Colossians: Out with the Old, In with the New

Preached on 5.3.09 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices  ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  ¹¹ Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:5-11 ESV

 

^{Out with the old, in with the new.}

 

What is God telling us to do?

“Put to death” & “put away”  certain kinds of behavior (v.5, 8).

• Very strong verb. Not just “stop doing”  but “exterminate completely”

Do I go after my sin in the way that this verse tells us to?

 

There are two list of specific sins mentioned in this passage- (v.5, 8, 9)

1. impurity and greed.
2. attitude & speech.

•  
  • “sexual immorality - Any form of sexual sin or impurity.
  • “impurity” - Not just acts, includes evil thoughts and intentions.
  • “passion” - Uncontrolled desire.
  • “evil desire” - General, evil desire.
  • “and covetousness, which is idolatry” - Lit. “to have more,” stuff is god.
  • “anger” - Deep, smoldering bitterness. Attitude of angry person.
  • “wrath” - Sudden outburst of sinful anger. Volano-esque.
  • “malice” - Prob. refers to the damage caused by evil speech.
  • “slander” - To ‘talk bad about,’ speak ill of other people.
  • “and obscene talk from your mouth.” - Foul-mouthed abuse.
  • “Do not lie to one another” - Lit. “stop lying.” Particularly abusive.

 

Where do I see myself in these lists?              

 

“what is earthly in you” - “Kitchen-sink” idea covers all remaining sin.

 

Why is God telling us to do this?

This kind of behavior is who we once were, but not who we now are (7, 10).

• His directives for our activity are rooted in our identity.

 

Do I recognize that when I sin, I am actually living as someone I’m not?

 

God pours out His wrath against this kind of behavior (v.6).

• Not yet following Jesus? Repent and believe the Gospel. 
• Following Jesus? Respond in praise and thanksgiving for the Gospel.

 

How do I need to respond to this truth about the wrath of God?

Is this truth currently serving me in some way in my struggle against sin?

 

How do we do this?

Developing a Good Strategy:  (General principles to help you tailor specifics)

 

Any good strategy will address both the external & internal dimensions of sin.

• External: Addressing the behavior. 
• Internal: Addressing why the behavior exists in the first place.
  • What lies am I believing? What are the idols in my heart? What wounds am I trying to heal with this sin?

 

Any good strategy will encourage both “putting off the old” and “putting on the new.”

• Not just “don’t do this,” but also “do this.”

 

 The best strategies will include all of these elements:

1. God’s Word- Rebuke. Restrain. Remind. Restore. Am I seeing the Word bear this kind of fruit in these areas?
2. God’s Gospel-Promotes balance at every level.  Am I applying the Gospel in my struggle against sin?
3. God’s Plans-Wise practical instructions. Start w. the Scriptures. 
   • Eg. : Rom. 13:14 “cutting off the supply lines” 
   • Do I have sound, practical strategies to deal with my ongoing struggles?
4. God’s People-Gospel accountability. 
   • Do I have real accountability? Is it Gospel accountability?
   • www.thegospelcoalition.com or video link at our blog this week for examples of this.

 

 

The Gospel takes away the old and gives us strength to bring in the new.

 

 

Works Consulted: Expositor’s Commentary, Life Application Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, Conversation Videos from the Gospel Coalition website.