#6 Colossians 3:3-4 For You Died
On February 14, 2021 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode#6 Colossians 3:3-4
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin
Amy:
Christgazing, similar to stargazing, is rooted in the words of Psalm 27:4, which say, One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
This podcast is for those of us who share this desire or who wonder who God really is. We make make space here for us to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD by setting our minds on his thoughts and ways. We do it by gazing on one biblical passage as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he wants us to know. As we focus on his word, we find ourselves gazing upon his personality, his desires, his intentions, his power, and his beauty.
As mentioned in the previous episode, we are camping in Colossians 3. Colossians is a letter written by Paul, a follower of Jesus, to a church in the city, Colossae. In this chapter, Paul is explaining the benefits they (and everyone who has put their trust in Christ) have. Ultimately, we will cover verses 1-17. Today, we gaze on verses 3 and 4.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before Joy brings those to us, take the next 30 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be regret, gratitude, shame, hopeful expectation, sadness or joy Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 30 seconds.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
I’m going to ready today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What does he want? What is he doing?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do people need? Do people have value?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good shepherd and his sheep can hear his voice. He does not desire to exhaust you or weigh you down with heavy rules, but rather he desires to lead you to living water so that your soul might be refreshed.
Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face toward you and give you peace and may you know you are safe, hidden with Christ in God. Numbers 6:26 – 27 and Colossians 3:3.
One Response
Amy:
One of my favorite things is reading the Word of God in fellowship with other believers. At the beginning of this year, I set out to memorize Colossians 3:1-17 with a few people including my lovely cousin Candi Beck. When she reached this verse, the words, “you died” resonated with and encouraged her deeply and I’ve asked her to share about that today on the podcast. Candi, thank you for joining us.
Candi:
Thanks Amy, I am so glad to be here!
Amy:
Tell us how these words strike you.
Candi:
So, as I gaze and meditate on Colossians 3:3, I am struck by the word “died.” As I close my eyes, I can see a tombstone. It’s my own. Instead of feeling a sense of morbidity or sadness, an overwhelming sigh of relief overtakes me. In Colossians 3:1, Paul wrote, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ…….” That didn’t strike me quite as astounding as seeing the word, “died.” I died because of sin. Then God made me alive with Christ, completely reconciling all my debts as he nailed them to the cross. All those debts, died. You see, my old life that died, has haunted me; its casted shadows of unworthiness, self-doubt and swords of shame.
As the Holy Spirit continued to show me this vision of my own tombstone, the easier it was for me to see that when I repented of my sin and made Jesus the Lord of my life, God plucked out all those dead things and buried them. Those which didn’t belong to Him, he left buried there as he raised me to life with Christ. My old life has remnants that are embedded as memories, deeply rooted inside of my human mind.
The longer I meditate on my tombstone, the more I realize that those past sins, iniquities, and shortcomings are still buried. I can count them to be a rich fertilizer. A fossil fuel, per se, a rich oil that propels me forward. Instead of being ashamed of my past….my head is lifting. Walking away from the gravesite, I can boldly profess, “this is my testimony!” This fuel helps me grow stronger, reach higher and dig deeper. God will use it for His purpose.
If you are listening today, you, too can bury all those past regrets. There isn’t a problem that is too big for our God to bury. Maybe you are listening today, and, like me, you call Jesus your Savior, but you had never acknowledged that when you were raised to new life with Christ, God kept all those dead things buried, never to be seen again. Maybe you’re reminded of that addiction you struggle with. Or the anger you show towards your children. Perhaps you have gotten a little too attached to someone other than your spouse in the past, but thinking of that makes you cringe. If that’s you, it’s time to bury that. I can lead you in a prayer, whether this is the first time or the first time in a long time, let’s pray together.
Say,
Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I repent. I surrender my life to you and I die to this current life I live. I want to be raised to new life, with Jesus, pure and spotless without a wrinkle. Thank you for burying that shame, that embarrassment, past regret and sin; while raising me to new life. A new life, where I’m no longer a slave to sin, but a child of God, an heir to your very throne. Jesus, I make you the Lord of my life, now and always, the author and finisher of my faith. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Closing
Amy:
Amen. Let it be so. Joy and I will be back next week continuing with Colossians Chapter 3. We leave you with our familiar closing, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a very child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.
Ooooh the word “died” in spiritual remind me how I am new creation in Jesus Christ because I died with my sin raised to Jesus and be new creation in him,I am no longer slave of sins because my Christ are in me.
As Psalm 27:4 say
Ma too my wishes is to live in house of Our Almighty God forever.
God bless you all
Amen! Yes, we are new creations in Jesus Christ! Wow!