ACE Men’s Bible Study

Colossians 3

What is peaceful to you?

Paul in prison

Are you in a prison of your own making?

Paul gives us focus

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

(Colossians 3:2, ESV)

We can create our own prisons

Sexual immorality Impurity Passion Evil desire Covetousness Idolatry

Anger Wrath Malice Slander Obscene talk Lying

How do we escape our prisons?

Paul gives us a strategy

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (v5)

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (v8)

How do we put our old self to death?

Put off the old self…

…you have put off the old self (v9)

Put on the new self…

…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (v10)

Paul gives us choice

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (v1)

What does this look like?

CompassionKindnessHumilityMeeknessPatienceForgivenessLove, which binds in perfect harmony

(v12-14)

Paul gives us action

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heartBe thankful Let the word of Christ dwell in you richlyTeaching and admonishing in all wisdomSinging psalms and hymnsDo everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him

(v15-17)

Our hope

…And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (v15)

Revisiting Ron’s Challenge

• Consider three time horizons:• New Year’s Eve 2014• First day of your retirement• Death bed

• Look back - what will truly define your life?• Where does ‘change’ and ‘purpose’ fit into

your schedule and priorities?• How are lives changed from the inside out?

Who is changing you?

If your identity is the world and everything in it, then the world will change you

If your identity is the peace of Christ ruling in you, then the Spirit will change you

We are hope for others

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. (v17)

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Q: What is holding you back from experiencing the full peace of Christ?