iMorph - Nourish Others Out of Personal Wholeness
Written by Ed Allen
Sunday, 02 March 2008 13:28
Sermon Notes
Our apologies. Due to technical difficulties, we do not have an audio for this week's sermon.
Colossians 3:1-17
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
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.
1. The goal of Christian living
Nourishing others as part of an overall life of gratefully glorifying God.
2. The substance of Christian living
Annihilate any attitude, habit, practice, or desire that is inconsistent with who we are as Christians. In its place, act like the kind of person who supports teh new kind of relationships we have with others.
3. The foundation of Christian living
We have been made into new people. Our lives are now being animated by a powerful new force. We have been transformed.
4. How do we do this?
Practice teh life habits by practicing their supporting disciplines as a way catching the wind of God's movement in your life! Practice, practice, practice!
- Gathering (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Confession (James 5:16)
- Guidance (Proverbs 12:15)
- Self reflection (Psalm 139:23-24)
- If you need it, get prayer today.
- Resolve today that you will practice the life habits that will lead to transformation.
Recommended reading
- "Attachments"
- "Inside Out" by Larry Crab
- "Shattered Dreams" by Larry Crab
- "Boundaries"
- "Healing for Damaged Emotions"
Small Group Study Questions
Icebreaker:
What is a favorite food you like to cook?
Worship:
Sing songs, or pray Psalm 139:23-24
Application Questions:
This would be a good week to split into men and women.
Set A
- What does it mean to be healthy and whole as a believer?
- What area of your life is God transforming you in? or you need God to transform you in?
- What is God specifically calling you to do in that area?
- How are you doing at?
- Not missing meeting together? (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Confessing your sins to one another? (James 5:16)
- Seeking godly advice? (Proverbs 12:15)
- Healthy self-reflection? (Psalm 139:23-24)
Set B
- Am I stuck in unhealthy, feelings, relationships, habits, experiences, and desires?
- Why am I stuck?
- What can I do to get whole?
Share the Vision:
Either pray for the friends that came to the marriage game plan or figure out a way to hang out with your un-churched friends as a HF.