1. Faithfulness in Christ – p.1 Decisive Actions for Growth

2. Colossians 3:5-7 (ESV) Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

3. The “Command Section” Colossians 3:5-4:6 is sometimes referred to as the “command section” since it contains at least fifteen commands.Colossians 3:5-4:6 is sometimes referred to as the “command section” since it contains at least fifteen commands.

4. Two Lists A list of vices (immoral or wicked behavior) that we must “put off” andA list of vices (immoral or wicked behavior) that we must “put off” and A list of virtues (behavior showing high moral standard) we must put on.A list of virtues (behavior showing high moral standard) we must put on.

5. The present process of becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit always involves two key parts: developing virtues and killing sins.The present process of becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit always involves two key parts: developing virtues and killing sins.

6. So you will never be able to defeat sin or produce fruit unless you come to Christ.So you will never be able to defeat sin or produce fruit unless you come to Christ. But after you come to Christ your life needs to be consumed by fruitfulness and defeating sin.But after you come to Christ your life needs to be consumed by fruitfulness and defeating sin.

7. Let dead things die! Put to death therefore… (v.5)Put to death therefore… (v.5) To put something to death is never pleasant.To put something to death is never pleasant. There must be a decisive initial act (aorist tense) that introduces a settled attitude (present tense)There must be a decisive initial act (aorist tense) that introduces a settled attitude (present tense)

8. Let dead things die! Put to death therefore… (v.5)Put to death therefore… (v.5) The idea here is to destroy their strength.The idea here is to destroy their strength.

9. Let dead things die! Put to death therefore

10. Defeat sin at its core! …sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (v.5)

11. Defeat sin at its core! Sexual Immorality refers to illicit sexual behavior – it is both an attitude and an overt sin.Sexual Immorality refers to illicit sexual behavior – it is both an attitude and an overt sin.

12. Defeat sin at its core! "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (I Cor. 6:18)."Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (I Cor. 6:18). "Flee" means to become a fugitive."Flee" means to become a fugitive.

13. Defeat sin at its core! Impurity - defiling that comes in connection with the act of sexual immorality.Impurity - defiling that comes in connection with the act of sexual immorality. Passion means uncontrolled illegitimate desire.Passion means uncontrolled illegitimate desire. Evil desire closely associated with the mental aspect.Evil desire closely associated with the mental aspect.

14. Defeat sin at its core! Covetousness is any materialistic desire, including lust, that disregards the rights of others.Covetousness is any materialistic desire, including lust, that disregards the rights of others. Covetousness is idolatry because we desire another object in a way that should be reserved only for God!Covetousness is idolatry because we desire another object in a way that should be reserved only for God!

15. Sin is attractive On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (v.6)On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (v.6) You can not practice ANY type of sexual immorality – and escape God’s wrath because sexual immorality is idolatry.You can not practice ANY type of sexual immorality – and escape God’s wrath because sexual immorality is idolatry.

16. Sin is attractive Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (Gal. 5:19) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (Gal. 5:19) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; (1 Thess. 4:3)For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; (1 Thess. 4:3)

17. Sin is attractive "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body". (1 Cor. 6:18)"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body". (1 Cor. 6:18)

18. Live what you are in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”(v.7)in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”(v.7) You are not in them so you don’t need to walk in them.You are not in them so you don’t need to walk in them.

19. Bottom Line: A Jesus-centered life is consumed by fruitfulness and defeating sin

20. Expect forgiveness and healing not magic.Expect forgiveness and healing not magic.

21. Stop exercising the flesh!Stop exercising the flesh!

22. Don’t even think about it!!!

23. Stop exercising the flesh!Stop exercising the flesh!

24. Make your own list!Make your own list! When asked by The Barna Group what words or phrases best describe Christianity, the top response among Americans ages 16-29 was “anti- homosexual.”When asked by The Barna Group what words or phrases best describe Christianity, the top response among Americans ages 16-29 was “anti- homosexual.”

25. Make your own list!Make your own list! one of the top reasons 59 percent of young adults with a Christian background have left the church is because they perceive the church to be too exclusive, particularly regarding their LGBT friends.one of the top reasons 59 percent of young adults with a Christian background have left the church is because they perceive the church to be too exclusive, particularly regarding their LGBT friends.

26. Make your own list!Make your own list! Eight million twenty-somethings have left the church, and this is one reason why.Eight million twenty-somethings have left the church, and this is one reason why. The one word 91% of non-Christians use to describe the Christian faith is anti- homosexual,The one word 91% of non-Christians use to describe the Christian faith is anti- homosexual,

27. Keep leaning forwardKeep leaning forward You cannot compensate by sacrifice what you lose through disobedienceYou cannot compensate by sacrifice what you lose through disobedience