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Sermon Outline

Uniting Heaven and Earth: Christ in Philippians and Colossians

Living with Christ

Lesson #11 for March 14, 2026

Scriptures: Colossians 3:1-17;Romans 1:18-32; 6:1-7; Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Samuel 16:23.

  1. In what way do we “live” with Christ? Does He live with us? Does He live “in” us?

[From the Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide=T-BSG:] This … lesson emphasizes two major themes:

  1. The true believer is one who has replaced an earthly mindset with a heavenly mindset.
  2. The true believer exhibits the characteristics of a new life in Christ.—T-BSG* ‡

An Earthly Mindset Versus a Heavenly Mindset

[From the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide=BSG:] It’s commonly urged not to be so heavenly-minded; otherwise, we’ll be of no earthly good. While true in some sense, there’s an equally important concept that Paul highlights in Colossians 3: if we are too earthly-minded, we will be of no heavenly use to the Lord.—BSG* for Sabbath Afternoon, March 7.†‡

  1. We will focus on many of the really significant changes that should occur in our lives.

Colossians 3:1-4: 1You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!—American Bible Society. (©1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation®* [GNT] (Today’s English Version) [TEV], Second Edition, (Colossians 3:1-4). Philadelphia: American Bible Society [abbreviated as Good News Bible-TEV* or GNB-TEV*].†‡

  1. What does it actually mean to be “raised to life with Christ”? (Colossians 3:1) What will happen to those who refuse to be separated from their earthly temptations?
  2. Paul suggested that these changes should take place when one is baptized because he has buried the old man and rises to newness of life. Infant baptism does not do that!

Romans 6:4-6: 4By our baptism, then, we were buried with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.

5For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. 6And we know that our old being has been put to death with Christ on his cross, in order that the power of the sinful self might be destroyed, so that we should no longer be the slaves of sin.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

  1. I am sure that Paul recognized that the brief physical experience of being “dipped” under the water does not make these kinds of changes in a person’s life. So, normally, how long does it take for a person to be transformed from being a person with a worldly mindset to becoming a person with a heavenly mindset? Sanctification is the work of a lifetime!

[T-BSG:] Paul is arguing that because the Colossians died with Christ (Col. 2:20) and were raised with Him (Col. 3:1), they must live accordingly. It is important to note that the expression “were raised” is in the passive voice in both English and Greek. The use of the passive voice indicates that the new life in Christ is not the result of human achievements but the work of God in the heart. This principle is a corrective to the teaching that humans can reach salvation through their own efforts.—T-BSG* 146.†‡§

[T-BSG:] In the early verses of Colossians 3, Paul encapsulates the concept of the new life in Christ through the phrase “those things which are above” (Col. 3:1, 2; in Greek, ta anō). Conversely, the old life is portrayed by means of a similar phrase, “things on the earth” (seeCol. 3:2, 5; in Greek, ta epi tēs gēs). Paul strongly exhorts his audience to do two things in relation to the things above. They must seek them (Col. 3:1) and set their mind on them (Col. 3:2). The Greek word translated as “set one’s mind on” is phroneō. This term reflects the act of thinking (seeRom. 12:3, 1Cor. 4:6,Phil. 1:7,Phil. 3:15). In other words, Paul is saying that heavenly things should occupy our thoughts. Colossians 3:1–4, which introduces the new section, is saturated with references to Christ: we were raised with Christ (Col. 3:1), Christ is at God’s right hand (Col. 3:1), our life is hidden with Christ (Col. 3:3), and Christ is our life (Col. 3:4). For Paul, seeking and thinking about the things above is synonymous with living a life for, and through, Christ until the day we share in His glory (Col. 3:4).—T-BSG* 146.†‡§

  1. Is thinking and acting like Jesus Christ the same as thinking and acting with a heavenly mindset?

[BSG:] Notice that from the beginning of Colossians 3, the repeated emphasis on what is above, that is, what there is in heaven: “those things which are above,” “where Christ is,” “things above,” “with Christ in God,” “with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1–4, NKJV).—BSG* for Sunday.†‡§

  1. Paul’s counsels in Colossians 3 are certainly not the first place in the Bible where we hear such language.

[BSG:] Jesus said, “ ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you . . . that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’ ” (Matt. 5:44, 45, NKJV).

Sound impossible? It is, humanly speaking. We need to die before we can really live for God. It’s why we must be heavenly-minded if we hope to be of any earthly use to our heavenly Father.—BSG* for Sabbath Afternoon.†‡§ [Have you had to deal with any “enemies”?]‡

  1. Jesus Himself said at the Lord’s Supper as recorded in John 13 that if His disciples were changed in this way, the whole world would know and recognize them as His disciples!
  2. Paul felt like his life was no longer his but Christ living in him. Could we have that kind of experience?
  3. Do you feel like this transformation has taken place in your life? If not, what do you need to do? Jesus Himself suggested that it is only by having a true connection to Him that we can experience that kind of transformation. (SeeJohn 15:5.)

[BSG:] Admittedly, there is much in the Christian life that defies explanation. How can a person really “die” and “be raised” when, to all appearances, he or she is the same person and has had no such life-and-death experience? There is much that does not make sense to the natural mind, uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. But to those who are spiritually-minded, because they have received the new heart promised by God, death to sin and being raised with Christ are genuine realities. As the hymn affirms: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.” [Are we living lives like that?]

Nevertheless, Paul gives these commands because there is a constant need for this spiritual life to be renewed (see2 Cor. 4:16). We can, indeed, fall away and be lost! And we are never safe from temptation in this life.—BSG* for Sunday, March 8.‡§

2 Corinthians 4:16: For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day.—Good News Bible-TEV.*

  1. Does that verse seem to suggest that there needs to be a constant renewal?

Colossians 3:3 [Reading again]: For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.—Good News Bible-TEV.*‡

  1. What does it mean to be “hidden with Christ in God”? (Colossians 3:3)

[C.H. Spurgeon in T-BSG:] “In the old Roman walls the mortar seems to be as hard as the stones, and the whole is like one piece; you must blow it to atoms before you can get the wall away. So is it with the true believer: he rests upon his Lord till he grows up into him, till he is one with Jesus by a living union, so that you scarce know where the foundation ends and where the upbuilding begins; for the believer becometh all in Christ, even as Christ is all in all to him.”—Charles H. Spurgeon, “Faith’s Sure Foundation,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 24 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1878), p. 463.—[as quoted in T-BSG* 145-146].‡§

  1. But what does it actually mean to stop thinking about earthly things and think about heavenly things? We could not live on this earth if we did not think about earthly things at least some! Paul did not leave this question hanging in the air. He made it very clear what he had in mind.

[BSG:] We hear many slogans today: “End war!” “End deforestation!” “End nuclear weapons!” But one we have probably never heard is “End earthliness!” That just doesn’t fit with the sensibilities of our world. Not that any of the other slogans are wrong or what they advocate is wrong. They’re just very shortsighted, considering the nearness of eternity. Our focus needs to be higher, eternally higher.—BSG* for Monday, March 9.‡

  1. ReadRomans 6:1-7, part of which is quoted in Item #4 above. Have we been set free from the power of sin? What happens when we are tempted? How do we put those temptations to death?
  2. Is it really possible to be dead to self and to earthliness and live a life in cooperation with Christ?

Colossians 3:5-7: 5 You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). 6Because of such things God’s anger [God’s wrath] will come upon those who do not obey him. 7At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. Paul gave us two lists of vices which he said belonged to this earth, “anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth,” and lies. (Colossians 3:5-6, NKJV*) He proceeded in verses 8-10, mentioning another set of problems: “Anger, passion, and hateful feelings” as well as “insults or obscene talk,” or lies. (Colossians 3:8-10, GNB*) So, in light of those things, where are our thoughts focused? Are they focused: 1) On the things of this earth? Or, 2) On things in heaven? How much filthy language do we hear?

God’s “Wrath” or “Anger” Is Not Like Human Wrath or Anger

  1. For those who do not fully know what it means to experience “God’s wrath,” see: https://www.theox.org/images/uploads/bbk/KHart_BTGG_PDF_Gnrl_Gods_Wrath_or_Anger_16.pdf
  2. God’s wrath is simply His turning way in loving disappointment from those who do not want Him anyway, thus leaving them to the inevitable and awful consequences of their own persistent, rebellious choices. Do we want to experience that? Remember that God is the only Source of life. So, if God leaves us or if we leave Him, we will be dead.

Revelation 6:16-17: 16They called out to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the eyes of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the Lamb! 17The terrible day of their anger is here, and who can stand against it?”—Good News Bible-TEV.*† [God will finally have to let these people go to reap the awful consequences of their persistent, rebellious choices!]‡

  1. Read Romans 1:18-28; Romans 4:25; and Matthew 27:46. What do these verses tell us about “God’s wrath”?

Romans 1:18-26: 18God’s anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known….

24And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other….

26Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions. Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

[BSG:] How do they dishonor their bodies? First, because they refuse to recognize the Creator but also by “vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful” (Rom. 1:26, 27, NKJV).—BSG* for Monday, March 9.‡§

Romans 4:25: Because of our sins he was given over [to die], and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡ [The words in brackets, to die, have been added by the translators! They are not in the original Greek.]‡

Matthew 27:46: At about three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†§ [What happened when God’s wrath was “poured out on Jesus”? Jesus was “abandoned”! Jesus died.]‡

  1. Repeating what we said earlier: God’s wrath is simply His turning away in loving disappointment from those who do not want Him anyway, thus leaving them to the inevitable and awful consequences of their own persistent, rebellious choices. Do we want to experience such a thing? Again, remember that God is the only Source of life. So, if God leaves us, we will be dead.

Jesus’s “Anger”

  1. Do we have any examples in the Bible in which Jesus became angry?

Mark 3:5: Jesus was angry as he looked around at them [some Pharisees], but at the same time he felt sorry for them, because they were so stubborn and wrong. Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it became well again.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. What kind of anger would you call that? Was it disappointment?

[From the writings of Ellen G. White=EGW:] …. The sufferings of every man are the sufferings of God’s child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their perishing fellow beings provoke His righteous anger. This is the wrath of the Lamb. To those who claim fellowship with Christ, yet have been indifferent to the needs of their fellow men, He will declare in the great Judgment day, “I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.”Luke 13:27.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages* 825.4.†‡ [Could we experience that today?]‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.4065&index=0]‡

A Changed Life & Characteristics of A New Life in Christ

  1. So, what was Paul suggesting in place of all those evil habits? RepeatingColossians 3:7-8 and then continuing:

Colossians 3:7-11: 7At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.

8 But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. 9Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits 10and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself. 11As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.—Good News Bible-TEV.*† [Who is doing the renewing? Only God can!]‡

  1. Paul was very emphatic in this transformation from the “old man” to the “new man.” InColossians 3:8, he used the Greek word for now. His statement was very emphatic.
  2. Do we always put the best possible interpretation on what others say and do? Or, do we sometimes wish misfortune on them? Or, slander their names? Paul was not the first one to give us a list of sins to avoid. Read the words of Moses as recorded in Leviticus 19.

Leviticus 19:11-18: 11 “Do not steal or cheat or lie. 12Do not make a promise in my name if you do not intend to keep it; that brings disgrace on my name. I am the Lord your God.

13 “Do not rob or take advantage of anyone. Do not hold back the wages of someone you have hired, not even for one night. 14Do not curse the deaf or put something in front of the blind so as to make them stumble over it. Obey me; I am the Lord your God. [How many people are living from day to day?]

15 “Be honest and just when you make decisions in legal cases; do not show favoritism to the poor or fear the rich. 16Do not spread lies about anyone, and when someone is on trial for his life, speak out if your testimony can help him. I am the Lord.

17 “Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of him. 18Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord.”—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡ [SeeDeuteronomy 6:5.]‡

  1. Even in the Old Testament, Zechariah gave us a picture of taking off the old clothes of sin and putting on the news clothes of righteousness as an indication of a changed life. (See Zechariah 3:1-5.) This was a vision of the pre-advent judgment going on right now!

2 Corinthians 3:4-18: 4We say this because we have confidence in God through Christ. 5There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; 6it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

7 The Law was carved in letters on stone tablets, and God’s glory appeared when it was given. Even though the brightness on Moses’ face was fading, it was so strong that the people of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed on him. If the Law, which brings death when it is in force, came with such glory, 8how much greater is the glory that belongs to the activity of the Spirit! 9The system which brings condemnation was glorious; how much more glorious is the activity which brings salvation! 10We may say that because of the far brighter glory now the glory that was so bright in the past is gone. 11For if there was glory in that which lasted for a while, how much more glory is there in that which lasts forever!

12Because we have this hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who had to put a veil over his face so that the people of Israel would not see the brightness fade and disappear. 14Their minds, indeed, were closed; and to this very day their minds are covered with the same veil as they read the books of the old covenant. The veil is removed only when a person is joined to Christ. 15Even today, whenever they read the Law of Moses, the veil still covers their minds. 16But it can be removed, as the scripture says about Moses: “His veil was removed when he turned to the Lord.” 17Now, “the Lord” in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.—Good News Bible-TEV.*† [Enoch’s face lit up with God’s glory. See

FLB 350.2: https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p131.2863&index=0]‡

  1. Do we want our minds to be closed to the truth? Or, do you want them to be open? Do we want to behold the glory of God?

Colossians 3:12-14: 12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [Is that us?] 13Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†‡

  1. Can our lives be described by the words “compassion,” “kindness,” “humility,” “gentleness,” and “patience”? This is the fruit of the Spirit as inGalatians 5:22-23.

[T-BSG:] Paul begins the new section inColossians 3:12–17 with the word “therefore” [the words are so then in GNB-TEV*]. By using this term at the beginning of the new section, Paul indicates that the exhortations inColossians 3:12–17 must be seen as a consequence, or result, of what he discussed inColossians 3:1–11. Those who seek the things above and think about them, in accordance withColossians 3:1, 2 (and have been regenerated spiritually, as symbolized by the new man inColossians 3:10), are now portrayed as “the elect of God, holy and beloved” (Col. 3:12, NKJV).—T-BSG* 147.‡§

[BSG:] The eight qualities mentioned by Paul are quite a list! “Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,” and “above all .  .  . love” (Col. 3:12–14, NKJV). These can spring only from a heart united with Christ, because they describe His character and how He has dealt with us. We are to forgive others “even as Christ forgave you” (Col. 3:13). Love is “the bond of perfection” (Col. 3:14, NKJV), because it is His love toward us that binds us to Him and enables us to truly love others (1 John 4:11, 12).—BSG* for Wednesday.‡§ [We can allow the Holy Spirit to come and change us!]‡

[BSG:] These qualities impact our relationships in two ways. First, showing love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness toward others blesses us and others. It is fulfilling to love and bless others. People will normally respond to us in kind, and we continue to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness (Matt. 5:7,Matt. 6:14). Second, and more important, it glorifies God and may encourage others to believe and follow Jesus, because it shows the power of divine grace.—BSG* for Wednesday, March 11.†‡§

[EGW:] The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing* 470.1.†‡ [Turn your eyes to Jesus.]‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p135.2470&index=0]‡

  1. How well are we doing at treating others, especially those who do not treat us well, the way Jesus would treat them?
  2. Would you agree with Paul, implying that all these other virtues are only possible if love marks our relationship? Do our lives show “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering”? (Colossians 3:12, NKJV*) Does our behavior and our speech represent Christ in all that we do?
  3. Unfortunately, even Jesus told us inMatthew 22:14 that many are invited, but few are chosen. That is, only a few accept Jesus’s invitation.

Matthew 24:22-31: 22 “But God has already reduced the number of days; had he not done so, nobody would survive. For the sake of his chosen people, however, God will reduce the days.

23 “Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it. 24For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible. 25Listen! I have told you this ahead of time.

26 “Or, if people should tell you, ‘Look, he is out in the desert!’—don’t go there; or if they say, ‘Look, he is hiding here!’—don’t believe it. 27For the Son of Man will come like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west. [The whole sky will be full of shining angels!]

28 “Wherever there is a dead body, the vultures will gather.”

[The Coming of the Son of Man (Mark 13:24–27;Luke 21:25–28)]

29 “Soon after the trouble of those days, the sun will grow dark, the moon will no longer shine, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers in space will be driven from their courses. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky; and all the peoples of earth will weep as they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31The great trumpet will sound, and he will send out his angels to the four corners of the earth, and they will gather his chosen people from one end of the world to the other.”—GNB-TEV.*†‡ [It will be a great religious awakening.]‡

  1. If we live the kind of lives suggested in this lesson, we will be constantly working for Christ, representing Him to others and winning them to Him?

Colossians 3:15-17: 15The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. 16Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. 17Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.—Good News Bible-TEV.*†

[BSG:] The language is very descriptive. It pictures the word of Christ making its home in us. That happens when we read the Bible attentively in order to listen and learn from God’s wisdom. Apparently, though the Greek text is somewhat ambiguous, music plays an important role in “teaching and admonishing one another” (Col. 3:16).—BSG* for Thursday.†‡§

  1. So, what kind of music was Paul recommending inColossians 3:16?

[BSG:] But not just any music. Paul uses very specific terminology both here and inEphesians 5:19: “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

Though we can’t be certain, it seems a distinction is made here [inColossians 3:16] between the existing Old Testament collection of psalms and a growing New Testament collection of hymns. “Spiritual songs” may be a more general term for any song of praise related to the spiritual life or the life of the church. The words of the songs are the means of teaching the truth and giving instruction on living the new life of a Christian. Many great hymns of the past few centuries have powerfully uplifting messages of hope and assurance, so needed in a world that so easily drags us all down.

Music’s influence is powerful. David’s playing of the harp had a soothing effect on King Saul (1 Sam. 16:23). But when David became his rival, Saul’s anger and resentment rose (1 Sam. 18:10, 11). Calm classical music has been clinically shown to reduce anxiety, optimize brain function, increase relaxation, help with pain, and increase socialization.

Who among us has not seen for themselves the powerful influence music, for good or bad, can have on our emotions and thoughts? Music—the right music—can be spiritually uplifting.—BSG* for Thursday, March 12.†‡§ [CompareEphesians 5:19 and1 Samuel 16:23.]‡

[BSG:] We are told that whatever we do, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Can you truly say that you do that? If not, how can you change; that is, what must you stop doing if you cannot do it in the name of the Lord?—BSG* for Thursday, March 12.†‡§

[EGW:] When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man’s justification. “Being justified by faith,” he has “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”Romans 5:1.

But because this experience is his, the Christian is not therefore to fold his hands, content with that which has been accomplished for him. He who has determined to enter the spiritual kingdom will find that all the powers and passions of unregenerate nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Each day he must renew his consecration, each day do battle with evil. Old habits, hereditary tendencies to wrong, will strive for the mastery, and against these he is to be ever on guard, striving in Christ’s strength for victory.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles* 476.2-3.‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p127.2105&index=0]‡

[EGW:] The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little.

In his efforts to reach God’s ideal for him, the Christian is to despair of nothing. Moral and spiritual perfection, through the grace and power of Christ, is promised to all. Jesus is the source of power, the fountain of life…. In our behalf He sets in operation the all-powerful agencies of heaven. At every step we touch His living power.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles* 478.1-2.†‡

[https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p127.2113&index=0]‡

  1. Notice, particularly these words at the beginning of that passage: “The power of a higher, purer, nobler life is our great need. The world has too much of our thought, and the kingdom of heaven too little.”
  2. To summarize this study of Colossians 3:

[T-BSG:] InColossians 3:1–17, Paul discusses the characteristics of an authentic Christian life. He emphasizes the believers’ union with Christ. Such a union means that the believer shares in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and glorification. Paul elaborates on this notion by saying that Christ is our life (Col. 3:4). We died with Him. Our life is hidden with Him in God (Col. 3:3). We were raised with Him (Col. 3:1). Thus, we must “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1, NKJV), which implies that we reign with Him (seeRom. 5:17).—T-BSG* 145.†‡§

[T-BSG:] The theme of “union with Christ” is a topic addressed elsewhere in the New Testament. In fact, this teaching comes from Jesus (John 15:5). Paul, in referring to the believer’s deep connection with Christ, uses the phrase “in Christ” (see, for instance,Rom. 6:11, 2Cor. 5:17, among many other passages). Paul also suggests that the life of a true believer is, in a sense, a “replay” of Jesus’ mission. Thus, as followers of Jesus, we must walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). Our old self was crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6,Gal. 2:20). We died with Him (Rom. 6:5) and were buried with Him (Rom. 6:4,Col. 2:12). We were raised with Him (2 Cor. 4:14,Col. 3:1) and sat with Him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).—T-BSG* 145.‡§

  1. How has your life changed since you became a Christian? If you were raised in a Christian family, can you think back to times when specific changes actually took place in your life that made you “more” Christian?

©2026, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version. †Bold type is added. ‡Brackets and content in brackets are added. §Italic type is in the source.

Last Modified: February 27, 2026                                                                                                        Email: Info@theox.org