Is There a Secret to Successful Christian Living?

1. Is There a Secret to Successful Christian Living?

2. Some Say… • The secret is a certain doctrine that they have discovered • The secret is a new experience which will transform our lives completely • A “Second Blessing” • The secret is following a particular teacher or leader who will show the way • Each of us has our own personal path and there are no universal secrets

3. Twelve Steps to Successful Christian Living Colossians 3:1-17

4. The Amazing Supremacy of Christ (Col 1-2) • Colossians 1:15-23 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

5. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. • Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

6. The Threat of Religion • Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. • We are saved by the gracious work of God, we must continue to live in that grace and not revert to legalism and false religion. • The greatest threat to Christianity is religion that is not focused on Christ’s grace!

7. Colossians 2:8 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. • Having been freed from the path of human ability and works, we must not be enslaved again by that mindset.

8. Colossians 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. • Colossians 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. • We must resist the human tendency to replace genuine faith with human religion

9. Human Religion • Based on human reason and ideas instead of God’s revelation • Promotes rituals as a means of pleasing God instead of genuine devotion • Establishes responsibilities – duties each person must perform • Establishes rules for behavior which often go beyond biblical commands

10. Instead, Paul Says… • Let us live the Christian life that God demand and blesses. • Twelve commands which define the Christian life. • Not a formula or “secret” – a series of commands that define the life that pleases God

11. Colossians 3:1-17 • 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Twelve Steps • Heaven in your Heart and Head • 1) Choose Heaven in your heart • 2) Choose Heaven in your head • Change your Clothes • Remove the Clothing of Sin • 3) Kill Lust and Greed • 4) Take off the clothing of Pride • 5) Stop lying

16. Put on the New Clothes of Righteousness • 6) Put on Humility • 7) Forgive others (as Christ forgave you!) • 8) Wrap yourself in Love • The Final Four – Attitudes & Passions • 9) Let the Peace of Christ rule you • 10) Be Thankful • 11) Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly • 12) Do all in the name of Jesus • (Live life according to His resources)