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Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Building Christian Character in a Sinful World

Colossians 3

Intro.
1.  Character:  “Inner strength”; that which defines the person (Prov. 23:7; Matt. 12:34-35).

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

  b.  Character:  Who you are when nobody is watching!  (Col. 3:23)

2.  Character is an expression of faith – Joseph (Gen. 39:7-12).  (Job, Job 1:8, 22; 2:10)

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

  A.  Conformed, Rom. 8:29.  (Fashioned like)      [1 Jno. 4:17]

  B.  Formed, Gal. 4:19.  (morphe:  Appearance)

  C.  In you, Col. 1:27.  (Fixed position & relation; Salvation)

  D.  Image, Col. 3:10.  (Moral likeness)  [Eph. 4:20-24]

II. CONVERSION:  CHANGING CHARACTER, 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 12:2 (Salvation, Acts 26:18); 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

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

    1.  Seek -- Goal, 3:1; Matt. 6:33 (2 Tim. 2:22); 1 Tim. 6:11.

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

    3.  Sustain -- Persistence, 3:3; Gal. 2:20 (cf. Rom. 5:4).

    4.  Reward -- Glory, 3:4 (2 Tim. 4:8).

III. IN CHRIST, WE HAVE…

  A.  A New Relation to Sin, 3:5-11 (Rom. 6:2-7; 11-14, no longer slaves).

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

  C.  A New Message Accepted, 3:16 (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3); Eph. 5:18; Jas. 1:21-22.

  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