Petitcodiac Mennonite Church

Interactive Sermon Outline

Delivered January 28, 2007
by Pastors Marilyn and Eric Henderson

Text: Col. 3.12-17

Ideas/Illustrations

Stuart Murray writes in Biblical Interpretation: in the Anabaptist Tradition ,

"During the Reformation of the Church in the early 1500's Anabaptists and others were reading the Bible in their own language often with enthusiasm and fascination, but the Anabaptists were distinguished by an unusual passion for it. The Bible was read aloud, studied, memorized, recited, discussed, and applied by individuals, in the home, in church meetings, and in informal discussion groups. Preaching and teaching played a major part in their gatherings, as it did in Reformed churches, but evidence indicates they also expected many members of the congregation to contribute questions and insights rather than listen passively to their leaders."

We'd like you to contribute to this sermon that utilizes the learning by discovery method.

During our congregational meetings we've asked who you were, who you are, and who you believe God wants you to become. Also what you did, what you do, and what you believe God is calling you to do in the future. Paul takes a similar approach in chapter three of Colossians. We'd like you to help name what Paul identifies as who we were or what we are to put to death. You may use either your Bible or #710 in the Mennonite Hymnal.

  1. List who we were or what we are to put to death. (3.5-9; 2.8,16,20-23)

    Put to death earthly nature
    sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed or idolatry, anger, rage malice, slander, filthy language, lying, captive to other philosophies and principles of the world, judging other's faith

  2. List what we are to value, be, and do as God's chosen people. (3.1-17)

    Value: Heavenly things-Kingdom of God
    Be: compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, loving, thankful
    Do: bear with others, forgive, let peace rule, let word dwell richly, teach and admonish, sing to God, do in the name of Jesus Christ

  3. How do we get from what we were and did to what we are to be and do as God's chosen people?
    • 1:21 - 23 Once you were alienated from God and enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel
    • 2:6 - 7, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thanksgiving.
    • 1:9-14, 27 Rely on the presence of Christ in us filling us with the knowledge of his will to live a life worthy of the Lord.

    1. Recognize and confess our alienation from God because of our evil behavior.
    2. Receive Christ's gift of reconciliation through his death and resurrection.
    3. Open our lives to the presence of Christ and rely on the help of Christ (Holy Spirit) to understand and live a life worthy of the Lord.
    4. Commit all facets of life to continual growth in Christ.
      1. Teaching and prayers of others.
      2. Growth in faith, hope, and love 1:3 - 8
      3. United in love to church symbolized by baptism (2:12, 19)

  4. Responses
    1. Choose one from the list to put off or put to death and write it on the cloth.
    2. Choose one to put on or clothe with and write it on the cloth.
    3. Choose one discipline (Celebration, guidance, Worship, confession, service, submission, solitude, simplicity, study, fasting, prayer, meditation) that opens you to grow in Christ and write it on the cloth.
    4. Review the Agreeing and Disagreeing in LOVE handout.

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