Transforming Theology into Daily Living in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Doctrine Transforms Daily Living

Understanding who God is should transform how we live. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, emphasizes that theological truths are not merely for intellectual understanding but are meant to influence our daily actions and decisions. This transformation requires an intentional effort to align our conduct with our beliefs. Just as shifting gears in a car requires deliberate action, so does the shift from understanding God to living out that understanding in practical ways. The knowledge of God should permeate every aspect of our lives, guiding our choices and behaviors. [34:02]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you can more intentionally align your actions with your understanding of God today?

Day 2: Actively Putting Sin to Death

Sin, though defeated, can still influence us if we do not actively put it to death. Paul uses the metaphor of a dead snake that doesn't know it's dead to illustrate how our old sinful nature can still affect us. This requires a conscious decision to reject sinful behaviors and attitudes, recognizing that they no longer have power over us. By actively executing our old ways, we allow the new life in Christ to flourish. This involves identifying specific sins, such as sexual immorality and harmful speech, and addressing the heart attitudes that elevate self over God. [40:22]

Romans 6:11-12 (ESV): "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions."

Reflection: Identify a specific sin or attitude that you need to put to death. What steps can you take today to actively reject it and embrace your new life in Christ?

Day 3: Community Reflects Christ's Love

The virtues of the new self—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love—are meant to be lived out in community. Our relationships with others are a reflection of our relationship with Christ. Paul calls believers to bear with one another, forgiving as Christ forgave us. This communal living is not just about personal growth but about reflecting the unity and love of Christ to the world. As we embrace these virtues, we create a community that mirrors the character of Jesus, fostering an environment of support, forgiveness, and love. [01:12:24]

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: Think of a relationship in your life where you can better reflect Christ's love and forgiveness. What is one practical step you can take today to improve that relationship?

Day 4: Living in the Fullness of Jesus

To live in the fullness of Jesus is to let His peace rule in our hearts and His word dwell richly within us. This fullness is expressed in our worship, discipleship, and daily actions, all done in the name of Jesus. It involves a continual gratitude that acknowledges the transformative work of Christ in us. As we live out this new identity, we are called to respond in worship, in community, and in the daily choices that reflect our commitment to Christ. This life of fullness is marked by a deep sense of peace and purpose, rooted in our relationship with Jesus. [01:27:07]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let the peace of Christ rule more fully? How can you invite His presence into that area today?

Day 5: The Command of Thankfulness

Thankfulness is not optional but a command that reflects our understanding of the fullness of Jesus. It is an attitude that permeates our lives, influencing how we respond to God's work in us and through us. Paul encourages believers to let thankfulness be a defining characteristic of their lives, acknowledging the transformative power of Christ. This gratitude is not just for the good times but also in challenges, as it shapes our perspective and deepens our trust in God. By cultivating a heart of thankfulness, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His continued work in our lives. [01:33:21]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: What is one thing you can thank God for today, even if it's challenging? How can cultivating a heart of thankfulness change your perspective on this situation?

Sermon Summary

In today's exploration of Colossians 3, we delved into the transformative journey from theological understanding to practical living. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, shifts from discussing profound theological truths to urging believers to live out these truths in their daily lives. This transition is akin to shifting gears in a car, moving from understanding who God is to understanding how that knowledge should transform our actions and behaviors.

Paul emphasizes that our old selves, marked by sin and worldly desires, are dead. Yet, like a snake that is dead but doesn't know it, our sinful nature can still influence us if we don't actively put it to death. This requires a conscious effort to execute our old ways and embrace the new life in Christ. Paul lists specific sins, particularly focusing on sexual immorality and harmful speech, as areas that need to be put to death. These sins are not just actions but are rooted in heart attitudes that elevate self over God.

The call to put off the old self is followed by an invitation to put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator. This new self is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and above all, love. These virtues are not just personal attributes but are meant to be lived out in community, reflecting the unity and love of Christ.

Living in the fullness of Jesus means allowing His peace to rule in our hearts, letting His word dwell richly within us, and doing everything in His name. This life is marked by thankfulness, a continual gratitude that acknowledges the transformative work of Christ in us. As we live out this new identity, we are called to respond in worship, in community, and in the daily choices that reflect our commitment to Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Doctrine Demands Duty: Our understanding of who God is should directly influence how we live. Theological truths are not just for intellectual assent but are meant to transform our daily actions and decisions. This transformation requires intentional effort to align our conduct with our creed. [34:02]
2. Putting Sin to Death: Sin is like a dead snake that doesn't know it's dead. We must actively execute our old sinful nature, recognizing that it no longer has power over us. This requires a conscious decision to reject sinful behaviors and attitudes, allowing the new life in Christ to flourish. [40:22]
3. The Power of Community: The virtues of the new self—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and love—are meant to be lived out in community. Our relationships with others are a reflection of our relationship with Christ, and we are called to bear with one another, forgiving as Christ forgave us. [72:24]
4. Living in the Fullness of Jesus: To live in the fullness of Jesus is to let His peace rule in our hearts and His word dwell richly within us. This fullness is expressed in our worship, our discipleship, and our daily actions, all done in the name of Jesus. [87:07]
5. The Command of Thankfulness: Thankfulness is not optional but a command that reflects our understanding of the fullness of Jesus. It is an attitude that permeates our lives, influencing how we respond to God's work in us and through us. [01:33:21]
** [93:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction to Colossians
[05:00] - Shifting Gears: From Theology to Practice
[10:00] - The Dead Snake: Understanding Sin
[15:00] - Putting Sin to Death
[20:00] - The New Self: Living in Christ
[25:00] - Community and Virtues
[30:00] - The Fullness of Jesus
[35:00] - The Command of Thankfulness
[40:00] - Responding to Conviction
[45:00] - Worship and Response
[50:00] - Communion and Giving
[55:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Sermon Clips

1) "So as we're thinking about how we believe about God, or what we believe about God, or what's true about God, that determines how we act. Like, that's the point. So when we talk about big theological concepts, we talk about who God is, who Jesus is, what the gospel is. The point is, that determines how we act. It determines how we live. And so that's where Paul's going to dive into today." [34:02] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "That mentality, that idea of things being dead that don't know they're dead yet, that's how Paul talks about our sinful self. that's the idea that he gives us we've read it already that they're dead and they don't know it yet in colossians 2 20 he says if you with christ died to the elemental spirits of this world why is if you were still alive you submit to their regulations i love that question because and we talked about it a few weeks ago pastor mark did i love that question because it haunts me if you are alive in christ and these things are dead why are you still submitting to them why are you still hanging out with dead things" [40:22] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The follower of Jesus puts to death their old life and their new life and their new life and their new life and their old lives the follower of Jesus puts to death their old lives it's a it's a really important thing that we need to understand and i will say this is something that i have i've been um meditating on kind of wrestling with as we've been walking through the book of colossians especially in community group and as i've been studying and reading the the way that we today talk about sin is wrong because we like to talk about sin like it's this living monster that creeps up on us that captures us and sneaks us away from the lord we like to think about sin like it is this thing that is alive and it is it's constantly seeking to destroy us that is not how paul talks about it he says it's dead it just doesn't know it yet" [45:21] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "The last thing that I'll say about this is that the things that Paul lists here are not just cherry -picked. Um, they are actual abuses of good gifts that God gives us. And they speak specifically to an idolatrous heart that glorifies the gift or self over the world. Over God himself. That's what Paul is saying. Put it to death. That idolatrous heart that leads to this." [49:15] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "The follower of Jesus puts on their new life. You get a new life when you follow Jesus. And you get to put it on. We're going to pick back up in verse 10. It says, and having put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. I love this language. And I'm going to confess, this is one of my favorite chapters. in all of scripture, so I'm sorry if I just go off, but I love this because it's a beautiful picture. Paul is telling us that we put on this new self because it is the actual image of God." [01:07:37] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Follower of Jesus, I need you to look really, really closely at verse 12. Because I need you to really see this. Because this is your identity in Christ laid bare in his word. You are God's chosen one. That means that you were chosen by God as his own. You are not left over. You are not what was left. You are not the one who he just said, oh yeah, I'll take them to you, I guess. You were handpicked and invited to be his. If you are a follower of Jesus, I need you to know this. Out of all the peoples of the earth, God chose you." [01:12:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "You don't have to fight to protect your little castle in the sand that you get to build on this planet. No, what you get to do is you get to trust. You get to live as full image bearers of God. You are free in Christ, not to sin or to hold others to judgment, but you are free to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, forbearing and forgiving and loving no matter what you receive. See, the word for me is love. The world doesn't view it that way. The world views those things as transactions. I give you kindness because you were kind to me. I give you respect because you were respectful to me. I give you love because you loved me. As followers of Christ, you are free to give it. and expect nothing in return." [01:25:08] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "See, we are to live in the fullness of Jesus. Anybody ever carried a bucket? Anybody carried a bucket? Anybody ever carried a bucket full of water? What happens when you try to walk with that bucket full of water? What's it do? It spills, right? Put another way, you get wet. Okay, right? It spills out. See, that's the image that it has here. We live in the fullness of Jesus so that Jesus spills out." [01:27:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9) "Friends, thankfulness is a command. It's not a suggestion. It's an attitude of your heart. Those words, be thankful, speak to a continual striving for a deeper gratitude, a deeper understanding of thankfulness that is lived out and expressed as we experience the fullness of Jesus. This thankfulness is an understanding of the fullness of Jesus and how it is only in him that we are able to live this way, to put on the new self, to put to death the old." [01:33:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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