THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

COLOSSIANS 3:1,2

9/57

 

The two great pillars of Solomon's Temple: Boaz, Jochin.

The two great pillars of the Christ faith: Cross, "died for our sins..".  Empty tomb, "raised for our justification."

 

The tremendous importance of the resurrection.

 

I Corinthians 15:14-19.

 

Our Lord pleased to give many infallible proofs, by appearing again and again in the midst of his disciples.  Showed himself openly, did eat, drink - they touched his hands, feet, side, handled..

 

-To one alone of Mary Magdalene, Peter, James.

-To two, Emancus.

-To ten, Thomas bring about.

-To eleven.

-To seven by the sea.

 

No historical fact a better basis of credibility.

 

Commemorated frequently.

 

     1.  By ten.

     2.  Every Lord's Day the memorial of the resurrection.

 

Wake up on any Lord's Day - depth of winter, warmth of summer, say, "Today he arose..."  To set apart an Easter Sunday a human device; the gathering together on the first day of the week, the Lord with His disciples, the disciples with converts.  A greater work than creation, Sabbath; redemption, Sunday.  We meet, pray Jesus stand in our midst, say "Peace be unto.."

 

The rich meaning of the text:

 

I.  PAUL'S DOCTRINE OF THE FEDERAL HEADSHIP OF CHRIST

 

Compare:  Adam federal head of the race, all die in him.

 

So Christ, federal head of a new people, the unity of his people in him.  Partakers of his nature, life, merit have glory, all he did.  One with him.  Dead with him, risen with him, cannot be separated from him.  Members of his body - and not a bone of him can be broken.  That union intimate, continuous, indissoluble.

 

We are risen with Christ in two ways:

 

     1.  Representatively.

 

In Christ, sin paid, death no further claim, no reason to hold him, discharged the debt, set free from the prison of the tomb.  He our bondage, representative, substitute - when he came forth, we came forth.  In our substitute, paid the penalty, died when the death warrant of sin, now no longer under its curse.  When he came forth we came forth.  So Romans 6:3-5 baptism, 8-10, explanation.

 

The resurrection blessing to be perfected by and by, at the appearing of our Lord and Savior.  Then our bodies rise again if we fall asleep... He redeemed our humanity in its entirety - soul, body.  These dry bones shall live... We are to be wholly raised from the dead.  Our Lord, not his head quickened while his feet remained in the sepulchre.  Rose a perfect man, alive throughout, every faculty alive...

 

     2.  Spiritually.

 

Our spiritual resurrection as soon as we are led by faith to believe in Christ.

 

So said of us: Colossians 2:13.

The meaning of the text here.

 

II.  OUR SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION

 

     1.  The statement of fact.

 

Condition of the first class, assumed as true.

 

Compare:  Colossians 2:20.

Compare:  Matthew 4:3,6.  Satan knew who He was.

 

In English looks like a supposition, but not so.

 

The apostle casts no doubt, raises up no question, merely states the promise of the conclusion.  "Since..."

 

All who believe in Christ are rising with Christ.

 

We were "dead in trespasses..."  Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 2:1.

 

Unable to raise ourselves:

 

Ours eyes that could not see.

Ours ears that could not hear.

Ours hearts that could not love.

Ours withered hands that could not stretch out.

 

The Holy Spirit visited us, made us live.

 

We could see Jesus, hear his voice.

The withered hand by faith stretched out, could touch him.

Our feet, in obedience, down the aisle…new creature.

Sown in weakness, raised in power.

 

     2.  The consequence.

 

The things of Christ would become a cemetery to the called out Christian; a tomb, raised out of it, from it.

 

To a dead man, a sepulchre as good a dwelling place as he can want.  His bed chamber - a pauper, covered with dirt.  Rich, covered with expensive mosaic and marble.

 

But the moment the dead man lives, how terrible the narrow grace; even the marble mausoleum a dark and dreary vault, a loathsome dungeon, an unbearable channel.  Must arise, leave. Break the bonds.

 

So the natural man, no spiritual life, the things of the world content him. The tomb seems a pleasant place.

 

A merely outward religion all that is desired; a dead form to suit a dead soul.  All those pretty things make pretty furniture for a dead man's chambers. 

 

But when the quickening power of the Holy spirit comes, when eternal if enters the soul, these outward ceremonies flung off, the inventions of a dead rituals not do.  The living man rends the grave clothes, tears away his cerements, seeks garments suitable for life.  Hungers, thirsts after the living word of God.  Husks, chaff, not do.

 

For the dead man, the shroud, casket, vault, suitable enough.  But make the corpse alive again, cannot rest in coffin - desperate struggle to be free from it. 

    

     a. River Rogue, Oregon. 

 

III.  THE APPEAL OF THE APOSTLE

 

Our lives, hearts, affections, out of the tomb, up to God's heaven.

 

Compare:  Jesus, rose early at the very break of day.  At first instant possible, left the sepulchre.  At first moment consistent with the Scriptures, left napkin, grave-clothes, stood in garden, waiting to salute his disciples.  Surely never 3 days so short as Jesus made them, if crucified on Friday; three fragments of days.

 

So we, no, lingering, no loitering, no hankering after the world, no clinging to its vanities. 

 

A.  Lot for Sodom.

 

Compare:  Jesus after the resurrection, tarried on earth, 40 days, in holy service before went away, to encourage disciples.  We have over 40 days to tarry here - may be longer, may be shorter, as God ordains.  Our times as Jesus - encouraging God's people, greater seclusion from the world, greater nearness to heaven.  Philippians 3:20 "for our conversation is in heaven."

 

Compare:  Jesus at God's right hand.  Colossians 3:16.  The object of our affection.  We there in him. Followed by our thoughts.  "Where treasure is, heart also."

 

Our new Jerusalem, our new home.  The church triumphant in heaven, the church militant in earth, are one.  We have come to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.