2. Colossians 3: 9-10 “…You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

3. Romans 13: 13-14 13 “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

4. In Colossians 3: 12-15; the Apostle Paul gives the church at Colossae (and us) a list of some positive virtues. They mirror part of who Jesus is and give us a better understanding of what God asks His people “to be” and “to do,” rather than simply what not to do.

5. Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

6. Adding to our Christian “Wardrobe”: * Compassion - Greek “tender mercies” * Kindness - Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9) * Gentleness/Meekness - Medicine/Wind * Humility - Having a right estimate of self * Patience/Long-suffering -“Long-Temper” * Forbearance - “to hold up or hold back” * Forgiveness - “as the Lord forgave you” * Love - Crowning & Binding virtue of all

7. Colossians 3: 15-16 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

8. What do we do with this list and the clear command to clothe ourselves with these Christ-like qualities? I believe that Paul means for this to be taken as an urgent task in the face of a dark and dangerous world that both needs the Gospel…and yet can be very hostile to those who try to share it.

9. Matthew 24: 12-13 12 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

10. “Dressing Warmly in a Cold World” Layer 1: Compassion Kindness Humility Gentleness *** Soft layer, Appreciated by Unsaved ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layer 2: Patience Forbearance Forgiveness Love *** Durable layer, Desirable to Unsaved ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layer 3: Peace Thankfulness *** Accessory layer, Curious to Unsaved

13. Our call to be thankful is clear from Paul: Because of the Gospel; we know that we now have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, no longer stuck wearing our “slave rags” of sin. Praise the Lord!

14. Layer 1: Compassion Kindness Humility Gentleness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layer 2: Patience Forbearance Forgiveness Love ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Layer 3: Peace Thankfulness