul’s use of clothing metaphors in Colossians 3:9-10.

Transforming Identity: Putting Off the Old Self (Desiring God) offers a linguistic and contextual insight by analyzing the Greek terms for anger and wrath, and by noting the intentional structuring of vice lists in groups of five, which may reflect a deliberate rhetorical or mnemonic device in Paul’s writing.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Desiring God) provides detailed historical and cultural context for Colossians 3:9-10 by explaining the significance of the various social and ethnic categories mentioned in the surrounding verses (Greek, Jew, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free). The sermon notes that these distinctions represented deep-seated hostilities, privileges, and social hierarchies in the ancient world, with barbarians and Scythians being viewed as uncultured or savage, and the slave/free divide marking the extremes of economic and social status. The preacher references Josephus to illustrate the negative reputation of Scythians and explains how the early church was a radical new community in which these distinctions were relativized by the shared identity in Christ. The point is made that while cultural and ethnic differences remain visible, they are no longer the basis for boasting or division, because "Christ is all and in all"—a revolutionary claim in the context of first-century social structures.

Colossians 3:9-10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) uses several detailed secular analogies: the "Mind Diet" (a real-world diet focused on brain health) as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment; the distraction of news media, gaming, and sports (with specific references to the NBA, Steph Curry, and the Golden State Warriors) as examples of things that can steal focus from Christ; and the cafeteria line at Luby's, where choosing unhealthy foods all week and then drinking a Diet Coke is likened to neglecting spiritual disciplines and expecting a quick fix on Sunday. The sermon also tells a story about a child learning to climb a tree, using the lesson of focusing on climbing (not falling) as a metaphor for setting one's mind on things above.

Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (The Bridge RSM) provides a detailed analogy from the world of art, describing Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures ("Hall of Slaves" or "Hall of Prisoners") as a metaphor for the process of sanctification, where the "old self" is chiseled away to reveal the masterpiece within. The sermon also references the modern phenomenon of "name, image, and likeness" (NIL) rights in college sports to illustrate the concept of bearing God's image and profiting from one's true identity, drawing a parallel between athletes' rights and believers' calling to represent their Creator. The preacher further uses the example of smartphones and repair shops to illustrate the importance of going to the original designer (God) for understanding one's purpose and function.

Embracing Truth: Overcoming Deception in Our Lives (Become New) recounts the famous (but apocryphal) story of George Washington and the cherry tree to illustrate the cultural value placed on truth-telling, only to reveal that the story itself is a lie, thus highlighting the pervasive nature of deception even in moral exemplars. The sermon also shares a personal family anecdote about a child lying and a parent's honest response, as well as referencing a Harvard academic honesty scandal to underscore the irony and universality of dishonesty.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) recounts a striking real-life story of a businessman who insisted on being baptized in his expensive business suit, symbolizing his desire to consecrate his entire life—including his career—to Christ. This act served as a powerful, unconventional metaphor for putting off the old self and putting on the new, showing that the transformation touches every aspect of life, not just the “religious” parts.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate Colossians 3:9-10. The preacher compares the process of putting off the old man to the aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation, where freed slaves and their former masters had to be repeatedly reminded of the new reality of freedom, as old mindsets persisted despite the legal change. Another analogy is drawn from post-communist Romania, where Christians continued to act as if they were under communist restrictions long after the regime had fallen, illustrating how believers can live as if still enslaved to sin despite their new identity. The preacher also uses the metaphor of taking off a raincoat to describe the act of putting off old behaviors, emphasizing that it is a simple, deliberate action rather than a mystical or passive process. Finally, the analogy of a child being told to take off a shirt is used to stress the active responsibility of the believer: just as a parent expects a child to obey a direct command, so God expects believers to put off the old man without delay or excuse.

Colossians 3:9-10 Cross-References in the Bible:

Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) references Matthew 6:33 ("Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness") to reinforce the idea of prioritizing Christ's values, and Hebrews 12:1-2 ("let us throw off everything that hinders... fixing our eyes on Jesus") to illustrate the focus required for spiritual renewal. The sermon also alludes to Deuteronomy 8:3 ("man does not live on bread alone") and Proverbs 23:7 ("as a man thinks in his heart, so is he") to support the importance of mental and spiritual diet.

Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (The Bridge RSM) cross-references Genesis 1:26-28 (creation in God's image), Jeremiah 1:5 (God's foreknowledge and calling), Psalm 139:13-16 (God's intimate involvement in creation), Ephesians 2:1-10 (salvation and purpose), Ephesians 4 (putting off the old self), and Hebrews 1 (Christ as the image of God). The sermon uses these passages to build a comprehensive biblical theology of identity, purpose, and the restoration of God's image.

Embracing Truth: Overcoming Deception in Our Lives (Become New) references Genesis 3 (the serpent's deception), Psalm 51:6 ("you desire truth in the inmost parts"), and Colossians 3:9-10 itself to trace the biblical narrative of truth and deception. The sermon also alludes to the broader Pauline theme of the "old self" versus the "new self."

Living Out Our Identity in Christ (Alistair Begg) references Ephesians 4:25 (speaking truth), Romans 1:18-25 (suppressing the truth), Ephesians 6 (the belt of truth), and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ("if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat") to illustrate the practical outworking of the new self in the Christian community.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) references several passages to support his interpretation: 1 Corinthians 15:22 (“as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive”) to explain the transfer of identity; Galatians (on baptism and putting on Christ) to illustrate the clothing metaphor; and Ephesians 4 (parallel teaching on putting off the old self and putting on the new). He also alludes to Romans 5 and 6, and 1 Corinthians 15, to situate Colossians 3:9-10 within Paul’s broader theology of union with Christ.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Desiring God) systematically cross-references Romans 6 (crucifixion of the old self, reckoning oneself dead to sin), Ephesians 4:22-24 (putting off the old self, putting on the new), Galatians 3:27 (baptized into Christ, clothed with Christ), Romans 13:14 (put on the Lord Jesus Christ), and 1 Corinthians 5:7 (clean out the old leaven, be a new lump), using these to establish the Pauline pattern of “become what you are.” The sermon also references Colossians 3:9-10 and 3:12, and Galatians 5:24 (crucifying the flesh).

Transforming Identity: Putting Off the Old Self (Desiring God) cross-references Ephesians 4 (on putting off and putting on), and draws connections to Romans 2:8, Revelation 16:19, 19:15, and 18:3 to explain the intensification of anger and passion. The sermon also references Ephesians 4:18 and 5:4 to connect thankfulness as the alternative to bitterness and obscene talk.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) references Ephesians 2:1-3 (spiritual deadness), 1 John 3:14 (abiding in death), Matthew 8:22 and Luke 15:24 (the dead burying the dead, the prodigal son), 1 Timothy 5:6 (dead while living), 2 Corinthians 4:4 (blindness to the gospel), Romans 8:7-8 (hostility to God), Romans 6:5-6 (union with Christ in death), Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), and Colossians 3:9-10 (putting off and putting on). These references are used to build the case for the double death and new life in Christ.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Desiring God) draws on several Pauline texts to expand on the meaning of Colossians 3:9-10. Galatians 5:24 is cited to define the "old self" as the flesh, hostile and insubordinate to God, while Galatians 2:20 is used to describe the new self as the Christ-indwelt, believing self. Romans 8:7 is referenced to further characterize the flesh as unable to please God. Philippians 1 ("to live is Christ") and Philippians 3 ("I count everything as loss...to gain Christ") are used to illustrate the supreme value of Christ in the believer's new identity. The sermon also references Colossians 2:13-14 to explain the basis of forgiveness and union with Christ. These cross-references are used to show that the transformation described in Colossians 3:9-10 is both individual and corporate, affecting personal identity and community relationships.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references Ephesians 4:17-32 and Romans 6:6 to provide a theological framework for understanding the old man and the new man. Ephesians 4 is used to show the logical flow of Paul's argument about learning Christ and putting off the old man, while Romans 6:6 is examined in detail to argue that the old man was crucified as a past, completed event. The preacher also references Hebrews 3 (the deceitfulness of sin), Jeremiah 17 (the deceitful heart), and 1 Corinthians 9 (pummeling the body) to support the call to active sanctification. The analogy of the Emancipation Proclamation is used to illustrate the need for believers to internalize their new status, and the preacher draws on the story of Israel crossing the Jordan (Joshua) to illustrate the necessity of faith-filled action.

Colossians 3:9-10 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing Truth: Overcoming Deception in Our Lives (Become New) explicitly references Dallas Willard, quoting his favorite story about a child's definition of a lie: "A lie is an abomination unto the Lord and a very present help in time of need." This citation is used to highlight the tension between the moral ideal and the pragmatic reality of human dishonesty.

Living Out Our Identity in Christ (Alistair Begg) references the Westminster Confession, specifically its teaching that the Holy Spirit "subdues and enables" believers to live out the new life, and mentions Margaret Thatcher's use of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 in a political context, illustrating the intersection of biblical principles and public life. The sermon also quotes William Cowper's hymn to illustrate the transformation of duty into joyful obedience.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) explicitly references John Bunyan’s "Pilgrim’s Progress," particularly the scene at Vanity Fair, to illustrate the visible difference of the Christian’s new identity and the world’s reaction to it. The pilgrims’ distinct clothing and speech, and their refusal to buy the wares of Vanity Fair, serve as a metaphor for the believer’s new self and the world’s bewilderment or hostility toward it.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Martyn Lloyd-Jones, noting how his understanding of the old man evolved over time as he preached through Ephesians and later Romans. The preacher explains that Lloyd-Jones initially saw the old man and new man as coexisting influences in the believer, but later, after studying Romans 6, concluded that the old man is definitively dead, having been crucified with Christ. This shift in Lloyd-Jones's theology is used to support the sermon's argument that the old man is not a lingering presence but a past reality, and that the believer's task is to act in accordance with this truth.

Colossians 3:9-10 Interpretation:

Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) interprets Colossians 3:9-10 through the metaphor of changing clothes after a workout, emphasizing that just as one would not put on dirty clothes after being cleansed, so too must believers not return to the practices of the "old self" after being made new in Christ. The sermon uses the analogy of a "mind diet," comparing spiritual renewal to healthy eating habits, and stresses the intentional, ongoing process of focusing the mind on Christ and "putting on" the new self. The preacher also highlights the Greek nuance of "set your mind," explaining it as an active, passionate pursuit rather than passive reception, and draws a vivid distinction between living in the "above culture" (Christ-centered) and the "below culture" (worldly values).

Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (The Bridge RSM) offers a unique interpretation by focusing on the Greek word "poema" (workmanship) and connecting Colossians 3:9-10 to the restoration of the image of God in humanity. The sermon uses the metaphor of Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures, describing believers as masterpieces being chiseled out of marble, with the "old self" as the excess stone being removed to reveal the true image intended by the Creator. This analogy powerfully illustrates the ongoing process of sanctification and the recovery of God's image through Christ.

Embracing Truth: Overcoming Deception in Our Lives (Become New) interprets Colossians 3:9-10 by delving into the deep-seated human tendency to lie, tracing it back to Genesis and the serpent's deception. The sermon frames lying as a practice of the "old self" and emphasizes the need for radical honesty with oneself and God as the foundation for putting on the "new self." The preacher uses the phrase "Fellowship of the withered hand" to describe our shared human weakness and the need for divine help to live truthfully.

Living Out Our Identity in Christ (Alistair Begg) interprets Colossians 3:9-10 by likening the transition from the "old self" to the "new self" to changing uniforms, where truthfulness becomes the new standard attire for believers. The sermon underscores the communal aspect of truth-telling, noting that the authenticity of the Christian community is demonstrated when outsiders observe that its members consistently speak the truth to one another. The preacher also references the "belt of truth" from Ephesians as a metaphor for the foundational role of truth in the Christian life.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) offers a distinctive interpretation of Colossians 3:9-10 by emphasizing the Greek verb tenses, noting that "put off" and "put on" are not imperatives but aorist tense, indicating a past action with ongoing significance. Begg uses the analogy of baptismal clothing—where converts would disrobe, be baptized, and then don a new white robe—to illustrate the radical, visible transformation that occurs in the believer. He stresses that this is not a mere moral improvement but a transfer from the realm of Adam (sin and death) to the realm of Christ (righteousness and life), and that the believer’s new identity is rooted in this ontological change, not in incremental self-improvement. The metaphor of changing garments is central, and Begg’s focus on the Greek aorist tense shapes his understanding that these are completed actions with abiding effects, not ongoing commands.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Desiring God) provides a unique interpretive pattern by highlighting the Pauline logic of “become what you are.” The sermon draws attention to the Greek imagery of taking off and putting on garments, asserting that the Christian life is not about striving to become something new, but about living out the decisive, irrevocable newness already given in Christ. The preacher insists that the act of “putting off” and “putting on” is both a spiritual reality accomplished at conversion and a daily act of faith, refusing to let the old identity define the believer. The analogy of clothing is used to stress that the new self is already “worn” by the believer, and the daily struggle is to live in that reality, not to achieve it.

Transforming Identity: Putting Off the Old Self (Desiring God) offers a novel linguistic and psychological insight by closely analyzing the Greek terms for “anger” (orge) and “wrath” (thumos), and by tracing the progression of sinful behaviors as a sequence: unfulfilled desires (sexual immorality, etc.) lead to anger, which intensifies to wrath, then to malice, slander, and finally obscene talk. The sermon uniquely connects the “put off” metaphor to the image of removing a uniform with its insignias, suggesting that these vices are badges of the old self, and that stripping them off is both a spiritual and psychological act. The preacher also notes the pattern of fives in the vice lists, suggesting intentional structuring by Paul.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) interprets Colossians 3:9-10 through the lens of a “double death” paradox: the spiritually dead must die again—first, by being united with Christ in his death (so that his death counts as theirs), and second, by the old self being replaced with a new nature. The sermon emphasizes that the “putting off” and “putting on” is not just moral reformation but a supernatural act of God, resulting in a new, believing, tender, and obedient self. This interpretation is shaped by a careful distinction between the original state of spiritual death and the new life that comes through union with Christ and regeneration.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of Colossians 3:9-10 by closely examining the Greek terminology, specifically the use of "old man" (anthropos) rather than "old self," and highlighting the difference between passive and active verbs in the Pauline texts. The sermon argues that the crucifixion of the old man (Romans 6) is a passive, once-for-all act performed by God at regeneration, while the "putting off" of the old man (Colossians 3:9-10) is an active, ongoing responsibility of the believer in sanctification. The preacher uses the analogy of taking off a raincoat to illustrate the act of putting off old behaviors, emphasizing that this is not a matter of waiting for a feeling or praying for deliverance, but a deliberate, aggressive action rooted in the believer's new identity. The tension between the past act ("you have put off the old man") and the ongoing command ("now you must put them all away") is explored, with the preacher insisting that both are true: the old man is dead, but believers must continually act in accordance with that reality by rejecting old patterns. This nuanced approach, distinguishing between what God has done and what the believer must do, sets this sermon apart from more generic treatments of the passage.

Colossians 3:9-10 Theological Themes:

Focusing on God: A Call to Spiritual Renewal (Greater Mt. Zion Austin) introduces the theme of the "mind diet," arguing that spiritual health is directly tied to what we feed our minds, and that the process of renewal involves not just rejecting sinful behaviors but actively reorganizing one's life around Christ's values. The sermon also presents the idea that intimacy with God is maintained not by mere behavioral compliance but by relational focus and intentional submission to God's truth, making the pursuit of Christ a matter of love and relationship rather than duty.

Embracing Our Identity and Purpose in Christ (The Bridge RSM) presents the distinct theological theme that the restoration of the image of God in believers is an ongoing, creative act of God, akin to an artist revealing a masterpiece. The sermon emphasizes that sanctification is not merely about moral improvement but about recovering the divine image and purpose for which humanity was created, and that this process is both painful and beautiful, requiring surrender to the "master sculptor."

Embracing Truth: Overcoming Deception in Our Lives (Become New) adds the nuanced theme that lying is not just a moral failure but a deeply ingrained survival strategy rooted in distrust of God. The sermon challenges listeners to move beyond shame and self-deception by cultivating honesty in the "inmost parts," suggesting that true transformation begins with radical self-honesty and dependence on God's love to enable truthfulness.

Living Out Our Identity in Christ (Alistair Begg) highlights the communal and relational dimension of truth-telling, arguing that the unity and trust within the body of Christ are built on a shared commitment to truth. The sermon also explores the idea that the Christian's new identity is not just individual but corporate, and that the church's witness is tied to its members' integrity.

Transformative Power of Learning Christ (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme of identity transfer: the believer is no longer “in Adam” but “in Christ,” and this ontological shift is the foundation for ethical transformation. Begg also stresses the doctrine of total depravity—not as maximal wickedness, but as the pervasive reach of sin into every aspect of the old self—making the new self’s renewal all the more radical. He further develops the theme of ongoing mind renewal as the means by which believers resist the pull of the old realm, highlighting the necessity of continual scriptural engagement and community.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (Desiring God) adds the theme of “resting in accomplished identity,” arguing that Christian sanctification is not a quest to become something one is not, but a process of living out what is already true in Christ. The sermon insists that despair comes from trying to achieve newness rather than embracing it as a gift, and that the Christian fight against sin is grounded in the assurance of already being new.

Transforming Identity: Putting Off the Old Self (Desiring God) presents a fresh angle by connecting the vice lists to psychological processes: sinful cravings, when unmet, generate emotional and verbal outbursts, and the act of “putting off” is both a spiritual and psychological discipline. The sermon also highlights gratitude as the antidote to bitterness and anger, suggesting that thankfulness is the mark of the new self.

From Death to Life: The Paradox of Salvation (Desiring God) introduces the paradoxical theme that “dead men must die to live,” distinguishing between the original spiritual deadness (alienation from God) and the death to self that occurs in union with Christ. The new life is characterized by faith, tenderness to Christ, and glad submission, contrasting sharply with the old life of blindness and rebellion.

Embracing Our New Identity in Christ (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme of sanctification as an active, aggressive process in which the believer must continually "put off" the practices of the old man, not by passively waiting for God to remove sin, but by taking decisive action based on the reality of the new creation. The sermon challenges the common Christian tendency to treat sanctification as a matter of prayerful waiting, instead insisting that every command to put off sin is also a promise of God's empowering presence. The preacher also develops the idea that the believer's authority over sin is analogous to the authority given to the disciples over demons, emphasizing that Christians are no longer under the dominion of sin and must act accordingly. The tension between the indicative (what is already true) and the imperative (what must be done) is not resolved by choosing one over the other, but by holding both together: the old man is dead, yet the believer must actively reject old behaviors. This theme is further illustrated by the analogy of the Emancipation Proclamation and the lingering mindset of slavery, suggesting that Christians must continually remind themselves of their true freedom in Christ.