I am just about “screened out…” are you? I am tired of meeting and talking and watching and scrolling on screens. Bleh. How are you feeling about it?
BUT, I am very glad that we can meet together, and putting up with the screens is worth it to be able to have fellowship with each other, isn’t it?
What did you think of Sunday’s online-only Easter service?
Did you participate with us in communion? Did you ever think we would do distance communion like that? (I never did!)
On Sunday, we looked a little bit into how Jesus transfers us from death to life. Have you ever thought about being the “living dead?” What are evidences of living in the kingdom of death?
But Jesus changes all that, doesn’t he?
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ?
Okay, are you ready for a little bit more of a difficult question? How have you seen the old pass away and the new come into your life?
Being in Christ means that you are a new creation, having undergone a total transformation. God’s saving grace doesn’t just save us from the “second death,” but it completely changes every aspect of our very being in this life.
Paul described it in a little more detail in his letter to the Colossians.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
What four things did Paul describe happening for believers in these verses?
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NLT
Where do faith and growth come from? How are they sustained?
Practically speaking, what does it mean to live under the LIFE influence of Christ?
From the day we become Christians, we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). We have renewed minds (Rom. 12:2). Our new lives and new minds guide us to seek the things that are above where Christ is (3:1). If Christ is who He says He is, then our lives cannot be the same. If Christ is our life, then we now live under His influence and not the influence of the world or ourselves. This is not only a hopeful thought, but also a present reality for those found in Jesus.
Now back to Colossians…
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.
Colossians 3:5-9 NLT
Christ changes everything about our lives. That process is called sanctification. We cooperate with him in this process by practicing personal disciplines, by “putting to death” the old kingdom of death in our lives.
Do any of these hit a little home with you? What about verses 8 and 9?
Why are the words we say so dangerous? (See James 3:1-2)
How do these verses show the tension between who we are and who we should be? What is the connection between renewing our minds and transforming our behavior?
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
Colossians 3:10-17 NLT
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
How does it change your perspective to remember that your new identity in Christ is not only a future hope, but also a present reality?
What do verses 12 and 14 say that being chosen by God should do in our lives? How would this current kingdom of death be changed if we all put on this new nature with each other?
Which is the primary kingdom in your life? The death kingdom, or the Kingdom of God? How do you know?
What gets in the way and keeps you from focusing on Him?