Death and New Life in Christ

Death and New Life in Christ (Col 2:20-3:11)
Intro: Review of Sufficiency of Christ
What can false teachers offer you that every single person in Christ hasn't received already? 'You are complete in Him' (2:9). Do you want spiritual deliverance? See Col 1:13, 1:1-17, 2:9. Do you want to learn God's mysteries? See Col 1:27,2:2-3, etc. 'Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words' (Col 2:4).

Preaching of Jesus eminently practical: Phil 2:5-8, 1Cor 6:15,19-20

Expos: God's plan for your maturity
People: philosophies, mysteries, traditions, fullness, practices
God: death & resurrection
People: life w/knowledge no one else has; abstaining from things others indulge in; rich tradition; higher, spiritual rituals
God: tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with & forgiving one another, love (3:12-14). Harmony in family, faithfulness at work, mature church, rich in good deeds & hearts knit together (1:6,10, 2:2,19), life of walking in ways of wisdom (3:15-4:5): produces Christ in us

1. Plan: 'You died, & your life is hidden with Christ in God' (3:3)
   Illus: federal witness protection program: new life & identity
   Col 1:13, 2:20, 3:3, 3:9

2. Execution: 'You were also buried with Him in baptism [and] raised' (2:12)
   Also, 1:2, 1:22

Applic: Can we go back? Never, we died! (3:1-13)
See Rom 6:2-4. [Augustine, George Mueller]

Conclusion: A person, not a program, 'the son of His love' (1:13)
See Jn 15:9