Author: mdpittman05

Bearing His Image: Lords Day 38

Date: September 21, 2025

Lord’s Day: 38

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ

Title: Bearing His Image

Text: Colossians 3:9-10; Genesis 1:26-27

This is the Reading of God’s Word

Colossians 3:9-10

Colossians 3:9 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

Genesis 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

Introduction:

Edmond Rostand wrote the play Cyrano de Bergerac in 1897.  Anyone know what that is about?  The movie Roxanne was released 90 years later, in 1987 and it starred Stephen Martin and Daryll Hannah which was a loose modern bend on Cyrano de Bergerac.

Cyrano had a very low opinion of himself because his nose was too large, and he had gained a love interest who was very beautiful.  His interest in this beautiful woman was not just a physical desire.  He cared for her completely, her mind, her heart, her likes, her dislikes.  Yet he would not allow himself to pursue her because of the possible rejection that he faced.

There was another man who also was interested in this beautiful woman.  This man was extremely handsome.  He had all the outward marks of an attractive male, tall and strong but he was not in any way smart or intelligent. 

Cyrano found his way to express himself and it was through this handsome man. He would write her letters and poems and send them to her with this other man’s name attached.

There would be scenes in the play where Roxane, the beautiful woman in the play, would be on her balcony speaking to the handsome man at night and Cyrano would be hiding nearby, whispering words for him to say.  It is these very words that caused Roxane to develop a deep affection for this handsome young man.

Cyrano continued to harbor his own affection for Roxane but remained hidden.  He did not want to be vulnerable.  He did not want to face the rejection.  He was ashamed.

This came to mind while considering our passage here in Colossians 3.  Last week we introduced this idea of the old self and the new self.  We will be building on that idea this week.

If we do not properly understand our relationship with Jesus and more importantly, OUR POSITION IN JESUS, we will begin to resemble Cyrano.  HOW? It is in the struggle between good and bad, righteousness and evil. When confronted with holiness, we will see our deficiencies.

Within us, the Spirit begins to work and Jesus becomes precious to us.  He is no longer just a good teacher.  He is no longer just an old Rabbi.  He is precious and we love him. We want to read of him and learn from him. 

But when we do not understand our position IN HIM, and we see our Spiritual life as totally dependent upon ourselves, it is a heavy burden.  When failure comes, and it will, we do not feel attractive enough to approach him.  Let’s just stay on the downlow.  There are others who are much more attractive than me to Jesus. 

This position keeps us from fully experiencing Him. Loving him from far away.  Living with this notion that if we get too close, he will reject us.  Let’s not get too close.

Textual Observations:

3:9 “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”

This section began in 3:5 that we are to put to death what is earthly in us.  As believers, here are our marching orders.  What are we to do?  It is an imperative. It is passive (according to the grammar). What does that mean?  We are commanded to perform a thing which we will be helped to perform.  You are not alone in this.

Then there is a list of things and we dealt with those over the past few weeks. Sins of the flesh and sins of the mouth.

Then he gets to 3:9-10 and says, we are to put these things away “seeing  that we have put off the old self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”   

We see this word appear again.  It is a word that we talked about way back on June first.  The sermon title was Iconic Jesus. 

That word here for image is the Greek word icon.  Remember that Sunday?  I put up a bunch of icons on the screen and you had to guess the brand that the icon represented? 

That same word is used here.  There is this statement about the OLD SELF and the that old self is being renewed in knowledge after the  of its creator.  Interesting isn’t it?  What does it mean?

There is a lot going on there in that statement.  Let’s spend some time unpacking it.

Created in the Image of God

26 Then God said, “Let us make man[h] in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

On day six God made man, it was the pinnacle of His work.  How is this true? It says that man (which means humanity) was made in the image of God.  Here is our word.  Greek eikon was used to refer that man is in image of God.  The male is in the image of God and the female is in the image of God.

How were we made in the image of God?  In what ways do we look like Him? What traits or characteristics do we have that are similar to God?

There are what we call communicable and incommunicable traits of God.  The Incommunicable traits are ones that only God possesses such as this partial list would be what I call the Omni’s which means ALL or EVER. 

God is omnipresent.  He is everywhere at once.  There is nowhere God is not. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8).  

THIS WOULD INCLUDE Eternality– God does not have a beginning or an end.  Hard to fathom this but it is true. “From everlasting to everlasting, you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

God is Omniscient (all knowing).  God learns nothing.  There is nothing God does not know.  There is nothing you can do to teach God something.  He does not learn something new from you. “God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything” (1 John 3:20). I know most things, but not everything. 

God is Omnipotent (all powerful).  God is all powerful. There is nothing outside of His power.  He does not need to sleep.  He does not need to work out.  “Nothing is too hard for me.” (Jeremiah 32:17).  I am not all powerful.  I get injured.  I get tired.   

This would includeIndependent– It is said by some that God created the Universe and humanity because he was lonely.  There are variations of this but it is untrue.  I don’t know who started it but it is false and bad theology. Paul said in Athens, “God made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man NOR is He served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives all men life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:24-25)

These are a few of the attributes of God that He has that we do not have.  He alone has them.  Even Adam and Eve, before sin, did not have ALL the attributes of God.

Communicable attributes of God.  These are things that God has that we also have.  It would include this partial list:

Knowledge – God possesses all knowledge, but we do have some knowledge.  Some have more than others. Some are geniuses, most are not.  But all have an ability to retain and learn something. 

Love – 1 John 4:8 says that God is love.  I can love.  I do not love like God, but I can love.  Everyone, even Hitler, loved someone and was loved by someone.

Wisdom – We read that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.  God possesses all wisdom, but we have some too.  Again, like knowledge and love, some have more than others.  But everyone has some wisdom.

So, you can see, this is a partial small list of the characteristics that God has, that we also have in our own lives. 

In what way were we made in the image (the eikon) of God?  How do we resemble Him?  How do we reflect His image?

It is in holiness.  How do I know this? From our passage in Colossians.

“Since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being RENEWED in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:9-10)

There was something lost in the paradise of Eden.  Something that happened that damages that reflection of God’s image that it needed to be restored.

Holiness.

That is it.  We still retain, at least some wisdom.  We have retained our ability to love.  Some to the degree that they love things more than God.  We love ourselves more than we do the Creator.  We are able to gain knowledge but, in the flesh, it is void of the author of knowledge.

What was lost for humanity in Adam is holiness.  That which was lost can be regain in Christ Jesus.  Because of this, put off that which is earthly. 

That ICON we regain IN CHRIST is Holiness.  We do not need to hide like Cyrano.

Putting On – Application

  1. The motive for change is the new self

Andrew Murray[i] says that Christians have 2 natures that are striving within them.  And they are striving against each other (Ga 5:17, 24-25; 6:8; Eph 4:22; 1 Pt 4:2).  The motive to achieve holiness is the new self, which is the life in the Spirit.

If you want to dig deeper in this, I encourage you to read John Owen who wrote, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.  Be prepared NOT to read one chapter at a time.  Be prepared to read one page at a time.  Be prepared to read this over the course of a year.  This is not a quick fix.

But also, be prepared to grow deeper and deeper in love with Jesus.  Be prepared to see the work of Christ in your life from an entirely new perspective.

John Owen says that this new nature is like turning on a lamp.  It is not simply knowledge.  We do not just gain knowledge, but we gain illumination.  We see ourselves differently. THE NEW NATURE SPEAKS

We find with this light that we look in a mirror.  The mirror is Christ.  We begin to see things in this reflection that we want to change.  Things that do not look like our life.

Do you remember, “Christ, is our life” Colossians 3:4.  As we go through this life, there are the two natures.  These are at war with each other.

  • We put on this new clothing of righteousness the old will not feel right

Throughout our time in this section, I have really wrestled with how to present it.  Here is my issue, because we have these two natures in us, I do not want to appear flippant and just proclaim, we are going to sin.  At the same time, I also do not want to appear too harsh because we are going to sin.

It could be this is what John felt when he was writing 1st John when he said, “If you say you have no sin you are a liar and the truth is not in you.”  Yet a few words later he says, “But I am writing so you will not sin.”  Then next breath says, “If you do sin, we have an advocate who is faithful and just to forgive us.”

There is this back and forth.  It is the struggle.  I want to encourage you to strive for holiness.  At the same time, it is not your striving that is saving you.  It is your striving that points to whom you belong.  You belong to the Savior, and it is His righteousness that will save you. HE IS THE NEW CLOTHING.

I have an old t-shirt, grey in color.  I got it from Walmart about ten years ago. I bought about 5 of them, I often do this because when I like something I stick with it. 

But out of the 5 I have one remaining; it was different than the rest and it is my most comfortable shirt.  I like to wear it.  It is growing thin, almost to where you can read through it.  It is still my favorite.

You have any clothing like that?  Clothing that maybe you put on that you do not wear out of the house.  You wear it because it feels right, and you can relax in it. 

You find out that I am coming over to visit with you and now disappointment because you have to change.  You were comfy, now uncomfy.

This is life for the believer with these two natures, one in the flesh and one in the Spirit.  When you sin, it will not feel right.  It will not fit right.  You will not be satisfied.  You will want to get out of that as quickly as you see it. 

  • Change is the constant

While going through Colossians, we have looked at some of the original grammar.  It reveals more than often the English text provides.  However, I did find a translation of 3:10 that I really like:

“Put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its creator.” Jewish New Testament

This is progressive sanctification.

This translation shows that this growth in Christ is not just a one-time thing.  Just as we have two natures striving in us, there is one nature, the one of the Spirit, that keeps lovingly and faithfully drawing us to the image of Jesus. 

This is the eikon that has been restored.  The image and likeness of Jesus that we see in Colossians 2:15-20 is the eikon that has been given to us.  What was damaged in the Garden has been restored in Christ Jesus.

Close

Zechariah 3 there is this beautiful scene where the enemy brings Joshua in a court setting.  The enemy is the prosecuting attorney, and they are standing before Jesus. Joshua is said to be standing there guilty. The guilt is in his garments.  He was filthy. 

It was then that Jesus commanded his garments be changed.  Joshua was to be clothed in clean and pure garments.  Jesus said to him, I have taken away your iniquity.

Christ has robed us in righteousness.  What is our charge? Grow in Him.  Our image has been restored.  Grow in Him. 

I want you to love Jesus.  I want you and this community to see Jesus, grab hold of Him and love Him.  To forsake ourselves.  To live for something more than our appetites. To taste and see that the Lord IS GOOD.

[i] Andrew Murray, The Essential Works of Andrew Murray, Barbor Publishing, page 190.

Rocky Trails & Life: MT e58

Several years ago, while in Tennessee, Tina and I were hiking on a trail.  The trail was a 5-mile loop and the sign at the trail head said that it would take 2.5 hours to hike.

I took mental note of that sign and thought to myself, 2.5 hours? At an average pace it would take less than 2 hours to walk 5 miles.

It was not long before I realized why it was going to take 2.5 hours.  The trail was loaded with rocks; I mean, rocks, not limestone. 

There were trip hazards everywhere.  A root would make an appearance here and there. At one point there was a sink hole that was at least 50 feet deep and big enough to fit a smart car.

The entire time we walked, we had our heads down.  We did not want to trip or fall into a 50-foot hole.

It was a beautiful day and the temperature was perfect; the sun was bright.  But I remember saying to Tina, “I am enjoying our hike, but it would be nice if we could look up and around and see some beauty.”

How much that hike resembles life.  If you are like me, too often I get so focused on concerns and trials in my own life that I fail to look up and look around me. 

I can look around and see the beauty in the struggle.  Maybe I need to slow down and little, come up alongside someone else who, like me, is also experiencing trials.

Paul in 2 Corinthians (1:3-4) speaks about this:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

A few sentences later Paul defines the weight his burden as more than he could bear. Yet he still was able to give us an example of looking around. 

He was not just looking at the ground, head down, going through his circumstances.  Rather, while he was working through his trials, he was helping others deal with their issues.

What a beautiful example for us to follow!

S.D.G.

Old Self, New Self: Lord’s Day 37

Date: September 14, 2025

Lord’s Day: 37

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ

Title: Old Self, New Self

Text: Colossians 3:5-10; Matthew 26:41

Opening Remarks

As a pastor, it is my desire to keep the main thing, the main thing.  The MAIN thing here is Jesus Christ, our Savior.

There are certainly moments when SOCIAL matters find their way into the church body and when they do, it is wise for us to consider them and discern what we must do. This week past week is one of these moments.   

On Wednesday I watched with great difficulty and sadness, as the events unfolded in Orem, UT with Charlie Kirk.  Because I watch very closely, every day, social matters, I have remotely followed Charlie Kirk and his organization Turning Point USA, from its very beginning.

I say remotely because this organization has a focus on high school and college age people.  For those of you who are not aware, in about 13 years he grew this organization from an event that had 200 people to 14 events yearly that had 10,000 people.

Charlie would respectfully take questions from audience attendees on a wide range of topics.  I admired him for he was incredibly knowledgeable, humble, respectful, thorough and above all, he represented Christ well.

If I had to think of a modern-day Paul, from Acts, when he would go to the Areopagus and face opposition while standing for truth, it would be Charlie.  He has done this for years, going from campus to campus all over these United States. In these campus’ he would freely exchange ideas and defend the faith.

As you may know, Charlie was shot Wednesday while doing one of these college events.   In my opinion, he was killed instantly and is now in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

In the hours after this incident, I monitored many reactions. Most of that reaction was great sadness.  A significant portion is celebration and mockery.

I wanted to address this with the congregation for several reasons:

Firstly, the description of what happened to Charlie Kirk has been labeled an assassination. I do not agree with this.  Charlie held no political office, nor was he running for political office.  He did support various political candidates through the years.  He also discussed political matters in relation to faith, for so much of our political focus today absolutely bleeds over into morality and matters of faith.

For this very reason, Charlie was not assassinated.  Charlie became a martyr.

Charlie represented the faith and morality of Scripture, and it cost him his life.  There are many people who die as martyrs every day on this earth, but rarely do we witness one this public and in the United State of America. He absolutely, represented Jesus well and also Scriptural truths.

Charlie was just a man. He was heard often confessing freely he was a sinner saved by the Grace of God. Just like you and me he was ONLY perfect in Christ. Every public moment I witnessed, He represented Christ very well. 

Secondly, because of this, I want to pray for his family.  He leaves behind his wife, two daughters and a father and mother.  Because the internet is forever (as far as we know), the video of the husband and father to these children will forever be there for them to see. It is hard for me to fathom this. 

Not only will they have to experience the remainder of their life without their loved one, the videoed events which unfolded Wednesday will be a constantly available reminder.

Thirdly, Charlie did not leave this earth one second earlier than our Lord had planned.  God is sovereign over all things.  He is Almighty, Creator God. There are things regarding His rule that we do not understand and for me, this is one of those things.

This has been hard for me to process. My prayers this week have sounded a little like Habakuk questioning God.

But I trust in the Lord. I have faith in Him. Psalm 103:19 says, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” And Psalm 135:6 states, “Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the deeps.”

As a congregation this is one of those moments where we must stand firm even when it is difficult to grasp; even when it does not make sense.

I want to pray for the Kirk family and all those close to him; His wife, children, parents, siblings and others.  I also want to pray for this country and its leaders.  The fall out of this moment has an extraordinary possibility to expand into a much more serious matter.

Would you please pray with me?

Lord, we come today with humble hearts and heavy hearts.  The condition of the world around us and even in our own country has been stretched and strained. There are wars and conflicts abroad and at home and we long for peace.

At this moment we pray for the Kirk family and the tragedy that they faced this week.  There is no emotional relief for them for some time to come as this event will play out in the media and courts and in the political arena for the foreseeable future.

We pray for peace for that family.  As I voice this prayer, I do believe that Charlie is with you.  He had all the visible fruit of a devout Christ follower.  Because of this, we pray that you comfort his wife, children, parents, extended family and coworkers.  The visions of Wednesday will remain abundantly available.  We pray for those who were at the event Wednesday, the students and the attendees, that for those who have been traumatized by what took place, you would comfort them as only you can.

We pray for the leaders of this country.  We pray that you, Jesus, as you reign as Lord, that you would act and bring peace.  Help us to trust in Your sovereignty. Strengthen us that You know best. 

May your Church grow in number and influence.  May it grow here in Springfield, in America and in the World.  Isaiah says that of the increase of Jesus’ government and of peace there will be no end, that on your throne you will establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness forever more.  That the zeal of the Lord will do this. We say Amen, come Lord Jesus.

We turn our attention to this text in Colossians and ask your blessing on our time in Your word.  I sincerely ask a blessing upon myself as I deliver these thoughts. 

It is in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

This is the Reading of God’s Word

Colossians 3:5-10 and Matthew 26:41

Colossians 3:5: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

Matthew 26:41:  “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation”

This has been the world of the Lord 

I would like for you to think about Samson, the Bible character from Judges who was strong.  He had to take a Nazarite vow and his strength was in his hair.  As long as he did not cut his hair he would have miraculous strength.

For just a moment, I would like you to picture in your mind what you think Samson looked like.  There are no wrong answers because we are not told and there are no pictures in the Bible, but just imagine what you think he looked like.  If you need to shut your eyes you can. 

Alright, you have a mental image?  Does he resemble Arnold Swarzenegar?  Does he look like the Rock or Andre the Giant?  Is he really big and muscular?

That was the image I had for most of my life.  When Samson came to mind I thought of a very large (the fit large) kind of man.  But when I consider it further, I don’t think so.  I think Samson looked like every other average man out there during his day. 

If you remember the story Samson defeated Israel’s enemies the Philistines.  They were always trying to find a way to get him so there came Delilah.  Samson was sweet on her and she kept trying to trick him.

What was she trying to find out?  What is the source of your strength Samson?  Please tell me, how are you so strong?

If he were the Rock or Andre the Giant, there would be no doubt that Samson was strong on his own strength. There had to be a mystery as to the source of his power because they tried tricking him many times to get him to reveal what it was.  He was 100% dependent upon God for his strength. (Which is true if he were little or big I just think he was average or small because it baffled people as to how he was so strong.)

Textual Observation

We return to our text of Colossians 3 and we see here in verse 5 that we are to put to death what is earthly in us.  We have been on this section and this verse for several weeks. Today I want to address how can we put to death what is earthly in us?  There is the old self and this new self, what does this mean?

From the beginning I would like to say, the source of the strength Samson had during his time is the exact same source of strength for us to put to death what is earthly in us. It is God!!!!

In our text a list is made of what we are to put to death:

  1. Sexual immorality, Impurity, Passion, Evil Desire, Covetousness (which is idolatry.

So the issue here is, is Idolatry pointed at covetousness or the entire list?  The answer is yes to both.  In one sense, the way the sentence is constructed, covetousness IS idolatry. 

What is coveting? When you strongly yearn for something.  It is an unusual yearning.  It is not a yearning like, I would like to have a skyline hot dog.  I would like to have that Carhart shirt because it looks nice. To covet is to have such a desire to have a thing that you would sin to get it.  It places that thing FIRST.  Any affection that is before God is an idol.

Therefore, The things that begin that list, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire can be things that are coveted. Also Idols.

  1. Put away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk and lying. The first list is sexual in nature. The second list is anger and speech related.  There is a righteous wrath of God judging these things.  There will be an accounting for these things.

Except, for those whose lives are hidden with Christ in God (3:1-4).  What is true for those who find themselves IN CHRIST they are a new creation. 

The old self looked like one thing, the new self looks like another.

Now, I have some people who are going to assist me today. 

What a beautiful day to have Milani baptized into Jesus.  She has symbolized today this new birth.  We have been given a visual presentation of what happens to the believer.  They are buried and raised just as Jesus was.

I have asked her and some others to come up and help me today. 

Point 1) Your greatest enemy is your sin:

The flesh has desires.  This list that I just read is a reality.  Paul in this letter is telling the believers, put these to death.  HOW CAN THEY DO THAT?

When we gain Christ, we are changed! We are “RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE after THE IMAGE OF THE CREATOR.” (3:10) This Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-27) becomes a part of us.  Our affections change.  (Bring the “Holy Spirit” representative on stage who will be holding the Ezekiel passage)

GOD AT WORK IN MILANI – Just like Samson

This influences your whole life.  You begin to love all things Jesus (at this point put on her new sticky notes that represent the new Milani and separate her from the evil desires). The old Milani dead, the new Milani alive.  She is a new creation.

We (She) are still here on this earth.  We are still in this body.  Our affections changed but we fight.  Christ is our righteousness.  When God looks at Milani He sees Christ.

Point 2) Putting to death our sin (3:5) means there is sin to put to death.  Jesus died FOR our sin, we are to die TO our sins[i]

Milani, and us, have these fleshly desires that just pop up.  They want to come in.

  • “Hi Milani, can we talk?” NO
  • “Hey there Milani, you know, if you and I hang out, you will become really really popular.” NO
  • “Hey Milani. You want that promotion, if you just sow some lies and discord, you can get it.” NO
  • “Hey there, did you see how wreckless that driver was going. You should roll your window down and give them a few words, that will teach them.” NO

These are tongue in cheek but I know you are aware of how out of bounds our flesh can take us.  It is there. Trying to convince us, go this way!  Do this.

But Paul says, “Kill it.  Put it to death.”

Here is the picture of temptation: Jesus says, “watch and pray that you may not enter temptation.”

Have you ever prayed that prayer?  Lord, do not let me be tempted today.

Peter takes it one step further, he says the devil, your enemy, prowls like a roaring lion.  How many of us would go to the Cincinnati Zoo or the Columbus Zoo if there was a warning that the lion was out of the cage?

No one would go.  Why? Because it is dangerous.  This is the image we need in our mind that for the believer we are to just avoid temptation. (Milani just turn away. Point your back to that which is trying to kill you.

Point 3) The best way to kill sin is to starve it.  When something is getting fed, when it is receiving a steady diet it will live.

Last week when I said I guard my heart, I meant it.  I was not bragging.  It was not false humility.  It is a statement of fact. 

I do not want to feed anything that my flesh may want.  Part of this is gaining the wisdom that the flesh will whisper subtly. Before long, if left unchecked and unguarded, it will be screaming.

The more mature you grow, the more the fleshly desires in your life will bother you. 

“The greatest lie of Satan is this, you can have both Jesus and an unchanged life.” Derek Melton.

You can’t kill sin without reading God’s word.  Find the time of day that works for you.  I don’t sleep much, I am up early.  My best time in early.  Not everyone is like me.  But dedicated the time of day that works for you and read everyday.

  1. Journal and write your thoughts on the passage. One regular practice of mine is this:

I get my journal and write the passage.  I read the passage and while reading it the words or phrases that stick out I write down.  For whatever reason they stick out, write them down. 

Then I write out a brief summary of what I just read.

Then I put heart, mind, soul, strength and write out how this applies to me.  In light of this text, how can I love the Lord with my heart, mind, soul and strength. Take time.  Slow down.  Do not go fast.  Allow God’s word to lead you.

  1. Pray over it.

You can’t kill sin unless you identify it.  Secret sin is the worst.  Maturity will reveal and open you to see your secret sin.  Immaturity will hide it from you.

This is a matter of the old self and new self.  I am so thankful for Jesus and the work of God that reveals these things.  Oh the mercy and patience of God as He works for us and in us and through us.

Let us pray.

Merciful Father, what a day we have had.  So thankful for Melani and her baptism.  Thank you For the family here at Donnels Creek.  Thank you for Your word.

We come before you asking for a deeper holiness.  Grow us in Christ.  May we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Point to us the things in us that are to die and continue to provide to us the things that give life.

We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Messiah, Amen

The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance[c] upon you and give you peace.

Go in the peace that Jesus has offered himself for you and me.  May the peace of Christ be with you and on you.

[i] Michael Horton, The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way, p. 661

Acorn GPS: MT e57

A few days ago while reading I came across the name Boaz.  Even though the reading was NOT in Ruth that name is prominent in the Old Testament book of Ruth.

It triggered a question in my head, what does the name Boaz mean? 

I got a little disappointed in myself.  I just preached through the book of Ruth THIS YEAR.  How could I forget what that name means?  How do I expect the people who hear my sermons remember things if I, the one who is preaching them, CAN’T remember them?

I was very disappointed in myself.  My adult ADD kicked in and I was reminded of this fact that I came across some time ago about squirrels. 

They love acorns.  It is one part of their food supply and when they find them, they burry them for later in the winter when they need it. 

Here is the crazy thing: even with snow on the ground they can find the buried nuts (most of the time).  I call it Acorn GPS and (mostly) they find the buried nut later.

I say mostly because scientists have found they forget, or do not uncover, 80% of the acorns they buried.  From this forgetfulness, the acorns often grow into oak trees.

Psalm 19, the heavens declare the glory of God.  What this means is creation screams, proclaim, speaks that there is a Creator God.  Just look around.  Just observe.  There is a designer.  This squirrel fact, is one of those silly little screams.

Squirrels not only have Acorn GPS but in case it is not needed a new tree grows! ALL from forgetfulness.

Oh the beauty and glory of God S.D.G.

Good Foundations & Turbulent Times: MT e56

What did Jesus think about how important His teachings were? 

He who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

The comparison here is your life is a house. Jesus words are a solid foundation on which to build your house.

Why is this important?  “When the rains come ( and they will ) and the streams rise ( and they do ) and the winds blow and beat on the house, (It happens ) it did not fall because its foundation was on a rock.

Good foundations withstand turbulent times.

On Monday, I had referenced some foundation work which needed to be done on my office. Have no doubt, the problem could have been ignored.

Rather than spending the time to fix the foundation issue I could have gone to play disc golf, watched some college football or anything other than fix the problem. I could have kicked that can down the road for weeks or even months.

The result of indefinite delaying the fixing this problem would have been disastrous.  It would eventually be the end of this building. That is the importance of a foundation.

Knowing about the importance of foundations is not enough

Likewise, hearing Jesus’ teachings is not enough.

He who HEARS & DOES THEM is like a wise person . . . building on a solid foundation.

Building your life on the foundation of Christ is It is being righteous in your thought life, being righteous in how you handle anger, being righteous in self-control. This is a solid foundation in Christ. Even more it is honoring God, the Creator, with your life.

Jesus is a Solid Foundation

S.D.G.

Baggage Claim: Lord’s Day 36

Colossians 3:1-10

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 

Matthew 11:28-30

“28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Introduction:  

  • Ellie the Dog and her special shirt to cover her cut that would not scab.

We are as believers saved by Christ.  This means our sins have been forgiven as Jesus has suffered in our place.  This is called substitutionary atonement.  Jesus was our substitute.  He stood in our place and atoned, paid for our sin.

So, what now? 

I have spent last few months going through Colossians 1 and 2 and it addresses how and why Jesus was able to atone for our sin.  We have discussed how new birth comes about as an act of God upon the believer. 

As we opened Chapter 3, the discussion turned to how we are to put to death what is earthly in us.  And we will be addressing some of the more specifics on that today.

You recall the “use to” part of our lives.  We USE to be this, but now we are in Christ, and we are a new creation, we are to be putting to death this sin.

We talk a lot about sin in the church.  This thing that separates us from God.  We talk about what we bring to the table, and it always seems to be a negative. 

We come to church, or we were raised in church, and we hear about this sin in our lives.  We hear sermons and teaching about sin and forgiveness of sin in Christ and how we can live eternally in the good place.

We like this.  We have these things that we have done, said, thought and places we have gone.  We begin to feel this burden in our conscience and in our heart and we have this baggage. (illustration with suitcase full of things below)

  1. Oh yeah, I remember this. I should not have gone to this place
  2. That thing I should not have said
  3. I thought this was a good idea at the time, turns out, not so much
  4. I just wanted them/that person to accept/love me
  5. My heart was so full of anger and hate that I lashed out
  6. I felt justified because all that they/he/she did to me
  7. I am a red head, what did you expect?
  8. I am Irish, what did you expect?
  9. I am a man/boy with urges, what did you expect?
  10. My parents divorced, what did you expect?
  11. I knew it was wrong; I did it anyway.

Do you mean Jesus will take this away?  Jesus will take this upon himself?  Oh, thank you Jesus. 

We take that and receive that grace.  We are so thankful.  We continue to live and then we find in our bag that maybe we picked up some of those old things.  Maybe there are some items in there that are still there.

Next, you have someone like me that teaches sanctification.  That there is instant sanctification, that you are instantly set apart, instantly set aside for holy use.  There is also continuing, ongoing sanctification.  That we are to progressively be made holy. That we are to grow in holiness.  That we spend our lifetime putting to death our sin.

But this is the difficult part – it is like picking scab.  If I keep talking about our sin and how we need to grow, at what point will there be joy in our life as a believer.  At what point is the burden easy and light?

We look in this bag and there is a never-ending supply of baggage.  The content just keeps coming.

I am bringing this . . . again Lord, do you still love me?

I have not grown like I wanted. . . Lord, do you still love me?

I am doing better Lord, but I am still failing. . . do you still love me?

I hope I die on a good day. . . or I hope the Lord returns when I am having a good day.

We never get to a place where Jesus is seen as a light burden.  We are weary.  We are heavy laden.  Where is our rest?  How can we live out these words of Jesus?  How can we experience these words?

If this is you, then you are missing it here.  You are missing it completely.  The enemy is sowing doubt and lies in your mind. 

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  (repeat) 

Did you hear this?  Do you hear this?  How have we died?

Textual Observation:

If we are raised with Christ (and we are) in what way have we died?  How were we dead?  If one is raised from, what are they raised?

Previously we began to dig into this language here that there are these textual words that say we are dead in one sense and alive in another sense.  That we are buried in one way and raised in another.

What does it mean?

When we are alive in Christ, we are ALIVE in Christ. I really want you to hear this.  Two weeks ago the sermon title was “The Happiest Funeral Ever.” I told you about Dr. Forbes, death just days away from 100.

That was a happy funeral.  But it was not the happiest ever.  You know what the happiest funeral is/was? The day you died and rose with Christ. 

Those who are raised with Christ, will never die. Not for one second.  Not for five minutes.  You will never die.  Two passages we will look at here.

The first is John 11.  In this text we have the death of Lazarus.  Jesus comes to the house where Mary and Martha are.  They are having a funeral.  Martha comes to Jesus v21, Lord if you had only been here, Lazarus would not have died. 

“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus says. To this Martha replies, “I know, I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 

Then there is this, John 11:25–26, Jesus is talking to Martha, the sister of the man who’s in the grave.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

Yes, we die. The text itself says, “though he die, yet shall he live.” But no, we don’t die, because it says in verse 26, “everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” Lazarus’s body lay dead in the grave, but Lazarus was not dead. His body was dead. He was not dead. He had not died.

Now here’s the other verse. This one is even more important. Jesus says in John 5:24,

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life

Believers in Jesus who keep his word have passed already out of death into life. They now have what’s called eternal life. Eternal life cannot, by definition, stop for a second. It cannot stop. You never lose it. It is eternal. There’s not a five-minute pause in the hospital or anywhere.

Repeat after me . . Christ . . . is . . . .my . . . life!

(Now put to death what is earthly in you.) 

Put it to death because it is not you anymore.  You do not put it to death because you are trying to gain eternal life.  You do not put it to death to prove that you are worthy for God’s grace.  (Let me clue you in, you are not worthy of your next breath.   You are not worthy of your next heartbeat, and neither am I)

You are putting it to death because you are not that man anymore.   You are putting it to death because you are not that woman anymore.  You are putting it to death because you have a new love.  You are putting it to death because you have a new life.

Now is it more clear how Jesus is not a burden?  Is it clear how Jesus’ yoke is easy?  He is it.  He is pulling the weight. 

We are not picking scabs here.  When we get to verse 5 and it says, “Put to death what is earthly in you,” and then it begins to make a list. 

That list can look A LOT like the things that were in that suitcase.  It will look a lot like what I brought to the table.  It includes this list and even more.  Paul was just making some examples.

“Put to death what is earthly in you, sexual immorality.”

Well that is a big one. 

When I arrived here at Donnel’s Creek the decision had been made to not make any big changes for about six months.  During this time I would get to know you and you get to know me and I would get to know how things operate. I could observe what is working and what can be improved.

As the sixth month date was arriving I began to work on a strategy of growing this body.  There are TWO avenues that can be a HUGE source of growth and one of them is the youth program.

We have on this lower end of our body these kids that represent scores of more kids that could really be nurtured and matured.  Beth is has done, is doing and I am certain will continue to do a beautiful job with this program.

But I want to give you some insight into what the youth of Springfield, New Carlisle and everywhere in between are facing.

Adult content was something that in the recent past in which you wanted to consume, you had to go somewhere else and get.  Those days are over.

This, sexual immorality covers a lot of ground.  The word used there in the Biblical language is pornea.  It refers to a wide range of things like adultery, fornication, immorality, unfaithfulness, prostitution and in general, any sexual sin.

Paul is making an imperative here: “Put to death what is earthly in you.” Which MEANS that there are earthly things in them. 

As a church, as believers in Christ, we are growing in holiness and we are putting to death what is earthly in us.  If we are doing that as a church, as those from the outside come in, they will ALSO be doing this. 

What are some of the alluring things of the world that is attracting our children.  This is not as simple as counseling them to avoid the back seat on Friday and Saturday night.  Times have changed.

Heard of Only Fans? 

Only fans began in the twenty-teens for content creators.  That you can post videos on how to cook a specific dish.  You can start the conversation and invite behind a paywall and be taught. Content creators could be anything from mechanics to comedians.

In 2020 blew up with adult content and if one says Only Fans, the two are paired.  As of today, 90% of the content is adult.

I have consumed none of it.  I will make a pledge that I guard my heart very closely in this area.  I will not even look at a mannequin in a Vicotria’s Secret window.  It is not arrogance or pride, self-righteousness, it is not legalism, it is self-preservation.  I want to give nothing to the enemy.

So much so, that as I explain to you a Tic Tock channel called Bop House, I would not look at it long.  These are fully clothed girls, 13+ that is headed by a woman named Sophie Rain.

Sophie Rain claims to be a Christian.  She also claims to be a virgin.  She is an adult content creator on Only Fans. 

There are young women all over the country, (14, 15, 17 years old) whose goal is to make it to Bop House in LA.  Why? It super charges their career as an Only Fans model.  It guarantees success.

The girls, fully clothed, post videos on Tic Tock that on surface level just appear to be choreographed dances.  They are fully clothed but revealing at the same time.

This is attractive.  The promise to make tens of thousands of dollars each month and some others flaunting millions of dollars each month is attractive.

One such Bop House resident just recently turned 18.  After MUCH publicity, at 12:01 on her birthday she opened an Only Fans account and three hours had 1 million paying subscribers.  Do you not think that there are young women who will find this appealing?  That they can make major money selling themselves?

There are 1.4 million women on Only Fans.  1.2 million of them are between the ages of 18 to 24.  There are only 10 million total women in the USA between ages of 18 to 24.  That means that 1 out of every 10 (10%) have content on Only Fans. 

There are some models who have made millions.  One in ten girls Yet the average income for content creators is $180 per month.  Most are selling their soul for this.

Who is consuming it?  There are 82 million men in USA. 90% of the subscribers are married.  68% are white.  The overwhelming average consumer is white, married male. 

What is the attraction?  The allure. It is all a lie.  That is the definition of sin.  It is a lie.  It made big promises to Eve, but failed to deliver.  This is true in my life.  There was great hope in the promises sin has made and it has failed every time.

What do we do with this?

We want to grow as a church.  When I pray for this church I pray that we grow spiritually.  That we grow in knowledge.  That we grow knowing Jesus more, that it produces in us a reverent praise and a commitment to grow in our faith.

But I also pray that we grow in number.  As we grow in number, I want to fill these seats.  I am serious when I can see a day when we have another congregation.  It is possible with God.  We can have one in east Springfield.  We can have one in Beavercreek.  We can plant churches all over the region.

This means we will be bringing in people who are hurt by sin.  People who have been lied to by the enemy.  People who have scars.  People who need to put to death what is earthly in them.  People just like you and me.  People who need rest.

Jesus says, come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.

There are people who need this.  We must be a people ready to provide it.

I want to repeat what I said earlier.  Paul is encouraging this people to put to death what is earthly in them.  This is a reality for them.  It is a reality for us and it is a reality for those who come to us. 

Foundation: MT e55

This place that I typically record these videos in is both a studio and an office.  Originally it was a shed to store tractors & tools. 

This building was built very well, but the person who built it, over 25 years ago, never foresaw the day when it would be full of electricity, heating, cooling, carpet, drywall, insulation . . .you get the idea.

So it was built on the ground.  It was not built on a concrete foundation.  Therefore, time and weather has not been a friend to this building.

A few days ago I had to deconstruct a portion of it because there was some erosion.  Some of the wood had gotten wet and rotted and needed to be replaced.

The building needed a new foundation.  If I replaced the old, bad wood with the same type, in a few years it would need to be done again.

So this time a different approach.  A better foundation was necessary. 

The building was raised with jacks.  Wood that is made to withstand weather was used.  Concrete was poured where it needed to be poured. Once again, the building was level and firm.

Solid and competent Foundations are absolutely necessary if you want a structure to last.  They are not just a good idea, the are necessary.

Scripture has something very similar to say about foundations.  Jesus said:

“Whoever hears my words and puts them to use is like a wiseman who built his house on a rock.  When the rains came and the streams rose and the winds blew & beat upon that house it did not fall because it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:25-26

This IS the importance of God’s word in our lives.  If we see it as just a good thing but not completely necessary . . . or we will get to it when we have time . . . do not be surprised when your daily walk in the faith goes sideways.

I want to encourage you as a believer, do not just skip over Jesus’ words.  They are life. Remember, he is not saying hear my words only . . . it is hear my words and puts them to practice. How can we put to practice the words of Christ?  More on this next time.

S.D.G.

The Light of Life p2: MT e54

One event, which I may have shared already, that was very rememberable was when, as a youth, my father and mother took me to Mammoth Cave in western KY.

We took a multi-hour tour of these caves and it was nothing short of amazing.  There was one moment where the tour guide gave everyone ample warning that he was going to turn out the lights and even let us know how long it was going to last and when everyone was ready, the lights went out.

It was the thickest, most blackest darkness I have ever experienced.  It was a darkness you could feel.  I literally could put my hand in front of my face, centimeters away, and if that hand was not attached to me, I would have no idea it was there.

Monday we were in John as it was talking about Jesus, the Word and that he was the light of men and that this light was shining into darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.

What was the first thing created at creation?  Genesis 1, The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The same Spirit of God who created light in the darkness of the Creation, is the same Spirit of God who created light in the darkness of the new creation.  (repeat) Every believer is a new creation.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

I like to think of that experience I had as a young boy in Mammoth Cave in seeing that thick darkness like Jesus.  The LIGHT. A light that could not be overcome with darkness but rather aggressively chased darkness away.

S.D.G.

The Amazing Donkeys God Uses in the Faith

Back in the 1990’s I was a big DC Talk fan as well as the Newsboys.  Michael Tait was a part of the trio who made up DC Talk.

During that decade Christian music really changed.  From my perspective, Christians bands mostly stopped copying mainstream pop and developed its own sound.  Bands like DC Talk were entering the top 40 pop charts.

To the disdain of a hundred thousand youth pastors, Toby Mac left DC Talk to start a solo career.  Fast forward about ten years later and Michael Tait became the Newsboys front man.

Recent credible news reports have not been good for Tait.  This news has nothing to do with ticket or music sales, but rather, serious criminal activity which been uncovered.  (The kind of stuff addressed in 1 Corinthians)

Steve Taylor is a writer and producer, and he has done extensive work with the Newsboys.  Recently, Mike Cosper interviewed Steve on the podcast “The Bulletin”.  One part of the interview really caught my attention.

They were pondering those whose faith was greatly influenced by the band DC Talk.  The music of DC Talk accompanied a faith and commitment growth spurt in some youthful Christians. This places a direct link between the music of DC Talk and their faith. Further, for some believers, this ties Michael Tait as a source of faith influence. Yet, this same Michael Tait, has allegedly been doing some illegal and immoral activities.

What about that? What does it say about those whose faith grew by means of a person who has credible evidence of serious wrong doing?

I found myself in the same situation.  A few years ago, the same Mike Cosper from the podcast mentioned above did the expose on a faith hero of mine, Mark Driscoll (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill). 

In the early 2000’s I was a prodigal man who had strayed far, far from home. With the introductions of iPods and subsequently podcasts, I began listening to Mars Hill sermons while working out.  Mark Driscoll was the preaching pastor at Mars Hill and he had a preaching style I had never experienced before, and it drew me in. 

Over the next two years of almost daily listening to Mark Driscoll preaching, I was brought to repentance.  So drastic the change in me that a desire to enter pastoral ministry began to emerge.

Then I heard the expose of credible accusations leveled towards Mark to which he would not respond.  There were times while listening to the abusive details that I pondered if Mark Driscoll was even saved. 

What does that mean about my faith? Could I REALLY be changed by a man who was possibly, not even saved himself?  How could someone like this be used to grow me so much? 

Then, clear as a bell, Balaam came to mind (Numbers 22-24).  God used a donkey to get His message across.  That donkey never went to seminary (or tabernacle). That donkey was just . . . a donkey.

That moment was both exciting and humbling.  Exciting because the real change in me, brought by the Spirit, was of God and not because of Mark Driscoll.  Humbling because, now as a pastor myself, I MUST realize I am not center.  God’s message is center.  I just deliver that message. In the same way Balaam’s donkey delivered the message.

For those of you who may stumble across this page and find yourself as one of those whose faith really grew because of DC Talk, Newsboys or Michael Tait, do not be discouraged.  Your faith DID grow.  You are not imagining it. 

The ENDS by which brought about your faith is GOD.  The MEANS by which God worked could be through Billy Graham, Mark Driscoll, Michael Tait . . . or even a donkey. 

The most important part in this situation is the ends!

S.D.G.

The Light of Life: MT e53

The book of John begins,  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  Through time I have focused so much on the first three verses of this passage, which are fascinating that I have missed the significance of that last sentence in verse 5.

The light sines in the darkness, that is Jesus, He is the light.  But the darkness has not overcome it.

Have you ever noticed that at night time, when all the lights are turned off and you are going to sleep that the smallest little light cannot go undetected?  It can be like the littlest of lights on a wall adapter or charger of some sort. 

You do not notice in the day.  But when there is no light, it can become very bright.  If you happen to have a digital clock, the light it emits in the day is dim.  But at night, it can shine like Times Square on New Year’s eve. 

These are small lights.  John 1 is talking about the Word.  This Word is creator.  This Word is God.  This Word is eternally in the past and eternally in the future.  This Word gave life to humanity.  It said to humanity, breathe and it did.

This Word is light.  It is not the little green light on your Chromebook charger.  This Word is a light that changes a life.  Complete change.

This light can cast off the dark world.  Anything and everything in you that is dark, it can be eradicated with this Light.  I want you to know this light.  Oh how your life will change when you know this light.

S.D.G.