The Sunday Message Archives

Matthew 3:7-12

⁷But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹²His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Loving Order: Lord’s Day 44

Date: November 11, 2025 Lord’s Day: 44

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ Title: The Loving Order

Text: Colossians 3:12-23

Apostles Creed

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

This is the Reading of God’s Word

Colossians 3:12-23

¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing 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. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ¹⁸Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. ²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²²Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ²³Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Introduction

A much younger version of me hiked a very good portion of the Appalachian Trail. I was thinking about that several day ago and these thoughts popped in my head.

Not everyone is a hiker. In fact, I do not think I am a hiker any longer. I enjoyed the freedom of it. This led me to think, what could be done with hiking to make it more attractive?

Some of the first thoughts that came into my head were they could build some restaurants. Can you imagine the outcry? Can you imagine how silly that would be. But yet, at the same time it is true.

If they built some Chick-fil-a’s, Popeyes, Applebees right on the trail, It may increase the number of people interested in hiking.

What if they built some Holiday Inn express or Hampton Inn and Suites? The trail is 2200 miles long and goes through many cities and even very close to NYC. So there are some hotels and places to eat along the way. But there are 100 mile sections that are remote and have no access to a town.

So what if on those stretches they put some places to eat and sleep? The outcry would be loud and deserved.

One does not start a trip on the A.T. to get to McDonald’s. Trips on the A.T. are to get away from these sorts of places. It would be absurd to consider such a thing. If this were to happen, at that moment it would no longer be the A.T. It would just be any other place America.

Yet this exact same thing happens in the Christian church. Again, I speak in generalities with no specific accusation at Donnel’s Creek.

There are often people who desire to bring the things of the world into the church. The desire (and the reality of what is happening) in what some are calling churches, is let us build things that are not in the word. Allow us to erect some of these things that we like – things we don’t want to let go of and change – and it is at that point that it ceases to be a church.

This is the beauty of the word. Our passage from Ezekiel 36 to which I often refer: This word is one method in which the Spirit works. It turns our heart, a heart that is rock hard and resistant to God, into this soft substance in which it can be shaped.

Those things that are of the world are fallen, corrupt and anti God. These are the things for which we must be shaped.

It is like this piece of play dough here. I am taking this play dough and shaping it into a bowl. I am the one shaping it. It is my mind that comes up with this idea, I am going to shape you into a bowl or a cup or an ash tray (that is what most of our art projects from school ended up being).

Yet, what if this piece of play dough said to me, I do not want to be made into this. Make me into a pitcher. What if it said, make me into a book end?

This is the clay telling the potter what it wants to be. It is absurd, yet there are scattered here and there through this country this morning this is absolutely is what is taking place.

This is the desire I have for us with this passage today. That in all things we all God’s word to shape us. That we do not turn God’s word into what is attractive to our flesh.

I put this cactus out here this morning and you may think, why is this cactus up here on stage. What crazy thing has Matthew planned for us.

This was the mental image I had while working through this text. I have not been here a year yet and some of you may have read ahead in Colossians and found this text. Here we are.

Wives submit. Slaves obey. How is he going to handle this text. This is why the picture of the cactus came to mind. Because how do you handle a cactus? How do you handle a cactus? Carefully. You will end up stuck and hurting. Some just prefer to not hold the cactus at all. We can skip right over this passage right?

The answer to that is no. If it is in the text we will address it.

We will not address the text as the world does. Why be afraid of God’s word unless we have been building McDonald’s on the A.T.?

What is this text saying? What does it mean when it says, wives submit to your husbands? What is this about slaves? Does this not make the Christian faith look archaic or place it in some very bad light? Why doesn’t Paul encourage the readers of this letter to FLEE the slave owner?

We will address all of these issues but first let us seek the Lord’s blessing?

Slaves?

My desire here is to go to the end of the passage first and address that because it will greatly aid us in understanding the first part of this passage.

What did he mean here by slaves? This passage, along with the book of Philemon and the companion passage in Ephesians is used by critics of the Christian faith.

What we bring to the table in our culture when slavery is mentioned is the slavery that was in the early part of the country. Does Scripture condone this?

The answer is no. The early abolitionists founded their argument against slavery in Scripture. William Wilberforce, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, John Adams, John Jay, Thomas Paine and Fredrick Douglass were not just against slavery, they used Scripture to justify their position.

There were different types of slavery.[1] I can list several here, some of them were good and some of them were ungodly. We have briefly discussed these in the adult Sunday class in the past year so for some this is a repeat.

Types of slavery both good and bad:

Employee & Employer – There are some people who have a knack with money. They are just naturally talented and gifted with investing and being at the right place at the right time. They see a need and fill it and work hard. Contrary to the socialist thieves of our day, they are not stealing anything or taking advantage of anyone, they just are gifted in this way. In the past, a man may have seen that he does not have this gift and see that gift in another person and they make an agreement. The one works for the other. Today we call it an employee and employer relationship.
Abandoned – There would be at times unwanted children. Parents would take them to abandoned places such as garbage dumps and other remote areas and left exposed to die. This was common in Roman time and it was called infanticide by exposure. Philosophers and Christians were great critics of this. Often, the government would raise these children and they would forever be owned by the government never to be free.
Debt & Debtor – There were occasions where someone need a loan and it would be arranged. If there every came a time when the debtor could not pay the loan, they would make arrangements to work off the debt. You even see this scenario play out in the Proverbs (22:7)”The ruck rule over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lende” The debtor would simply make an agreement, I will work for you for such and so and when it is complete the debt is paid.
Spoils of War – It was not uncommon after a victory in war to take those alive and put them to slave labor. This was frequently done.

These are some of the examples. There are others but not all slavery was bad. Roman records indicate that almost half of the population were slaves. They represented all professions and social classes. There were household servants, laborers, teachers, doctors and managers who were slaves.

It is simply untrue to say that Scripture supports what we had early in our history. Exodus 21:6 says that the penalty for that type of slavery was death.

Maybe now you can see how the early founding fathers mentioned previously used Scripture to support their position. This slavery topic is not as cut and dry as it would seem to be.

We come to this passage in Colossians and view it in a whole new light. Paul was not referring to what we had in early America.

Go back to 2:12, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another. Put on love, which binds everything together, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, let the word of Christ dwell, teaching each other, doing ALL things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . .”

Understanding The Context

So here is the issue – my translation puts a title there, a heading. It says, “Rules for Christian Households.” What an interruption! Right there in the middle of the thought.

This is all one context. This is not a new thought. This is a continuation of a thought.

Put on these things. Here is how you treat each other and why. As said before, Paul is writing to Christians instructing them how to be Christian.

“Whatever you do in word your deed to all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Here is an example of how I have misinterpreted this passage for decades. Mainly because of this heading “Rules for Christian Households”. It says something similar in every translation. (NKJV The Christian Home, NIV Instructions for Christian Households, NASB Family Relations)

You may think I am making a big deal of nothing. The title does not help because it makes it appear as if it was a new thought.

I have looked at Col 3:17, “whatever you do . . .do all in name of the Lord” in 2 ways. 1. Life worship. That worship is not just something we do here at the Creek on Sunday AM. Your LIFE is to be worship.

I have also interpreted it as 2. Whatever your job is, teacher, welder, carpenter, farmer, gas man . . . do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. That we are all working for the Lord.

Even these headings which have been mentioned are proper, just poorly placed.

How you may look at that and say, “Those things are true.”

Let me share this with you. There is only ONE interpretation of a passage. Now there are many APPLICATIONS. There maybe a dozen or a hundred applications of the passage. But when it comes to interpretation, there is only ONE. That is it.

Those two things I mentioned are applications. They are valid. They are true. But it is not the interpretation of this passage.

The context is, slaves, because of putting on Christ . . chosen, loved, kindness . . forgiving, in peace . . because of this serve your masters. Whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. This is a continued thought. Do not let the heading (added by the book publisher) throw you off.

He goes through this list: wives, husbands, children, slaves masters. Because of 12 through 17 here is how it looks for you. This is how it plays out.

We can’t allow culture, who does not even believe in this Bible, has no regard that it is the word of God, to come in a cherry pick verses and stir up controversy.

“How in the world can you Christians believe in slavery? What about you women . . . submit? What is this submission thing? That is crazy talk!”

They have no idea what they are talking about.

If you come to this passage in Colossians and think it is a cactus passage, the you are unaware the impact culture has had on your thinking. You are more prone to build McDonalds on A.T. This is the result of the transgression in the Garden of Eden.

The Beginning of the Issue

Before the fall there was total unity. The case can be made that the perfect unity between the trinity was there at creation between Adam and Eve. It was a perfect union. Can you imagine that? There was absolutely no strife.

This is not because the man was better than the woman. This passage in Colossians 3 is not about man better than woman. It is clearly a passage of God is molding us, God is shaping us and this is how it looks, husband, WIFE (not woman), children, slaves and masters.

Can you see that in its framework?

Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and in Genesis 3 we have the confrontation with our Lord’s judgement upon those guilty. To the woman, he said, “I will increase your pain in childbearing. . . your desire shall be for your husband but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)

The original language here (also used in Genesis 4:8) indicates that she will be in opposition of the male headship. This will be an ongoing struggle. This will result in damaging conflict in marriage.

This rebellion that exists in marriage points all the way back to the Garden. You most likely did not know this.

Eve was not the only one affected by this. Adam will also abscond his responsibilities as the leader of the relationship.

So does this play out? Paul writes the same advice to the Ephesians. Remember, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians were all written at the same time as Paul was in prison.

“Wives submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church . . . Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:22-23, 25)

That is a heavy call. Here is how I am like Adam, I would rather trade. Loving your wife as Christ loved the church is a big hill to climb.

I have stood between a man and woman as they get married. I address this issue because it needs to be addressed. Our culture wants to overlook it. Let’s just skip this passage.

No, let’s look at it square in the eye because what woman, what sane woman, what Christian woman would hate it if her husband loved her like Christ loves the church?

Men, it is a high call. It is far more difficult to live up to our task than for the women to submit. But when we are loving like this, with the Spirit changing us, molding us, the roles in a marriage are much easier to accept.

We have no issue with SUBMISSION in any other area in life. We really don’t. We understand that the boss is over us as a role. Does not mean he or she is a better person. Does not mean that he or she is a more valuable person. We are equal. They have a role, we have a role.

We have no issue with parent to child. This passage shows the relationship of parents having headship over the children. Culture doesn’t look twice at this . . .but that word . . .submit.

Military, we have no issue there. There are various ranks. In God’s eyes is the private less important than the four star general? No. Equal status as a human being.

However, we get to marriage and when headship or leadership has been assigned by God, from creation (this is a creation ordinance) there is a negative reaction.

Yet sin has invaded all relationships and this is undeniable. You may ask questions:

What about abuse? (God absolutely does not want this)
What about past injustices? (arrogance, credit cards/Ms. Elizabeth)
My husband isn’t worth submitting to. (prayer/church/may be right)

Sin has not just affected the marriage relationship, it has affected everything. Men who draw back from loving their wives properly. As Christ loved the church. There is your standard.

Jesus submitted. The call from Paul is for Husbands to be like Christ in their love and wives to be like Christ in their submission.

Jesus submitted and was equal with God. Philippians 2:5-10 we are encouraged to have the mind of Christ “who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped by made himself nothing, taking on the form of a . . .slave.”

You see that? Jesus was equal with God, submitted to the point of a slave. It goes on to mention that Jesus submitted to the death on a cross. This, men is the love we are to have for our wives. Love her as Christ loved the church. You would give your life for her.

Isn’t this a beautiful passage? My words are not directed at any one person Today. I would never do that from the Pulpit unless absolutely necessary.

My words are encourage us to not permit culture to remove the beauty of it. Do not allow that to happen. We take our cues, our direction, our affections from Christ and His word.

[1] For further study on this topic John MacArthur has an outstanding book and sermon series entitled “Slave” on GTY.org.

Peace Rules & the Word Dwells: Lord’s Day 43

Date: October 26, 2025 Lord’s Day: 43

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ Title: Peace Rule and the Word Dwells

Text: Colossians 3:15-17, Luke 8:26-36

Church, what is sanctification?

Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Colossians 3:15-17

¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ 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. ¹⁷ 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.

Luke 8:26-36²⁷When Jesus^[^d^] had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. ²⁸When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” ²⁹For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) ³⁰Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. ³¹And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. ³²Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. ³³Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.

³⁴When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. ³⁶And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

Through the years I have had the pleasure of taking most all of my family to an Ohio State game. So much has changed with the game and it is not the same, but the experience has remained the same.

The experience is most likely the one thing that has kept me interested in college football. When it gets to this time of year, the smell in the air, even when it is still warm, it ignites memories.

It takes me back to the very first time I was able to go into Ohio Stadium. It was the mid-1990’s and Ohio State was playing Bowling Green on a September Saturday. I was able to get a ticket for $19. This was when the track was still around the field.

The sound of the band and the drums as they echo in the rotunda before they go on to the field.

Then you go to your seat. When you come out of the tunnel and see that electric green grass on the field, oh, it just takes your breath away. I am certain every fan of something like this. (Cricket, baseball, rugby, soccer)

I wanted to share this with family and friends. Through the years, I have been able to take almost every family member to a game. I took my father to see Ohio State play Marshall University.

I recall on that one praying the night before the game, “Please Lord, don’t put anyone around us that swears a lot.” My father would have said something . . . I would have been the one having to defend it cause he was frail.

Anyway, one of the games that I took my son Hunter to was very special. Before coming here to Donnels Creek, I was a chaplain and one person that I knew there where I worked was an Ohio State 1. alumni 2. band member AND3. “I” dotter.

He had gotten to a place where he could not go to the alumni games and he would give me the tickets every year. The first year I decided to take Hunter.

The process of getting the tickets is not as cut and dry and paying for them and they mail them to you. You actually had to meet someone and because of traffic (I had planned for traffic but this was different) we missed the pick up.

Various people tried to help us. They made calls and sent us here and then there but ultimately, there was no way for us to retrieve the tickets.

I was very disappointed and brought Hunter up to speed and he was very gracious. Told him that we would have to try again in the future and he accepted that.

We were making our way back to where we parked and we were going a little slow now and just taking in the scenes. Out of a crowd of people a man emerged and he said, “You father and son?” I said, “Yes”

He said, “You have tickets?” I nodded no and was beginning to give a very short version of what happened but he quickly said, “Here are two tickets. A father and son should experience at least one game.” I told him I did not have enough $ to pay him and he was like, they are free. We had these given to us, I am giving them to you.

We were so thankful – he was just trying to hurry to get to his seat. But problem solved right? It was terrific. Hunter and I got to enjoy the game after all for which we were so grateful.

But these events, the people get so worked up. You even have fans who have season tickets, who also go to every away game and they wear the same out fit. They end up on TV and end up signing autographs. They are no athletes – but what they are known for is being a fan. They are paid to go to events, “You can see Buckeye man”.

Fans of every sport get so worked up painting their bodies. My son-in-law is a chiefs fan, he grew up in Missouri. Even though he lives in Grove City, he works in Missouri in the family business.

The chiefs are a pretty good ball team. He is a fan. He went to one of the playoff games one year and it was some crazy temperature. It gets to the third QTR and he takes his shirt off.

He is a seminary student at Westminster Theological Seminary – he is taking his shirt off for the team when it is single digit cold with wind. He is taking pictures and sending it to family.

People do this. People go wild and crazy and support their team. Painting faces, wearing jersey’s and yelling to give the home field advantage.

We are so excited to be a part of things we don’t want to miss. We are so excited. We mark it on our calendar; I do not want to miss this and we go.

It leads me to ask this question that I want you to really think about. Do not answer it out loud, you can just answer it rhetorically.

How do you view the time here with your Church family? Are you coming here because you can’t live without it or because it is a habit or obligation?

This is not about, do you like me or the other members here. This is about if this is an event that you can’t miss. I am not trying to guilt you into it. Honesty is needed here because it directly relates to our text in Colossians 3:16.

The Peace of Christ

Last week we were in 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” That word there for rule is the same word that means umpire, judge or arbiter. It was an official position in the Olympic games.

Let the peace of Christ be the umpire in your hearts. Let the peace of Christ call the balls and the strikes. That is the picture Paul is painting here in this letter.

The peace of Christ should be the moderator in our hearts. The peace of Christ should be overseer in our hearts.

This really changes how we process decisions. We are at peace. The reason we are at peace is Christ for us. Now that we are at peace through Christ, let him oversee us.

How do we do that? This is where we pick up today.

The peace of Christ rules, the word of Christ dwells. 3:16

It takes up residence in our heart. This is a sanctification passage. It is a beautiful sanctification passage and one that will introduce an idea which we have not considered yet. We will get to that in a moment.

I would like us to consider our friend that Jesus met at the tombs. He was not at peace. He was not at peace with God, he was not at peace with the people in the town where he lived and he absolutely was not at peace with himself.

Can you imagine living like this? He wore no clothes. He was a wild man and not in a good way. He had not lived in a house. He was out of THE town at the tombs.

He was supernatural in a bad way. So, it appears they tried to put shackles and chains on him and he would break them. He was a prisoner and would have these fits and break off the chains and break free and go to the desert.

He was possessed by a demon(s) and when they saw Jesus, just the sight of him, they come in order. “Please, do not destroy us. Do not send us into the abyss.”

“What is your name?” Jesus asked. “Legion, for we are many.”

The legion was a Roman military unit (1,000 soldiers). SO the answer was, there are tons of us in here.

Jesus sent them into the pigs and notice what happened.

“The people went out to see what had happened and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon possessed man had been healed.” Luke 8:35-36

Peace. Clothed and healed, sitting at the feet of Jesus

For the first time in only God knows how long, this man had peace.

He was not in the jail curious, when will the next episode hit? I hate being like this and there is uncertainty when it will happen again.” He was at peace. The peace of Christ was ruling . . . and it ruled the demonic right out of this man’s life.

How about us? Our cosmic war. Our cosmic treason. How quickly we forget.

We get distracted by all those things in our lives. The very things that threaten to take away our peace (remember the rocks). Distract us.

We forget that the war is over. We are at peace. This man is forever changed. He will never be the same.

This is what fuels me. It really is. I can not express enough how grateful I am Jesus for completely changing my life. It is bittersweet for on the one hand I was not ignorant of the Scriptures.

I knew them in my head – I did not know them in my heart. Scriptures were handy when needed but I could not let them get in the way of what I truly loved: myself, the world.

There came a time when all that changed. This is in my life peace with Christ.

Can you remember a time in your life when you had no peace with God? Compare that to now.

This man in the tombs, can you picture yourself there? You were not demon possessed, this much is true. But you were in a baren deserted place and you had no peace. I was right beside you.

This man would be forever changed. Nothing else needed to be written of his story, we know how it ends.

We should be just like him. Forever changed. Yet this is NOT the experience for most Christians.

Now that the peace of Christ rules in us we also see that the word of Christ should dwell. Teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

The word of Christ dwelling in us is sanctification. The process of growing more holy.

We have discussed this sanctification in this sermon series in Colossians. Some months back we looked at the fact that sanctification is something that is instant and also something that is ongoing in the believer.

We are to be growing in holiness. This is a “set apart for holy use.” This is what it means. We are to, as long as we have air in our lungs, forever to be growing in holiness.

Dwell In You

Is the word of Christ dwelling in you?

That word for dwell is oikos. Sound familiar? It is not in reference to the Greek Yogurt. Let the word of Christ be like Greek Yogurt? No. Oikos means dwell, inhabit to take heart.

How much time do you spend in this word?

Some may say, “Pastor I read through the Bible a time or two. Is there anything else for me to learn?” Another may say, “well we are not a teacher in the church and we are not a pastor, you are calling us to read this like you.”

Dear friends, if I lived 500 years and read through this Bible every year twice- I would never plumb the depths of this word. I am serious. I am not just saying this.

There is nothing like God’s word.

Let me ask the question again: How do you view the time here with your Church family? Are you coming here because you can’t live without it or because it is a habit or obligation?

I am certain the man who left completely free of a demon was motivated NOT by obligation but passion.

All head & little heart

Often the world has more passion for the things that it loves than we do for Christ and His church. They show love for teams and musicians and concerts and actors. Even though there is nothing wrong with supporting your team, those in the world know more fully how to show love with all their heart.

That same passion that causes the men who are fans of teams to take their shirts off when it is 9 degrees. That is passion. There is nothing wrong with liking your team. Support the team. Support the TEAM.

But find a passion for Christ! Find a passion for HIS church. We have the OUTSIDE stuff down pat.

THE OUTSIDE STUFF IS WHAT THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN JESUS DAY HAD PERFECTED.

Over the past few weeks a repeated though which is repeated in Dt 11:18 “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”

This is God’s advising them with a picture. By the time of Jesus in the Gospels, these frontlets were small boxes tied to the head. Small passages were placed in these boxes.

What good does that do? Is this how God was leading these people? Is this the expectation?

It is insane. Yet that was the religious peer pressure of Jesus’ day. Put the passages in the little box.

God was saying, “My word is so important, so life giving, so needed, so saving, so wise, so perfect, you need to put this word in you.” He says this painting a picture as if the word was tied to their head. Know the word like this. Have the word in you like this! Plumb the depths of my word. Let me lead you.

And the Apostle Paul here was encouraging the people of the church in Colossae to know the word of Christ and to encourage sanctification.

LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY. Teach and admonish one another with Psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs, singing and making melody with all your heart.

Have this in your heart. Dwell (OIKOS) on it. Then share it. Share it with each other.

God has sanctified you in Christ at salvation – You are continually growing IN Christ – and as a body of believers, this church is a part of your sanctification.

We are to be teaching and admonishing. It is my job as a pastor, to shepherd this church and grow it, but I am not the only one. You are here for each other.

What do you know with all your heart? Do you know Jesus with all your heart?

Dear friends, I do not want you hear if you are here because you feel obligated. (checking the box) I want you hear because you want to love Jesus more. I want you here because you can’t find anywhere else what you can find here.

I want you here because you want to help me grow. You and I have the peace of Christ ruling in our heart, and we want the word of Christ to dwell within our hearts.

Our praises will change. The way we praise WILL change.

The Peace of Christ: Lord’s Day 42

Date: October 19, 2025

Lord’s Day: 42

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ

Title: The Peace of Christ

Text: Colossians 3:15-17, Psalm 103:1-14

Confession:

Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to his Father’s justice on our behalf¹. Jesus was given by the Father for us,² and his obedience is accepted in our place³; these are freely given to us. We are not forgiven or justified by anything in us but our justification is only of free grace⁴; thereby making us perfectly just so that God may be glorified in the justification of sinners.⁵

adapted from Westminster Confession of Faith 11:3

This is the Reading of God’s Word

Colossians 3:15-17

Psalm 103:1-14Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
²Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, ³who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases, ⁴who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, ⁵who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. ⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. ⁹He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. ¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. ¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; ¹²as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. ¹³As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Introduction:

“Let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts” is the beginning of our text. I have a question and I want you to think about it for a moment. The answer to that question, I want you to carry it with you through our time together.

Right now, in your life, where do you have little to no peace? (give substantial time to let them reflect . . . as them maybe to write them down)

You are bringing burdens here today – When I say burdens I am not referring to what Krista was showing us a few weeks ago.

I do these little sight illustrations. Because I want you to see reality. I do not just want to say thing like, you are bringing burdens, things that disturb the peace in your life.

You can affirm that. You can sit and hear me say that very thing and confirm in your mind, that yes. But often, when we see something, it hits a little better.

I stand before you and know in some cases you peace has been disturbed so long that you only think on them when you are confronted with it in quiet times. But these burdens, these things that destroy your peace, are always there. What are these things?

POINT: We all bring these burdens with us, these things in which we are not at peace. BIG CHUNKS OF ROCKS THAT DISTURB THE POND OF OUR LIFE.

There are many images when we hear the word peace. One of the most recognizable signs is the 1960’s VW van. There was a lot of Tomfoolery with this old van – (recall 1990’s driving between Springfield and Columbus and the Grateful Dead traveling circus. I saw 50 of these vans pulled over mostly at the rest stop there at the county line).

These vans represented peace. Protests for the PEACE Vietnam War.

We had:

World War 1 = the war to end all wars
World War 2 = Period called the Long Peace (not true)
Gov’t and historians get around it by calling it a conflict (still not peace)
Pax Romana = 200 years of no war (still conflicts Jewish Roman/Hispania)
26 days of peace since end of WW2 in 1945
NYT reported in last 3,400 years there have been only 268 years of peace
1776-2020 USA at peace for 15 years.

When we read, “Let the peace of Christ rule,” HOW SIGNIFICANT is this? I am uncertain if we really are aware that there was a time of cosmic treason where we were at war with God.

Not many like to hear this. We have not grasped how seriousness of this war. We know things were BAD but COSMIC WAR? War with God? Is it that bad?

(Illustration of friend who went afoul of the law. His words, “I knew what I was doing was wrong. I just did not know how wrong it way.”)

POINT: When I say cosmic treason it is not an overstatement.

Yet our text says we have peace with Christ. How can that be? How can we get this peace? What can this peace of Christ do for us in other areas where we have little to no peace?

You may be like my old friend who was afoul of the law. If you are in Christ now, you may look back and be tempted to think, “I was not that bad.” There is a sense in you know you needed Christ but things were not that bad.

Without Christ you have no hope. Without Christ you are doomed. WHAT WAS OUR HOPE? JUSTIFICATION IN CHRIST ALONE

508 years this month Martin Luther posted on the door frame of the church in Wittenburg (sound familiar?) 95 thesis. He did this on October 31, the eve before All Saints Day. It was, in our term today, a marketing decision.

There would be a ton of traffic to come look at relics on All Saint’s Day. His decision to do this would have its greatest effect and exposure.

He was protesting the thinking of the day. A protest that could lead him to jail, even execution. It did lead to execution for several who agreed with Luther.

The voice of the day said: You can give money and spring your family member from purgatory: Luther was there to say, no, it is by faith alone.

The voice of the day said: You have to place yourself in a position to be saved, if you do not, you will not be saved: Luter was there to say, no, it is by faith alone.

The voice of the day said: You must bring something to be saved: Luther was there to say, no, it is by faith alone.

There were so many who lost their lives over this concept. Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer were burned at the stake for their confessed faith in these doctrines. Luther himself was in the Wartburg Castle for a year to avoid being killed and imprisoned for his support for these thoughts.

Luther, and so many other Reformers, were upholding the doctrine of Justification by Faith alone. Why is this important?

The wages of sin is death. This was the wage spoken to Adam. As soon as you eat of the forbidden tree, you shall die. Yet, after eating from the tree, there was no death.

Our brother David writes in Psalm 103, a reading from earlier,

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” What benefits? “Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals your diseases, who redeems your life form the pit.” Xx Does this sound like you were doing okay? Iniquities? Pit? Disease? What disease? Cancer? Deep Bone Thrombosis? Arterial Disease?

In one sense, yes. IN one sense these things have come upon us since the rebellion of Adam. We have suffered birth defects and illnesses too many to count.

In one sense, yes, but don’t limit it there. Don’t you dare limit it to just our illnesses. God says in Exodus 15:26 “I am the Lord, your healer.” What healing we needed is the healing He provided.

David continues, “He satisfies you with Good. . . The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. . . The Lord is merciful and gracious. Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” xx

Thank you, Lord. Thank you so much for being slow to anger. I get faced with some of the people who take peace from my life and I am not as patient. He is not only patient, He is loving.

“He did not deal with us according to our sins. He did not deal with us according to our sins. HE DID NOT DEAL WITH US ACCORDING TO OUR SINS: nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear him. . . As a father shows compassion on his children so the Lord shows compassion on those who fear him.” XX

This is our peace! This is our peace!

Here is what our Savior has done. He was perfectly righteous. Jesus became the second Adam. The first Adam was unable to be righteous. Jesus was righteous.

Even more, He did not just give us righteousness, He gave us His obedience. You are at peace because Jesus gave you HIS perfect obedience.

I do not stand before you today on my own merits. Those of you here who are in Christ, we are not in Christ on our own merits. Yet, we are at peace. We are at peace with God in Christ Jesus. Without Him you have no hope.

What did this passage mean for those to whom Paul was writing. You have this group of people in 3:11. What a diverse group of people!

This congregation was a mixture of so many. (list them, explain them)

Then Paul says this thing: Christ is All and in ALL. What a peculiar thing to say.

Christ is all we need. Christ is ALL. And Christ is in all. Every person in the world? Is Christ in every single person? No, just all race groups. Just these south enders. These Scythians. These Barbarians. All age groups. Male and female. Christ is in the rich and the poor (slave and free).

This is why they have peace. Similarly, this is why we have peace.

PERSPECTIVE!

But what about our wagon. How does Christ give us peace over these things?

YOU SAY TO ME – I have serious concerns. This sometimes wakes me up at night. Sometimes I shed a tear because I think of this. I have no peace in this relationship.

Look at this chapter. Look at what lies behind us and look at what is ahead of us.

You find 3:15 near the exact center of the passage. This chapter represents a thought. Chapters and verses were added later and not a part of the original text. It was meant to be helpful.

But take the number chapter 3 out. This whole section represents a thought. In this thought, there are 260 words before it and 220 words after it.

This is the center of our lives: For the Christian the ultimate Goal is peace with God. Everything revolves around this. Christ is the foundation of our lives.

For those who are in the Proverb study you may grow tired of me speaking about building our life on the foundation of Christ.

It was Jesus who said, “He who hears these words of mine and puts them to practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rains come and the streams rise and the winds blow and beat on that house and it does not fall because it is founded upon a rock.

Christ is the rock who helps us deal with our rock. Can you place your trust that our peace, Jesus, will work all things for good?

The peace of Christ is our ability to live. The peace of Christ is the ability to live out the first part of this passage. . . .and the remaining part of this passage.

Because Christ has taken our place, we are at peace with God. Paul is pointing to the peace in Christ as the means by which to accomplish his instruction.

The peace of Christ is the ability to:

set our mind on things above
Put to death what is earthly in us
To put off the old self
Put on the fruits of the spirit
Praise Him in everything
For wives to submit
For husbands to love wives properly
Children to obey.

This peace is right in the middle of his instruction. Because of the peace of Christ we can do these things.

We can be wise and build our house upon Jesus, our peace, or continue driving this bus . . . seeking peace. This bus did NOTHING to bring peace – NOTHING

Christ brings peace. Peace between us and God – peace in how to wisely handle life.

There is turmoil all around us. We get reports from the doctor and we are disheartened. Some of you have children that are not in the faith and I know you are hurting, I know there is no peace in your life because of this. You take this seriously and you have prayed and possibly fasted on this.

Understanding the peace of Christ and coming to terms with the peace of Christ is A KEY to growing in Christ.

Let the peace of Christ RULE.

All You Need is Love?: Lord’s Day 41

Date: October 12, 2025

Lord’s Day: 41

Series: Colossians the Mystery of Christ

Title: All You Need is Love?

Text: Colossians 3:12-14, Mark 12:28-31

Colossians 3:12-15

Mark 12:28-31

²⁸And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” ²⁹Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Introduction:

Recently I went with our oldest daughter and my two grandsons, Elam and Able, to the zoo. Elam is 2 and Able is 8 months.

We had a great time but there was one thing I noticed with the two boys. Getting them to focus on something is really hard.

The focus to which I refer is not, focus on your classwork here, or pay attention to what I am saying. It is getting them to see what is literally around them.

I can give several examples, but this is the best one. We were looking at the manatees. These are 2-ton shrimp. They are big, gray, with whiskers. Enormous animals and because of the widow viewing area, there is not a lot of room for failure to notice them.

I was pretty much in charge of the youngest, Able. We are standing in front of this tank and it was feeding time so all the manatees were eating salad, floating near the top of the water.

We are at the window this 2-ton creature is less than 6 inches from my face and Able did not see it. He is focused on this tiny air-bubble that is coming up through the water.

“Able, look! Right here buddy.” I am moving his head with my hands pointing it in the right direction so he can see this animal. Then he sees it. Smiles and moves wildly like, “Oh yeah, where did you come from?”

This happens all day long. We are walking around the zoo and the animals are ready for the day having just woke up. Moving and interacting with the people.

Oh, another one. We were at the Aquarium. All the lights are low in there. Tons of fish swimming around and here comes this shark that is as long as these church pews. Ol’ boy misses it.

“How can you miss that Elam?” I was thinking, it is such a good thing we were on this side of the glass. Oh, E would have ended up as an appetizer if we were in the wild.

I observed this all day long and it hit me: Part of the mission statement here at Donnels Creek is to love God and love others. Great goal. Sometimes, (or even often) DO I MISS what is right in front of my face? Just like the boys, it’s right here in front of me, an opportunity I am distracted by other things and I do not fully love God and love others?

How often have I missed an opportunity to love. Opportunities that were as big as a manatee? Opportunities that were 6 inches from my face and I was just looking over here, looking over there. Sometimes I was focused on this tiny air bubble that is floating.

We have spent the last two weeks emphasizing the particulars of forgiveness and I want to go back to a phrase used in the last sermon. My desire to was to turn attention to how to properly interpret this text in Colossians 3 and it was stated, “This was a letter written to Christ followers, teaching them how to love other Christ followers.”

What is the central teaching here? Love.

As believers we are chosen, holy, beloved: therefore have a compassionate heart, be kind, humble, meek, and patient and bearing with one another. These are ALL traits of love. If there is an issue, forgive as you have been forgiven.

The words of Paul are addressing Christians and telling them, treat each other like Christians.

Here is a thought that really drives me on this text. What if we are missing something?

There is the issue that we can be going through life, day to day and at the same time missing opportunities to love God and others. They can be the size of a manatee and we not see it. That manatee can be 6 inches away and we still not see it.

Before we get into the meat of the text, let us pray and ask God to bless the message.

In our second text Jesus was asked which was the most important commandment. The response by Jesus was the Shema Israel, which is a summary of the law: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Many see this as quoting all of the commands in summary form. You had the first half of the law, 1-4 how we are to love and honor God and then the second half, how to love and honor each other. Those made in God’s image.

In this culture it is very easy to assume the meaning of, “Love the Lord you God with all your heart,” and think of it in our own terms.

We have so many love songs, poems and sonnets, I love you with all my heart.

This is not how they conversed back in Jesus’ day. If you wanted to communicate the same idea as Al Green, “I love you with all my heart” you would say it differently. For them it would be kidneys or the liver. Maybe you would say, “You make my liver quiver.”

For in Jesus’ day, to say love the Lord your God with all your heart, it would be like saying, loving God with all your ability. The heart was the seat of the entirety of a person. Today we would say mind.

All your thoughts, all your motives: this is the heart. Love God with the seat of your life – the MOTIVE of your life.

How are we to do this? Jesus was quoting a passage from Deuteronomy 6. If you look at the larger context of you find even deeper meaning:

⁶And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. xx⁸You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

They were to talk about this law of God at all times: while sitting, walking, lying down, rising, on the door posts, on the door frames and on the gates.

Even more, the kings, when they take the throne, were instructed to write down a copy of the law. It is said that this would be the copy they would read from daily. When they ruled as a king, they would read the law, the very law they had written.

This is the MOTIVE. IT WAS FUELING MOTIVE. This becomes the thing that energizes the followers of God. They would know and fear God and most of all, love Him.

Wisdom is God’s Commands

For those of us who are doing the Proverb study, this week I discussed something that had occurred to me and I consulted some other puritan writers and found confirmation.

In Proverbs 6 can be found an almost identical statement from Deuteronomy 6. In this scripture the father is giving advice on how to avoid an adulterous woman:

“²⁰My son, keep your father’s commandment,
    and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
²¹Bind them on your heart always;
    tie them around your neck.
²²When you walk, they will lead you;
    when you lie down, they will watch over you;
    xx and when you awake, they will talk with you.
²³For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
²⁴to preserve you from the evil woman,
    from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. ” Proverbs 6:20-24

It continues: obviously the main teaching is about avoiding an adulterous person. However, that is not the deeper meaning. This is an allegory.

The love of our life is God. This God that you love, we must keep his word close to you. Let it lead you. Let it watch over you. Let it be a light in your life.

This will keep you from sin. This is the deeper allegorical meaning of the adulterous woman. She is a distraction and she will keep you from the love of your life.

What we are finding with the words of Jesus in Mark, from the words that Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy and the wise words of Proverbs is, this life that we have, this life in Christ is not an emotion. It is NOT TO BE WISHY WASHY.

It is the very thing that moves us. All the issues of life come from this seat of our heart.

This is the foundation of love. This is the foundation from which everything is built in our lives. And so often I miss it. Loving God and loving others. We are to PUT ON this love.

(illustration with coats – old coat, new coat <coach old>) we are new we put this on

Moreover, we are commanded to love God. It is not just a suggestion.

How do I miss it? If I love my Lord correctly, I will love other correctly. How do I know God’s love? I can look into the mirror of His word and see how it binds all things together!

God is Love

That we are to be like God, God is loving. God loves. We imitate Him in this trait.

D.A. Carson in his book “The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God,” mentions different ways the Bible speaks of God ‘s love.

The Father for the Son (John 3:35; 5:20) and the son for the Father (John 14:31)

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand., I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.

God’s “common grace”. (Matthew 5:45-46)

For he sends the rain on the just and the unjust and causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good.

God’s choosing and electing love (Dt 7:7-8; 10:15)

It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples

God’s conditional love (Exodus 20:6; John 15:10)

But (I am) showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. . . ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love

Sometimes what we put on can look like love

Throughout Scripture our Lord has taken the thread of love stringing it in and through so many lives. Doctrine is important. Theology is important. These are daily ingredients in my life. But may they never come at the expense of failing to see God’s love.

The love which motivated our Lord to cover Adam and Eve. This was not because they were indecent. It was a foreshadow, that I will cover your shame. I will give you garments of righteousness.

Sometimes we can put on what looks like love, because we are missing it. Like the boys at the zoo. It is right there, but we just don’t see it.

You know what looks like love? Think of Joseph and his brothers. They really hated him. Some of them wanted him dead.

At the right opportunity they got rid of him. Eventually selling him into a caravan and he is taken far, far away.

When they come back to Jacob, their father, they have a story and they have some evidence. We did what we could. Here is his coat.

I can say that as a church family, there is love here. As we begin to rebuild this place, there is a good foundation of love.

But what is more important than our love for each other, is our love for our Lord. Love God and love others is a perfect summation of Jesus’ answer in Mark 12.

Love the Lord your God, love you neighbor. Jesus answer in our text takes us right back to a love for God that is tied with God’s word.

What binds everything together? Moses, Solomon and Jesus give the answer to what binds everything together: Love God, love others.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Col 3:14

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand Dt 6:8

My son, keep your father’s commandment,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
²¹Bind them on your heart always Prv 6:20-21

Bold Christian Life: Lord’s Day 40

Date: October 5, 2025

Colossians 3:12-14

I have to admit as I began to drill down into this topic of forgiveness and love, there came a point where I had to say, “How did I get here?” I even asked myself the question, “Is this really necessary?”

I revisited the text several times. Considered the cultural climate.

I debated mentally for a long time. For days, while driving or random quiet times there was this back and forth in thoughts because I could leave this. Ultimately, as you will obviously see, the decision was to press down.

In Colossians 3:12-14 we are instructed to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, loving and to be forgiving. Last week, in dealing with this text in Colossians 3 and in light of recent cultural events we discussed the nuances of forgiveness.

But there is an additional issue; we have the following passages which point the opposite direction. Consider the following:

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
⁵The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
⁶You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. Psalm 5:4-6

³The wicked are estranged from the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies. . . ⁶O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Psalm 58:3,6

²¹Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
²²I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies. Psalm 139:19-22

Maybe you have not noticed these three Psalms as you, over time, have read through your Bible. It is possible that your mind wandered and the full impact of these really did not set in.

These are certainly from our Scriptures. Which begs the question in light of our passage on forgiveness and being a forgiving people, how does this fit? What are we to do with these very colorful descriptions, prayers and praises to God in what to do with our enemy?

These are three examples of what we call imprecatory Psalms. Imprecatory is a prayer for God to call harm or evil on someone.

My first sermon here in February was from Isaiah 6:1-6. One of the points of that sermon concerned the thrice repeated description of God, “Holy, holy, holy.” This was a matter of emphasis, and it mentions specifically God’s holiness.

The description did not address God as “love, love, love.” Nor did it express him as, “merciful, merciful, merciful.” God is loving. God is merciful. God is forgiving.

What the passage states clearly mention is God’s holiness. God is “holy, holy, holy.” He has a passion for that holiness.

There are just 4 other Scriptural instances where something is repeated 3 times. One of those is Revelation 8:13 where it says regarding the coming judgement of God, “Woe, woe, woe.”

There is strong emphasis in American evangelism on the love of God, and So much so that it comes at the expense of the holiness of God. This has led to some having a misunderstanding of forgiveness. This was the idea introduced last week.

For God so loved that he gave . . . to this we say “Amen!” We are grateful as we were unworthy and unholy and our gracious and merciful God made us holy.

Underestimating God’s holiness and misunderstanding of forgiveness it has weakened our ability to hate evil and renders us logically unable to defend the faith from the enemy. (repeat – rest of what I say will clarify)

My hope today is to return us to a bold faith.

Speaking from the heart, I have watched the faith that I love get completely wrecked. I have seen the country that I love get completely wrecked.

There has been an ongoing deterioration of faith and values that if I were to publicly state, from this pulpit, what is being said by others on similar pulpits, I might be able to keep my job but there would certainly be meetings. There are things being said in pulpits at this very hour that is straight from Babylon and Sodom and Gomorrah.

Similarly, there are acts of violence committed every day against believers in this country. I was typing out something for Donnels Creek and my Attention Deficit kicked in. I thought to myself, I wonder how many people enrolled in the 31 Days reading have watched the video today.

Y’all know I can see who has been looking right? There was a sharp decline from day 1 to day 2 to day 3.

Anyway, I popped on over to the Tube and of course greeted with the home page of suggested videos. There was one of five to seven people standing on a street corner, peacefully protesting an abortion mill. Two of them had signs.

They were approached by 5 people, one carry a club, three carry semi-auto rifles. They were in all black, masked from top of the head to foot. They douse them with bear spray while the semi-auto stood ready to shoot if any dared to strike back.

What about persecution worldwide? This is not mentioned on any news channel. (have photo) This is a photograph of a mass grave being filled. September 20 (two weeks ago) more than 90 Christians were murdered by Islamist in Ntoyo Africa in eastern Congo. No a whisper of this.

On my shoulders to the right was bad Matthew. To the left side was bad Matthew and those two began to fight it out. “I hate those who hate you God.”

How it typically goes for the Christian who loves Jesus is like this, They have been taught about forgiveness. They know what Colossians says. They know the words of Jesus.

If someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn him the other. Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good and sends the rains on the just and the unjust.”

What are we to do with these words of Jesus? Do they make us sitting ducks; patsies? How do we reconcile this teaching of Christ with the imprecatory song and prayer of David? Can we say, “Do I not hate those who hate you?”

I look around me and there is an overwhelming rise of evil around us. I am telling you; I hate watching this happen to our FAITH and our country. We are in a time period where we are not shielded because we live in a small town.

Do we “Marcion” this tough Scripture in Psalm. Just cut out what we do not like? What does not seem to fit with the rest of Scripture? So we can understand our text in Colossians: be kind, compassionate, forgiving, meek, humble and patient?

Like our time with forgiveness, last week, there is a nuance which must be understood.

Application: From there to Here

In order to interpret our texts properly we must understand the context AND the whole counsel of God. What does our text say? What does the rest of Scripture say? How do we reconcile these two things?

Think of a village. We can call that the Village of Colossae. Those are the people who read this text first. These were the people to whom it was written. It has an application over there and that application could be different than over here.

Picture a village over here, we will call it the Village at Donnels Creek. It is a Village that is roughly 2,000 years and also nearly 6,000 miles away. There is a body of water that is in between the two villages.

The responsibility I have is to see what did the application mean over in that village and then build a bridge to connect the two.

We also carry a backpack – Like Dora the Explorer. We carry this backpack that is filled with the Whole Counsel of God. This is what God has said to other villages. We use all this information to rightly handle this word.

Last week we began our first look at this section of Scripture in Colossians, and our focus was on 3:13 and forgiveness. Of course, taking note of the current cultural climate with the recent events of Ms. Kirk forgiving her husband’s killer.

Because we are chosen, holy and beloved we are to put on some things: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience and forgiving. As a forgiven people we are to be forgiving.

There are two words for forgiveness used. I mentioned this last week. It is more of a painted picture than a word.

First word is ALPHIEEMI– which means sent away, put over there, separated, removed. It is the word used here in Colossians 3:13 forgiving one another as the Lord has forgiven you.

Second word is KARIZOMAI– free, favor, a cancelled debt. This is the word used in Matthew as we prayed the Lord’s Prayer last week.

One word means something taken away. The other word means something given.

We had Ms. Kirk who said at her husband’s funeral, to her husband’s killer, “I forgive him.” Then Stephen Miller who said of the same killer, “You have nothing, you are nothing and we are coming after you.” We then explored how both of these can be a right response. Even though they are opposite each other, they can both be a Biblical response.

After mentioning several instances in Scripture where just a blanket statement of “I forgive you” is not automatically provided we can list at least three categories.

Personal
Public (Magistrate)
Pastoral

On a personal level we are to be forgiving. In the Church we are to be forgiving. This is the context of what we are reading. Jesus has given us grace/forgiveness and he has taken away our debt. Let us imitate that.

But when considering the while counsel of God, there are other texts which shed additional light on this. Matthew 18 and an unrepentant brother is an example. Also Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings bring further nuances. If you missed last week, please watch or listen online.

He is not addressing the same problem here that was addressed in Corinth. There were serious issues in Corinth, issues of heresy.

Fortunately, the letter we are reading is addressing an issue where Paul is just saying, “Love each other and do the things that look like love” This would include patience, meekness, forgiveness, kindness and humility.

If you apply this teaching to the heresy in Corinth it would make the response weak and ineffective.

The pastorate is to look out for the flock. We will get more into this in our next series on leadership in the local church. The pastoral oversite is to watch for “savage wolves” (Paul’s words in Acts 20).

Our passage appears in a time when I have been in many discussions over the current state of morality in our country AND our nation. What do we do? Do we just keep identifying the problems, speaking about the problems and do nothing? Then let us take the teeth from the Lion of Judah!

Fighting on Our Terms.

480 BC (included map)

Historian Heroditus

The book we are studying, Colossians, was written by Paul at the same time which Ephesians was written. They were most likely carried by the same mail carrier as they were delivered. We can find in Ephesians how to fight.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic xx powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Xx ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you xx can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Let us not be weak. Let us be bold in our faith. Let us not give an inch. Let us, just like the Athenians and the Spartans fight on our terms.

We face an enemy that is large. We face an enemy that has tried to execute us throughout time. Even in recent times as shared earlier, 90+ believers executed in one night.

We will not be meek with our enemy. We will be forgiving and meek with each other. But we will be bold and brave and fight the enemy in prayer. We will hate that which the Lord hates and at the same time, at the VERY SAME TIME pray that all men everywhere repent.

Christian, I am calling your attention to the holiness of God and it is nothing to be weakened or trifled. We can be bold in our faith and we need to be.

So many of us see on gravestones or hear quoted at funerals for those who died as believers that they fought the good fight and have defended the faith. . . yet most of us have seeded territory our whole life because we misunderstood how to live boldly.

We have territory here. Several weeks ago I mentioned that one of two avenues for growth in this church is the youth program. Are you fighting for those kids? Are they in your prayers?

God will bring people to where there is an ability for them to flourish. He will bring souls to a place where people will fight for them.

In this culture, in this time when the faith is devalued and tread upon, this is a time where we understand that we must hate what God hates, love what God loves. Let us pray for repentance and really believe that it can and will take place.

Forgiveness: Lord’s Day 39

Colossians 3:10-17

¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. ¹¹Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Matthew 18:15-18

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

When his mother bought the house next door he sold as quick as he could, moved into same town but near Blacklick creek that flooded basement frequently, one car garage, he had to rent another space to continue his home business. All this because he did not want to live next to his mother.) I don’t know what she did. I did not ask, I did not want to know. Is forgiveness always warranted? What is forgiveness?

The past few weeks we have been dealing with this middle part of Colossians 3. It states that we are to put to death what is earthly in us and then proceeds to give a couple of short lists which are in the negative. As believers, we are to put OFF these things.

We approach the text where Paul turns his attention into the affirmative. He makes a list of affirming things, positive things that we are to put on.

Beginning with 3:10 we put on this new self that is in the EIKON of the Creator (Jesus). We do this because we have been renewed. Our OLD self has died.

What are we to put on? (3:12) He begins to make an affirmative list: compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. We do this because we are chosen in God, we bear with one another and forgive each other.

This text happens to come at a very interesting moment. We had a high-profile memorial service where the wife, now widow, of a murdered man, in a very public way proclaimed forgiveness for the killer of her husband.

At Charlie Kirks memorial service you had two extremes. You had the wife who not only forgave the killer, but she also quoted the words of Jesus, as he was on the cross just before he died. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Then you had Stephen Miller who said to the killer, “You are nothing, you have nothing, and we are coming for you.”

I found both of those very interesting statements. That is loaded. You have people who are Christian and non-Christian who say the Christian community has to chose one of those. It can’t be both.

It doesn’t. Before I am done today you will see why that both of those statements are valid Christian responses to the reaction to what has happened.

For many Christians in America have been instructed in forgiveness sometimes in very dangerous ways. It is fortunate for us that this public display happened just as our study came to the topic of forgiveness in our text.

What does the Bible have to say about forgiveness? We have read our text and added the text of Matthew 18. We have the words of Ms. Kirk as she quoted Jesus’ words on the Cross.

We prayed the Lords Prayer together which mentions it and then after we also have the words of Jesus just as he concluded the Lord’s prayer, “If you forgive those who trespass against you then your father will forgive your trespasses. But if You do not forgive those who trespass against you, then your heavenly father will not forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus also taught, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. How are we to understand forgiveness in light of Jesus? How does it apply in our text here in Colossians 3?

I will say that this will take a couple of weeks to fully unpack so please stick with me. We are not going to break down every passage and parable on forgiveness, but we are going to give a thorough look at the topic.

The issue is, when we get this wrong it can be very dangerous. The church, in general terms, has gotten this wrong more than it has gotten it right.

There have been some cases, in public life and in the church, leaders have gotten this wrong and it has proved deadly, hurtful and dangerous. It has caused some people to leave church doors to never return.

Too often we look at forgiveness with a monolithic application. Often is the case, the nuances is ignored and the whole counsel of God is bypassed.

Let’s start on the ground floor as we begin a comprehensive look at forgiveness.

POINT: So often is the case in this situation is forgiveness is more for the person doing the forgiving than the person receiving it.

Are there passages that hint towards forgiveness not being automatic? Yes. Consider the following:

Matthew 18:15ff: Look at our second text. (Matthew 18:15) “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you two alone. If he listens, you have gained your brother. If he does not listen, take two others. If he refuses to listen to them, then tell it to the church. If he does not listen to all that, treat him as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

This is the process of reconciliation between two people. Jesus did not say:

If a brother (sister) sins against you, tell everyone about it. Go to everyone else and talk about how awful that person is and how in the world could they do such and such.
If a brother (sister) sins against you, just forgive and forget. Just overlook it and move on because I forgave you and you should forgive them.

He says, go to them and address it. That does not fix it? Bring a couple of people. That does not fix it? Bring it to the church. That does not fix it? They are cast out.

This is a situation where they are not forgiven. Something is being held against them, and it is whatever that offense is. Avoid, refuse to be with them.

Adultery and Marriage: Another passage to consider is when adultery has been committed in a marriage or in the case of abandonment. Jesus mentions adultery and Paul mentions abandonment (1 Corinthians 7).

These are cases where the offended party can leave the marriage. If we are to monolithically apply forgive because we have been forgiven, then it would render Jesus’ teaching on divorce void.

A Believer who is in serious sin : I can provide one more example and it is with Paul in the Corinthian church. There was a man who was sexually immoral (1 Corinthians 5). This was going on and the church, up until Paul’s letter, was tolerating it. He explicitly says, remove this man from you. A little leaven leavens the whole bread. A little sin will fester within that body and grow.

He tells them, this man needs to go. Do not associate with people who say they are brothers and sisters in Christ and are in unrepentant habitual sin. Paul says, do not even eat with such a person.

So, I hope you can better see that forgiveness is not just something Christians automatically dispense. We are not instructed that 100% of the time we are to go from sin to automatic forgiveness. The Christian community has most often been taught if they are sinned against it is universal and unilaterally automatic forgive.

Here is the danger: there have been many cases where something happens in a congregation (sadly this happens more than you know). The elders and leaders of that congregation are made aware of it and then they decide to handle this in house because we are supposed to be forgiving.

IN HOUSE LEADERSHIP: There have been MANY cases of abuse, sexual and physical, where the offended party has been coerced to forgive the offender because the offender said, “I repent” and Jesus says that we should forgive as we have been forgiven.

This has been the source of A LOT of people who eventually leave the church angry, frustrated never to return. They are hurt and betrayed.

Church, we need to understand this. We have to get this right. So how do we get this right?

What has been presented here are some situations that contradict the teaching that Christians are to blanket offer forgiveness to every situation regardless of the offender has done. So how do we justify that which is contradicting? How can we make these teachings line up?

Categories & Definitions

On the ADMINISTERING of Justice, Scripture provides three categories :

Personal
Magistrate
Pastoral

Personal

Erika Kirk stated in her speech at the Charlie Kirk funeral that she forgave the killer. She quoted Christ, “Forgive them they do not know what they are doing.”

Did you know that most people who offend you, who sin against you, even when it is heinous sin, do not know fully what they are doing? Do you think the killer thought about two baby girls growing up without their father? I really doubt it.

From the slightest sin committed against you to the worst sin that can be committed against you, it is safe to say the offending party did not know the complete impact of their sin.

This position of Erika Kirk, if it is meant from the heart, is the best position to be in. Why? It is a release. It is the beginning of release. Forgiveness is a process of growth.

I would argue it is like our opening illustration; it is a release of a burden. It is making a statement that you will not allow this thing that was done to you to control every part of your future.

Public

There is a public responsibility for these things. The government holds the sword.

For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ²Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. . . ⁴for he is God’s servant for your good. . . . for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-2 & 4

The public servant, the government, is the servant (deacon) of God. The government is to carry the sword and act out justice for those who are wronged.

There have been many congregations whose leadership whose actions said, “We are going to force the member of our body to forgive a crime, and we are not going to let the government do its God designed job.”

We also have judges who are not doing their jobs. We have prosecutors who are not acting justly. What happens in these instances?

You cannot treat public enemies from a private method. This is why I said, Erika’s response to the murderer is correct and Stephen Miller’s response to the murderer was correct. It is not an either or. It is both.

You have a young girl murdered on a Charlotte, NC subway train by a criminal who had been arrested and released 14 times. This is the result of treating public enemies from the private method.

Pastoral

The church brings the water, word, wine and the wheat (bread). The church has a responsibility here as well. They are to preach the gospel. These are the tools of the church.

When a congregation of a church has a matter which arises which is in the jurisdiction of the magistrate, the leadership is to allow the civil authority to address the matter. They are not to simply sweep it under the rug.

The church is to pray for repentance of the offender. The offender is to be addressed by the civil authority and the church is to pray for their salvation.

Closing

The issue for so many is, if they offer forgiveness when there is a sense that you are justifying what has happened against you. This is not the case.

You are expressing a faith that God will handle this justly. You are releasing your notion of getting even and allowing the proper authorities to enact justice.

Think of the twelve apostles in the first century. Tradition tells us, history tells us that they all suffered greatly. Eleven of the twelve suffered death. John was boiled in oil and lived only to be exiled to the island of Patmos.

Do you not think these had a right to get even? How do you think the church prayed for those involved in the trial, imprisonment and execution?

I am certain that they prayed for them.

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

Genesis 1:26-27²⁶Then 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.”

²⁷So 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

²⁶Then 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.”

²⁷So 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 ¹⁰and 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

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 1^st 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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;
²⁵the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶the 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