Dressed and Ready
Every Saturday evening… I have a little ritual…
If we are going to work… we dress this way
If we are going to cut the grass…
If we are going to the ball game…
If we are going fishing… playing a sport…vacation…
Etc…
Some of us go to the store weeks ahead in order to purchase the perfect ensemble for an occasion…
We dress to “fit” our activities… the purpose for that time, that day…
And we as followers of Christ have … a purpose… a job to do… an assignment…
2 Corinthians 5:17–20 (NIV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
God is the one who accomplishes reconciliation through Christ’s work, but he shares the ministry of reconciliation with people.
Committed: tithēmi- to put or place, appoint, to assign a duty, responsibility or obligation to someone.
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So, how are we to dress??? For that task? For that purpose?
We have been “made alive” in Christ. (born again)
Colossians 3:9–10 (ESV)
9 … 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.
We put away the Old…. We put on the new nature…
We have a new mindset … A new heart… A new purpose…
We are described in the Bible as…
· We are God’s chosen people (purpose)
· Holy and dearly loved!
“God regards Christians as special, cherished, and set apart, not because of our actions, but due to His grace and love demonstrated through Christ. These titles, originally applied to Israel in the Old Testament and to Jesus in the New, He is the chosen one, the holy one, and the dearly loved Son. … Now, these same titles are given to the church. They tell us our identity as God’s people.”
Chosen, holy, dearly loved!
And… We are called to live out our identity… our real identity!!
· In the context of our relationships?
· Our everyday tasks?
That’s our role… That’s our job… that’s our purpose… our task
How should we dress for that?
Well … in Colossians 3 Paul talks about that… He discusses how we are to “dress” for such a task…
As followers of Christ (new creations), we are to “put on” characteristics that reflect our new identity.
Example of Water Baptism of sorts…
· Repent
· Go under (old clothes)
· Baptized (new nature)
· Come up (get dressed- live a new way)
What do these new clothes look like?
Well … in Colossians 3:12 Paul talks about what these clothes look like so we can complete the tasks God has set for us.
So, let’s get dressed and ready…
Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV)
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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Clothe yourself…
“Clothe yourselves is endunō (ἐνδυνω), (sense of sinking into a garment.
One commentator said, “As holy and loved people, chosen by God, we are to embrace a life that fits that nature.”
*He lists Seven characteristics of the heart that we should maintain. *
1. Things we put on.
1. Compassion
splagchnizŏmai– to feel sympathy, to pity. To have the bowels yearn.
Expresses the concept and experiences of empathy, mercy, and compassion through the use of a word that literally refers to the inner parts and bowels of a human being or animal
Example: Friend Brian’s Dad died in bible school, when I heard the news I ran to his apartment and when opened the door and fell into my arms I hit with a compassion and I felt everything he felt in that moment as I was there with him to prayer bring my support to him.
More than mere feeling, compassion inspires a desire to help.
Rooted in love and empathy. it reflects the heart of God’s dealings with humanity.
Jesus showed in his own life that compassion is at the heart of God.
Compassion is vital as it reflects the nature of God and builds bridges between individuals and communities.
In today’s world, indifference and selfishness often overshadow compassion.
The good Samaritan… Luke 10:30-35
Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion through His healings and teachings, showing His disciples how to care for the marginalized and suffering.
Matthew 9:36 (NIV)
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Compassion is a way to show Jesus’ love.
As we follow His lead, let’s try to act like He did, showing love to others.
May our lives show the compassion we’ve received and need to give to others.
2. Kindness
Chrestotes– the quality of being warmhearted, considerate, humane, gentle, and sympathetic. Provide something as an act of kindness.
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
When was the last time you were friendly, generous, or considerate?
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Acting for the good of people irrespective of what they do.
It is an active expression of love towards others, extending grace and mercy even when it’s not deserved.
Kindness reflects the character of God and is essential in developing healthy relationships and communities.
By showing and spreading kindness, we bring God’s love into a world that really needs it.
Let’s aim to be kind to everyone, sharing God’s grace wherever we go.
It really does take more muscles to frown, about 47 of them. And for smiling, we only use about 13.
Example: I make an effort to smile at any kid at the grocery store or anywhere when we are out.
3. Humility
“As kindness is a Christlike attitude towards others, humility is the Christlike attitude towards oneself.”
Tapeinophrosyne– the disposition of valuing or assessing oneself appropriately.
Humility is a cornerstone of Christian character.
It is about recognizing our own limitations and placing others before ourselves, a trait demonstrated by Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
CS Lewis said, “humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Pride, the opposite of humility, often creeps into our lives, leading to conflicts and a breakdown in relationships.
Humility, however, allows us to see ourselves and others as equals before God,nurtures a spirit of unity and cooperation.
When we are humble, we follow Jesus’ example, living in a way that honors God and helps people.
Let’s try to be humble in everything we do, showing God’s love and grace in a world that often cares more about getting ahead than being selfless.
Example: Often in a fight there are two sides where each side has positioned themselves to stand against the other. Humility is choosing to reposition yourself and putting our pride aside.
4. Gentleness
Prautes– acting in a manner that is gentle, mild, and even-tempered.
Gentleness is often overlooked in a world that values strength and assertiveness.
It is a fruit of the Spirit that embodies the character of Christ.
Jesus described Himself as “gentle and humble in heart.
Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Gentleness is the quality of being kind, tender, and mild-mannered.
It helps to diffuse conflict, it creates a peaceful environment, and establishes approachableness.(?)
The Bible says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all…” (Philippians 4:5)
In today’s aggressive and competitive society, gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness or passivity.
But gentleness is not weakness, It is strength under control.
Example: Growing up in a Hispanic culture gentleness was not a custom in parenting and discipline. As a father today, I can 100% right in my corrections and disciplines but if I miss having gentleness in the mist of it then it may only be a discipline moment and not teaching moment.
Gentleness is a strong way to show love that can touch hearts and bring peace.
As followers of Christ, let’s try to be as gentle as Jesus was, making a difference in the world with kind words and actions. This honors God and helps those around us in a world that really needs to see the power of gentle love.
5. Patience
Makrothymia– patient endurance of pain or unhappiness
Patience involves enduring difficult circumstances and the capacity to wait for long-term rewards without frustration or despair.
It is the ability to tolerate delays, troubles, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Have you ever met a patient person? It can drive you insane how patient they can be. Scott Robertson is the most patient man I have met.
Patience is key to developing mature faith and character, helping us grow in our relationship with God and others.
Our fast-paced, instant-gratification culture often undermines the development of patience.
Patience reflects deep faith and trust in God’s timing and plans.
Galatians 6:9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
Patience is more than just waiting; it’s about how we act while we wait.
By being patient, we show that we trust God’s timing and can handle tough times.
Let’s work on being more patient, showing the same patience that Christ did in our own lives.
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All of these help Christians live in harmony with one another.
These are not just moral virtues but are the clothing of our new nature in Christ.
They are more than just internal attitudes but are meant to be visible in how we interact with others.
6. Forgiveness
Colossians 3:13
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Jesus will ruin unforgiveness for you real fast.
Bear– anĕchŏmai; to hold oneself up against, i.e. (fig.) put up with
Bear with each other (put up with each other)
“Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations.”
How?
By forgiving each other
Paul emphasizes forgiveness, as Jesus did.
Forgiving one another and being forgiven by God are inseparable.
Matthew 6:14–15 (NIV)
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
“The present tense makes it clear that this forgiveness is to be unceasing.
Matthew 18:21–22 (NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
7. Love
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
It is the bond…
“an upper garment or belt which completes and keeps together the rest, which, without it, would be loose and disconnected.”
Love binds them all together in unity.
Love unites all the other qualities and makes the outfit perfect.
“Love binds all these virtues together and completes the transformation of the believer, portraying the perfect unity desired in the Christian community.”
When we put on Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forgiveness, and Love then we allow the Peace of Christ to rule in our hearts.
Colossians 3:15-16
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Let the peace of Christ rule.
Allow the peace of Christ to govern your interactions and emotional responses.
Let it rule in your heart
rule— (brabeuetō): “arbitrate, decide every debate”; a word used only here in the NT… literally, “sit as umpire.”
This peace should act as an umpire in your heart, guiding decisions and responses within the community.
Let the peace of Christ act as umpire when anger, envy, and such passions arise; and restrain them.
Let Christ’s peace be the decider of everything.
Paul is talking to the Colossians about their relationships with one another…
Instead of fighting and pursuing opposing agendas, we are to be peaceable.
We are actually part of one body: the body of Christ. As such, we should seek to be unified and benefit one another.
Christ himself, who is the Lord of peace… resides in our hearts… and is to be present and ruling in our midst.
WWJD
He is to control every area of our lives as we relate to one another because we are “called” to live in peace.
Closing:
In a moment I’m going to ask us to do an examination of your heart today and ask the Lord to show areas in your life that you may be lacking today, maybe it’s compassion, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness. If you are missing one or all of these I want you to respond to take moment with Jesus and simply ask Him to clothe you with whatever your lacking.
Maybe you have never asked Jesus to be Lord of your life I want to open this alter for you to do that.