Jesus as Life Part 2

I want to invite you to open your Bibles with me to Colossians chapter 3. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been walking slowly through one of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We haven’t rushed past those words—we’ve let them sink in. Let them reshape how we see Jesus… and how we walk with Him. When Jesus says, “I am the way,” we’re reminded of what the prophet Jeremiah once told a wandering people—people not all that different from us: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16). We’ve been leaning into that as a church. And what we’ve discovered is this: “Ancient” doesn’t mean outdated—it means timeless. This path we’re talking about? It’s not a religion. It’s not a checklist. It’s not a ticket to punch or a map to follow. The ancient path is a person. And His name is Jesus. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. And today—we’re leaning all the way into that last word: life. So here’s the question I want us to wrestle with together: What does it actually mean to say, “I don’t just believe in Jesus… I don’t just go to church for Jesus… but Jesus is my life”? To answer that, we’re going to walk through Colossians chapter 3. Now—I’m not going to put the passage on the screen, because it’s a lot to take in. So I’m asking you to follow along with me in your Bibles as I read Colossians 3, starting in verse 1 and continuing through verse 18. (Read Colossians 3:1–18)

Now, here’s the picture—and we actually catch a glimpse of it back in Colossians 1:27: “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” That’s the beginning. That’s the mystery revealed—not just Christ for us, but Christ in us. Gentiles like you and me, welcomed into the glory of God through union with Christ. Let me say it this way: Christ in us is the hope of glory. But if we’re going to live a spiritually transformed, Christ-shaped life, we need to understand the wholeness we already have in Him. That’s what Paul is pointing to in Colossians 3:1–4. My Bible titles this section: Put on the New Self. Chapter 2 focused on being made alive in Christ, but now Paul turns to what that life actually looks like—both in our relationship with Christ and in how we relate to others. Look at verse 3: “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” You died. I died. What does that mean? It means the old you—the one defined by shame, guilt, and sin—was crucified with Christ. Your past life is buried. It’s not who you are anymore. And when Christ died, He accomplished two things: He paid the penalty for your sin. He broke the power of sin over your life. So if you’ve placed your faith in Christ—if you’ve died with Him—you no longer live under sin’s penalty, and sin no longer has power to dominate you. At the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” What was finished? The POWER system of sin, shame, and self. It was defeated. And now, in Christ, you’ve been given the power to live differently. Think about it… That moment you were short and snippy with someone—you now have power in Christ to respond with patience, to really listen, and to love like Jesus. Or when someone was harsh with you—you now have power, through Christ, to forgive. To choose relationship over resentment. To walk in love instead of staying wounded. So not only have you died with Him—your life is now hidden with Christ in God. That’s verse 3. This is the beauty of following Jesus. We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. He’s not just part of your life—He is your life. And that starts right now. Not later. Not someday in heaven. Not after you’ve got it all figured out. Right now, you are in Christ. Right now, you are experiencing eternal life. But the question I keep asking myself is this: What am I doing with the eternal life I already have? Am I living for the next thing? The next week? The next breakthrough? Or am I living each moment fully aware that Christ is in me—right now—desiring fellowship? Paul said it in Philippians: “For me, to live is Christ.” That’s not just poetic language for Paul—it was reality. Before Christ, his life was marked by death and darkness. But when the gospel opened his eyes, he saw a glimmer of light—and he couldn’t look away. That’s how it started for me, too. I began noticing things I’d never noticed. The things of Christ became beautiful. But here’s the tension—maybe you feel it too: Even after we’ve been raised with Christ, there’s still a temptation to go digging up the old life. Why is that? Why do we sometimes feel drawn to things Jesus already rescued us from? What captivates us in the past that Christ isn’t offering us in the present—or in eternity? The truth is—before Christ, we were trapped. Trapped by our own greed. Our own immorality. Our own distorted passions. And yet… we try to resurrect what Christ came to crucify. Paul knew this.

Look at what Paul says in verse 5: “Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Put it to death. Kill it. Whatever belongs to your old nature—get rid of it. This week, I kept thinking about that phrase: put to death. And the truth is—we already live by this principle in everyday life. After prepping raw chicken, what do we do? We scrub the knives, bleach the countertops—we kill the germs because we know they’re dangerous. We pull weeds from our gardens because we know they’ll choke out the good things growing. So here’s the question: if we understand this in the kitchen and the garden, why don’t we apply it to our souls? Paul is saying, “Don’t manage your sin. Don’t excuse it. Don’t negotiate with it. Kill it.” Because sin doesn’t just trip you up—it takes you out. And here’s what strikes me: even though I’m in Christ… even though I’m saved by grace through faith… there’s still a battle going on. What’s the battle? My flesh. Paul lists it clearly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed—which he calls idolatry. These are the enemies that live closest to home. Let’s talk about that first one—sexual immorality. It’s physical. It’s fleshly. So here’s the question we all need to ask: Is my body consecrated to God? Now, I get it—consecrated is an old word. But it matters. Here’s what it means: wholehearted devotion. Being “all in” with Jesus. It’s drawing a line in the sand and saying,“From this moment forward, I’m living on purpose—for Christ. Not for myself. Not for my desires. For Him.” Paul always starts with sexual sin because what we do with our bodies reveals who we really belong to. And if Christ is truly in us, then our bodies should be all in—set apart for His purposes. That’s our part in sanctification. Sanctification is both God’s work and ours. His Spirit empowers us, but we’re still called to repent and to exercise faith. Consecration is our choice to surrender. And when consecration and faith come together, they form one powerful word: surrender. That’s the essence of the Christian life—giving all to Jesus, and receiving all from Jesus. There was a time when we weren’t surrendered. We were our own masters, chasing our own will, robbing God not only of what He gave us—but of our very souls. But then something happened. Someone spoke the name of Jesus. The gospel was preached. Our hearts were stirred. There was that moment—of belief, of surrender—and we were born again. Do you remember that day? My heart was on fire. I couldn’t explain it, except maybe through the old hymn: “I once was dead, but now I am alive.” That was my first surrender. But surrender isn’t just a moment—it’s a daily posture. Every day, every moment, I’ve had to learn to come back to repentance. To ask, “Lord… did that offend You?” And it’s in that relationship—real, alive, sacred—that my heart still leaps for joy. I want to live at His disposal. Not just with my body. But with my mind too. So I’ll ask again: Are you consecrated? Is your body available to Him? Is your mind surrendered to Him? Because what you do with both will shape the kind of life you live—and who your life belongs to. Right after calling us to put sexual immorality to death, Paul mentions the next battleground: impurity. So let me ask you: Is your mind clean before God? Because what you think about… what you dwell on… what you allow to live rent-free in your head—it shapes you. Paul isn’t just addressing outward behavior. He’s getting to the internal battlefield. This is where it gets real. Because an impure mind—one filled with selfishness, anger, lust, or cynicism—reveals a heart that hasn’t been fully consecrated. That’s a life still ruled by the flesh instead of surrendered to Christ. Let me ask you something personal: Have you noticed that there’s a version of you that no one sees but you and God? That person—the one inside your thoughts, your daydreams, your unspoken moments—that’s the real you. That’s your soul. And here’s the real question: Is that person becoming more like Christ? Or is that person still being shaped by the world? Paul is pressing this home: Is your mind fully surrendered? Is your body fully available? Are you truly set apart for God? Because purity isn’t just about what you say no to. It’s about what you say yes to. It’s not just about avoiding sin. It’s about pursuing holiness. Being remade in the image of Christ—not just in action, but in the patterns of your mind. This is the deep work. This is the real work. And this is the kind of transformation that happens when Christ is not just your belief—but your life.

But Paul doesn’t stop with the body and the mind. He goes deeper—into our desires. He lists impurity… passion… lust. These aren’t just behaviors. They’re cravings. They’re hungers. So here’s the real question: Are your passions consecrated—or are they out of control? That emotional fantasy—has it become a substitute for God? Are your desires ruled by Christ… or do they still rule you? Do I control my lust, or does my lust control me? Do I pursue God… or just chase the next hit of pleasure, attention, or escape?

And then Paul names one more: greed, which he calls idolatry. Why? Because greed isn’t just about money—it’s about discontent. It’s the belief that what you have isn't enough… and that God isn’t enough either. So the question becomes: Is my heart content in God? Because this is where the battle gets really intense. The question isn’t just: “What am I feeling?” The real question is: “Who is in control?” Is Christ ruling your desires? Or are your desires ruling you? Is your hunger for that thing, that person, that experience—greater than your hunger for holiness?

Listen—Paul isn’t trying to shame us. He’s trying to free us. You don’t have to be a slave to passion anymore. Christ didn’t just die to forgive your sin—He died to break its power. So… what part of your desire needs to be brought under Christ today? Because here’s the truth: You can’t crucify sin without activating faith. You won’t put these desires to death by willpower alone. You need something greater—someone greater—at the center of your life. That’s why Paul doesn’t just tell us to let go of the old… He invites us to grab hold of something new. And that’s where faith comes in. Faith isn’t passive. It’s not just a list of beliefs you nod along to. Faith is alive. And faith is rewarded by surrender. You want stronger faith? Don’t just ask for it—surrender more. Give God more of your thoughts. More of your habits. More of your heart. Let’s be honest—we’ve all said it at some point: “I wish my faith was stronger.” “I wish my faith was like theirs.” Even John Wesley—yes, the great preacher and founder of the Methodist movement—struggled with that very thing. He was once on a ship during a violent storm. Waves crashed over the deck. The sails strained under the wind. And Wesley was terrified. Not just nervous—terrified. But then he looked across the ship and saw a group of Moravians—men, women, and children—singing hymns. Calm. At peace. As if they were floating on a still lake at sunrise. Same storm. Same danger. Completely different spirit. Wesley later wrote: “It was then I knew…I had religion in my head, but not in my heart.” That moment changed him. Because faith that’s alive doesn’t deny the storm— it just knows who’s in the boat. Church, let me say this clearly: Faith without action is faith without oxygen. It’s not enough to say you believe in Jesus. You were made to live in Him. The writer of Hebrews puts it like this: “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So don’t just believe. Seek. Don’t just admire. Surrender. Don’t just hear the Word—live the life.

So how do we put this faith—this consecration—into action? Paul shows us. Look with me at Colossians 3:1: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Here’s what that means: What you seek will shape what you see. If you seek comfort, you’ll see everything as an inconvenience. If you seek control, you’ll see people as problems. But if you seek Christ… you’ll start seeing like Christ. And Paul’s clear—this isn’t passive. To seek means to aim. To search. To pursue. To hunger. So let me ask you: What are you really seeking? Because whatever captures your attention will eventually steer your direction. If God scrolled your phone right now—checked your screen time, your search history, your top apps—what would it say about what you're seeking? If He followed you around for a week—listened to your conversations, your worries, your passions—what would He see you pursuing? Here’s what I’ve learned about myself: I can say I’m seeking Christ… but my life can tell a different story. Augustine once said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” That restlessness you feel? It’s not random. David understood this in Psalm 63:1: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” That’s not casual seeking. That’s desperation. That’s hunger. That’s what it looks like when you know your life depends on finding Him. Can anybody relate to that?

Now look at verse 2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Paul switches gears here—from seeking to setting. “Seek” is about pursuit. “Set” is about focus. Paul knows something we often forget: Where we set our minds, our hearts will follow. He’s not saying stop being human—we’re all wired to pursue something. The question is: Are we living with kingdom vision or earthly tunnel vision? Paul uses the same language in Romans 8: “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5–6) This is deeper than positive thinking. It’s not just about changing thoughts—it’s about rebuilding the entire mental framework. Your mind is like the foundation of a house. Whatever it’s built on will shape everything you build on top of it. Set your mind on worry? Life starts to feel like a threat. Set it on scarcity? Everyone becomes competition. Set it on performance? Every relationship becomes transactional. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” That’s not love. That’s not the way of Christ. That’s religion without relationship. That’s bartering with God. But when you set your mind on Christ— on His love, His provision, His faithfulness—everything begins to shift. Now fear isn’t the loudest voice. Now you can give freely, love sacrificially, and live with confidence. Why? Because your foundation isn’t shaking. It’s secure in Christ. You stop seeing life as something to survive… and start seeing it as something to give away. You stop chasing affirmation… and start walking in identity. You stop keeping score… and start washing feet. Because what you set your mind on will shape what you give your life to. And if your mind is set on Christ—your life will begin to reflect Christ. It’s not just about what happens inside of you— It’s about what starts to flow through you. That’s why Paul doesn’t stop at “set your minds on things above.”

Look at where Paul goes next—Colossians 3:12–13: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another…”

Here’s the shift: When your mind is set on Christ, your life steps into service. And that brings us to the third word: Serve. If seek is about pursuit, and set is about perspective, then serve is about practice. Because Paul is showing us: The Christian life isn’t just something you believe. It’s something you live. We don’t just think differently—we treat people differently. We don’t just memorize Scripture—we embody it. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves…” That image matters. You don’t accidentally put on clothes. You don’t wake up and hope they magically appear. You choose them. You put them on intentionally. Same with compassion. Same with kindness. Same with humility, patience, and forgiveness. You don’t wait to feel like it. You choose it. You serve like Jesus—even when it costs you. even when your tired.. and weary. Let’s be real—community is messy. People will test your patience. They’ll say something sideways. They’ll forget to text back. They won’t always show up like you hoped they would. And yes—sometimes… they let you borrow their tractor… and you break it within 10 minutes. 😅 But serving isn’t about what they do. It’s about what Christ has done in you. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) That’s the filter. That’s the model. That’s the kind of community the world is starving for. So today, the question isn’t: “What kind of church do you want to attend?” Because that still makes church about you. The better question is: “What kind of person are you becoming?” Is Jesus your life? Have you made that commitment yet? Or are you still wrestling with the heart of surrender?

So let me ask you… What would it look like—not just to say Jesus is your life—but to actually live like it? To surrender. To stop wrestling. To say, “I’m done trying to be in control… I want Christ to be my life.” Because that’s what this moment is about. Communion is more than a symbol. It’s not a ritual we go through— It’s a response. It’s not just about remembering what Jesus did— It’s about embracing what He’s still doing: In you. Through you. Among us. As a local body and community. So as we come to this table today, I want to invite you to let this be your answer. Not just a tradition. But a declaration: Jesus is my life. Because the real question isn’t, “What kind of church do you want to attend?” That still makes church about you. The better question is: “What kind of person are you becoming?” Have you made that commitment yet? Are you still wrestling with the heart of surrender? Or is today the day you say, “Christ is my life”?

As Peter comes up, let me walk us into communion. We’ve talked today about seeking Christ. Setting our minds on Christ. And serving like Christ. Now we respond—together. Just like Jesus moved toward us, we’re going to move toward one another. Here’s how we’ll do it: One side of the room will stand and move to the left. The other, to the right. And I want you to meet someone in the middle. Just like last time. But this time, when we meet, I’ll speak these words over you: “This is Christ’s body, broken for you.” “This is Christ’s blood, poured out for you.” And then I want you to exchange the elements with each other, and speak this blessing: “May His life be your life.” Not as a phrase. As a prayer. As a blessing. As a declaration of surrender and unity.\ And then—take the bread and the cup together. Not alone. But as one body. As one family. As a community marked by Christ… Not just in belief—but in life. Jesus is our life…. Jesus, Thank You for meeting us in this moment. Thank You for Your body broken, Your blood poured out, And the life You’ve invited us to live in You. Help us leave this place not just with full hearts— but with surrendered lives. Teach us to seek You first. To set our minds on what’s above. To serve like You served. And may the declaration we made at this table— “Jesus is my life”— become the anthem of our week. Go with us now, Lord. Empower us by Your Spirit. Shape us by Your Word. And use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray— Amen. *