BUILDING CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN A SINFUL WORLD

 

Colossians 3

 

Intro.

1.     Character:  "Inner strength"; that which defines the person.

 

a.    Character is not what you do, but what you are.

 

b.    Character:  Whom you are when nobody is watching!

 

2.     Character is an expression of faith - Joseph (Gen. 39:7-12).

 

 

I.  JESUS IS OUR MODEL FOR CHARACTER - Lk. 6:40 (1 Pet.1:21; 2 Pet. 1:4).

 

 

Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 

 

1 Peter 1:21  who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

 

2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

   

 

          A. Conformed -

 

                    Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be                                          conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be                                     the firstborn among many brothers. 

 

 

   

 

          B. Formed -

         

                    Galatians 4:19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of                                   childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 

 

 

 

C.    In you -

          Col. 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the                     Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in                 you, the hope of glory. 

         

          D.  Image -

                    Col. 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in                                            knowledge after the image of its creator.

 

II.  CONVERSION:  CHANGING CHARACTER -

         

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

 

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

 

          A.  Raised with Christ (Rom. 6:1-4, 5-18) - Col. 3:1-4 (2:11-12).

                   

1.     Seek ( Goal) - 3:1;

 

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

 

2 Tim. 2:22

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 

                      

                    2.  Set ( Commitment) - 3:2; Rom. 8:5-8, 12-13 (1).

                   

                              Romans 8:5-8

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  [6] To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Romans 8:12-13

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 

 

                    3.  Sustain ( Persistence) - 3:3.

                   

                              Galatians 2:20

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

 

                    4.  Reward ( Glory) - 3:4.

 

III.  IN CHRIST, WE HAVE...

         

          A.  A New Relation to Sin - 3:5-11 (Rom. 6:2-7; 11-14).

         

B.    A New Heart - 3:12-15 (Rom. 12:2).

 

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

         

C.    A New Message Accepted - 3:16 (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3);                      

Ephes. 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 

 

James 1:21-22

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  [22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

          D.  A New Authority Respected - 3:17 (Matt. 28:18; 17:5).

         

          E.  New Conduct in Relationships - 3:18-4:1.

 

Conclusion

1.  What does God see in us? - Heb. 4:13

2.  Put on the new man (Gal. 2:20) ( Image of Christ (Col. 3:10) - Lk. 6:40.

3.  Partaker of the divine nature! - 2 Pet. 1:4