Put to Death the Old Ways

Minister Joaquin 

Colossians 3:5-11

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. 

Stop lying to one another 

-              Commanded to share our burdens with each other

-              Confess when we sin and make mistakes

-              Tell people we have an issue with them, so we don’t hurt the unity

Put away anger, wrath, malice, slander

Do you hate people or not?

Signs you hate someone

-              Can’t stand their sight

-              Can’t stand their voice

-              Everything they do annoys you

-              You get jealous of them

-              You constantly compare yourselves to them

-              You wish they would disappear

-              You avoid them at all costs

-              Your blood boils when you see them

Stop coveting

-              Your lack of joy is usually due to not having what others have

-              Your prayers are more asking than saying thank you

-              Your upset with God because you haven’t had the same protection as others

 If you earn $60,000 a year after tax and you don’t have kids, you’re in the richest 1 percent of the world’s population. 

If you have a household income of $130,000 after tax and you’ve got a partner and one kid, you’re also in the richest 1 percent.

Or say you have a household income of $160,000 after tax and you’ve got a partner and two kids. Guess what? You’re also in the 1 percent. 

Christians are the wealthiest religion of all the religions 

People in pain can only focus on what is in front of them and what is causing them pain. They lose sight of the big picture. The pain will linger until they learn how to either live with the pain or find a way use that pain to help them grow stronger

The new self comes from renewing knowledge

-              God had a plan for it all

-              The plan was for your good

-              It was meant to help you grow

-              That pain fuels your future joy

-              You can help others more based on what you went through

-              This knowledge gives you the trust to share anything, let go of hate because God used it for our good, fills you with the love you need and stops you from desiring it in bad ways, and stops you from coveting and leaves you with the feeling that you wouldn’t make one change to your life. 

Applications 

Start the day with Gods words to get your mind right

Take time to remember all the good God has done 

Build your trust with God. Keep working on finding perspective to see how everything was for your good

Share more with your church family. Share your struggles and help each other out. Even if that requires honesty that comes with a price

Questions:

1.        When you look at the list of signs you hate someone, would you change your answer that you do not hate anyone?

2.    Why is it hard to be honest with someone that bothers us or even people we are close with? Does God really want us to say nothing?

3.        What percentage would you say your prayers are asking for things compared to the percentage of time you spend thanking God? Does that percentage reflect someone who is content and joyful with God’s leading? 

Proverbs 3:1-12 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 

2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 

8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 

12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.