Bible Study - Voice (6) - Does It Lead You to Be More Like JESUS? Colossians 3:1-14 - February 26, 2023

 

Bible Study – Voice (6) – Does It Lead You to Be More Like JESUS? – February 26. 2023

This is lesson six (6) and final lesson in our series entitled, “How to Discern the Voice of GOD?”

Our focus scripture is Colossians 3:1-14.

The human body is amazing. GOD made all humans with the freedom to choose. GOD gave us a brain and HE gave all humans a GOD shaped vacuum within them to seek and find GOD.

We read in Deuteronomy 4:29 - ²⁹ But from there, you will search for the Lord your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.

GOD desires for you to be honest with HIM as you seek HIM.

In this series of study, what have we learned so far about discerning the voice of GOD? There are many voices that vie for our attention but there is but one true voice:

-         Does it agree with the Bible?

-         Does it bring conviction?

-         Does it call you to trust GOD?

-         Does it align with GOD’S character?

-         Does it honor GOD?

-         Does it lead you to be more like JESUS?

Doing GOD’S work does not automatically mean that a person knows GOD. The person may know about GOD and not truly know GOD.

GOD had called the Prophet Elijah to be the instrument HE used to reveal Himself to the prophets of Baal in a mighty way. Yet, when Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah, he ran to Mount Sinai to seek the protection of GOD. It was on Mount Sinai, GOD revealed Himself to Elijah. GOD allowed Elijah to witness three powerful physical happenings an earthquake, a mighty wind and fire. GOD was not in the earthquake, nor was HE in the mighty wind and neither was GOD in the fire but GOD represented HIMSELF by a still small voice. Guess what? GOD still speaks to us via HIS still small voice. It is a whisper and a knowing that GOD has spoken. It is peaceful and assuring.

That is so precious. GOD is Love and HIS desire is for all people to come to HIM through faith in JESUS! There is a mighty wind of evangelism sweeping our world. The Holy Spirit is moving in a mighty way.

GOD speaks to us in many different ways but most often it is via “a still small voice.” May our LORD speak to us as we explore this scripture. 

Let’s read Colossians 3:1-4:

The Life of the New Spirit-born man or woman.

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Colossae.

Paul used the word “so” to tie what he had written in the first two chapters in his letter to what we have labeled as Chapter 3.

You might read Colossians - Chapters 1 and 2. Copied below are excerpts from chapters 1 and 2.

Colossians 1:15-20 - The Centrality of Christ

¹⁵ He (JESUS) is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
¹⁶ For everything was created by him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He is before all things,
and by him all things hold together.
¹⁸ He is also the head of the body, the church;
he is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that he might come to have
first place in everything.
¹⁹ For God was pleased to have
all his fullness dwell in him,
²⁰ and through him to reconcile
everything to himself,
whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace
through his blood, shed on the cross.^[g]

²¹ Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. ²² But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— ²³ if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

Colossians 2:  ² I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ.^[a] 3 In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2: ⁸ Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. ⁹ For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily^[b] in Christ, ¹⁰ and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 

As the world approaches its end, Satan will do all he can to deceive all people, especially Christians including Spirit-born. As we witness an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in-turn there will be an outpouring of the unholy spirit. But remember this – “Greater is HE (JESUS) that is in you than he (Satan) that is in the world.” (1 John 4)

Paul’s use of the word “so” ties Chapters 1 and 2 to chapter 3. Thus, he began Chapter 3 with “so if.”

“If” means “since.”  Verse 3:1 reads, So, “since” you have been raised from being Spiritually dead to being Spiritually alive through your faith in JESUS, seek the things above, where CHRIST is, seated at the right hand of GOD. Those who are Spirit-born must change their mindset because their new residence is Heaven where CHRIST dwells.  

The instant you accepted JESUS as your Savior, you were Spiritually born into GOD’S Family through faith in JESUS. Your citizenship and residence changed from earth to Heaven. Live like it because this world is not your home.  

Let’s read verses 1-4 again:

So, if (since) you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

In essence, as a Spirit-born person, when JESUS died on the cross, you died with HIM. When HE was buried, you were buried with HIM. When GOD raised HIM from the dead, you were raised form the physically dead. When JESUS ascended into Heaven you also ascended into Heaven with HIM. As a Spirit-born person, you are already in Heaven but on assignment upon earth.

So, why are those who are Spirit-born still upon earth?

The Apostle Paul gives us some insight in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This is why JESUS came to earth and willingly gave HIS sinless life for all who place their faith in JESUS to be Spiritually born into GOD’S Family.

WOW!!! Thank YOU, JESUS and thanks to GOD for HIS redemptive plan for all who place their faith in JESUS.

Let’s read Colossians 3:5-9:

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient,^[b] 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. ⁸ But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices  -------

Spirit-born people are to live according to their new life in JESUS. Live as if you are already in Heaven in the presence of GOD and JESUS. All Spirit-born people are GOD’S Ambassadors. Let’s live like it!!! WHY? As a Spirit-born person you are a new creation and have ------

Let’s read Colossians 3:10-14:

¹⁰ and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[c] Creator. ¹¹ In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. ¹⁴ Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 

As a Spirit-born person you are “GOD’S chosen ones” therefore take action. When we put on something it requires a decision and action on our part. What do all Spirit-born people have within them? All have the indwelling Holy Spirit. So why do we as Spirit-born people have to take action to put on what we already have? Who rules our mind? Do we still think human or do we think Spirit-born? Earth is not our home because our citizenship is in Heaven. We remain on earth but while here are GOD’S Ambassadors. We are to tell others about JESUS paying in full for all of our sins and about the miracle of eternal Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS.

All humans have the opportunity to be reconciled to GOD through faith in the completed work of JESUS. JESUS shed blood paid in full for each person’s sin but every person must believe and accept that JESUS was the perfect sacrifice for his or her sin. When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior, the miracle of Spiritual birth into GOD’S Family takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. Once that person is reconciled to GOD through Spiritual birth, the peace of CHRIST and his or her unity with GOD is confirmed and sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. That person in no longer an alien therefore --

Let’s read Colossians 3:15-17:

¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[d] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When a person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, he or she is reconciled to GOD through Spiritual birth.

The Spirit-born person has a new mindset. He or she must take off his or her old earthly clothes and put on his or her new clothes which have been washed in the blood of the LAMB. The question is, who will rule your life? Who do you want to rule your life? What is in your life that is contrary to the leadership, will, purpose and healthy nourishment for your new Spirit-born body?

JESUS said it best in John 15:1-8:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be^[a] my disciples.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your heart? If not, why not now? If you have but have not been living for HIM, confess it and ask HIM to forgive you and restore your relationship with HIM. LORD, here I am as I am, only YOU can lead and guide me through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Help me to have and maintain a heavenly mindset. YES!!!

Blessings!!!