Christ in Me: Living Through the Word – Colossians 3:16-17 (Mid-week Bible Study)

Introduction

• Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse
• Similar to the letter to the Ephesians

Review – Chapter 1

• Written to God’s holy people
• People with a confident hope of heaven (vs 5)
• A prayer to know God and His will
  • Then you will always honor God with the way you live, producing every good fruit (vs 9-10)
• He speaks of an inheritance in which we share (vs 12)
• You are reconciled with Him through Christ and have no fault (vs 22; Ephesians 1:4)
• You must continue to believe this truth! (vs 23)
• The secret! (vs 26-27; Ephesians 1:9-14; 4:30)

Review – Chapter 2

• Now you know the secret, let your roots grow into Christ and your lives be built on Him (vs 6-7)
  • We have the ability to live the life that pleases Him (Ephesians 2:10; 3:16-17)
• Don’t let anyone take you away from this secret (vs 4,8)
• The sinful nature was cut away (vs 13-14)
  • He canceled the record of charges against us. So don’t let anyone condemn you (vs 16)
• Q: Let’s discuss Ephesians 3:20

Review – Chapter 3

• Now you are saved, let your focus be on what matters to God (vs 1-3)
• Live like who you are (vs 1-6; Ephesians 4:17-19)
• Put on your new nature (vs 10; Ephesians 4:20-24)
• What God called us to (vs 12-15; Ephesians 4:2-4)
• Imitate Christ (Ephesians 5:1)
• Come to yourself, be who you are (Ephesians 5:14)

The Message of Christ

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

• Know Christ, seek to understand salvation, and the meaning of the sacrifice
• Learn—the purpose of teaching is so we can learn (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Be Thankful with Singing

• Don’t be drunk with wine—instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit
• Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody to the LORD
  • Ephesians 5:15-20

Be Christ’s Ambassador

• Be thoughtful in your actions
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 – We are ambassadors
  • Philippians 3:20 – We are citizens
  • Ephesians 2:12-13 – Members of the commonwealth

Conclusion

• Remember who you are – your nature and identity
• Remember who you are – in your conduct
• Remember who you are – in thought and thanks