Putting on the New Self (Conclusion)
January 18, 2017
Colossians 3:3–4 English Standard Version (ESV)
3 For for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Galatians 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 6:11 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:4English Standard Version (ESV)
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
1 Peter 1:5English Standard Version (ESV)
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Hebrews 7:25English Standard Version (ESV)
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
John 10:28English Standard Version (ESV)
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54English Standard Version (ESV)
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1 John 3:1-3English Standard Version (ESV)
3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Revelation 21:4English Standard Version (ESV)
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Colossians 3:3-4English Standard Version (ESV)
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
SOME THINGS MUST BE REMEMBERED
These last two verses of our text serve as reminders of some important spiritual truths today. We need to consider them before we leave these things behind.)
- v. 3a There Has Been A Death – We are reminded again that we have died to sin and to the influence of this world. One of the surest ways for the child of God to enjoy spiritual victory in his or her life is for that person to understand that they are crucified with Christ, Gal. 2:20. If we can get a grip on that truth and do what Rom. 6:11 tells us to do, we would grow deeper in the things of the Lord.
- v. 3b There Has Been A Deposit – When we were saved, we were given new life in Jesus. This new life imparts to us the “divine nature”, 2 Pet. 1:4. This new life guarantees the believer eternal security, 1 Pet. 1:5; Heb. 7:25; John 10:28. Because we are hidden in Jesus, we are in protective custody and none of the enemies of the soul can approach us, attack us or take us out of Jesus.
- v. 4 There Has Been A Dream – Paul closes this paragraph by reminding us that this world is not the best there is. We may have to deny our flesh down here, but it will be worth it all over there. We might have to battle Satan here, but we will enjoy victory there. When Jesus comes, our faith in Him will be vindicated and we will be glorified with Him.
Right now, every believer in this room battles the world, the flesh and the devil. Each of these enemies does everything they can to hinder us and to cause us to fail.
The devil has absolutely no power over us when our faith is in Christ.
“Greater is He that is in you, that he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Jesus said: “Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
One day, the battles will be over!
This flesh will be changed and remade in His image, 1 Cor. 15:53-54; 1 John 3:1-3.
We will leave this world with its sin, its evil, its problems, its devil and we will go to land of perfection to bask in the glory of our Redeemer forever, Rev. 21:4.
Right now, I have a dream. I dream of a day when I will go home. I dream of a day when I will see the Lord Jesus Christ. One day that dream will become a reality and I will be in His presence! That is what we need to remember as we fight the good fight of faith!
Conclusion: That’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? But, as we stand here on the cusp of a New Year, we need to take a good, hard look at our lives and at our walk with the Lord.
- Are there some things in your life that need to be retained? Does your focus need to be adjusted?
- Are there some things in your life that need to be released? Do you need to lay down some of the things mentioned in this message?
- Are there some things in your life that need to be remembered? Do you need to take a trip down memory lane and nail a few things down today?
If there are needs and the Lord has spoken to your heart, this altar is open. You mind Him! If you need to be saved, you can do that today. If He is calling you, then you need to come to Him and be saved.
Whatever the needs may be today, you should listen to the voice of the Lord and do what He us telling you to do. Let’s seek to make 2017 the best year of our lives for the glory of God!
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