Life’s Most Commonly Asked Questions

The Book of Colossians Chapter 3

Pastor Mike Barnett, January 7, 2001

In Chapter 3, Paul gave the Colossian Christians the following indicative statements that described their position in Christ:

Indicative – Of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the denoted act or state as an objective fact. Webster’s dictionary.

The Christian is dead to their old lifestyle. V. 3
The Christian has been elevated to the same position that Jesus holds in heaven. V. 3
The Christian has been stripped of the old sinful self – the blood of Jesus has evaporated the nature of Adam. V. 9
The Christian has put on the very nature of Jesus Christ. V. 10

Paul then gives the Colossian Christians the following imperative statements that tell the Christian what to do as a result of their new indicative position in Christ:

Imperative – Of, relating to , or constituting the grammatical mood that expresses the will to influence the behavior of another. Webster’s dictionary.

The Christian is to set his heart on things above. Vs. 1-2
The Christian is to put to death, the practices that belong to the earthly nature. V. 5,8
In summary, the Christian is called upon to become in dailyexperience what grace has already made him/her to be in Christ.

THE CHALLENGE FOR THE CHRISTIAN IS TO BREAK THROUGH THEIR SELF OR OTHER IMPOSED LIMITATIONS THAT KEEP THEM FROM EXPEREINCING WHO THEY REALLY ARE IN CHRIST ON A CONSISTENT AND DAILY BASIS.

THESE IMPOSED LIMITATIONS ARE OUR PERSONAL SAPSTRATA.

MY "SAP STATA" CONSISTS OF:

My baggage- past sins, hurts and failures from the past.
The label others have put on me.
The label I have put on myself.
The expectations of the world.
Once I break through the Sap Strata, all the resistance in the world will try to force my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors below my sap strata line.
Often times when I do get above the line, I want to go back down because it is more comfortable and less exhausting emotionally until I change how I think about myself.

I only stay above the Sap strata line by changing my "personal mental picture" of who I truly believe I am.

As people, we will always think, say and do what we really believe the most.

Paul encourages the Colossian Christians to stay above the sap strata line by setting their minds on the things above and not the things below.

"Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God". Colossians 3:1-3

THE FOLLOWING VERSES IN CHAPTER 3 – ILLUSTRATE HOW A CHRISTIAN SHOULD THINK AND BEHAVE IN CHRIST. WHEN WE STAY IN CHRIST, WE STAY ABOVE THE SAP STRATA LINE.

To stay above the SAP STRATA line, The Christian must put off:

Whatever belongs to the earth nature
Sexual immorality
impurity
Lust
Evil desires
Greed
Anger, rage
Malice
Slander
Filthy language
Lying

"Taken off and put on" in Vs. 9-10 illustrates:- As one takes off dirty clothes and puts on clean ones, so the Christian is called upon to renounce his evil ways and live in accordance with the rules of Christ’s kingdom.

In Vs. 12-15, the Christian is urged to put the following characteristics on:

Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Forgiveness
The virtues of love.
Peace

Living out these virtues on a consistent and daily basis is only possible when we engross our minds with these truths by meditating on them and speaking them throughout the day.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you deeply as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God". Colossians 3:16

In Vs. 18-25, Paul encouraged the Colossians to put on the Christian virtues, especially at home.

Wives are to submit to the spiritualleadership of their husbands, just like they would to God’s leadership. V. 18

A wife is to submit to her "godly" husband. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a wife should submit to the abuse of her godless, immature husband.

Husbands are to love their wives, just like Jesus loves his church. V. 19

Husbands are to die for their wives.
Husbands are to live for their wives.

Husbands are specifically warned to not be harsh in words or action towards them. V. 19

How husbands can be harsh to their wives by being:

Overly demanding and critical.
Vulgar in speech
Physically aggressive with them.

Children are to obey their parents in everything, for this attitude pleases God. V. 20
Fathers are warned to not break their children's hearts. V. 21

How do Fathers break the hearts of their children:

By being selfish - not spending time with them.
By being overly demanding, and critical.
By demeaning their character.
By not living what they taught.

All Christians have a responsibility regardless of their station in life to live as if they are working for the Lord. Vs. 22-25

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving". Colossians 3:23-24

A Christian can do the list described in Colossians Chapter 3 because in Christ they have the character and ability necessary to achieve it.
A Christian cannot think themselves into achieving the list – but they can be themselves into the list. All being starts with healthy thinking first.
To break through the sap strata all a Christian needs to do is to think about and believe what Colossians Chapter 3 says is true. That’s why the Bible tells us to think about such things.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you". Phillipians 4:8-9

"We take every thought and bring it obedient to Christ"

2 Corinthians 10:5