CHOSEN, HOLY & LOVED

COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

I. A CHOSEN COMMUNITY: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. 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 word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 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.

II. PARAPHRASE: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

Because your old self (your sinful nature) has been put to death by Christ in whom you have life, you are now God’s chosen, holy and loved people who must live life according to your new self (who you are in Christ). Your new nature in Christ (not in Sin, not in Adam), changes you into people who are compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient; who support each other as you grow in being able to forgive grievances as they arise in the body; who forgive as Christ forgives; and who are bound together in unity through your love for one another.

With the peace of Christ ruling your hearts you are called to live together in the body without conflict. Being transformed by Christ’s word provides you the wisdom necessary to teach and hold one another accountable. Show your gratitude to God by worshipping Him with your voice through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Let everything you say or do to one another be based on Jesus Christ through whom you are able to thank God.


III. PRINCIPLES: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
A. Colossian Church

1. CIT Paul told the Colossians they were God’s chosen, holy & loved people -v12a

2. INT How were the Colossians God’s chosen, holy and loved people?

3. ANS The Colossians were God’s chosen, holy and loved People because

A. Their Sinful nature had died with Christ allowing them to be:

(1) Compassionate, Kind, Humble, Gentle & Patient - v 12b

(2) Supportive & Forgiving - v 13a

(3) Like Christ - v 13b

(4) United in Love - v 14

B. Their Hearts are being transformed by Christ allowing them to:

(1) Live in Peace not in Conflict - v 15

(2) Teach & Admonish with Wisdom - v 16 a

(3) Speak & Act like Jesus Christ - v 17 a

(4) Worship & Thank God for Christ - vv 16 b, 17 b


B. Church Today

1. CIT Paul tells the Church Today they are God’s chosen, holy & loved people. (I Am Your God, Isa41:4-10) & (Deut. 7:7-8 a)

2. INT How is the Church Today God’s chosen, holy & loved people?

3. ANS The Church Today is God’s chosen, holy & loved people because:

A. Our Sinful nature died with Christ allowing us to be: - (Gal. 3:27)

(1) Compassionate, Kind, Humble, Gentle, & Patient - (Fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5:22-26) & (Phil 2:3-4)

(2) Supportive & Forgiving - (You Must Forgive, Luke 17:1-6) & (Gal. 6:2) & (Eph. 4:32)

(3) Like Christ - (Seek the Things Above, Col 3:1-11)

(4) United in Love - (John 17:23)


B. Our Hearts are being transformed by Christ allowing us to:

(1) Live in Peace not in Conflict - (Serve the Lord, Col 3:18-25)

(2) Teach & Admonish with Wisdom - (1 Thess. 5:14-15)

(3) Speak & Act like Jesus Christ - (You Are My Witnesses, Isa 43:110-13)

(4) Worship & Thank God for Christ