By Pastor James Harleman

It was that perilous time between Christmas and New Years Eve… a time for returning presents, holiday parties, trying to get in all the last minute things you swore you’d get done in 2007, and then changing the date on most of them to 2008. Sunday the 30th I was slated to preach, and since end-of-year sermons can often be about resolutions, rebuke, fire and brimstone, I thought “Let’s do something lighter for New Years”. My Christmas sermon had been pretty heavy, so I was feeling upbeat.

God had other plans, which is fine.

Colossians 3 is a RICH text about setting our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Too often we seek contentment from this world, comfort from our environment, escapism from our entertainment, distraction from our doldrums, and diversion from our duties. Colossians 3 deals with mortification, which sounds like a Christian death metal band, but actually has a much deeper resonance for our lives. This God-inspired scripture tells us what must be put aside – put to death – and what we get to take on as image-bearers of our Creator. It gives us a nauseating taste of death, then feeds us true contentment in Christ.

It leaves you feeling beat, but ends upbeat, for all who believe.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Put to Death, Put to Life
preached by Pastor James Harleman

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