Dressed for Success

Colossians-3:12-17

Last week we talked about The Way it’s Supposed to Work and how we are to leave our old selves behind and embrace our new selves in Jesus Christ.

This week the illustration is more on shedding our old clothes and wearing the new ones. I’m going to cover what we talked about in the service but also what I’m learning in my personal study of Ephesians because that’s too good not to share.

First, we are to consider ourselves New in Christ and as a test pastor John wants us all to grade ourselves on how we are doing in our new “clothes” so to speak.

Have we clothed ourselves in compassion, kindness, graciousness, humility, forgiveness, gentleness, patience, hope, faith, and love? Have we taken off the dirty garments of sin, evil, pornography, lust, envy, and bitterness?

Since we have peace with God, we can have harmony with one another. We don’t hold grudges anymore…do we?

We need to let go of anger and bitterness or thoughts of revenge. That’s not who we are anymore-let it go!

I always felt guilty that maybe I didn’t mourn Mom as much as Dad, but that isn’t true of course. Time has passed and I’ve forgotten how long it actually took for me to feel better after she died. Yes, when things were bad between us they were really bad, and I held on to the anger I had that she took my son from me.

Then I realized, I had a choice and I didn’t make it-didnt want to risk our relationship with each other and so I let things be. I didn’t want to risk my marriage to David either. So who really suffered was Sean. I have to let that go now. I have to forgive her and myself and move on.

I can’t jeopardize my eternal future harboring my bitter thoughts, I need to shed that garment and put on the new one. My coat of many colors each color representing the good characteristics of which I just spoke, the greatest being love.

That took off on a different road than I expected. I’ll get back on track here.

We are also supposed to replace anxiety with prayer, petition, and Thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We should progress in our knowledge and expression of His word so that all we do is consistent with Him. (3:16-17)

This expression is through songs and hymns, Psalms and spiritual songs. We do all this in His name.

I’m going to switch gears now and talk about what I heard today in Ephesians 4:11-13.

By the end of the first century, the New Testament Canon was completed. It was written by Apostles, not ordinary men who were gifted by Christ with supernatural powers. They were tasked with bringing the word of God to the gentiles (you and me) and had a supernatural insight into the word of God.

The lack of understanding the Word is the reason for all the divisions in the church. The truth of the scripture was meant to unify the church. The gift of evangelism includes this zeal and diplomacy to explain the truth for unification through missions.

They were bold and fearless leaders bringing converts to the body of Christ.

What is your gift? Do you even know?

At the moment we became believers we were given our gift. Since I’m so drawn to helping others, maybe that is my gift. I try to be kind to everyone, so maybe that is my gift. I’m of the belief that whatever that pull is in you that you feel is driving you, that is your gift.

What you don’t realize is that you can’t recognize your gift until you’ve put it into service! If you aren’t using your gift, you aren’t sharing in your responsibility or receiving other’s gifts to grow together in the faith.

Unbelievers spend their lives in vanity -inside their own mind-as if they can get to God by themselves. Until you believe and profess that belief, you will never get to God. He has already predetermined who will come to Him.

We need to develop a plan and work that plan for the success of the church. We have to work with each other, we cannot do it alone. Our spiritual growth is the most important thing. We need to focus our energy not on things of the world but things of the church because that is where the truth is.

Again, don’t let the enemy win by telling you that you are not enough, you are plain, or ordinary. You are not!

You are unique and extraordinary!

Put on your new clothes and join other believers to bring everyone in your life to God. That is how you get to experience eternity with Him. I don’t want to end up in the lake of fire and I definitely don’t want that for you either! My eyes will be focused on eternity and I will let go of the enemy’s realm of darkness, despair, disobedience, and death. Jesus saved me from that and now I can some day enter His heavenly realm of life, peace, hope, joy, faithfulness, and love!

Sorry I got so long winded here but have yourselves a blessed Sunday and the week to follow.