Hidden in Christ: Unveiling the Grace of God
Notes
Transcript
Read Col 3:1-17
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye 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 whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
TEXT: Col 3:3
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Introduction:
Introduction:
The concept of being hidden can evoke a broad range of ideas and associations, depending on the context and perspective. Here are some ideas that the concept of hidden can evoke:
Mystery and Intrigue: Something hidden often suggests mystery and intrigue, as it implies that there is something yet to be discovered or revealed. This can spark curiosity and a sense of wonder.
Secrets and Concealment: Hiddenness can be associated with secrets and concealment, where information, objects, or knowledge are intentionally kept away from others. This can evoke feelings of suspense or a desire to uncover hidden truths.
Discovery and Revelation: The idea of hiddenness also brings to mind the potential for discovery and revelation. Uncovering something hidden can lead to new insights, discoveries, or understandings.
Privacy and Protection: Hiddenness can be seen as a form of privacy or protection, where something is kept hidden to safeguard it from harm or intrusion. This can relate to personal boundaries or the protection of valuable assets.
Symbolism and Metaphor: Hiddenness is often used as a symbol or metaphor in literature, art, and philosophy to represent deeper truths, inner thoughts or emotions, or layers of meaning that are not immediately apparent.
A great example of this is George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984”
"1984" is a dystopian novel by George Orwell that paints a grim picture of a totalitarian society under the oppressive rule of a Party led by Big Brother. The story is set in a future world where individuality and freedom have been eradicated, and every aspect of life is controlled by the Party.
The protagonist, Winston Smith, works for the Party's Ministry of Truth, where he alters historical records to align with the Party's propaganda. Despite outward conformity, Winston harbors rebellious thoughts and desires for truth and freedom.
As Winston navigates this oppressive world, he becomes involved in a forbidden love affair with Julia, a fellow Party member. Together, they engage in acts of defiance against the Party's strict rules and surveillance.
Throughout the novel, themes of surveillance, manipulation, and propaganda are pervasive. The Party employs technology, such as telescreens and hidden microphones, to monitor and control every aspect of citizens' lives. Historical revisionism is rampant, erasing any trace of dissent or alternative narratives.
As Winston delves deeper into his rebellious thoughts and actions, he is eventually captured by the Thought Police and subjected to torture and brainwashing in the infamous Ministry of Love. The novel culminates in Winston's complete surrender to the Party's ideology, as he comes to accept the false reality imposed by Big Brother.
"1984" serves as a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth. It explores the psychological effects of living in a society where individuality is suppressed, and dissent is met with extreme punishment. Orwell's novel remains a powerful commentary on authoritarianism and the erosion of personal freedom in the face of unchecked power.
Challenges and Obstacles: The concept of hidden can also suggest challenges or obstacles, as uncovering hidden things may require effort, perseverance, and sometimes overcoming barriers or difficulties.
Discovery and Treasure: The concept of hiddenness can also speak to treasures or discoveries that lie just beyond our current abilities and technology.
Earlier this year a man from Kentucky was digging in his field and made a startling discovery: A cache of over 700 coins. But this was not some piggy bank stuffed with pennies- no it was a collection of U.S. gold pieces dating to between 1840 and 1863, in addition to a handful of silver coins.
It has been dubbed “The Great Kentucky Hoard”
The man who discovered them makes the claim "This is the most insane thing ever: Those are all $1 gold coins, $20 gold coins, $10 gold coins,"
The most valuable coin type present in the Great Kentucky Hoard is the 1863-P $20 1-ounce gold Liberty coin.
Just one of these coins can go for six figures at auction.The Great Kentucky Hoard boasts 18 of them.The $20 Liberty coins in the hoard are even rarer because they do not include "In God We Trust," which was added in 1866 after the end of the Civil War.
The hoard's location in Kentucky, which remained neutral during the Civil War, has historical significance.
Confederate General John Hunt Morgan raided Kentucky in June and July 1863.Many wealthy Kentuckians buried their valuables to prevent them from being stolen by the Confederacy.The hoard's location could indicate that it was buried in advance of Morgan's raid.
In the tapestry of life, woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and uncertainty, we often search for our place, our purpose.
Amidst the clamor of the world, we yearn for a voice that speaks truth, that unveils our true worth.
Today, in the pages of Colossians 3, we hear that voice, we see that tapestry in the bold proclamation of the Apostle Paul
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians one of what we call the Prison Epistles as it was written while Paul was in prison - is a Christocentric book, meaning it talks about how our lives should be built around Christ
Historical and Cultural Context:
The book of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, a city in Asia Minor. The Colossian church was struggling with false teachings that were influencing their beliefs and practices. These teachings included a mix of Christian and pagan beliefs, as well as Jewish legalism. In response, Paul wrote to remind them of the supremacy of Christ and to encourage them to live as true followers of Christ.
We are “hidden in Christ”
This is a profound truth that shatters misconceptions and transforms our understanding of God and ourselves.
I want to talk about some of these misconceptions -
Misconceptions Shattered:
1. God as an Angry Judge: We often envision God as a stern judge, ready to unleash punishment on our transgressions. But, in Colossians 3:1-3, Paul reveals a different image of God: a loving Father who has reconciled us to himself through the sacrificial death of his Son, Jesus Christ. We are no longer under condemnation but have been set free by grace.
2. Lack of Identity in Christ: In a world obsessed with self-image and external validation, it's easy to feel unworthy and inadequate. However, Ephesians 1:4-6 reminds us that God chose us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him. We are accepted and loved not based on our performance but because we are united with Christ.
3. Earning God's Favor: Many of us carry the burden of trying to earn God's favor through religious rituals or good deeds. But, Colossians 2:13-14 declares that our debt of sin has been canceled through the cross. We are not saved by our own righteousness but by the grace of God.
I also want to talk about the implications of being hidden in Christ.
But first I want to point out Col 3 illustrates our life being hidden with Christ in God by:
Dying and rising with Christ: When we become Christians, we die to our old sinful nature and rise to a new life in Christ (Col 3:3). This new life is hidden with Christ in God, meaning it is not visible to the world but is known only to God. This is sometimes referred to as UNION WITH CHRIST -
This brings a freedom from the power of sin in our lives.
We talk as if it were the most precarious thing to live the sanctified life; it is the most secure thing, because it has Almighty God in and behind it. The precarious thing is to try and live without God. If we are born again it is the easiest thing to live in right relationship to God and the most difficult thing to go wrong, if only we will heed God’s warnings and keep in the light. - Oswald Chambers
Being protected in Christ: Our life in Christ is safe and secure because we are hidden in Him. No matter what storms we face, Christ will never leave us or forsake us (Col 3:4).
Our life is secure in Christ.**
- We are hidden with Christ in God, making our lives inaccessible to the dangers of the world.
- This security gives us confidence and boldness in our faith.
We can have confidence Colossians 3:4 “4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
Communing with Christ: Our hidden life in Christ extends beyond physical protection to a life of communion with Him. We share in His grace and experience a taste of the glory that awaits us in heaven (Col 3:1).
When we think about the implications from these illustrations we find:
1. Significance and Purpose: Knowing that we are hidden in Christ gives us a profound sense of significance and purpose. We are not aimless wanderers but beloved children of God, created for a unique calling in his kingdom.
2. Freedom from Condemnation: When we realize that our past sins are hidden in Christ, we are set free from the torment of guilt and shame. We can live with boldness and confidence, knowing that we are forgiven and accepted.
3. Living Out Our Identity: Our hiddenness in Christ not only transforms our internal reality but also empowers us to live out our identity in the world. We are called to reflect the love and grace we have received, to bear the burdens of others, and to extend forgiveness in the same way God has forgiven us.
Key Points of Being Hidden in Christ
Christ as the center of life: Being hidden in Christ means that Christ is the focal point of a Christian's identity, experience, and future hope.
Union with Christ: Believers are spiritually united with Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection; they have "died" to the world and "risen" with Christ.
Present hiddenness: This union with Christ is currently hidden, meaning that the believer's true life and significance are not fully apparent to the world.
Future revelation: In the future, when Christ is revealed, the believer's life hidden in Christ will be made manifest, and they will be revealed with him in glory.
Security and significance: Being hidden in Christ provides believers with security, as their lives are kept safe in God, and significance, as they are identified with Christ, who is the embodiment of all value and worth.
Gift of Grace
The gift of grace, represented by being hidden in Christ, encompasses:
Forgiveness and cleansing: Christ's death on the cross removes sin and trespasses, enabling believers to experience forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Redemption and transformation: Being in Christ provides redemption from the power of sin and the hope of being transformed into Christ's likeness.
Unveiled Grace for every need: some people think that only sinners needed grace, but now I see that sinners need very little grace, because they are not acting in Jesus’ name. The great saints consumed an enormous amount of grace. They relied on God in every dimension of their lives. As Dallas Willard has often said, “Saints burn grace like 747’s burn jet fuel.”
Eternal life: Hiddenness in Christ grants believers the hope and promise of eternal life, where they will fully experience and share in the glory of Christ.
Think of Colossians 3:3 “...your life is hid with Christ in God.”
Squire Parsons wrote;
I'm a-bid - ing in Je SUS, He abides in me
Tho' the world may not under stand this myster y;.
He is in Heaven, I am on earth,
He's is me, I'm in Him and since my new birth,
D7 Am7 D13 D7 G I'm a biding in Je - sus, He a - bides_ in mc.
If we could use an illustration of Russian Nesting Dolls to see a small picture of the reality of “hidden with Christ in God”
Russian Nesting Dolls are often wooden carved dolls that are painted - but they are also hollow and they fit inside each other.
The smaller doll goes inside the larger doll
And just as the smaller doll is hidden inside the larger doll - so our life is hidden in Jesus Christ
Listen to this if you are in Christ, then Christ is in you
If you are in Christ and Christ is in you - then you are significant - you are safe
Because your life is hidden in his, you are loved
Because your life is hidden in his, you are strong: “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSV). Jesus said I could do greater things than he did (John 14:12), which is far more than I would attempt without his encouragement.
What are you facing?
You are not alone.
Is it a problem at work?
Are you worried about your children?
Do you feel anxious about the future?
Health issues, financial problems, job insecurity or loss?
Remember who you are:
you are one in whom Christ dwells and delights.
Remember where you are: you are
“in Christ,” safe and secure.
Conclusion:
Summary: What it means to be hidden in Christ?
Summary: What it means to be hidden in Christ?
* Set free from the torment of guilt and shame
* Sets us on a path of grace and transformation
* Shatters misconceptions that have held us captive
* Gives us a profound sense of significance and purpose
* Transforms our internal reality
* Empowers us to live out our identity in the world
* Reflects the love and grace we have received
* Bears the burdens of others
* Extends forgiveness in the same way God has forgiven us
Embracing our hiddenness in Christ is not merely a theological concept but a life-changing reality.
It is a revelation that shatters the misconceptions that have held us captive and sets us on a path of grace and transformation.
live out this truth in your daily lives