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Greater: Week 3

Greater: Week 3

1. THE GOSPEL IS … IF WE HAVE FAITH/FAITHFULNESS.

Colossians 1:21–23 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

2. … IF WE ARE ROOTED AND ABIDING IN HIM.

Colossians 2:6–7 6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

3. THESE LEAD TO A PERSPECTIVE CHANGE.

Colossians 3:1–18 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, 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.

“SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED…” REMEMBER WHO WE ARE.

Colossians 2:11–12 11In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh, was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

“SET OUR HEARTS AND MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE” REFERS TO OUR WILL, OUR INTELLECT, AND OUR DESIRES.

  • The world isn’t what it says it is.
  • What the world values, fears, and pursues are not what we value, fear, and pursue.

James 1:2–5 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

“PUT OFF/PUT TO DEATH … YOUR EARTHLY NATURE” LIKE CLOTHING. IT’S AN ACTIVE CHOICE, WITH GOD’S HELP.

  • He tells us clearly the thoughts and actions that are unspiritual and earthly.
  • We still have evil thoughts and desires to deal with. We recognize them, and with the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and strength, we put them off.

PUT ON RELATIONSHIP AND LOVE.

Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

  • Clothing ourselves with love:

o Forgive.

o Let the peace of Christ rule.

o Be thankful!

o Bear with one another and make allowances for faults.

o Let the word of God dwell in you and work through you.

WHAT A GREAT TIME TO GET ROOTED; OUR CONNECTIONS TO GOD & ONE ANOTHER WILL LAST LONGER THAN THIS CRISIS.

  • As you connect to your groups and neighborhoods right now, what does it look like to:

o To care for those in your groups?

o To care for those you meet in your day-to-day?

o Connect to your neighborhood?

o Share the peace of Christ wherever you go?

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

  • Passages to consider: Colossians 3
  • What from the sermon impacted your thinking, beliefs or actions?

Did you get a chance to read Colossians 3 this week? If so, what stood out to you?

1. We are in the midst of an interesting time. What has been fascinating to you?

2. Read Colossians 3:1-4. Share how you came to follow Jesus. Remind yourself what commitment you made trust and follow Jesus. A) What helps you set your mind on Jesus? NOTE: You may be in the midst of discovering Jesus; share who Jesus is to you at this point?

3. Read Colossians 3:5-11. In times of stress, anxiety, fear, and tension, our old patterns can reemerge. What old patterns do you have to wrestle with? A) How do you put off your old way of living?

4. Read Colossians 3:12-17. Which of these new nature qualities comes more easily to you? A) Which one do you need most at this time? B) How do you put on your new nature?

5. Choose one of these new nature attributes from this passage. How would it look to clothe yourself with it in… your thinking?In the midst of your home, or your work, or your daily routine? While watching the news or with your “enemies?” Begin to envision what that quality would look like in those settings. What would it take for you to practice your new nature there? Make a plan; take a step.

6. What do you or your family need at this time? A) How are you staying connected with Jesus and with others?