The Life of Christ in the Believer (Part A)
Taught by Pastor Isaac Oyedepo
Recorded on Friday, March 20, 2026, this session is the third day of a Berean study through Colossians, covering chapters 3 and 4 after studying the supremacy of Christ in chapter 1 and the sufficiency of Christ in chapter 2. Pastor Isaac walks verse by verse through the practical implications of what it means for Christ to live in the believer. He shows how Paul shifts from the heresies to avoid in chapters 1 and 2 to the positive things to do: setting your sights on the realities of heaven, putting to death the old nature, clothing yourself with love and mercy, and letting the message about Christ fill every part of your life. The teaching covers instructions for Christian households, the priority of prayer, Paul's humility in asking for prayer from those he pastored, and the call to live wisely among unbelievers in an increasingly secular world.
This is the third day of a Berean Sessions study through Colossians, recorded on Friday, March 20, 2026. Day one covered the supremacy of Christ (chapter 1) and day two covered the sufficiency of Christ (chapter 2). A subsequent Part B session goes deeper into chapters 3 and 4.
Summary
Recorded on Friday, March 20, 2026, this session is the third day of a Berean study through Colossians, covering chapters 3 and 4 after studying the supremacy of Christ in chapter 1 and the sufficiency of Christ in chapter 2. Pastor Isaac walks verse by verse through the practical implications of what it means for Christ to live in the believer. He shows how Paul shifts from the heresies to avoid in chapters 1 and 2 to the positive things to do: setting your sights on the realities of heaven, putting to death the old nature, clothing yourself with love and mercy, and letting the message about Christ fill every part of your life. The teaching covers instructions for Christian households, the priority of prayer, Paul's humility in asking for prayer from those he pastored, and the call to live wisely among unbelievers in an increasingly secular world.
Key Points
Paul shifts from the negative to the positive. Chapters 1 and 2 dealt with heresies and false teachings. In chapter 3, Paul flips the script: now that you are a new creation, here is what to do. Set your sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits at God's right hand.
Your real life is hidden with Christ in God. If Christ is out of the equation, we do not have our lives with God. Christ is not a religion; he is our real life. We are like him in theory when saved; we become like him in practice when renewed.
There is a critical difference between sinful nature and sinful actions. You were born with a sinful nature; when you surrender to Christ, that old nature is gone. But sinful actions are a separate matter of ongoing choice.
The life of Christ in a believer alters everything: language, actions, perspectives, desires. It is not an upgraded life; it is a new life.
Instructions for Christian households are comprehensive and balanced. Wives submit to husbands; husbands love wives and never treat them harshly; children obey parents; fathers do not aggravate children. Every category is addressed.
Paul modeled humility by asking the Colossians to pray for him. The apostle who planted their faith was not above needing their prayers.
Christians will increasingly become the minority in a secular world. Paul says 'live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity.' Our conversation should be gracious and attractive.