Bible Text: Colossians 3 | Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lou Saldiveri | Series: Sunday Morning Worship

— Pastor Lou’s Notes —

Intro: Sometimes we use Febreeze or a similar spray to freshen up things that smell. However, if the article being freshened up is not cleaned, the smell and odor will always come through. Or if we continue to live with an unpleasant odor, we can become so use to that odor, we won’t even notice it anymore.

We can look good on the outside and yet stink on the inside, because there are things are the inside that are bad.

Paul gives us some great insights as to personal practical holiness.

1. Set our Hearts on Things Above v. 1-3
1. We are alive in Christ
2. He is seated at the right hand of the Father
3. We need to dwell on heavenly things, not earthly things
4. We are united in Christ and alive in Him
5. We walk in the promise of eternity

2. Put Off or put to Death Sinful Behaviors v.5-11
1. Whatever belongs to the earthly nature
1. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed
2. These are things that are contrary to the holiness of God
3. These things tend to come naturally to our old earthly nature

Intro: Last week, I used the illustration of using Fabreeze or a similar product to get ride of bad odors. We talked about how bad things in our hearts will always generate bad odors in our lives unless we continue to allow God’s grace to cleans use from the inside out. Only God’s grace can change us from the inside out to help us get rid of the garbage in our lives and let Him replace the garbage with the fragrant live of Christ.

In cooperation with the Word of God and the Spirit of God, Paul gives us very practical principles to become spiritually healthy and more like Christ. Remember, the moment we became a Christ follower by faith, God gave to us the Holy Spirit who is able to give us the desire and the power, resurrection power, to cooperate with Him in this process.

1.
1. Part 2
1. Get rid of anger, rage, malice, slander. and filthy language, don’t lie to each other
1. The reason for all this is we are to take off our old self and put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of the Creator
2. This principle applies to all who are in Christ
1. No distinction because of race, color, rich or poor
2. Christ is sufficient
1. He is all and is in all

2. Put On the Life of Christ v. 12-17
1. We are able to do this because of our union with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit
1. Remember, Christ followers are God’s chosen people

2. Clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
3. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
1. Remember the great debt from which we are forgiven e.g. bigger than our national debt e.g. Mrs. Ben Carson stated correctly that if we paid 10 million dollars/day, it would take 5000 years to pay of a national debt of 18 trillion dollars. cns news article ny Michael Chapman, Oct.6, 2015: http://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/mrs-ben-carson-if-we-pay-10-million-day-it-will-take-5000-years-pay-18

4. Most important, put on love
5. Love is the bond of the unity of the saints

3. Continue to let the peace and life of Christ rule in our hearts
1. We are called to peace
2. Whatever we do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus
1. In His will
2. In His power

3. Give thanks to the Father through Christ.
1. The encompasses our heart, mind, and will

Closing:
Do we desire to be spiritually healthy? Will we allow God to do His transforming work on us and clean us up from the inside out?
In the power of the Holy Spirit, are we willing to put off and get rid of that which stinks on the inside and replace the stinky stuff we that sweet fragrance of the life of Christ? The choice is ours. Are you content with looking holy, or do you long for something better, being holy…that is to live life in Christ?