above all these things put on love (colossians 3:12-14)
Introduction:
1. This chapter begins (vs.1-4) by teaching us to seek things that are above. 2. Next, we are taught in vs.5-11 to mortify and put off sinful activities. 3. In vs.12-13 we are instructed to put on 7 special characteristics, including mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering [patience], forbearance, and forgiveness. 4. This brings us to vs.14 that says, "above all these things put on love" [it is described as "the bond of perfection"]. 5. In our lesson we are pointing out 7 reasons why we must put on love above all these things. Discussion:
I. FIRST, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE IS COMMANDED BY CHRIST (John 13:34-35) II. SECOND, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE COMPREHENDS MANY OTHER COMMANDMENTS (Romans 13:8-10) III. THIRD, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE IS EVERLASTING (1 Corinthians 13:8a, 13) IV. FOURTH, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE IS TO BE THE MOTIVATION FOR ALL OF OUR SERVICE (1 Corinthians 13:3; Galatians 5:13-14) V. FIFTH, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE WILL ELIMINATE MANY THINGS, INCLUDING:
A. people biting and devouring each other (Galatians 5:15) B. "hatred," a work of the flesh that will keep a person out of God's kingdom (Galatians 5:20) C. the sins listed in Galatians 5:26 [desire for vain glory, provocation, envy]. VI. SIXTH, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE IS THE FIRST OF 9 CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE UP THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22-23) VII. SEVENTH, WE MUST PUT ON LOVE ABOVE ALL THESE THINGS BECAUSE LOVE IS THE LAST OF 7 CHARACTERISTICS KNOWN AS "THE CHRISTIAN GRACES" (2 Peter 1:5-7) Conclusion:
1. In Colossians 3 we are given some very helpful instructions. 2. Let us: a. seek those things that are above as we are taught in vs.1-4 b. mortify and put off the sinful activities listed in vs.5-11 c. put on the 7 characteristics listed in vs.12-13 d. put on love above all these things -- it is the bond of perfection.
