INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSBattling Indwelling Sin

Colossians 3:1-4 1 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.

Colossians 3:5-6 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.

The Daily Iowan - Feb. 18

“the goal would be to end that, to never have another sexual assault. That’s probably not a realistic goal just given human nature, and that’s unfortunate. . . .”

UI President Sally Mason

Three Views on Man

1. Man is Animal. Good and evil are social constructs.

2. Man is Good. Evil is due to lack of knowledge or a poor environment (usually due to oppression)

3. Man is Corrupt. Man is created good but fallen and in need of redemption.

We are new but not complete (Col 3:5-9).

• We are New in Christ (Col. 3:1-4).• Free from sin’s penalty.• Free from sin’s power.

• We still possess “Indwelling Sin” (Col. 3:5-11).• Not free from sin’s presence.• Not free from sin’s influence.

Indwelling Sin (the flesh).

• The flesh wars against the Spirit: Galatians 5:16-17 and Romans 7:18-24.

• The flesh is hostile to God. Romans 8:7

• The flesh deceives. James 1:14-16, Ephesians 4:22, and Hebrews 3:13.

Romans 7:24–25 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 8:13 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Colossians 3:5-6 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSGospel Sanctification