Pulpit Curriculum
November 5th – November 11th, 2023
Sermon Summary
Christ is supreme and in His creation plan, He planned for our redemption by the shedding of His blood to reconcile us with God the Father. This free gift of salvation was only possible through His work on the cross, which opened the door for mankind to escape the awfulness of hell and eternal separation from God. Christ became the sacrificial Lamb to provide for the Great Exchange – the exchange of the carnal for the sacred – the exchange of the old for the new. As beneficiaries of this Great Exchange, there is work for us to do to walk with Christ; things to put to death, things to put off, and things to put on!
Verse of the Week
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.
Going Deeper
Review Colossians 3:1-17
1) Using the sermon text and other scripture to support your answer; what does it mean to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”?
What does it look like for our lives to be hidden with Christ in God?
2 In verse 5, Paul uses strong language in his instruction “put to death”. Why is it imperative that we “put these things to death”?
Citing scripture, why do you believe sexual immorality is listed as the first thing Paul instructs the Colossians to “put to death”?
Where else in scripture does the Apostle Paul admonish the church to “put off sexual immorality”?
3) Explain why the Apostle Paul instructs us to “put on the things of God” as if they are clothing.
Where else in scripture do we find similar instructions; and do we see any correlation between those instructions and these here in Colossians?
4) In verses 13 and 14 Paul uses the words “bearing’ and “forgiving” to refer to how we should act toward each other, which are both present participles. However, he uses “forgiven” a past participle, in reference to God’s action toward us. Discuss.
5) What does the Apostle Paul mean when he writes “Christ is all, and in all” in verse 11?
Assess Your Life
1) How can you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart in situations of conflict or stress? Give specific examples.
2) How do you actively participate in your faith community? How would you encourage others within that community to actively participate if they are not?
3) The Preacher stated that “one’s theological beliefs are formed faster in songs that are repeated than by sermons that are preached”. Reflect on and share of any experience where you found the words of a “worship song” that “moved you” did not align with scripture.
Did you address this? If so, how? How would you do so if it happened now, tomorrow, or sometime in the future?
Application
1) Reflect on the virtues listed in verses 12-14. Which of these do you struggle with the most? How can you practice these more intentionally?
2) What does it mean to you to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”?
How will you improve your practice in this area?
I will ask
Sermon Main Points
Loved ones, Christ is supreme yet in his eternal plan he paid the price for our reconciliation with the Father. His work on the cross opened the door for mankind to escape the awfulness of hell and eternal separation from God. What he did was provide for the Great Exchange. Because of this Great Exchange, we must:
Be Intentional in our pursuit of heavenly things (3: 1-4)
Mortify the Deeds of the Flesh (3: 5-11)
Embody and demonstrate Christlikeness (3: 12-15)
Actively participate in our faith community (3: 16-17)
Sermon Reflection
One’s attitudes, ambitions, and whole outlook on life are moulded by Christ’s relation to the believer, and that one’s allegiance to him takes precedence over all earthly allegiances
The old man looks at the things of this world, but the new man in Christ looks above to God’s precepts, promises and spiritual power.
Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another.
The character of Christ in a believer must govern his interaction with others.
We are to submit to the demands of the Christian message and let it become so deeply implanted within us as to control all our thinking
If we are to admonish each other in singing then we must make sure that what we sing is biblically sound.
What stood to me about this sermon?
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - Romans 8:12–14
Day 2 - Galatians 5:19–23
Day 3 - Ephesians 4:25-26
Day 4 - Luke 7:41-43
Day 5 - Romans 13:11-14
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.
Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2023