Get Dressed

This week we take a look at the second half of the “getting dressed” word picture in Colossians 3:5-16. Previously, we talked about stripping away sin (”put to death therefore what is earthly in you”). This week we start a two-week series on “putting on” the new self.

Even so, I’m still trying to come around last week’s passage (Col. 3:5-9) and find challenging the following quote by Stephen Charnock (read during class last week):

All sin is founded in a secret atheism. . . All the wicked inclinations in the heart. . . are sparks from this latent fire; the language of everyone of these is, “I would be a Lord to myself, and would not have a God superior to me.” In sins of omission we own not God, in neglecting to perform what he enjoins; in sins of commission we set up some lust in the place of God, and pay to that the homage which is due to our Maker. . . We deny his sovereignty when we violate his laws. . . Every sin invades the rights of God, and strips him of one or other of his perfections. . . Every sin is a kind of cursing God in the heart; an aim at the destruction of the being of God; not actually, but virtually. . . A man in every sin aims to set up his own will as his rule, and his own glory as the end of his actions against the will and glory of God. (The Existence and Attributes of God [reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979], 1:93-94) Stephen Charnock (Puritan)

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SixSixteen this Summer? Yes!

Although most Sunday school classes have stopped for the summer, we will continue to meet through July so that we can finish our study of Colossians and be a place for singles at Bethlehem to get to know one another.

Singles can join the class at any time. Don’t let the fact that we are more than half way through Colossians stop you from coming. There is plenty of “meat” left in the book and much yet to be savored.

It is NOT necessary to study the passage before you come. We’ll do that together.

Self-flagellation Won’t Work. What Will?

“Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” (John Owens)

But don’t do it this way (*caution* see below). It won’t work.

This may have “an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but [it is] of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” -Col 2:23

So how do you stop the indulgence of the flesh?

We begin our answer to that question this week and, Lord willing, the following two weeks as we work through Colossians 3:5-17 verse-by-verse. Actually, we began the answer last week in 3:1-4 as we explored the connection between setting our hearts and minds on things above and fighting sin. More to come in class. . .

*Link goes to Alpha & Omega Ministries. Caution: link contains images that contain blood from a Muslim ritual.

Slaying and Stripping

We are talking about slaying and stripping out sin in our lives this week as we study Colossians 3:5-9. Here’s a good devotional article from Enjoying God Ministries to get you primed.

How to Think on Heaven

From Richard Baxter’s book below, he offers 10 helps in thinking on heaven:

1. Be convinced that heaven is the only treasure and happiness;
2. Labor to know your interest in it;
3. And how near it is;
4. Frequently and seriously talk of it;
5. Endeavor, in every duty, to raise your affections nearer to it;
6. To the same purpose improve every object and event;
7. Be much in the angelical work of praise;
8. Possess yoursouls with believing thoughts of the infinite love of God;
9. Carefully observe and cherish the motions of the Spirit of God;
10. Nor ever neglect the due care of your bodily health.

Set your Minds on Things Above

We are talking about heaven this week as we study Colossians 3:1-4. I’ll mention in class the book by 17th century pastor Richard Baxter called “The Saints’ Everlasting Rest”. You can download the book here (view online without registration; but must register to download).

It is also available at various bookstores:

I’ve been told that Randy Alcorn’s book on Heaven is excellent as well.

What Happens to Infants that Die?

Last week we talked about whether or not infants go to heaven if they die. I gave as my answer to the question: “All infants go to heaven, but not because they are innocent and not because they have faith.”

Piper holds the same view as expressed in this link.

Also, I mentioned an excellent book that discusses the subject. It is “Safe in the Arms of God”, by John MacArthur: