Elect of God Colossians 3:1-17 God’s Elect Col. 3:1-17 Particularly v. 12 ***Next slide***

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; So, am I, are you, one of God’s Elect?

Elect of God Man must choose… Genesis 3 Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Introduction: A. “Am I one of God’s elect?” — A troubling question for many. 1. Calvinism’s idea of election is spiritually fatal. *** 2. Free agency taught from Genesis to Revelation (Gen. 3; Josh 24:15; Matt 11:28 ***Next slide***

Elect of God Mat 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:15 He who has ears to hear….8X in gospels Matt 11:28 It is an invitation… Yet Paul calls the Colossian brethren “elect”…

Elect of God Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved… “Elect” means chosen Conditional, not arbitrary B. Paul appeals to Colossians “as the elect of God.” (V. 12) 1. 23 New Testament references to elect, elected or election. 2. “Elect” means chosen or called. — conditional, not arbitrary. C. Paul points out some features of God’s elect: Discussion:

“Raised With Christ” Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ… Baptized, raised and forgiven: Col 2:12-13 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses… I. They Have Been Raised with Christ (v. 1). *** A. Baptized, raised and forgiven at same time. (2:12-13).

“Raised With Christ” Baptism is a form of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Rom 6:3-4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. B. Baptism is form of death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:3,4).

“Raised With Christ” Baptism points to two directions – past sins and future life Act 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. ‘ Col 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. C. Baptism points in two direction — past sins and future life. ***Acts 22:16 ***Col 3:1,2

“Put Off Old Man” Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds… II. They Have Put off the Old Man (v. 9).

“Put Off Old Man” His (the “old man’s”) deeds must be put to death… Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Col 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. A. His deeds must be put to death ***Verses 5, 8

“Put Off Old Man” His deeds make him subject to wrath of God… Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience… Must be kept in past tense… Col 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. B. His deeds subjects one to the wrath of God (v. 6). *** C. His deeds must be kept in the past tense — “once walked”, “lived” in them (v. 7).

“Put On the New Man” Col 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, III. They Have Put on the New Man (v. 10).

“Put On the New Man” His (the “new man’s”) deeds must now be done… Col 3:12-16 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. A. His deeds must now be done (vv. 12-16).

“Put On the New Man” His deeds must now be done… Stark contrast between the two: Difference between “Old” and “New” 1. Difference between “old” and “new.”

“Put On the New Man” Difference between “Darkness” and “Light” Rom 13:12-14 Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 2. Difference between “light” and “darkness.” (Rom 13:12-14).

“Put On the New Man” Difference between “Conformed” and “Transformed” Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3. Difference between “conformed” and “transformed.” (Rom. 12:2)

“Put On the New Man” His deeds should be evident to our neighbors… Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. C. His deeds should be evident to our neighbors. (Matt. 5:16).

“Called In One Body” Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Col 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 may have the preeminence. IV. They Have Been Called to One Body (v. 15). *** A. Jesus is head of the body, the church (ekklesia — called out or chosen ones 1:18).

“Called In One Body” Jesus is the Savior of THAT body… Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. B. Jesus is savior of the body. (Eph. 5:23; Acts 2:47). C. Less than one body is too few, more is too many, other than is wrong one.

Committed to Christ Have totally submitted to Christ’s authority… Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. V. They Have Totally Submitted to Christ’s Authority (v. 17). A. “In the name of “ = By the authority and blessing of. B. “Whatever … in word or need” = complete submission. C. Claiming to be “in the name of” is not enough. (Matt. 7:21-23). D. Self-imposed religion is vain or useless (2:20-23; Matt. 15:9). Conclusion: A. One must obey to be elected. B. One must continue to obey to stay elected. (Cf. 2 Pet. 1:10.11)

Committed to Christ Claiming “in the name of” is not enough… Mat 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ' Lord, Lord, ' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ' Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! ' V. They Have Totally Submitted to Christ’s Authority (v. 17). A. “In the name of “ = By the authority and blessing of. B. “Whatever … in word or need” = complete submission. C. Claiming to be “in the name of” is not enough. (Matt. 7:21-23). D. Self-imposed religion is vain or useless (2:20-23; Matt. 15:9). Conclusion: A. One must obey to be elected. B. One must continue to obey to stay elected. (Cf. 2 Pet. 1:10.11)

Committed to Christ Self-imposed religion is worthless: Col 2:20-23 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations — "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using — according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self- imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. V. They Have Totally Submitted to Christ’s Authority (v. 17). A. “In the name of “ = By the authority and blessing of. B. “Whatever … in word or need” = complete submission. C. Claiming to be “in the name of” is not enough. (Matt. 7:21-23). D. Self-imposed religion is vain or useless (2:20-23; Matt. 15:9). Conclusion: A. One must obey to be elected. B. One must continue to obey to stay elected. (Cf. 2 Pet. 1:10.11)

Elect of God Must obey to be elected… Must continue in obedience to stay elected: 2Pe 1:10-11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Conclusion: A. One must obey to be elected. B. One must continue to obey to stay elected. (Cf. 2 Pet. 1:10.11)