~ Choich Of Words~ Series

# 11~COL.3: 21-25 ~4:1-6 ~ CHOICH OF WORDS~ 2-2-14

* Let me refresh our memory a little bit about Colossians.

"Colossians", is one of the 3 Prison Epistles, {Ephesians- Philippians -- Colossians} and was written from Rome 61--63 a.d. while Paul was in prison. ~

~ The church at Colossi is not mentioned in the book of Acts, and it was not directly founded by the Apostle Paul. --- The Colossian assembly's membership was made up mostly of Gentiles. (1:21, 27; 2:13).

~ Nothing is said of its size, there's no historical record of it.

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~ During Paul's stay at Ephesus; Philemon, Aphia, Archippus, Epaphras, and other were converted and became effective witnesses in and around Colossi.

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~ Epaphras visits Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and brings with him the news that certain false doctrines and practices threaten the faith of the Colossian Christians. --- And so Paul writes this epistle, Paul warns the Colossians about false doctrine and to give encouragement for the Christian life.

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~The area was prone to earth quakes; Paul probably wrote his epistle before the area was destroyed with an earth quake.

~After it's destruction a small remnant remained together for a time, and later was deserted completely about a.d. 700 -- and today is a place of ruins.

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* Let's read 3: 21-25 and get hooked back up to our thought line.

21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

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21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

~Fathers and Mothers both can provoke their children by being too hard on them, too demanding, and too controlling, unforgiving, or just showing their anger.

~ This harshness can be expressed through words, and through actions.

~ Parents, and specially fathers, are told not to irritate their children by being so unreasonable in their demands, that their children lose heart and come to think that it is useless trying to please their parents. -- 'WHATS THE USE, I GIVE UP"

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

~ Another way Parents can provoke their children is by always finding something wrong with them, and throwing up other children to them, "why can't you be like so- n -so.

~~~ I believe if I had my time to go over, I would have tried to be a better example before my children, and by all means, take them to church, that is so important. ~~ but let me say this, I have seen and most likely you have to, that as soon as some of them ** get a little freedom, many just go hog wild, so just because their raised in church don't guarantee they'll always do right.

~ But we have Gods word that promises in;

>Proverbs 22: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

He may go astray when he is young, but he'll be back, it may be when he is old.

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22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

"Eyeservice" is to work for an employer, as other people might be watching; it's to impress others, including the employer as well.

[in singleness of heart] -- Means, not under some kind of false motive.

[fearing God] -- Means, dreading God's displeasure.

~ The Christian, who is a dishonest or unreliable worker, has something far worse to deal with than a reprimand from his earthly supervisor; his heavenly Supervisor may reprimand him as well.

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23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

~ Christian workers today - have the highest of all motives to do a good job for their employer, they are above all else servants of Christ, and will work first and foremost so as to please him, -- and the reason is given in v.24.

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24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.