During the first Sunday of November each year we celebrate the dream and desire of a handful of folks who sensed the leading of the Holy Spirit to establish a work of God here in this community. Today marks the 65^th year of their dream becoming a reality. My hope and prayer this morning is that we as a fellowship will be able to continue to celebrate each November for many years to come.

The question is, “How do we go about making this happen?” Or, “What can we do to help ensure this ministry will continue on into the future?” I believe the apostle Paul has provided us with some great instruction here in our Scripture passage this morning. As we examine these verses we need to listen closely to what Paul has to say – learn from his instruction and then allow the truth of this passage to lead us on into the future.

There’s an old saying that says, “Actions speak louder than words.” Most of us have heard this at one time or another. There’s a lot of truth in that statement. For example: a week ago Saturday—we had a “Fall Festival” here at the church. Several people from the surrounding area stopped by and one lady in particular said, “I’ve noticed that your church has several events the community can come too.”

Signs, banners, billboards, and flyers can be very effective in getting an invitation out to the community…but nothing speaks as loud as our fellowship actually engaging the people of this community face to face; personally talking to people in order to build relationships.

I hope to draw 3 simple points from this passage today in order to help prepare us for the next opportunity we have to engage the people of this community. Simply because—it’s true, our actions do speak louder than words…and we want this community to get the right message from us.

1. We must dedicate our selves to Christ. [3:1-4]

As Christians we profess to have died to our old way of life and then we were raised up into a brand new life with Jesus Christ. Having done this…we now have a whole new purpose for living. Paul tells us here in verses 1-4 that our new purpose involves complete dedication. In verse 1 we dedicate ourselves morally—set your hearts. The desires of our heart are to be focused on Christ and the things of heaven: His purity, His promises, His power.

In verse 2 we dedicate ourselves mentally—Paul says, set your minds. Phil. 2:5 says we are to have the mind of Christ…therefore we need to dedicate ourselves to His values, His concerns, and the things that He loves. Verse 3 reminds us as Christians we have died and our life is now hidden with Christ in God. This means the life we live is to be about something greater than us as individuals. In other words, the world doesn’t revolve around just you or me.

We live in a country that certainly loves its sports. Athletes are taught that the overall team is always more important than any one player.  But—over the past few years we’ve seen several examples of where players say they are all about the team…yet their actions speak louder than their words. In order for this fellowship to minister on into the future—we must be dedicated to Christ. We can’t allow the church to become about any one person or one group.

2. We must do away with our old way of life. [3:5-8]

Prior to coming to faith in Christ—we lived pretty self-centered lives. Our focus in life was basically about meeting our needs, our wants and desires….hopefully not at the detriment of others. But, as Christians, we are to do away with our old priorities and begin to live for Christ. Paul tells us in verse 5—to put to death…whatever belongs to your earthly nature. This is to be done primarily in 2 ways…privately and publicly.

Paul mentions 5 things in verse 5 that deal with our more private areas of sin. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. When these things are allowed to become the priorities in life…it’s similar to idolatry. Things more important to us than God. In verse 6 Paul says the wrath of God is coming because of these things…and in verse 7 he tells us to do away with those old ways of life. Kill them.

Christians are called to live in fellowship with each other—therefore, the next 5 things Paul mentions here in verse 8 all have to do with public life and relationships. Anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Then in verse 9 he mentions lying to each other. All of these have to go.

To be Christian is to be Christ-like. The Bible says that Jesus was without sin (2 Cor 5:21) and He always pleased the Father (John 8:29). That’s not exactly who we are. We are prone to sin and we rebel against God’s will on a fairly regular basis. But—the good news this morning is this…through the power of God’s Holy Spirit we can do away with our old way of life and not let sin reign or control our life (Rom 6:12).   

3. We must dress for success. [3:9-12]

Paul is good at using analogies to help get his point across. In verse 9 we’re told to take off our old self as if our earthly nature is like dirty clothes…then, here in verse 12 he says clothe your self with these things. All of the things that Paul mentions in verses 12-16 are attributes and actions that speak of the transforming power and truth of God’s Word.

Church—the call to Christianity is always a call to something greater and higher than our selves. It’s a call that cannot be achieved on our own….nor can it be lived out effectively in our own strength.

“What can we do to help ensure this ministry will continue on into the future?” Put on the attributes of God and then make sure all of our actions are done in His name.