The document discusses the themes of Colossians 3, emphasizing the idea of escaping self-made prisons through spiritual focus and transformation. Paul advises putting to death earthly desires and embracing a new self characterized by virtues such as compassion, kindness, and love. It encourages readers to seek the peace of Christ and reflect on their life choices in relation to faith and purpose.

1. ACE Men’s Bible Study
Colossians 3

2. What is peaceful to you?

4. Paul in prison

5. Are you in a prison of your
own making?

6. Paul gives us focus
Set your minds on things that are above, not
on things that are on earth.
(Colossians 3:2, ESV)

7. We can create our own prisons
 Sexual immorality
 Impurity
 Passion
 Evil desire
 Covetousness
 Idolatry
 Anger
 Wrath
 Malice
 Slander
 Obscene talk
 Lying

8. How do we escape our prisons?

9. Paul gives us a strategy
Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion,
evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. (v5)
But now you must put them all away:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene
talk from your mouth. (v8)

10. How do we put our old self to
death?

11. Put off the old self…
…you have put off the old self (v9)

12. Put on the new self…
…and have put on the new self, which is
being renewed in knowledge after the
image of its creator. (v10)

13. Paul gives us choice
If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above, where Christ
is, seated at the right hand of God. (v1)

14. What does this look like?
 Compassion
 Kindness
 Humility
 Meekness
 Patience
 Forgiveness
 Love, which binds in perfect harmony
(v12-14)

15. Paul gives us action
 Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart
 Be thankful
 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
 Teaching and admonishing in all wisdom
 Singing psalms and hymns
 Do everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him
(v15-17)

16. Our hope
…And let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts (v15)

17. Revisiting Ron’s Challenge
• Consider three time horizons:
• New Year’s Eve 2014
• First day of your retirement
• Death bed
• Look back - what will truly define your life?
• Where does ‘change’ and ‘purpose’ fit into
your schedule and priorities?
• How are lives changed from the inside out?

18. Who is changing you?
 If your identity is the world and everything
in it, then the world will change you
 If your identity is the peace of Christ ruling
in you, then the Spirit will change you

19. We are hope for others
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him. (v17)

20. b
Q: What is holding you back from experiencing
the full peace of Christ?