Chosen & Changing
Power Moves is a Netflix docuseries that follows Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, as President and VP of Reebok Basketball, in their attempt to revive the Reebok brand by designing new shoes, and most importantly, signing new talent. The most interesting part about the show is the quest to find the hottest up-and-coming talent to represent the brand. Because, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how cool their shoes are; they’re never going to sway the market from Nike (which is what they’re trying to do) without the right athletes to sign on with Reebok. So, they travel the country watching kids play basketball and meeting with them and their families….hoping to choose the right stars, not to just wear their shoes, but to embody the brand. Shaq knows that’s what it will take, because he used to be that guy. He wants someone that kids and adults both will look up to, someone that will represent on and off the court….The shoe is important, but who wears the shoe is critical. It’s what every good marketing team wants: people not to just identify with the brand, but to be redefined by the brand….to make it a way of life. In fact, that’s what every person wants…to find their way of life. Whether you realize it or not, you want to be defined by something (a look, a set of principles, success…), even if it’s being the person who refuses to be defined by anything….
We’re going to see in our text today that Paul shows us what it means to be defined by Jesus. If you have your Bibles, go ahead and turn to Colossians 3. We’re going to study verses 12-17. We’ve been in Colossians the past few weeks, so if you’ve missed any of those, I encourage you to go to our website, podcast, or YouTube channel and listen to those weeks so you get the full context of what Paul has written up until this point. Last week, Seth left off with Paul’s instructions to put off the old way of life and put on our new life in Christ. Today, we continue with that idea in more detail, and here’s a correlation you probably won’t hear too often: similar to Shaq looking for someone to embody the Reebok brand (not just wear the shoes), following Jesus isn’t about identifying with Him—it’s about being redefined by Him. In other words, Jesus doesn’t want us to simply wear his brand, but to embody his name. From these few verses, we’re going to see four ways to be redefined by Jesus: Know Your Identity in Jesus, Act Like Jesus, Be Filled With Jesus, and Do Everything in Jesus.
Let’s jump in with Colossians 3:12.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,
Know Your Identity
“Therefore” tells us this is a continuation of the new life in Christ, and it starts with knowing who we are. Oftentimes, we forget our place in the Creator-created relationship, and we think we have more power or ability than we do. The Bible makes it clear that we do not have the ability to come to God on our own. We don’t just wake up one day and decide we need Jesus. It is the work of God’s hand. Ephesians 2 tells us that our faith is a gift from God, not something we come up with on our own, and Ephesians 1 says that God chose us before the foundation of the world. If that makes you feel small and limited… it should. But it should also highlight how significant it is that any of us are here today, with our ears tuned and our hearts softened to the Word of God. He ordained that!
And that doesn’t somehow rob you of anything. Look at the adjectives that describe God’s chosen ones - holy and dearly loved. Is anyone complaining about that? God dearly loves you. That’s what you deeply long for. And, here’s the other truth that we often forget: when you put your trust in Jesus as savior, then you are as fully saved as you will ever be. The Bible refers to believers as saints more than 60 times in the New Testament! It has the same meaning as holy - to be consecrated or set apart, and it’s how God sees you in Jesus. How often do you see yourself as a saint? Here’s a saying you can use to remind yourself of this: I am no longer a sinner trying to survive; I am a saint fully alive!
Having a life redefined by Jesus starts with knowing our true identity in him, because then everything else flows from that, rather than trying to work towards it.
Let’s pick up with the second part of verse 12.
…put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.
Act Like Jesus
The second way to be redefined by Jesus is to act like him. It sounds simple enough, but we know it’s not. The New American Standard Bible says to “put on the heart of Christ.” I like that imagery. Imagine if we went to our closets every day and strapped on a literal heart to represent the heart of Jesus. How would that change the way that we treat people? Or drive down the road? Or interact with the news?….
I was recently reminded of Mother Teresa's ministry. In 1950, she began a ministry in Calcutta, India, serving the poorest of the poor. She began by taking in people off the streets who the hospitals wouldn’t even care for. They were beyond help, sure to die, and her goal was to show them the love of Christ in their last hours. Her ministry grew quickly (eventually operating in over 130 countries), and thousands of young women would come to serve in these congregations, willingly giving up their “normal” lives for a life of poverty in service to God. They put on the heart of Christ daily, showing compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience….
We’re not all going to be Mother Teresa, but that doesn’t dismiss us from acting like Jesus every day. I think we can use Paul’s list and summarize three ways we can imitate Jesus. Notice that each of these deals with how we relate to others, which means they are done in community. And, they are the opposites of what Paul instructed us to take off in verses 5-11 last week.
Make time for people - Compassion, patience, kindness…all require time and attention, and Jesus was always willing to give that. Name a time that Jesus was in a hurry. He moved slowly. For most of us, time is the rarest commodity (although gas is now a close second). But if we don’t build margin into our lives, people will become projects, and anyone who interferes with our schedule will be an annoyance. I don’t know if we have such a hard time loving people as we do making time for people.
Lead with grace - The Bible says Jesus was full of grace and truth, but he always led with grace. He could have easily pointed out everyone’s flaws, criticized, and shamed the crowds, but the religious leaders were already doing enough of that. Even when he was being crucified, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them…” Do you lead with grace, believing the best about others? Or are you quick to make assumptions, cast judgments, and hold grudges? We shouldn’t neglect or ignore the truth, but if we’re going to act like Jesus, we have to lead with grace.
Be a peaceful presence - The only people that Jesus stirred up were those who didn’t like his teaching, and who didn’t like that people were drawn to him. Even then, Jesus wasn’t combative or defensive….he wasn’t rage-bating anyone. He healed, he restored, he stopped arguments, and crossed-over cultural barriers. He was a non-anxious presence, and I believe we are called to be the same. People are on edge in every way…hyped up on caffeine, inflation, notifications, and politics. I believe if we put on the heart of Jesus, then we can be like a soothing ointment to the inflamed skin of the people in our lives. Be intentional about being a peaceful presence wherever you are. And collectively, we should be known as people of peace.
If we’re going to be redefined by Jesus, we have to act like Jesus.
This leads us to verse 16.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
The third way we are redefined by Jesus:
Be filled with Jesus
We need to look closely at this verse to understand the depth of what Paul is saying. The “word” of Christ comes from the Greek word logos, and it’s unique because it usually means a spoken or written word, but several times in the New Testament, it is used as a proper noun in reference to Jesus. Then, its meaning becomes much more extensive than just words. One definition said that it includes the totality of biblical revelation about Jesus, including His life, mission, redemptive work, and doctrines. In other words, when we see the “word of Christ,” it doesn’t just mean his spoken words, but it includes his mind, his work, and his ways. Paul is saying that we are to let the very essence of Jesus dwell among us.
What does it mean for something or someone to dwell? It means it makes a home. So, when we put these two concepts together, it means that we are to let Jesus take up residency in our lives.
There’s a difference between being a guest and a resident. A resident has a permanent place to sleep, has food in the fridge, does laundry, and hangs pictures on the walls. A resident shapes the culture (the ethos) of the house. It raises the question, "Is Jesus at home in your life?” Have you made room for him, or is the space in your heart still filled with old stuff? Last week, we learned about putting off the old self - the sinful desires, the idols, the malicious and divisive attitudes… Those sinful patterns are like squatters that fight to make themselves at home in our lives, but we have to kick them out, so Jesus can make his home in that space.
The good news is that Paul tells how to do that. We have to sing them out. He says we are to teach and admonish one another, that’s both instructive and corrective, with all wisdom; singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. When we sing, it taps into both our intellect and our emotions. That’s why we put effort into preparing songs for Sunday morning, we emphasize being here on time, and encourage you to engage in worship… even if you don’t have a good voice. We try to pick songs that are Gospel-centered and teach us Biblical truths, because the songs aren’t just a runway to the sermon, they are part of the sermon! They teach and correct.
But this doesn’t just apply to Sunday mornings. This should be part of our everyday lives, both individually and in community. I know a lot of you have your worship playlist in the car, or when you’re working, or at the gym. Those songs encourage you, remind you of who God is, and hopefully, convict you from time to time. What we need to work on is bridging our private singing and Sunday morning singing. That doesn’t mean we have to go around literally singing to each other….but we can let Jesus be so at home in our lives that his word flows through our conversations and relationships. Did you know that Jesus quoted the Psalms more than any other Old Testament book? He was teaching and admonishing through song.
When is the last time you encouraged someone with a psalm?
Psalm 33:20-21,
20 We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield.
21 For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name.
Or affirmed the work of God in someone’s life?
Psalm 90:17,
Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish for us the work of our hands.
Or even offered a warning
Psalm 1:6,
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
That’s not cheesy or awkward. That’s the very word of God having a home among us. That’s evidence of our lives being filled with Jesus. That’s people and a community redefined by Jesus, who aren’t just coming here on Sunday to get fed and leave, but who want Jesus to become the very air we breathe!
Let your life be redefined by Jesus by being filled with His word.
Paul gives us one more way to do this. Look at verse 17.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This is the fourth way we are redefined by Jesus:
Do everything in Jesus.
That may sound vague and unhelpful at first, so I want to unpack it a little. Notice that Paul doesn’t say we do everything for the name of Jesus, but in the name of Jesus. That’s an important distinction, because it’s the difference between accepting and earning. If we are trying to do everything for Jesus, it feels a lot like we are trying to earn his favor or a good standing before him. “Let me help this person, or serve the church in this way, …do this devotional, and give this money,…because I just love Jesus so much, and I want to make him happy, and I want him to be happy with me.” That sounds ok on the surface, but it’s a very insecure identity.
On the other hand, if we do everything in the name of Jesus, it means we are operating out of our chosen, holy, and beloved identity we discussed earlier. When we live and operate in the name of Jesus, we are like a prince or knight who moves through the land under the name and authority of the king. He knows that he has a place at the king’s table; he is sent out, backed by the power of the king, and because he bears the royal crest, he acts as an ambassador of the king in everything that he does. That’s how Paul says we are to live….doing everything in the name of Jesus, our King.
When we think that way, it should give us a more distinct purpose and motivation for the way we live and even carry ourselves. It’s not an arrogance, but an assurance, because our life, as verse 3 says, is hidden in Christ. And we know that we don’t operate by our own power or ability, but by the Holy Spirit. Being in Jesus means we have his Spirit in us. So, here are a few ways we can do whatever it is we’re doing in the name of Jesus and for his glory:
Do it well - Whether it’s your job, loving your spouse, leading a small group, or doing your homework….Put in the effort as an ambassador of the king.
Do it with a purpose - Similar to doing it well, let the things you say and do have purpose. Be a neighbor, a parent, a friend, and an employee who looks for ways to be intentional in your conversations and to point to the Gospel.
Do it with humility - Point to Jesus, not yourself. The best way is to be a servant whenever you can.
Do it joyfully; with gratitude - Look at how this threads through the passage.
Vs 15 = And be thankful.
Vs 16 = with gratitude in your hearts
Vs 17 = giving thanks to God the Father
The new life in Christ is filled with gratitude. It’s hard to do things in Jesus, in the authority of Jesus, representing Jesus, if we aren’t thankful for Jesus and what he’s done. This is why we need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily; to be reminded of our need for him, and to let our hearts be filled with gratitude for the grace and love he continually shows us. Gratitude keeps us humble and grounded in our identity. We remember that God hasn’t abandoned us…. nor are we sufficient on our own.
In this way, we can be redefined by learning to do everything, not for Jesus, but in Jesus.
Here’s the big idea: Following Jesus isn’t about identifying with Him—it’s about being redefined by Him.
Approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide identify as Christians. For now, Christianity is still the largest religion in the world. 60% of adults in the Orlando Metro area claim to be Christians; however, Orlando also ranks in the top 50 most post-Christian cities in America. There’s a tension that exists between people who grew up with some type of Christian background (going to church, their parents were Christians, etc.), and the pressure of living in an increasingly post-Christian society. Studies show that a growing number of people still carry the Christian label, but aren’t really sure what they believe about Jesus or how committed they are to his teachings. The trend is Progressive Christianity, which identifies with Jesus, but tends to be more defined by the teachings of the world. It’s spreading throughout the Church.
But that's not what God calls us to. Jesus taught us to take up our cross and follow Him, and the Apostle Paul is showing us that following Jesus is so much more than wearing a label. One of our codes at City Awakening is that the Gospel isn’t just a way to life, the Gospel is our life. That means that we don’t come to Jesus for fire insurance; we let him take over our lives. We are redefined by Jesus by knowing our identity in him (chosen), acting like him, being filled with him, and striving to do everything in him.
Maybe you’re here today because it’s time to stop letting Jesus be like a pair of dress shoes you only put on to go to church. Maybe it’s time to give him the keys and let him have full reign of your heart. Who or what else would you want to fill that role? Is there a more trustworthy, loving, or fulfilling person or identity to define you? All you have to do is open the door to him. He is waiting for you to surrender to him today.
Maybe you are genuinely trying to follow Jesus, but feel like you are continually failing. We can all feel that way because we all continually fail. But when we fail, then get back up and keep seeking Jesus, it shows that we truly believe the Gospel. Buried in verse 13 is this phrase, “Just as the Lord has forgiven you…” That’s past tense. It’s done. Ephesians 1:7 says that, “In him…we have the forgiveness of sins…” God sees you as holy and dearly loved. Rest in your saintly identity, not because you earned it, but because you were chosen for it!
We’re going to take communion, which is the perfect way for us to confess our need, remember our identity, and express our desire to be redefined by Jesus. This does not save us, but it reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, which satisfied the wrath of God. His body broken and his blood shed as he stood in our place, so that we could be counted as righteous before a holy God.
