Colossians 3:1-17 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• If Christ has truly raised you to new life… then your life must now reflect a HIGHER CALLING.
• The Christian life is the process of God transforming us to reflect Christ.

Four Things We Are Called To Do To Live Out Our Higher Calling:

#1) PRIORITIZE HEAVENLY THINGS (V. 1-4)

• Set your hearts and minds on heavenly things because that is where you will find life.

#2) PURGE EARTHLY THINGS (V. 5-9)

• We must purge earthly things… 1) Put to death sinful aggressions 2) Put away sinful attitudes 3) Put off sinful appearances

You can’t put on the new self while clinging to the old one.

#3) PUT ON CHRISTLIKE VIRTUES (V.10-14)

• We learn what it takes to have healthy social relationships within the church.
• When we put on compassion, kindness, patience, meekness, humility, forgiveness, and love, this directly reflects the image of Christ.
• Intentionally living this way fosters unity and peace.

#4) POSITION YOURSELF UNDER CHRIST’S LORDSHIP (V.15-17)

VERSE 15: RULED BY PEACE & LIVE IN THANKFULNESS

Colossians 3:15 ESV

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

A life raised by Christ must be ruled by Christ.

A) Peace

• peace = eirēnē = peace; tranquility; freedom from worry
• shalom = welfare; well, happy, health, prosperity, peace, safe, friendly, rest.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalm 29:11 ESV

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Isaiah 26:3 ESV

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 14:1 ESV

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.” — Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

B) Rule

• Rule = brabeuō = rule; control; act as a judge or umpire.

When Christ rules your heart, peace rules your life.

C) Body

• Body = sōma = 3) is used of a large number of people closely united into one social, ethical body— congregation; church;

Colossians 1:18a ESV

And he is the head of the body, the church…

Colossians 2:8 ESV

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Romans 16:17–18 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

D) Thankful

• thankful = eucharistos = thankful; pleasing; agreeable; grateful; well favored; acceptable to others
  • Eu = well; well done; prosper; to be well off; acting well
  • Charizomai = grant as favor; to gratify; to grant forgiveness; to give graciously, give freely

VERSE 16: DWELL IN THE WORD

Colossians 3:16 ESV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

A) Word & Dwell

• Word= logos = word; saying; speech; message; account; what is preached; gospel
• dwell = enoikeō = to live in as in a home.
• If believers are to be transformed into the character of Christ, the word of Christ must take up residence in our hearts.

Ephesians 5:18-20 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

B) Teaching & Admonishing

• teaching = instruct; positive instructions
• Admonish = to warn exhort; correct; strong encouragement; reproof; constructive criticism.
• When the word of Christ finds a welcoming home in individual believers and within the church community, there will be teaching, admonishing, and expressions of gratitude through singing and worship.

Colossians 1:28 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

C) Thankfulness

• If we have the Word in us, God’s love in us, it must be expressed.

VERSE 17: REFLECT JESUS IN ALL YOU DO

Colossians 3:17 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A) “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…”

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

• A true Christian commitment incorporates both speech and action.
• Not only are we to come to God through Jesus but also to live our lives with a clear understanding of His authority and reputation.

Salvation changes your destination, but Lordship changes your direction

The Christian life is not just believing in Jesus — it is living under His Lordship.

Romans 14:8 ESV

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

B) “Giving thanks to God the Father through Him”

• Incorporating gratitude and worship into our daily life can sustain spiritual health and unity.
• Having our hearts filled with thankfulness is to be full of grace.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Psalm 100:4 ESV

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Philippians 4:6 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Ephesians 5:20 ESV

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

• Having a heart full of gratitude isn’t just about feeling thankful; it’s about shifting your whole spiritual life to focus on Christ’s character and provision. This way, gratitude can take over anxiety, help build a strong community, and make every word and action holy.

CONCLUSION

• Living our higher calling means letting Christ reshape our priorities, purify our lives, transform our character, and rule our hearts.
• Is Jesus truly the Lord of your life… or just part of it?

When Christ becomes the center of your life, everything else begins to change.

If Jesus is Lord of your heart, He will be visible in your life.

If Jesus is truly Lord of your life, He doesn’t just occupy your heart — He directs your life.

• What is the Holy Spirit telling you through this message?