Christ Christ in the in the

Passover Passover SederSeder

Tuesday, April 197:00p.m. FLC

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The Gospel and Your The Gospel and Your New Identity New Identity Colossians 1:1-2Colossians 1:1-2

Gospel-Centered IdentityGospel-Centered Identity• 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of

God, and Timothy our brother, God, and Timothy our brother, 2 2 To the saints To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

The ApostleThe Apostle• 1 1 Paul, Paul, an apostle an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of of Jesus Christ by the will of

God, and Timothy our brother, God, and Timothy our brother, 2 2 To the saints To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

• When I was with you, I certainly gave you every When I was with you, I certainly gave you every proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by proof that I am truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself. For I patiently did many signs and God himself. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you. wonders and miracles among you. (2 Corinthians 12:12)(2 Corinthians 12:12)

The SaintsThe Saints• 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of

God, and Timothy our brother, God, and Timothy our brother, 2 2 To To the saints the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2)

• Holy: set apart, distinct, consecratedHoly: set apart, distinct, consecrated

• ““Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) (Exodus 20:8)

The SaintsThe SaintsRoman Catholic “saints”:Roman Catholic “saints”:• Live a life of heroic virtueLive a life of heroic virtue• Be deadBe dead• Voted on and approved by the Pope and the Voted on and approved by the Pope and the

College of Cardinals. College of Cardinals. • Perform two miracles after you’re deadPerform two miracles after you’re dead

The SaintsThe Saints• 12 12 …give thanks to the Father, who has …give thanks to the Father, who has

qualifiedqualified us to share in the inheritance of the us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. saints in Light. 13 13 For He rescued us from the For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son…the kingdom of His beloved Son…(Colossians 1:12-13)(Colossians 1:12-13)

Religion vs. the GospelReligion vs. the Gospel• Religion: behavior determines identityReligion: behavior determines identity

• The Gospel: identity determines behaviorThe Gospel: identity determines behavior

• Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called… with which you have been called… (Ephesians 4:1)(Ephesians 4:1)

Gospel-Centered IdentityGospel-Centered Identity• ““My observation of modern Christianity is that most My observation of modern Christianity is that most

of us tend to base our relationship with God on our of us tend to base our relationship with God on our performance instead of on His grace. If we perform performance instead of on His grace. If we perform well (whatever well is in our opinion) then we well (whatever well is in our opinion) then we expect God to bless us. If we haven’t done so well, expect God to bless us. If we haven’t done so well, then our expectations are reduced accordingly. In then our expectations are reduced accordingly. In this sense we live by works rather than by grace. We this sense we live by works rather than by grace. We are saved by grace (we acknowledge that), but we are saved by grace (we acknowledge that), but we are living by the sweat of our own performance. are living by the sweat of our own performance.

Gospel-Centered IdentityGospel-Centered Identity• We give lip-service to the grace of God, but our We give lip-service to the grace of God, but our

unspoken motto is ‘God helps those who help unspoken motto is ‘God helps those who help themselves.’ The realization that my daily themselves.’ The realization that my daily relationship with God is based on the infinite merit relationship with God is based on the infinite merit of Christ instead of my own performance is a very of Christ instead of my own performance is a very freeing and joyous experience.” freeing and joyous experience.” – Jerry Bridges, – Jerry Bridges, Transforming GraceTransforming Grace

Gospel-Centered IdentityGospel-Centered Identity• 2 2 To the saints and To the saints and faithful brethrenfaithful brethren in Christ in Christ

who are at Colossae…who are at Colossae…

The StructureThe Structure• Calling then conductCalling then conduct• Doctrine then dutyDoctrine then duty• Identity then conformity Identity then conformity

• Moralism: trying to earn points with God Moralism: trying to earn points with God through good behaviorthrough good behavior

• 9 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, bodily form, 10 10 and in Him you have been made and in Him you have been made complete… (Colossians 2:9-10)complete… (Colossians 2:9-10)

In ChristIn Christ• To the saints and faithful brethren To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ in Christ who who

are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:2)God our Father. (Colossians 1:2)

• Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)(Romans 6:23)

In ChristIn Christ• Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my

fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. apostles, who also were in Christ before me. (Romans 16:7)(Romans 16:7)

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… blessing in the heavenly places in Christ… (Ephesians 1:3) (Ephesians 1:3)

In ChristIn Christ• 8 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of

our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, God, 9 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from before the ages began… Christ Jesus from before the ages began… (2 Timothy 1:8-9)(2 Timothy 1:8-9)

• And the peace of God, which surpasses all And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

In ChristIn Christ• For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will

be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

Grace and PeaceGrace and Peace• 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of

God, and Timothy our brother, God, and Timothy our brother, 2 2 To the saints To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God Grace to you and peace from God our Fatherour Father. (Colossians 1:1-2). (Colossians 1:1-2)

The Gospel and Your The Gospel and Your New Identity New Identity Colossians 1:1-2Colossians 1:1-2