- Employees are paid well above the minimum wage.
- Stores close early enough to allow parents to tuck their kids into bed.
- Employees don’t work on Sundays.1
- Psalms. The sacred poems and songs from the Old Testament Book of Psalms.
- Hymns. Festive songs of praise; songs that tell of our faith and God’s faithfulness.
- Spiritual songs. A variety of musical compositions.
- Confess. Are there any areas of your life that don’t align with the message of Christ? Pray and ask God to reveal any sins or habits. Confess those and repent.
- Accept correction. Give a trusted friend permission to point out times when you are thinking more like the world and not like Christ.
- Share. As God gives you opportunities to share your faith, be willing to admit your own sin and failure. It’s important to be transparent, but keep the focus on Christ who has forgiven and transformed you.
HOW TO SHARE CHRIST
Live the Message
The Point: How we
live reflects on the message we share.
The Passage: Colossians
3:1-3,12-17
The Bible Meets Life
Most businesses in
America are known simply for what they sell. We don’t often give thought to the
values behind those goods and services. It’s rare—but refreshing—when we hear
of businesses that are as well known for their values as for what they sell.
One of the most well-known corporations with strong values and practices is
Hobby Lobby®. The CEO of Hobby Lobby, David Green, is unashamed of his faith.
He has built a “Christian culture” in which he leads others to lean on God in
prayer. He depends on the Bible to guide his business decisions. But this is
not merely a face he puts on for the public. He sees management as the servants
of the employees, and he seeks to live that out with his employees. Employees
are paid well above the minimum wage. Stores close early enough to allow
parents to tuck their kids into bed. Employees don’t work on Sundays.1
Which companies do you appreciate for genuinely living out their values?
Our lives must match
what we say in public. As we tell others about Jesus, it’s equally important
that they see Jesus in us.
Colossians 3:1-3
So if you have been
raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right
hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not
on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
What are some examples
of “things above”?
What are some examples
of “earthly things”?
1.
Seek the things of Christ, not the things
of the world.
IT’S EASY TO GET CAUGHT
up in the things of this world. Our culture influences everything from clothing
and lifestyles to the definition and value of relationships. Long-term
commitment to anything is on the decline. Our culture now experiences a
consistent influx of change. Technology adds another dynamic to our
ever-changing world. Our cell phones can feel outdated within the first six months
of purchasing because the next “best thing” has already come along.
With so much change in
our world, it’s not wise to try to constantly keep up with trends. What’s in
today can be out tomorrow, and we find ourselves running to catch up again.
People who pursue life with this focus never find fulfillment. Driven by a need
for something new, something different, or something better, satisfaction is fleeting. Fortunately, Jesus Christ
isn’t like the world. He never changes, and He’s never outdated. He’s the one
perfect constant we can always turn to.
Having a Christ-like
character requires dying to self and submitting to the authority and lordship
of Jesus. To identify ourselves as followers of Jesus without exemplifying His
character leads others to view us as hypocrites, inauthentic, and outright
fake. If we’re not different from the world, they see no need to follow Jesus.
We are called to be “the real deal,” living in
authentic relationship to Him and reflecting Him to the world.
Colossians 3:12-15
Therefore, as God’s
chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if
anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so
you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of
unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body,
rule your hearts. And be thankful.
Do you find it easy or
difficult to forgive those who wrong you?
When have you seen the
damage caused by Christians who say one thing and live another?
2.
Put on and wear the character of Christ.
What exactly is
involved in maintaining a godly character? Paul identified several godly traits
we are to “put on” and wear. As God’s chosen ones, loved and set apart for His
glory, we are to display the same traits and behavior that Jesus Himself did.
For the world to see Jesus reflected through us, we must be willing to clothe
ourselves with Him.
Consider what it means
to be clothed in Christ.
Consistently displaying
godly character enables Jesus to be at the forefront of our lives, and this
ensures that people will encounter Him through us. Without a consistent mindset
of “Christ first,” it’s easy to conform to the patterns of this world instead
of being transformed by Him. Donning a wardrobe of godly character ensures
others will see, hear, and feel the presence of Jesus when they see us. We
dress for kingdom success when we wear the character of Christ.
Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ
dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another
through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in
your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
When have you had
opportunities to obey these commands in the past week?
What role does our
Bible study group play in helping one another grow in Christlikeness?
3.
Let everything in your life point to
Christ with gratitude and thanks.
As we allow the Word to
take up residence within us, the result is a flood of wisdom that overflows to
others. The rich truths of God’s Word can be taught through various forms of
music. While the terms have some overlap between their meanings, Paul
identified:
How has music helped shape your knowledge and understanding of God?
We are not to give thanks only during a time of singing. No matter what we do, we are to express thanks to God and “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17). In other words, every word and every action are to be done with a conscious recognition of Christ’s lordship, authority, and reputation. He is Lord over all we do, and we offer Him thanks for all He does. Christ has given us the privilege of upholding His reputation and making Him known so that He is glorified.
Conclusion: The
body of Christ does not have a great witness because we are not seeking where
Christ abides and setting our minds on things above. God's kingdom and His will
must be our focus so that our lives will then become what we behold.
What does it mean to
set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2)?
ANSWER: Colossians 3:2
says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” or, as the NET
puts it, “Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth.” To set
one’s mind on something is to choose to think about it, influencing one’s goals
and guiding one’s course of action. The first part of the chapter is worth
quoting in full to give the proper context:
“Since, then, you have
been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When
Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
“Put to death,
therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,
lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways,
in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such
things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your
lips. Do not lie to each other, since 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. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or
uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in
all.
“Therefore, as God’s
chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and
forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them
all together in perfect unity.
“Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful. 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. And whatever you
do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:1–17).
Paul describes the “below”
culture in a number of words and concepts: anger, rage,
malice, slander, filthy language, lying. The “above” culture, in
contrast, is characterized by compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, peace, singing, worship, and
gratitude.
How are we to cultivate
the values that are from above while living below? It takes a concentrated
effort. We must “set our minds” to it. We are inundated with messages that
promote the “below” behavior. If we listen to the radio, overhear conversations
at work, read billboards, watch the news, read the newspaper, flip through a magazine
at the doctor’s office, watch TV programs or movies, etc., we will be
constantly directed to embrace values that are clearly from below. Even if the
messages we receive are not overtly immoral, the perspective is one that
excludes God and prioritizes things as though life on earth is all that
matters—our happiness and fulfillment (the “right” to be happy) are top
priority. If we want to be directed “from above,” we must make an effort to
counteract the messages that are omnipresent in our culture. To set our minds
on things above, we must read and meditate on Scripture, attend church, listen
to uplifting music, and read things that turn our hearts toward God. This is a
recurring theme in Scripture:
Romans 12:2: “Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind.”
Matthew 6:19–20, 33:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven. . . . Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all
these things will be added to you.”
1 Timothy 6:17:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put
their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
The only way that a
person can live according to the above dictates is if he or she is taking
directions from somewhere other than the secular culture. Thinking on “things
above” (the truths of God’s Word) not only guides us in what we should do but
gives the reasons we should do it (grace, our position in Christ, our eternal
reward, etc.). As we believe the truth “from above” more than the lies “from
below,” we will start to act like creatures born from above, who have been
raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1) and seated with Him at the right hand of
the Father (Ephesians 2:6).
Rick Warren:
One day a man asked Jesus which, of all the commandments, was the most important. Jesus answered him like this: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NLT).
That’s
what it all comes down to. God didn’t put you on this planet to mark things off
your to-do list. He put you here to learn to love Him with all your heart,
soul, mind, and strength. But what does that really mean, and how do you do it?
Loving
God with all your heart often happens when you’re talking — it’s how you share the gift
of communication with the world.
Loving
God with your soul happens when you’re feeling — when you’re sharing compassion.
You love
God with your mind as you’re thinking — when you’re giving consideration to people or ideas.
And,
finally, loving God with your strength happens as you’re doing — when
you’re making a contribution to
the world.
Another
way to say it is that you can love God with all your talk, all your feelings,
all your thinking, and all your acting.
God
calls each person to love Him in all four of these ways. The world needs
communication, compassion, consideration, and contribution from every follower
of Jesus.
But
the reality is that your personality causes you to tend more naturally toward
either the heart, soul, mind, or strength.
How
to Really Live for Christ
For I
know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly
expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient
courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by
life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to
go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall
I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be
with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I
remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will
continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that
through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on
account of me. (Philippians 1:19-26)
What
does it mean to really live for Christ? How do we know if we are truly living
for him?
In
the book of Philippians, Paul was imprisoned in Rome, awaiting a potential
death sentence for his gospel ministry. In this specific text, he says one of
the most quoted passages in the Bible. He says, “For to me, to live is Christ
and to die is gain” (v.21). This verse is the major theme of this passage. What
does it mean to say, “To live is Christ.”
I
remember when I was a basketball player in high school and college, I owned a
t-shirt that said, “Life is basketball and the rest is details.” The idea
behind the phrase on the shirt was that basketball was the primary focus of
life and everything else really didn’t matter. At that point in my life, I
could relate to that shirt and that is why I bought it. For me basketball was
one of the greatest priorities in my life. Sadly, that also was a reflection of
my relationship with God. For a large portion of my Christian life, God was
really just a part of my life; he was not everything. I think that is the idea
behind Paul’s phrase, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Paul
was saying that Christ was everything to him.
For
many Christians, they know this verse by heart, but they don’t know it by
practice. Like myself as a young Christian, Christ is not their life. Life is
school. Life is family. Life is career, or life is some hobby or entertainment.
One author said, “Life is what we are alive to.”1 It is what really gets us
excited. For many, their passions lie outside of their relationship with
Christ.
What
does it mean to really live for Christ? Jesus said this was the very reason
that he came to the earth. He came that we might have life and have it
abundantly (John 10:10). He came so we could truly be alive to God—that he would
be our passion and joy. Paul had found this life, and he constantly proclaimed
it. In Galatians 2:20 he said, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no
longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Paul
saw himself as no longer alive—he left his past life behind, and now Christ was
his life and Christ alone. His life began when he was blinded on his way to
Damascus, and he became a follower of Christ. Later in Philippians 3, he
recounts all the former things he took pride in—his Jewish upbringing,
following the law, and being a Pharisee, and yet, he says he counted it all
dung—all nothing for the sake of gaining Christ (v. 7-8). Christ was the
beginning of his life and getting to know him more was the continuation of his
life. And, one day dying would be gain because that would mean dwelling in the
unhindered presence of Christ.
Is
Christ your life? Is he your daily passion? Is he your hope for the future? In
Philippians, we get the opportunity to watch and study a mature Christian—Paul.
He is somebody we should be modeling. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says,
“Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” We can be sure that what we see here in Paul
is not just descriptive of his emotions and experiences while in prison, but it
is also prescriptive. It is a challenge to us to grow into spiritual maturity.
Paul says this later in Philippians: “Join with others in following my example,
brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you”
(Philippians 3:17). He taught them to follow his example, and that example was
a life truly lived for Christ and Christ alone.
