Finding and Replacing Our Idols Colossians 2:20–3:4 Identifying Idols: Our : What does your mind run to when it has nothing else to do? In your solitude—when you daydream, when we have nothing else to think about? What do you habitually think about to get joy and comfort in the privacy of your heart? Our : Where does your money naturally go? “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also” - Matt. 6:21. In what areas do you tend to overspend? Our Reaction to : What happens when you don’t get what you want? We all have things we hope for and pray for, often good things. But the question is: What happens when God says no? Our Strongest : What emotions feel uncontrollable in your life? When something stirs up deep, uncontrollable emotion in you—anger, fear, anxiety, guilt—that’s a clue. Those emotions are like smoke… they’re pointing to a fire underneath. Colossians 2:20–3:4 False : Rules Don’t Change Us: (2:20–23) Colossians 2:23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Our True : With Christ (3:1, 3) Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ… Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. We have with Christ: Colossians 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. Baptism: Going under the water → buried with Christ Coming up out of the water → raised with Christ Romans 6:6–7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. We are with Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Our lives are “ with Christ” Idols only have power when we believe we them to be okay. A New : Our Redeemed Focus (3:1-2) Colossians 3:1-2 …set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:12–14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:5–6 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. A Better : Our True Future (3:4) Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. When your future is secure in Christ, you don’t need to treat anything else as ultimate. Questions for Discussion and Reflection: Where might an idol be showing up in your life right now? Think about the four tests: What your mind drifts to Where your money goes How you respond to disappointment Your strongest emotions Which of these areas revealed something for you—and what might that point to? When you struggle most, what do you tend to believe you “need” to be okay? In the sermon, we saw that idols gain power when we believe: “I have to have this to be secure, happy, or significant.” What is that “thing” for you—and how does your identity in Christ speak into that? What would it look like this week to “set your heart and mind on Christ” in a practical way? Not just avoiding sin—but actively pursuing Him. Is there a habit to start? A thought pattern to redirect? A situation where you need to trust Him instead of clinging to control? How would your life look different if you truly believed your future in Christ is secure?