WHAT HE HAS DONE

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Over the next few days, we are going to spend some time listening to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as found in the amazing teaching given by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:12-17. This passage holds some of the most compelling words of encouragement and instruction given to the followers of Jesus Christ. Join me as we dive into this great word from the Lord.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 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. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Colossians 3:12-17 NIV11)

Context

Today we are going to look into the context of this message. Before we are told to clothe ourselves with the works of the Holy Spirit or to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, we are given the reason for all of the good that Paul counsels the Christian to embrace. 

At the beginning of chapter 3, Paul makes it clear that the believer in Jesus Christ has received more than we can ever give back to God through obedience and faithfulness. Listen to the work that Jesus Christ has already accomplished on your behalf:

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

(Colossians 3:1-4 NIV11)

You Died

In verse 3 we heard, “For you died”. Our sin against God is an act of rebellion of a grand scale. The created has risen up against the Creator and sought to supplant the authority of Almighty God with their own. Sin is not a mistake or an accident that the Lord makes right as a parent might for a clumsy child. Sin is rebellion worthy of death. 

You Were Hidden 

Also in verse 3 we heard, “and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Jesus Christ paid the price that our rebellion deserved when he endured the penalty of the cross as our Savior and Redeemer. Justice was carried out and Jesus Christ paid the price that was ours to pay. 

As a result, we were purchased (redeemed) by the work of Jesus Christ and we were included in his perfection and righteousness. This is what it means to say that we were hidden in Christ. We have been enveloped by the goodness and rightness of Jesus Christ. 

You Were Raised

In verse 1 we heard, “you have been raised with Christ”. Thanks to the gift of God’s grace, we have been joined with the resurrection of Jesus Christ by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. 

Our old sinful self died with Jesus and was buried in the borrowed tomb alongside the Lord. But thanks to his loving kindness, we are included in his new and eternal life. We have been raised along with Jesus Christ. We are no longer dead in our sins and rebellion, but alive for all eternity thanks to the work of Jesus Christ.

He Was Exalted

In this passage we heard that Jesus Christ has received the gift of being exalted in glory, seated at the right hand of God. This is a statement of his true state as part of the Triune God. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, one with God the Father, united with and by God the Spirit. The three persons of Almighty God found in one nature and essence. 

Jesus is now and forever the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As such, he is our eternal sovereign to whom we submit every element of our being and nature. His rule is not of this earth and is worthy of our worship.

We Set Our Eyes

In this passage, we were told to, “set your hearts on things above”. Additionally, we were given the reminder that, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Our future is secure. We have been included in the very life and substance of Jesus Christ as we were joined with him in his life, death, and resurrection. Because we have been redeemed by his very life, we will be included in his eternal glory. 

•  We do not deserve this gift. 
•  We cannot pay it back. 
•  All we can do is say, yes Lord. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, all I can say to you in response for your grace is, thank you. I receive your love and your gift of redemption. In you I have life. In you I have the hope of eternity. Help me to set my eyes on you today. Help me to remember the truth of who you are and what that means for me. Thank you Lord. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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