Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

The New Self
Col 3:9-14

Introduction
The idea of taking off and putting on is familiar to the vast majority of people. Everyone here has taken off dirty clothes and put on clean clothes. (I have known some who claim to be Christians who need to do it more often than they do but all of us have done it)

Many of us each night take off certain clothes and in the morning we put on some different clothes. The same idea is used here by Paul. He says the new Christian taken off the old and putting on the new. In Revelation we are told the Lord gives us robes of white.

If a person is in Christ they have a new self. It is stated in

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. NASU

Notice in your copy of the scriptures the some of the principals of being a new person in Christ.
 
 

Intro:
Mac:. 3:9 old man. The old, unregenerate self, . . . "

Eph 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, NASU

A.    The Old Self was A . . Liar. v 9 a
        "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self ... "

        1.    All of us have told lies.
        2.    Some still tell lies.
        3.    None should be habitual Liars
        4.    Biggest Lie Is "I am all right without Christ. . . "

Illustration
My 39 year old daughter Teri Lynn said you and Mom are two of the most honest people
I know.   I always expect the truth from you.   Every child should be able to say that.

B.    The Old Self was . . Evil. v 9 b
        "...since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, ... "

Quotes from Sumner Wemp's Devotional:

"Many succumb to the attacks of the Evil One because they are not armed with the Word of God." - Oscar Lowry

Illustration
Many of you remember the Serial Killer nick Named "Son of Sam. Some of you have seen him interviewed on television and how he talks about having become a Christian.

He is obviously a changed person. He realizes he does not deserve to get out of prison.
He understand the penalty he must pay but he is a fantastic example of how a life can
be completely turned around in Christ.

He put off the old man and the evil desires.

Applications

Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; NASU
 
 

A.    A New Life of . . Discernment. v 10
        "and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him --

        1.    Discernment about . . Renewal. v 10 a
                "and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge ... "

        2.    Discernment about . . Reflection. v 10 b
                ". . . according to the image of the One who created him -- "

                a.    The Christian Looks and Acts like Jesus.
                b.    You can tell one who lives for Christ.

Illustration
A young lady was soaking up the sun on the beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, "Are you a Christian?"

She was surprised by the question, but replied, "Why, yes, I do."    Then he asked her: "Do you go to church every Sunday?"   Again, her answer was "Yes!"

Then he asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray every day?"   Again she said, "Yes!"

At last the boy sighed and said, with obvious relief, "Oh, that's great! Well, I believe you really are a Christian, so will you hold my fifty cents while I go swimming?" Now that was a discerning young man.

B.    A Knew Life of . . Distinction. v 11
        "a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

        1.    A Distinction about the . . Inclusiveness of the Gospel.
            "a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman,

            a.    Includes Greek (Uncircumcised)
            b.    Includes Jew. (Circumcised)
            c.    Barbarian
            d.    Scythian.
            e.    Slave.
            f.    Freeman.
                    1)    This is not a proof verse for women in ministry. This talks about salvation.

        2. A Distinction about the . . Incomparability of the Christ.
            ". . . but Christ is all, . . .
            a.    Nothing With Which to Compare Christ

    3.    A Distinction about the . . Incarnation of the Christ.
                ". . .and in all."
            a. Christ makes the difference in Distinction.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. KJV

Illustration
In the old cemetery at Winchester, Virginia, that starlit abbey of the Confederacy, there is a monument to the unknown Confederate dead. On it are cut these two lines:

Who they were, none knows,

What they were, all know.
 

C.    A Knew Life of . . Demonstration. v 12-14
        "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

        1.    Demonstrated In . . Honor. v 12 a
                "So, as those who have been chosen of God, . . . "
            a.    Salvation is Gods Choice. He initiates it.
            b.    The Choice Is His.
                1)    I believe He chose all in Christ.
                2)    He chose to limit Himself by including Man's Choice.

        2.    Demonstrated In . . Holiness. v 12 a
                ". . . holy and beloved,. . . "
            a.    Note these Christian are Called Holy.
            b.    God has already made them Holy.
                1)    Holiness can not happen by Man alone..
                2)    We can participate only after salvation.

        3.    Demonstrated In . . Heart. v 12 b
                "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; "

        4.    Demonstrated In . . Forgiveness. v 13
                "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

            a.    In the Local Christian Community.
                1)    Some will not forgive.
                2)    Have the reputation of being unforgiving.

        5.    Demonstrated In . . Love. v 14
                " Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

            a.    What is your love for the church?
            b.    Will you sacrifice your way to have unity?
                1)    Not talking about doctrine.
                2)    Some areas we do not have the right to compromise.
                3)    Example:  Qualifications of deacons

Illustration New Creation, In Christ:
When a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly it becomes a totally new creature. A metamorphose takes place. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!