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Wednesday 7pm - 9:30pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

http://www.evangelcommunity.church/

Evangel Community Church, 500 McDonnell Street, Chittenango, NY (2026)

08/30/2026

The new man makes a new home

08/29/2026

What happens when the new man goes home? This Sunday, we’ll discover how Jesus can transform our marriages, our families, our relationships, and even the way we live and work. Christianity isn’t just about what happens in the church—it’s about what happens when we close the front door and live out our faith at home. Join us as we learn how “The New Man Makes a New Home!”

The New Man Makes a New Home
August 30, 2026●Colossians 3:18-4:1●Pastor Jeff Heidt

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
4:1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
When Jesus changes a person, Jesus changes the relationships around that person!
The new man doesn't just get a new heart. The new man makes a new home!
INTRODUCTION
• Paul moves from the character of the individual believer to the relationships of the believer.
• The home is the most basic relational institution in society — if the Gospel can't transform the home, how can it transform the community?
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I. A WORD TO WIVES — Colossians 3:18
"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."
• Submission is one of the most misunderstood words in Scripture — it does not mean inferiority, weakness, or oppression.
• Jesus was not inferior to the Father, yet willingly submitted to the Father's will — submission is about God's order, not human worth.
• Paul says "submit," not "obey" — obedience is reserved for children and servants; submission is a distinct, willing posture.
• "Your own husband" emphasizes personal, covenant intimacy — not a distant authority figure.
"And they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24
• The goal of submission is oneness, not control.
• Submission does not mean losing your voice, silence, or the absence of disagreement — a strong marriage includes prayerful, respectful dialogue.
• Submission is not absolute — it never requires obeying sin.
"We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29
• Today’s cultural pattern: God's blessings without God's design.
• Submission must never be forced or demanded by a husband — that is manipulation, not Christlike leadership.
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II. A WORD TO HUSBANDS — Colossians 3:19
"Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them."
• One command, two sides: love your wife / do not become bitter.
• The progression of decay: irritation → resentment → bitterness → a wall between two people.
• Biblical love is a decision that produces action, not merely a feeling — shown through time, attention, patience, sacrifice, service, faithfulness.
• Warning: a man can provide financially and still be emotionally absent from his marriage.
• Biblical headship begins with sacrificial love — leadership without love leads to dominance; leadership through love becomes Christlike.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." Ephesians 5:25
• The true measure of love is not how you treat your wife when things go well, but when things go wrong.
• Husbands are called to lead the home spiritually — initiating prayer, Scripture reading & encouragement rather than leaving it to the wife.
"Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her." Genesis 24:67
• Marriage requires ongoing cultivation — the wedding is the beginning of a lifetime of learning to love, not the finish line.
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III. A WORD TO CHILDREN — Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord."
• The command is simple — obey — and the motivation is spiritual: obedience pleases the Lord, not merely the parent.
• A child's attitude toward parental authority reveals something about their heart toward God's authority.
• Before God gives authority, He teaches obedience under authority.
• The limit: obedience never extends to something that violates God's Word — God comes first.
• You don't have to understand an instruction fully before obeying it; disagreement doesn't automatically cancel obedience.
• Learning to say "Yes, Mom" / "Yes, Dad" builds character and discipline that serves a person for life — in future work, marriage, and parenting.
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IV. A WORD TO PARENTS — Colossians 3:21
"Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."
• Distinction between disciplining a child and discouraging a child — authority is meant to build, not break.
• "Discouraged" carries the sense of losing heart — a child can become so beaten down they stop trying, believing, and communicating.
►Six practical ways parents provoke children:
1. Overprotection — never releasing them to grow into responsible adulthood.
2. Favoritism/comparison — "Why can't you be like your brother?" crushes identity.
3. Constant criticism — every mistake becoming a lecture until the child stops hearing.
4. Neglect — a child needs presence, not just provision.
5. Lack of boundaries — children need standards; absence of boundaries can discourage too.
6. Disciplining in anger — correction should come from love, not rage; words spoken in anger can be remembered for a lifetime.
• Children need authority/boundaries/correction/discipline
• Parents need restraint/wisdom/compassion/love.
• The home is called "the greatest discipleship ministry God has ever given you" — children learn from watching how parents talk, handle conflict, pray, and forgive.
►Charge: don't just tell your children about Jesus — show them Jesus.
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V. A WORD TO SERVANTS & MASTERS — Colossians 3:22–4:1
"Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God"
• "Not with eyeservice" — don't work hard only when watched; work as unto God, who always sees.
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." Colossians 3:23
• Motivation shift: an earthly employer is not the ultimate audience — Christ is the true Master being served.
"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24
• God sees unnoticed faithfulness — the extra hours, the unrewarded sacrifice, the good attitude under unfair treatment.
"But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality." Colossians 3:25
• God's impartiality — no free pass for laziness or dishonesty because one is a Christian.
Turn to masters —"Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." Colossians 4:1
• Those in authority remain under authority — Christ is the Boss above every boss; this reshapes how power is used (justice and fairness, not exploitation).
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CONCLUSION: THE NEW MAN MAKES A NEW HOME
• The new home ties the passage back to the chapter's foundation:
o Colossians 3:1 — "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God."
o Colossians 3:15 — "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts."
o Colossians 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom."
o Colossians 3:17 — "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
• The Charge across all six roles: wives, husbands, children, parents, workers, leaders — "Live It!"
• The church's opportunity in a culture of broken homes: "Come look at this one" — not because of perfection, but because Jesus is in the house.
Today’s Reflections…
• What does your home look like when the door closes? Is Jesus Lord there? Is there forgiveness, grace, love, peace?
• Never surrender the family to the culture or accept dysfunction as destiny — bring it to Jesus.

08/23/2026

Putting on the new man part 3

08/23/2026

This Sunday, we’re coming to the final message in our “Putting on the New Man” series from Colossians 3:14–17! We’ve talked about what needs to be taken off and what needs to be put on, but now we’ll discover what should govern, fill, and guide the life of the New Man. We’ll look at the power of Christ’s peace, the richness of His Word, and what it means to do everything in the name of Jesus. The goal isn’t simply to become a better version of ourselves—it’s to put on Christ and let Him be seen through our lives. Come ready to be challenged, encouraged, and changed by the Word of God!

Putting on the New Man pt. 3
August 23, 2026●Colossians 3:14-17●Pastor Jeff Heidt

14 “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:14–17
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Introduction — The Journey of the New Man
• "Do not lie to one another, since you have 'put off' the old man with his deeds, and have 'put on' the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." Colossians 3:9–10
• Our journey so far:
o Message 1 (Killing the old life) — Colossians 3:5 — "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth…" and Colossians 3:8–9 — "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another…"
o Message 2 (Putting on the new man) — Colossians 3:12 — "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…"
• Our conclusion: it's not behavior modification but transformation — not "I'll become more loving" but "Lord, produce Your love in me."
• The New Man is not about putting on a better version of yourself — it's about putting on Christ.
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I. The Perfection (Maturity) of the New Man — Colossians 3:14
"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Colossians 3:14
• The picture of the belt/sash — "gird up your loins" imagery: love is what secures and holds together everything already put on (mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering).
• Without love, virtues degrade:
o Compassion without love → pity
o Kindness without love → obligation
o Humility without love → outward performance
o Meekness without love → simple weakness
o Patience without love → mere tolerance
o Forgiveness without love → outward act while resentment stays inward
• Love as the thread: gives compassion its heart, kindness its motive, humility its sincerity, meekness its strength, patience its endurance, forgiveness its power.
• "Bond of perfection" = maturity, completeness, wholeness — spiritual maturity is not more Bible knowledge but becoming more like Jesus.
• Love is fruit, not manufactured effort — Galatians 5:22 — "But the fruit of the Spirit is love…" — produced by the Holy Spirit as we walk with Christ, not worked up by self-effort.
• The mark of true maturity: loving those who don't love back — blessing those who curse, forgiving the undeserving, responding with kindness instead of anger.
• "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35
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II. The Priorities of the New Man — Colossians 3:15–17
Three governing priorities that move from what we wear to how we live:
 Let the peace of Christ rule the heart
 Let the word of Christ dwell richly
 Let the name of Jesus govern everything
#1. Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Heart
"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15
• "Rule" = umpire — peace makes the call: safe/out, fair/foul, go/stop.
• Reframing questions: not "Can I?" but "Should I?"; not "What do I want?" BUT "What does Jesus want?"
• Peace as covenant/reconciliation — purchased by blood, not earned by merit.
o "And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross." Colossians 1:20
• Two practical tests for decisions:
1. Is this consistent with the fact that Jesus and I are on the same side?
2. Will this leave me with a deep, abiding peace?
• Maturity's motive for avoiding sin: not fear of consequences, but love for Christ and the desire to preserve fellowship and inner peace.
• Corporate dimension — "called in one body": when Christ rules each heart, the result is unity — not everyone getting their way, but everyone following His way.
• "Be thankful" — thankfulness protects peace. Contrast: old man complains/fights for control; New Man gives thanks/rests in Christ.
#2. Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
• "Dwell" = the Word takes up permanent residence, not an occasional visitor.
• "Richly" = abundantly, not just enough to get through Sunday — whatever fills you eventually spills out of you (anger, bitterness, fear — or the Word).
• Four practices for letting the Word dwell (Heed, Handle, Hide, Hold):
 Heed it — Matthew 13:9 – "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
 Handle it — 2 Timothy 2:15 — "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
 Hide it — Psalm 119:11 — "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You."
 Hold it forth — Philippians 2:16 — "Holding fast the word of life…"
• The Pentecostal Connection: parallel between Colossians 3:16 (Word dwelling richly) and Ephesians 5:18 — "And do not be drunk with w**e, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit…" BOTH produce teaching, singing, praising, thanksgiving, transformed relationships.
• Being Spirit-filled isn't just Sunday experience — it's Monday living: how you speak, forgive, respond, treat people, handle pressure.
• The Word produces both information and emotion: teaching/admonishing one another and singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs "with grace in your hearts to the Lord" — worship is Godward, never self-directed.
#3. Let the Name of Jesus Govern Everything
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17
• "Whatever you do" — in everything: speech, relationships, work, decisions — not just "spiritual" activities.
• Our governing test: "Would Jesus put His name on this?" — applied to marriage, parenting, workplace conduct, social media consumption, speech, treatment of others.
• The Capstone Scripture: Romans 13:14 — "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
• The New Man is not a better version of you — the New Man is Christ being formed in you.
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CONCLUSION
Take off the old. Put on the new. Let love hold it together. Let His peace rule your heart. Let His Word fill your mind. Let His name govern your life. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Today’s Reflections…
1. What am I still wearing from the old man that God has already told me to take off?
2. Am I simply trying to act like a Christian, or am I allowing the Holy Spirit to produce the character of Christ in me?
3. When I face a difficult decision, do I allow the peace of Christ to be my umpire—or do I let my emotions, fear, pressure, or personal desires make the call?
4. Does the Word of Christ truly dwell in me richly, or does it only have a small place in my thoughts, decisions, and daily life?
5. If everything I said and did this week had to be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” what would I need to change?
6. When people encounter me in my everyday life, do they see more of the old man—or do they see something of Jesus?

08/16/2026

Putting on the new man part 2

08/15/2026

Are you ready to **put on the new man**? In Colossians 3:12–14, Paul challenges us to take off the attitudes and behaviors of the old life and put on **tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness—and above all, love.** The question is not simply, *“Am I a Christian?”* but **“Can people see Christ in the way I live, respond, and treat others?”** Join us as we discover what it truly means to **PUT ON CHRIST!**

Putting on the New Man pt.2
August 16, 2026●Colossians 3:12-13●Pastor Jeff Heidt

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3

**When the life of Christ is working in us, the old life begins to lose its grip.

INTRODUCTION — THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW MAN
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1
“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col. 3:3
“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4
• If there is new life on the inside, there must eventually be new life on the outside.
Paul moves us from what Christ has done inside us to how that new life should be seen through us.
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I. TENDER MERCIES — A GUT-LEVEL COMPASSION
A. “Put on” means to cover yourself with the character of Christ
• Paul uses the picture of clothing.
• The Greek word enduō means to put on clothing, but also carries the idea of enveloping or covering yourself.
• The new man is not merely something we believe – it is something we wear.
• Our new identity should become visible in our everyday lifestyle.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Colossians 3:12
B. Tender mercies means deep, inward compassion
• It is more than saying, “I feel sorry for you.” It’s gut-level compassion – seeing somebody's pain and being moved to respond
• Compassion is the opposite of indifference.
C. Jesus demonstrated compassion when he saw hurting people and moved toward them.
“For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8
D. Compassion has to move
• Biblical compassion does not merely feel – compassion acts.
• The challenge: don't just see people's pain – feel it – respond to it.
Don't just talk about compassion – live it – with the heart of Jesus.
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II. KINDNESS — THE GOODNESS OF JESUS ON DISPLAY
• Tender mercies describe what happens inside us when we see someone hurting and kindness describes what we do about it.
• Kindness is compassion that moves.
A. Kindness is the virtue of a man whose neighbor’s good is as dear to him as his own.”
• Kindness asks: “What can I do for you?” rather than: “What can you do for me?”
B. Jesus was kind
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
• There was a sweetness and goodness about Jesus that drew hurting and rejected people toward Him.
C. The kindness of God changes lives
“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared…” Titus 3:3–4
 If the kindness of Jesus changed us, the kindness of Jesus should flow through us.
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III. HUMILITY — THE ANTIDOTE TO SELF-LOVE
A. Humility takes self off the throne
• The ancient world admired pride, status, achievement, recognition, and superiority.
• Jesus introduced an entirely different way of living: humility.
• Self-love poisons relationships – it constantly puts me at the center.
B. Jesus is our model
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29
 The test of humility – Who is at the center of your life?
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IV. MEEKNESS — STRENGTH UNDER CONTROL
A. Meekness is not weakness – it is strength under control.
• It carries the idea of being willing to suffer injury rather than inflict injury.
B. Meekness knows how to restore people
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
• Notice the word – “Restore” and “Considering yourself…”
• You are standing by the grace of God.
C. Meekness can correct without becoming cruel
“In humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:25
• You can stand for truth while still carrying the spirit of Jesus.
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V. LONGSUFFERING — PATIENCE THAT REFUSES TO QUIT
• Makrothumia carries the idea of patience with a long fuse.
• It means enduring difficult people and difficult circumstances without exploding in anger – giving people time and grace
A. God has been patient with us
• How many times God could have given up on us.
B. Jesus' patience becomes our pattern
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” 1 Timothy 1:16
• Paul's testimony – “If you want proof that Jesus is patient, look at me!”
The patience Jesus showed us must become the pattern for how we treat others. Our challenge is: we often want grace for ourselves – but judgment for others and patience from God – but impatience with people.
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VI. FORBEARANCE & FORGIVENESS – WHEN PEOPLE HURT YOU
A. Forbearance means holding yourself back
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:13
• Forbearance means: Endure, bear with one another, stay under control.
• Don't allow someone else's behavior to pull you out of Christ's character.
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B. Forgiveness takes it one step further
• Paul doesn't merely say: “Endure it.” He says: “Forgive it.”
• How many times should we forgive?
“Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” Matthew 18:22
Jesus wasn't giving Peter a calculator – He was teaching that forgiveness isn't supposed to be a mathematical exercise.
VII. THE CHURCH MUST BE A FORGIVING FAMILY
• The church should be a place where people can make mistakes and find grace.
• The church must be a forgiving fellowship.
VIII. CHRIST IS OUR MODEL
Paul gives us the standard:
“Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:13
How did Christ forgive us? Completely. Freely. Graciously.
• At the cross
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34
• Christ endured for us
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
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IX. THE PERFECTION OF THE NEW MAN
Now look at the complete wardrobe:
• Tender mercies — compassion.
• Kindness — seeking another person's good.
• Humility — taking self off the throne.
• Meekness — strength under control.
• Longsuffering — patience that refuses to quit.
• Forbearance — holding yourself back under pressure.
• Forgiveness — releasing others because Christ released you.
And suddenly we realize, Paul isn't really describing clothes – He's describing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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X. THE CALL — PUT ON CHRIST!
The final question: WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14

TODAY’S REFLECTIONS…
1. When I am hurt or offended, do I respond like the old man—or do I respond like Jesus?
2. Is there someone whose pain I have become indifferent to instead of showing tender mercies and compassion?
3. In my relationships, am I more concerned about what I deserve—or about what I can do for someone else?
4. When someone hurts me, am I willing to suffer rather than retaliate, or do I feel the need to defend myself and get even?
5. Is there someone I need to forgive that I have continued to carry in my heart? What would it look like to release that offense to Christ?
6. If the people closest to me were asked, “What does Jesus look like in their life?”—would they see Christ in the way I speak, respond, forgive, and treat others?

08/09/2026

Putting on the new man

08/08/2026

Have you ever caught yourself still "wearing" the old you — even after Christ made you brand new? This Sunday we're digging into Colossians 3:9-11 and asking three life-changing questions: Do you remember who you are in Christ? Are you growing into who He created you to be? And are you living as one family because Christ is in all of us? Join us this Sunday as we discover what it really means to put off the old man and put on the new.

"Putting on the New Man"
August 9, 2026●Colossians 3:9-11●Pastor Jeff Heidt

“…since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” Colossians 3
INTRODUCTION: Clothes and Calling
• Salvation does not merely change your destination — it changes your identity.
• When identity changes, lifestyle must follow.
• Colossians 3:5-9 — What we must kill: sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, anger, wrath, filthy language, lying.
• Paul shifts from what to put off to what to put on.
• Religion renovates the old life; the Gospel creates a brand-new life.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
God never saved you so you could keep dressing like your old life. He made you new so you could live new.
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I. REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE (vv. 9b-10)
The Position of the New Man
Christianity is never behavior before identity. God changes who you are, then changes how you live.
"...since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." — Colossians 3:9-10
A. The Tense of the Text
1. Paul does not say "Try to become" — he says "You HAVE put off" / "You HAVE put on."
2. This points to a completed event at the moment of salvation, not a process of self-improvement.
B. What Is the Old Man?
1. Not merely bad deeds, but the old identity in Adam.
2. Dominated by sin, separated from God, spiritually dead, living for self
3. That person is gone.
"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." — Romans 6:6
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
"...unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
— John 3:3

C. Why the Struggle Continues
1. Not because you are half Christian and half sinner.
2. The new nature lives inside unredeemed flesh, which still remembers old habits, reactions, and desires.
"...put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts...and...put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." — Ephesians 4:22, 24
D. Application
1. You are not who you used to be.
2. You are no longer defined by your past, your failures, or your shame.
3. You are a child of God, a new creation, seated with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit.
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II. GROW INTO WHO GOD CREATED YOU TO BE (v. 10)
The Progress of the New Man
God does not just make you new — He keeps making you new. Salvation happens in a moment; sanctification is a lifetime.
"...and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him." — Colossians 3:10
A. The Word "Renewed"
1. Present, continuous, ongoing tense.
2. Not "you were renewed" but "you are being renewed."
3. You are saved instantly; you mature gradually.
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." — Romans 8:29
B. Renewed "In Knowledge"
1. Not mere Bible trivia or collected facts but a deep, personal, experiential, transforming knowledge of Christ.
2. Real spiritual growth happens as we continually grow in the knowledge of Christ.
C. Renewal Begins in the Mind
1. Before God changes your actions, He changes your thinking.
2. Before He changes your behavior, He changes your beliefs.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." — Romans 12:2
D. "According to the Image of Him Who Created Him"
1. Sin distorted the image of God in humanity.
2. Christ is restoring that image, day by day, layer by layer.
"...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6
"Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." — 1 John 3:2
God is more committed to your transformation than you are. He will complete what He started in you.
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III. LIVE AS ONE BECAUSE CHRIST IS IN ALL (v. 11)
The Partnership of the New Man
Salvation is never merely personal — it is relational. God did not simply save individuals; He created one family under one Lord.
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." — Colossians 3:11
A. Racial Barriers — "Greek nor Jew"
1. Centuries of division between Jew and Gentile.
2. The Gospel declares: "You are one."
B. Religious Barriers — "Circumcised nor uncircumcised"
1. Standing before God is not determined by religious ritual.
2. It is determined by Jesus Christ alone.
C. Cultural Barriers — "Barbarian, Scythian"
1. Scythians were regarded as the most violent, despised, and unredeemable people group of the ancient world.
2. In Christ, even the Scythian sits as a brother — the cross saves the worst sinner.
D. Social Barriers — "Slave nor free"
1. Master and slave knelt at the same altar, drank from the same cup, sang the same songs.
2. What the Roman Empire could never accomplish, the Gospel accomplished.
"For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation." — Ephesians 2:14
E. Our Highest Identity
1. No earthly label — racial, social, political — remains our highest identity.
2. Our highest identity is that we belong to Jesus Christ.
F. "Christ Is All and In All"
1. Christ is our righteousness, peace, hope, wisdom, strength, Savior, Shepherd, King.
2. The same Spirit, same Savior, same Father, same blood, and same hope of glory dwell in every believer alike.
3. We are not strangers, not competitors, not divided — we are family.
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CONCLUSION
Three Truths Restated:
1. Remember who you are — the old man is gone; you are new in Christ.
2. Grow into who God created you to be — feed on the Word, yield to the Spirit.
3. Live as one because Christ is in all — let no pride, prejudice, or division rob the church of what Jesus died to create.

Today’s Reflections…
1. Have you truly let go of the old man, or are you still reaching back into that closet some mornings?
2. Are you living from who you were, or from who Christ has already made you?
3. Are you more like Jesus today than you were a year ago?
4. Is God's Word actually renewing your mind, or has it become mere information to you?
5. Are you quicker to forgive, quicker to repent, more sensitive to the Holy Spirit than you once were?
6. Is there a barrier — racial, social, or personal — that you're still holding onto instead of letting Christ break it down?
7. Do you see the person next to you as family, because Christ is in them just as He is in you?
8. Is there pride, prejudice, or division in your own heart that's keeping this church from being one?
9. When people look at your life this week, will they see your old resume, or your new identity in Christ?
10. Most of all — will they see Jesus in you?

Evangel Community Church

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