Colossians 3:1Colossians 3:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 ¹ If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

WP-Bible plugin says, “Set your heart on things above.”  Right.  Those happen to be the people we look at with just a little bit of disdain. “Too heavenly minded for earthly gain.” Isn’t that somewhere in the Bible?  At least we use it as though it was.

“Things above” even sounds futuristic.  Next thing I know they’ll want us to put on some sci-fi costume and join a Star Wars fan club.  Things above seems so far out there and certainly does not relate to my life down here.  I already know that I’m going to heaven.  Perhaps just knowing that fact is what Paul’s getting at.

And that would be the understanding of a few “christians” that I’ve met (small “c” is not a spelling mistake).

There is a problem with a cheap and easy gospel that says all you need to do to get to heaven is pray the sinners prayer.  Everything beyond that is little more than an option for the “heaven-goer”.  It’s like accessorising a fashion.  Live like the world, have the same ambitions, embrace today’s culture as if it belonged to the Christian in the first place.

There’s something drastic with that picture.

Colossians 3 articulates quite well the true believers in Christ. When surrender to Christ happens and we intentionally make him Lord of our life, we will actually have a slightly-natural desire toward a completely new life.  It’s called our new nature.  You will actually have a disdain for the old-self.  Why?  because they are complete opposites.

What’s my Point: Christ is returning with wrath because of those that embrace the old-nature (Colossians 3:6Colossians 3:6
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

WP-Bible plugin).  Those are the ones that have not embrace Christ as their Lord.

Okay, try and give me a reason why we should be living like the world.  What’s attractive about it?

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1 Peter 2:11-251 Peter 2:11-25
English: World English Bible - WEB
11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ¹⁸ Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ²⁰ For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you TR reads “us” instead of “you” an example, that you should follow his steps, ²² who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” ²³ Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer “Overseer” is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent. of your souls.

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Optional Title: Grace in the World

It’s easy to sit in the pew and make a bold decision for Christ.  It’s a little tougher living it 5 minutes later.  You’ll be challenged before you get the coffee in your hand at the coffee bar and equally tough outside the doors.  Children, Spouse, Home, Work, Business, Neighbours, Class Mates & Teachers, Politics… The list is nearly endless.  Help! I’m a Christian in a Pagan World.

A. Principles to Live By (2:11-12)
Dear Friends (11)…a tenderness because He understands the challenge
1. You are strangers (11)…Be reminded that this is not your home. (You are…)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)…Be Holy…Get rid….
3. Understand the battle (11)
There is a spiritual battle raging. Any time brethren stand
There is a war raging in your soul. Renew your minds daily.

4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Live good lives.   Filled with Grace. Love Joy Peace Patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control
Do good deeds (not religiholism abuse) doors open & I’m there. Judging & hypocrisy
5. Give Glory to God (12)
The power of God’s grace is the greatest power resource at our disposal.

Story of Steve: Catholic that saw the good deeds (grace)

Two important pictures: Surrender & Glory
story of a new born baby….
1. A new born baby comes in a room  2. Immediate attention focused. Baby’s important
3. The baby is not questioned. Everything’s cute. What the baby wants the baby gets.
4. Nobody says, “The baby is too loud”  “He smells” 

The focus is on the baby.  It makes all the difference in our attitude and actions.
In our lives, the focus is on God and his desires and needs. 
God wants all to come to repentance, to give him glory. 

Submission: Servanthood, To obey, be subject +++ A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

Glory is lifting persons interests above yours. To give this person credit due. To hold in honor. “Lord, I lift your name on high…”   Glory

Without a submissive spirit, there is no expression of glory. Oxymoron. 
Holding sin and giving glory?

B. Applying the Principles to Authorities
Spirit of Submission
1. You are strangers (11)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)
3. Understand the battle (11)
4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Submit to every authority (13)
Do good (15)
Live as free men (16)
Show proper respect to everyone (17)
Love the brethren (17
Fear God (17)
Honor the King (17)
Give Glory to God (17)

C. Applying the Principles at Work
Spirit of Submission
1. You are strangers (11)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)
3. Understand the battle (11)
4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Give Glory to God (20)

D. The Example of Christ
Submissive Spirit
1. No Retaliation (23)
2. No Threats (23)
3. Trusted God (23)
4. He bore our sins (24)
Give Glory to God

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees
north."

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am the captain!" Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am seaman third class Jones. "Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am a battleship."Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am a lighthouse."

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives.Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest–something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our own peril.

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1 Peter 2:4-101 Peter 2:4-10
English: World English Bible - WEB
4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. ⁵ You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.” ⁷ For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,” ⁸ and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: ¹⁰ who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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A. As You Come To Him (4)
1. “Come” is an action of continuance
Constantly coming.  This is not referring to that moment of salvation when you come to Christ.  This is not referring to the person that thinks he’s arrived. This is speaking of those that are practicing 1 Peter 2:11 Peter 2:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
2 ¹ Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,

WP-Bible plugin. 

a. You’re either in rehab or denial.
Which sin are you struggling to get rid of?
b. You can’t come without grace.
Why?  Because the risk is too great.  The root of your sin is selfishness.  Your glory and reputation is what’s all important (1:24). “If I take off the mask, they’ll see me as I really am.” If you allow yourselves to be exposed without grace you are left standing naked and pitiful.  Might as well jump in a wolves den basted in barbecue sauce. 

In a Church without grace (legalism) nobody would dare expose themselves as they really are.  Sin is either excused or abused….both are deadly.

That’s why it is of ultimate importance to:
(1) Understand who are God is.
(2) Understand who man is.

c. You can’t come without brokenness.
A quote from “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning. “Getting honest with ourselves does not make us unacceptable to God.  It does not distance us from God, but draws us to him–as nothing else can–and opens us anew to the flow of grace.  While Jesus calls each of us to a more perfect life, we cannot achieve it on our own.  To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace.  It is only through grace that any of us could dare to hope that we cold become more like Christ.” (p.85)

d. You can’t come alone.
And that’s why, in the picture of grace, Peter shows a picture of the SPIRITUAL HOUSE, the Church Universal.  Not an organization of religion and rules and liturgy. A house, moulded by grace, to extent praise to God.

B. The Living Stone. (4)
Matt. 16:15-18Matt. 16:15-18
English: World English Bible - WEB
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ I also tell you that you are Peter, Peter’s name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone. and on this rock Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock. I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

WP-Bible plugin, Jesus is asking Peter.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

1. The solid rock is Peter’s confession.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter’s thoughts may be back to that day when he writes these words.
a. A Living Stone.  The basis of what the Church is all about.  What WBC is all about. My faith.  lt’s living in that it is personal.  

A first-nation tribe was receiving some ancient artefacts from a museum.  They touched them and wept.  “These are living emblems to us.”

b. A Life-giving Stone (5)
“You also are like living stones.”  My life is Christ. For me to live is Christ.  Our faith is not dead but alive and growing.  We are an alive, spiritual houses that is giving life to those without.

c. A Corner Stone. (7)
The most valued stone.  The focus.  He’s what holds us together. It’s with his strength and resources that we go on tomorrow.  It’s like Him we seek to grow to become.

C. The Living Stones
Understanding, we can only be this by God’s grace.  With the grace measurement scale we look from God’s eyes. 

1. Two Types of Teaching

2. The reality of who you are a. You are Living Stones
b. You are a Chosen People
c. You are a Royal Priesthood
d. You are a Holy Nation
e. You are a People Belonging to God

3. The ramifications of grace.
a. You are being built (5)
There’s a place of significance in God’s framework for you.  He values you in His house
b. Your sacrifice is pleasing (5)
What did you bring to the Lord today.  If you are a child of God, He shed tears of delight.
c. You have the right. (8)
Because you belong to the family of God, through the eyes of grace, you can declare the praises of God.

Grace in the Church.
1. Is Broken
2. Allows others to be broken.
3. Practices Servant Leadership

The Lord’s Supper is the greatest expression of grace.  Jesus gave Himself.   Without a fight. Without pointing a finger.  He loved and forgave.  He served us.   Looked at us and asked, what is their need…I’ll supply it.

Our Deacons distribute the bread and the cup, saying, “I want to serve you….what is your need?”
You in turn pass the bread and the cup, symbolic of saying, “I want to serve you…what is your need?”

4. See others as God sees them.

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1 Peter 1:221 Peter 1:22
English: World English Bible - WEB
22 Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:

WP-Bible plugin – 1 Peter 2:31 Peter 2:3
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious:

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A preacher came to his new Church and preached his first sermon.  Next Sunday’s message seemed familiar to some folks but nothing was mentioned. It was the 3rd Sunday that some folks caught on that this was the 3rd time they were hearing the same message.  “Are you just repeating the same message?”  “Yes, & when you start doing what I said, I’ll move on to something else.”

Preachers’ expect people to take their words to heart and act on them…Peter was no different.

A. What Drives You?
1. “Now that you have purified yourselves…”  Now, this is the first and only time that it is mentioned in 1 Peter.  But Peter expected that we were driven to do this.  
1John 3:3John 3:3
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 Jesus answered him, “Most assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, The word translated “anew” here and in also means “again” and “from above”. he can’t see the Kingdom of God.”

WP-Bible plugin “Everyone that has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”
Hope = Jesus Christ & our new birth.

What’s he talking about in 1 Peter? 1 Peter 1:15,161 Peter 1:15,16
English: World English Bible - WEB
15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”

WP-Bible plugin… “Be Holy”…It’s a similar word.  Peter’s expectation was that the readers would be driven to “Be Holy, Pure, Prepare our minds for holy action. Getting rid of that which binds.  Not by doing this on our own strength but surrendering our lives to the Grace of God.  To be holy ought to drive you. What drives you?  It makes all the difference in your decisions.  #1 is often Self interest.  And there’s our struggle. 

2. How can you change the path you’re on? 
Grace. You surrender yourself and acknowledge it’ll be all God and none of me. 
a. by obeying the truth (22)
b. through the spirit (KJV)…cf. Tit.2:11… The two go hand in hand.  God’s Word is a gift of his grace. It’s alive and is changing your life.

B. Is Grace Alive In Me?
The next thing Peter does is to offer you a test as to how is God’s grace growing in your life.  This is for you to examine your life.  If you are allowing the Grace of God to be at work in your life, you will notice changes happening.

1. Love sincerely.
(unfeigned love {KJV} = w/o hypocrisy.)
Anybody can mask love, but inside you hate. Oh, pastor, I don’t hate!  One reason so much stress is put upon gossip is that it is an expression of hate.  Hatred is the highest level of demonic activity.  Imagine the devil’s thoughts that hung Christ on the cross.  And Christians have those thoughts?
Working or living with an angry person is like walking through a mine field.  No fun.

a. malice (2:1) = ill-will, desire to injure
b. deceit = probably meant to decoy, trap
c. hypocrisy = acting like you love.
d. envy = jealousy
e. slander = backbiting, putting someone down.
All of these are rooted in selfishness..lack of grace

A lady once came to Billy Sunday and tried to rationalize her angry outbursts. "There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper," she said. "I blow up, and then it’s all over." "So does a shotgun, and look at the damage it leaves behind!"

Sincere love is genuine agape love.  Right from the depths of your heart. You made a choice to love. You can’t do it on your own, it’s God’s grace alive in you.

2. Live your new nature (1 Peter 1:231 Peter 1:23
English: World English Bible - WEB
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.

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For you have been born again.  Inside the doors of our home, inside these walls…the activity of the devil is banned…rebuked in its entirety.  Hatred expressed toward another person is the will of the devil himself.    To say that there is justification of hatred is to say that the devil has some good points to make.

Galatians 5:19Galatians 5:19
English: World English Bible - WEB
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,

WP-Bible plugin  “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.” (6 out of 10 not bad?)

What does Jesus say? Matthew 5:22Matthew 5:22
English: World English Bible - WEB
22 But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca “Raca” is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for “empty” and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.!’ shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna Gehenna is another name for Hell that brings to mind an image of a burning garbage dump with dead bodies in it..

WP-Bible plugin  “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ (term of reproach) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

1Timothy 2:8  I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

A woman was bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies. She was rushed to the hospital, treated and left in a room to wait for an autopsy report on the dog. Only then would she know whether or not she might have rabies. An intern on duty that day thought he should explain the seriousness of the situation to the woman. She asked him a lot of questions, and by the end of the interview, the intern realized that he had told her more than he intended to tell her. She was visibly shaken.

Later, when he came by to look in on her, she was sitting on the side of the treatment table, writing. Show would pause occasionally and stare out into space, then resume writing.  The young doctor was sure he had upset her so much that she was writing her will, or funeral instructions, or some other equally grave document.  He went back in to try to calm and comfort her.  He asked if she were writing her will.  “Oh, no,” she said, “Just in the event I have been infected, I’m making a list of people I want to bite before I die.”

You may want to check your emotional health by making a list of the people you would like to bite before you die.  If you see people that were there last year, you are in danger. 

C. What will make the difference?
2 Peter 3:182 Peter 3:18
English: World English Bible - WEB
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

WP-Bible plugin “But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory now and for ever.  Amen.”

But how do I grow in grace?  What will make the difference?

1. Live for eternity & God’s glory. (1:24)
There’s a lot of misplaced glory running around.  We’re building ours up like it’s going to last?  We need first to come to God in repentance for living a selfish life.  It’s not all about you, but God. Bring back the glory. Also, we need to extend forgiveness.

2. Crave God’s Word. (2:2)
We need a re-bible movement in our Christian life.  Hear the preaching is not enough.  Reading motivational christian stories is not enough.  We must submit ourselves to God and open His book.

a. Crave God’s Word = a pursuit of love.
b. The Pure Word = the real thing, not someone’s opinion.
c. Let God bring Growth = God’s grace is unleashed by His Spirit through His Word. 
Grace changes you.

It’s the devil that lures you to avoid this book when crisis comes to your life.  Why? This is your way out.  Oh, your anger may be subdued, but it has not gone anywhere, just suppressed, only to be awoken another day. 

My story:
I have hated people.  I didn’t talk to them or even about them…but in my heart I hated.  Until God got my attention & I repented of my sin and renounced the work of the devil in my life, and chose love.  At that moment and not before, God began to work in that person’s life.  My hatred was a foothold of the devil in my life and his.  My choice of repentance and love broke the bondage.

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