As apprentices of Jesus, alive in Christ, we must get rid of all the sinful ways of our old self, like sexual sins and sins of anger, that lead to death and destruction. They are part of the old way that cant co-exist with our new life in Christ. Instead, as we put on the new self, we are being made new by Gods Spirit in the image of the Creator. We are becoming more like Jesus, fully human and fully alive.

Pride, self-pity, entitlement, and anger. These are emotions and actions that many of us struggle with. By listening to the story of King Uzziah, as well as the prophet Isaiah, we see a contrast between the entitlement of the King and the humility of the Prophet. And it is Jesus who has the power to show us what a life of humility looks like- He who did not feel equality with God was something to be grasped- He humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross.

Paul is going to encourage the church in the ancient city of Colossae that they are motivated by the wrong thing. They are focusing on and motivated by the rules-but the rules wont change their heart. And so today we will see that it is only when we set our hearts and minds on Christ that our lives are changed.

There is only one source of living water that will quench our thirst. His name is Jesus. Paul wants us to see that fullness of life, wisdom, knowledge and salvation comes through Jesus alone. There is no other stream where our thirst is quenched. In Jesus alone we experience, receive and enjoy the fullness of the love of God. Only Jesus. No rivals.

The Apostle Paul has a passion to serve the church. He longs to see the church at Colossae grow in maturity in Christ. Do we have that same passion to serve? Do we know the spiritual gifts that we have been given to bless others? Could the Holy Spirit renew a deep passion in us to serve the church?

The tragedy is that we were once alienated from God. Understanding this tragedy is an important first step before we can comprehend the incredible good news of Jesus. That through Jesus' death we are brought near to God- and that we are made holy, without blemish, and free from accusation.