Living Out Our Transformation in Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we reflected on the profound truths found in Colossians 3:5-11, focusing on the transformation that occurs when we are "in Christ." This transformation is not just a spiritual concept but a practical reality that we are called to live out daily. Fifty-nine years ago, I preached my first sermon, and today, I am reminded of the journey of growth and sanctification that God has led me through. Our spiritual position in Christ means that we are no longer slaves to our sinful nature, often referred to as the "old man" or "flesh." While we are not yet fully delivered from sin until we meet Jesus, we have the option, through God's grace, to choose not to sin.
Paul's writings emphasize the importance of living out our positional truths—those spiritual realities that became true the moment we were saved. Our old sinful nature died with Christ, and we are now alive in Him. This calls for a daily, moment-by-moment process of sanctification, where we actively put to death the sinful inclinations of our bodies and embrace the new life in Christ. This involves shedding the old self, characterized by immorality, impurity, and greed, and putting on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of Christ.
The process of sanctification is ongoing and requires us to be intentional in our spiritual growth. We are encouraged to pray, using Scripture as a guide, to help us put off the old and put on the new. This renewal leads to unity among believers, breaking down barriers of nationality, culture, and social class, as we all become one in Christ.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. This act symbolizes our trust in Him as our Savior and Lord. Let us continue to strive for unity and spiritual growth, relying on God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Positional Truths in Christ: Our spiritual position in Christ means that we are no longer enslaved to sin. This truth calls us to live out our faith daily, putting to death the sinful inclinations of our bodies and embracing the new life in Christ. This ongoing process of sanctification requires intentionality and reliance on God's grace. [35:32]
2. The Process of Sanctification: Sanctification is a continuous journey of spiritual growth and development. It involves daily choices to reject sin and embrace the new self in Christ. This process is not about achieving perfection but about becoming more like Christ each day. [39:22]
3. Unity in Christ: The renewal that comes from taking off the old self and putting on the new leads to unity among believers. In Christ, barriers of nationality, culture, and social class are broken down, and we become one body, reflecting the image of Christ. [50:50]
4. Practical Prayer for Renewal: Praying Scripture back to God is a powerful way to express our desire for spiritual growth. By confessing our sins and asking for God's help, we align ourselves with His will and invite His transformative power into our lives. [01:17:15]
5. The Significance of the Lord's Supper: The Lord's Supper is a profound reminder of Jesus's sacrifice and our redemption through His blood. It symbolizes our trust in Him as our Savior and calls us to live in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ. [01:22:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Reflecting on Past Sermons
- [05:00] - Introduction to Colossians 3:5-11
- [10:15] - Positional Truths in Christ
- [15:45] - The Process of Sanctification
- [20:30] - Putting to Death the Old Self
- [25:00] - Embracing the New Self
- [30:15] - Unity Among Believers
- [35:32] - Practical Prayer for Renewal
- [40:00] - The Role of Scripture in Prayer
- [45:06] - The Significance of the Lord's Supper
- [50:50] - Breaking Down Barriers in Christ
- [55:00] - Invitation to Respond
- [01:17:15] - Observing the Lord's Supper
- [01:22:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:5-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put to death" the members of their earthly body in Colossians 3:5? How does this relate to the concept of the "old self"? [39:22]
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned specific sins that Paul lists in Colossians 3:5-9. What are these sins, and why are they significant in the context of living a new life in Christ? [45:06]
3. How does the pastor describe the process of sanctification, and what role does it play in the life of a believer according to the sermon? [35:32]
4. What is the significance of the phrase "in Christ" as used in the sermon, and how does it relate to the believer's spiritual position? [35:32]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "positional truths" in Christ influence a believer's daily life and choices, according to the sermon? [35:32]
2. The pastor mentioned that sanctification is an ongoing process. How does this understanding affect a believer's approach to spiritual growth and dealing with sin? [39:22]
3. In what ways does the renewal of the believer lead to unity among Christians, as discussed in the sermon? How does this unity break down barriers of nationality, culture, and social class? [50:50]
4. How does the pastor suggest using prayer and Scripture to aid in the process of putting off the old self and putting on the new self? [01:17:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there specific "old self" behaviors or attitudes that you need to put to death? What steps can you take this week to address them? [39:22]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of intentionality in spiritual growth. What practical steps can you take to be more intentional about your sanctification process? [35:32]
3. Consider the unity among believers that comes from being renewed in Christ. How can you contribute to breaking down barriers within your church community? [50:50]
4. The pastor mentioned praying Scripture back to God as a way to express a desire for spiritual growth. Choose a Scripture passage that resonates with you and plan how you will incorporate it into your prayer life this week. [01:17:15]
5. During the Lord's Supper, believers are reminded of Jesus's sacrifice. How does this reminder impact your daily life and decisions? What changes can you make to live more fully in light of this truth? [01:22:01]
6. The sermon discussed the significance of the believer's new identity in Christ. How does this new identity influence your interactions with others, especially those who are different from you? [50:50]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with sin. What specific action can you take this week to rely on God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome it? [39:22]
Devotional
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Quotes
"Throughout my ministry as a pastor, teaching and preaching God's Word, I've enjoyed every challenge and opportunity God gave me to preach on any part of His Word. But in terms of preaching through Bible books, verse by verse, I guess my favorites have been the books of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians." [00:34:08] (22 seconds)
"In Paul's writings, we find an expression, it's in Christ. He talks about believers being in Christ. And by being in Christ, we are no longer enslaved to our sinful natures. In Scripture, our sinful nature is often called the flesh. Sometimes Paul calls our sinful nature the old man or the old self." [00:35:12] (23 seconds)
"As believers in Christ, we now do have the option of not sinning. It takes God's grace and help, amen? But we do have the option of not sinning. We won't be fully delivered from our sinful nature until we go to be with Jesus in heaven. But the Bible says every person who is saved is now in Christ." [00:36:04] (21 seconds)
"And a lot of Bible scholars and Bible commentators will call these truths positional truths. Things that are true about us because of our spiritual position of being in Christ. So positionally, spiritually, our sinful nature died with Christ on the cross. And any life we now have is, quote, in Christ." [00:36:36] (23 seconds)
"And it's a day-by-day, moment-by-moment process of spiritual growth and development. And the Bible calls this process sanctification. I've shared with our life group, I don't know if I've ever shared it here, but I knew a lady in our church in Fort Worth, Texas. It actually said she had stopped sinning." [00:37:22] (22 seconds)
"Now, that process of sanctification will go on until that moment Jesus calls us all up in the rapture or we experience natural, physical death. In the meantime, we have not arrived. But it's a work in progress. Last Sunday, Pastor Jackson preached a great sermon." [00:37:51] (20 seconds)
"Paul is referring to those parts of our physical bodies insofar as they are employed in the service of sin. In saving us, God has broken the power of our evil nature over our bodies, but we are to maintain that state of liberation and freedom from sin. As the inclinations of our sinful natures come before us, we are to put them to death, Paul is saying." [00:39:45] (23 seconds)
"Paul dealt with the same matter. He does it in a lot of places in his New Testament letters. But I'm thinking specifically about the book of Romans in chapter 6. In the early verses of chapter 6 in Romans, Paul is talking about the fact that we, meaning our old sinful natures, died on the cross when Jesus was crucified on the cross." [00:40:16] (23 seconds)
"Paul writes to the Corinthians, For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. And to the Romans he wrote, Much more than having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him. To the Ephesians he wrote, In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace." [01:22:32] (24 seconds)
"Jesus continued speaking to his disciples on that night before he was crucified for our sins. When he had taken a cup and given thanks, he gave it to them saying, Drink from it all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out from many for forgiveness of sins." [01:23:00] (17 seconds)
"As we partake of this symbol of his blood, let that be an acting out, a physical demonstration that we are trusting only in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins and a right relationship with you. We don't trust in baptism in water. We don't trust in church membership. We don't trust in giving tithes and offerings." [01:24:16] (25 seconds)
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