If You Have Been Raised Up With Christ

Text: Colossians 3:1-14

As Christ was raised, we must be raised with Him. Paul addressed the Colossians as those who had ben “raised up with Christ” and explained what this obligated them to do. In this lesson, we will consider what our responsibility is after being “raised up with Christ.”

Keep Seeking the Things Above (v. 1-4)

  • This is where Christ is (v. 1) – keep your focus on Christ (Hebrews 12:2); do not become distracted by the world (Hebrews 12:1)
  • You have died with Christ (v. 3) – buried with Him in baptism (Colossians 2:12-13); raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4)
  • We will be with Him in the end (v. 4) – this is the ultimate goal (Philippians 3:8-11, 14, 20-21)

Consider the Members of Your Earthly Body as Dead to Sin (v. 5-9)

  • List of sins that we must give up (v. 5, 8-9) – incompatible with our new life in Christ (Romans 6:6-7)
  • Wrath of God comes upon those who disobey (v. 6) – we have escaped that (2 Peter 1:4), but we can be lost again (2 Peter 2:20-22)
  • In them you once walked (v. 7) – all of us have sins in our past (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10); we must work to keep them in our past (1 Timothy 1:12-15)

Put on the New Self (v. 10-14)

  • We are being renewed (v. 10) – continual process; before we die with Christ and are raised with Him, we must repent (Romans 6:11; Acts 2:38); repentance is not sinless perfection, but a change of direction; as Christians, we must continue to improve and grow (2 Peter 3:18; 1:5-8)
  • No distinction between various groups (v. 11) – all are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28); the Lord welcomes all who come to Him, if they meet His conditions (Acts 10:34-35)
  • Put on the traits of Christ (v. 12-14) – He is our perfect example (1 Peter 2:21-22); our renewal must be “according to the image” of Christ (v. 10)

Conclusion

  • If you have been raised up with Christ” – focus on the goal (v. 1-4), repudiate sin (v. 5-9), and become like Christ (v. 10-14)
  • “If you have NOT been raised up with Christ” – why not?