SERMON: “Cap & Gown”
June 14, 2015
This is the final in our three part series on Colossians. As people who have responded to the good news of Jesus Christ we are to grow into our new identity. This sermon will play off the “graduation celebration” which will be woven in to the service. The main focus of passage will be on Colossians 3:1-4 and Colossians 3:12-17 with a few references to living our new identity as it relates to chapter 4.
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3: 1-4 (New Living Translation)
Living the New Life
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
Colossians 4: 12 – 17
12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS
OPENING CONNECTION QUESTION: Share with the group some thoughts and memories from your graduation celebration. How were you feeling about life at the time? How has life stacked up to your expectations since then?
• UPWARD (connecting to God): Our small groups are focused on scripture, dependent on God, led by the Holy Spirit, and bathed in prayer. Prayer connects us personally with God and unleashes His power to work in and through the group.
QUESTION 1: Colossians 3:1 & 2 says to “set your sights on the realities of heaven” and “think about the things of heaven”. What does this mean to you? What would you think about, and how would that impact your daily life?
QUESTION 2: What would you say in a short prayer to the Lord, asking Him to help you be “Heavenly Minded” while still being of earthly good? How would you list just what realities you should be setting your sights on that are of eternal, not temporal importance?
• INWARD (connecting to each other): Our small groups are trusting communities that build relationships where real spiritual growth happens. Each member is a minister to and with others in the care and support of the entire group.
QUESTION 3: Colossians 3:3 says we have “died” to this life. In what way are we dead to this life, and our “real” life is hidden in Christ with God? If you were writing a eulogy for someone you know well in this group, what would you say about their life that would illustrate this point?
QUESTION 4: What used to have a hold over your life that the Lord has helped you “die to” in the past? Is there an unresolved issue in your life you want to bring out into the light before your God or your small group? (Remember confidentiality-nothing leaves this room)
• OUTWARD (serving through mission and outreach): Our small groups intentionally invite and nurture new people, especially non-Christians and disconnected church members. As a group, the members serve the Lord and share His love in tangible ways in the community and beyond. Mission and outreach is God’s call to all Christians.
QUESTION 5: Colossians 4: 12 – 17 says a lot about our actions and attitudes. In your experience, how does this group measure up as “representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ”? How are we strong? Where do we need to change?
QUESTION 6: “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.” As you review these qualities from the previous two verses, which of these pieces of clothing do you most need to put on in order to affect change in your local community? Why, and what needs to be done?
• FORWARD (equipping): Our small groups encourage every person to allow the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through them. Every believer has God given Spiritual Gifts that need to be discovered, developed and used to build up the church body.
QUESTION 7: Colossians 3:12 says you are to “clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience”. How exactly do you go about doing that?
QUESTION 8: Col. 3:15 declares: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Does the peace of Christ rule in your heart? Who in your sphere of influence needs you to pray His peace over their lives? Take a moment of silence in your group to silently do this now.
• ONWARD (discipling): Our small groups are disciple-making groups whose ultimate goal is to develop new leaders, start new groups and mature disciples of Jesus who seek God wholeheartedly, serve sacrificially, love sincerely, live righteously and enjoy God passionately.
QUESTION 9: In a sense, we are all enrolled in Continuing Education. Verse 16 says we are to “teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives”.
How are we doing that in this group? How could we do better?
QUESTION 10: Verse 16 in this same section reminds us: “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.” As you spend time this week letting God’s word dwell richly in you, ask Him to show you if there is some bit of scripture or Christian musical lyrics to share with a friend in need of special encouragement and take the time and initiative to do it.
Time for Prayer
Small Group Leader Resource for Week of June 14. 3