Clothing Ourselves in Christ: A New Year Reflection
Summary
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it's a fitting time to reflect on how we present ourselves, not just physically but spiritually. The clothes we wear can often communicate our identity and role to the world around us. Just as Samuel was identified by the robe his mother made for him, marking him as one who served in God's house, we too are called to consider what our spiritual attire says about our identity in Christ. Our spiritual clothing should reflect the traits that God desires for us to embody—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love.
The story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:7 reminds us of the humility with which He entered the world, wrapped in simple swaddling clothes. This humility is a powerful symbol of His mission to serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to wrap ourselves in humility, putting others before ourselves, listening more, and serving those in need. This is not an easy task, but it is a reflection of the heart of Christ.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul instructs us to clothe ourselves with virtues that bind us together in perfect unity. These virtues are not just for our benefit but are meant to reveal Christ to the world. As we dress each day, we should intentionally think about the spiritual garments we are putting on. Are we wearing bitterness, anger, or impatience? Or are we choosing to clothe ourselves in forgiveness and love?
As we move into this new year, let us commit to dressing daily in the traits that reveal Jesus to the world. Our spiritual wardrobe should be a testament to our faith, showing the world the love and grace of Christ. Let us pray for the strength to put on these garments, not by our own power, but through the grace of God who loves us and is with us always.
Key Takeaways:
1. Identity Through Spiritual Clothing: Just as Samuel's robe marked his identity as one who served God, our spiritual attire should reflect our identity in Christ. What we wear spiritually communicates who we are and who we serve. [03:49]
2. Humility as a Garment: Jesus' humble beginnings, wrapped in swaddling clothes, symbolize His mission to serve. We are called to wrap ourselves in humility, putting others first and serving those in need, reflecting the heart of Christ. [08:34]
3. The Power of Small Beginnings: God often uses the insignificant and small beginnings to accomplish great things. We should not despise these beginnings but trust that God will provide the resources needed to fulfill His purposes. [09:22]
4. Clothing Ourselves with Virtues: Colossians 3:12-14 calls us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These virtues bind us together in unity and reveal Christ to the world. [11:53]
5. Intentional Spiritual Dressing: As we dress each day, we should intentionally think about our spiritual wardrobe. Are we putting on virtues that reflect Christ, or are we wearing traits like bitterness and anger? Let us choose to dress in a way that reveals Jesus to the world. [13:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - The Gift of Clothing
[02:03] - Samuel's Robe and Identity
[03:49] - Spiritual Clothing and Identity
[05:50] - Responsibility in Spiritual Dressing
[07:43] - Jesus' Humble Beginnings
[08:34] - Humility as a Garment
[09:22] - Embracing Small Beginnings
[10:48] - Colossians 3: Spiritual Wardrobe
[11:53] - Virtues that Bind
[13:06] - Intentional Spiritual Dressing
[14:28] - Forgiveness and Spiritual Garments
[16:44] - Dressing for Success
[18:31] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 2:18-19, 26
2. Luke 2:7
3. Colossians 3:12-14
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Observation Questions:
1. In 1 Samuel 2:18-19, what significance did Samuel's robe have in terms of his identity and role? How did it mark him as someone who served in God's house? [03:49]
2. According to Luke 2:7, what does the simplicity of Jesus' swaddling clothes symbolize about His mission and character? [07:43]
3. In Colossians 3:12-14, what virtues does Paul instruct believers to clothe themselves with, and how do these virtues contribute to unity? [11:53]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "spiritual clothing," and what are some examples given of what this might look like in our daily lives? [13:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Samuel's annual robe from his mother serve as a metaphor for our spiritual identity in Christ? What does this suggest about the importance of our spiritual "attire"? [03:49]
2. What does Jesus' humble beginning, as described in Luke 2:7, teach us about the nature of humility and service in the Christian life? [08:34]
3. How do the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14 reflect the character of Christ, and why are they essential for believers to embody? [11:53]
4. The sermon suggests that our spiritual clothing can reveal Christ to the world. How might this influence the way we interact with others in our daily lives? [16:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current "spiritual wardrobe." Are there any traits like bitterness or anger that you need to "take off"? How can you intentionally replace them with virtues like forgiveness and love? [13:06]
2. Think of a situation where you can practice humility this week. What specific actions can you take to put others before yourself, as Jesus did? [09:22]
3. Identify a person in your life who might need encouragement or support to grow into their calling. How can you help them, inspired by the example of Samuel's mother? [05:50]
4. Consider the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14. Choose one to focus on this week. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this virtue in your interactions with others? [11:53]
5. How can you make the practice of "spiritual dressing" a part of your daily routine? What reminders or habits can you incorporate to ensure you are intentionally putting on the character of Christ each day? [14:28]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt insignificant or small. How can the story of Jesus' humble beginnings encourage you to trust that God can use small beginnings for great purposes? [09:22]
7. As we enter the new year, what commitment can you make to ensure your spiritual attire reflects your identity in Christ? How can this commitment impact your relationships and witness to others? [18:31]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Identity Through Spiritual Attire
Our spiritual clothing is a reflection of our identity in Christ. Just as Samuel's robe signified his role in serving God, our spiritual attire communicates who we are and whom we serve. This attire is not made of fabric but of virtues that God desires us to embody. As we stand on the threshold of a new year, it is crucial to reflect on what our spiritual wardrobe says about us. Are we wearing the garments of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love? These are the traits that should define us as followers of Christ. By intentionally choosing these virtues, we reveal our true identity in Him. [03:49]
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: What spiritual garments are you wearing today, and how do they reflect your identity in Christ?
Day 2: Humility as a Garment
The story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:7 is a powerful reminder of the humility with which He entered the world. Wrapped in simple swaddling clothes, Jesus' humble beginnings symbolize His mission to serve others. As followers of Christ, we are called to wrap ourselves in humility, putting others before ourselves and serving those in need. This is not an easy task, but it is a reflection of the heart of Christ. By embracing humility, we align ourselves with His mission and demonstrate His love to the world. [08:34]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today, putting others before yourself in your daily interactions?
Day 3: The Power of Small Beginnings
God often uses the insignificant and small beginnings to accomplish great things. The story of Jesus' birth is a testament to this truth. Born in a humble manger, Jesus' life and mission began in the most unassuming of circumstances. We should not despise small beginnings but trust that God will provide the resources needed to fulfill His purposes. By embracing the small and seemingly insignificant, we open ourselves to the possibility of God's great work in our lives. [09:22]
Zechariah 4:10 (ESV): "For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth."
Reflection: What small beginning in your life can you embrace today, trusting that God will use it for His greater purpose?
Day 4: Clothing Ourselves with Virtues
Colossians 3:12-14 calls us to clothe ourselves with virtues that bind us together in perfect unity. These virtues are not just for our benefit but are meant to reveal Christ to the world. As we dress each day, we should intentionally think about the spiritual garments we are putting on. Are we wearing bitterness, anger, or impatience? Or are we choosing to clothe ourselves in forgiveness and love? By intentionally choosing these virtues, we reflect the love and grace of Christ to those around us. [11:53]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: What virtues can you intentionally choose to wear today to reflect Christ's love and grace to those around you?
Day 5: Intentional Spiritual Dressing
As we move into this new year, let us commit to dressing daily in the traits that reveal Jesus to the world. Our spiritual wardrobe should be a testament to our faith, showing the world the love and grace of Christ. This requires intentionality and reflection on the virtues we choose to embody each day. Are we putting on traits like bitterness and anger, or are we choosing forgiveness and love? Let us pray for the strength to put on these garments, not by our own power, but through the grace of God who loves us and is with us always. [13:06]
Romans 13:14 (ESV): "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
Reflection: How can you be intentional about your spiritual dressing today, ensuring that your actions and attitudes reflect Jesus to the world?
Quotes
As a little boy, his mom, Hannah, takes him to the temple and turns him over to the priest because she prayed for a child and God gave her the child and she gave the child back to God. And every year it says she would, Hannah, would take a robe, make a robe and take it to Samuel and give it to him while he was in service to the priest. [00:02:11] (22 seconds)
What does it say, what does the clothes, the things that we put on, what does it say about us in the spiritual? In the spiritual realm, what we wear to worship. Does our spiritual clothing say anything to anyone else about our identity in Christ? [00:05:30] (20 seconds)
Jesus was wrapped in simple swaddling clothes, it says. Those clothes that he put on him, he put on him. He put on him clothes that he put on him. He put on him clothes as a newborn baby. The God, the creator of the universe, the one who was there and spoke the world into existence, puts on these cloths in a manger when he comes into this silent planet, and it symbolizes his humility, his mission to the world. [00:07:57] (31 seconds)
And these humble beginnings of the one who was there at the beginning of creation point to his mission to serve others, to serve humanity. And I thought about that. This is a hard one for us, for all of us as Christians. What would it look like if we were to wrap ourselves in humility this week? [00:08:41] (27 seconds)
We should not despise little beginnings, something that we talked about from the beginning of our church, that God takes the little things, the insignificant things, and he brings them into his kingdom and provides the resources that they need to do amazing things for his glory and to build his kingdom up. [00:10:25] (22 seconds)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion. What does that look like? Kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [00:11:23] (28 seconds)
And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. He tells us to put these traits on, these characters. This is our garment. This is our outfit. Do men have outfits or do they just have clothes? Men do have outfits? No. Okay. [00:11:53] (24 seconds)
Maybe you think about that spiritual wardrobe as you're putting on your physical wardrobe. Are there traits that maybe you need to take off? Bitterness, anger, resentment, impatience. Take those off before you put on your new garment. Maybe you've struggled with forgiveness, forgiving someone else. [00:13:42] (28 seconds)
As we move into this new year, we need to commit as Christians, as followers of Jesus, to dress daily in the traits that reveal Jesus to the world outside these doors. Reveal Christ to the world by what we wear. You think about that. Let's pray. Father, it's been, for some of us, for many of us, it's been a long year. [00:17:42] (33 seconds)
And so we are committing, Lord, here as followers of Jesus, as your children, that we are going to intentionally put on garments that reflect you, that reflect Jesus, that communicate who you are in our lives to people outside these doors. And they may not be garments that people can see immediately, but they will know there is something different because we're wearing kindness and gentleness, patience. [00:18:31] (31 seconds)
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