WHEN CHRIST IS ALL IN ALL--Colossians 3:12-17
Proposition: When Christ is all in all, a true Christian will seek to be obedient to Christ and reach out too others with love with the fullness of God.
Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to fully make Christ all in all and live a life that makes Him preeminent in one’s life.
INTRODUCTION:
Illus: A minister delivered a sermon in fifteen minutes one Sunday morning, which was about half the usual length of his sermons. He explained, “I regret to inform you that my dog, who is very fond of eating paper, ate that portion of my sermon which I was unable to deliver this morning.” After the service, a visitor from another church shook hands with the preacher and said, "Pastor, if that dog of yours has any pups, I want to get one to give to my minister.”
Christ is in you when you trust Christ. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (2:6) A.B. Simpson stated: "There is not an hour of the day or night that I am not conscious of Someone who is closer to me than my heart or my brain. I know that He is living in me, and it is the continual inflowing of the life of Another. If I had not that I could not live." Christ is preeminent in your life when you let Him be “all in all in you.” In 1657, Jeremiah Burroughs: The Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the name of Christ, to carry it up and down in the world. Indeed, his spirit was full of Christ. He desired to know nothing but Christ, to preach nothing but Christ, to be found in none but Christ. The very name of Christ was delightful to him. He seeks to magnify Christ in all of his epistles. He does not only make Him great but he makes Him all…This is the sum of the gospel and the most supernatural truth revealed in all the Book of God…Christ is all in all in the enjoyment of all. When they enjoy never so much of the creature comforts, Christ is all in all to them…It was the speech of that martyr, John Lambert, "None but Christ, none but Christ." Yea, when he suffered martyrdom for Christ. then none but Christ was dear to him because he saw that Christ was the way of conveying all good to him.,,,Therefore, how should our hearts love Him, prize Him, and rejoice at the very thought of Him?” This section completes Paul’s exhortation to the Christian to live a holy life. It continues the illustration of garments: “Put off … put on” (Col. 3:8-10). He exhorted his readers to put off the grave-clothes of sin and the old life, and to put on the “grace-clothes” of holiness and the new life in Christ. Paul told believers what to put off (vvs. 5-9a), while in 3:9b-11 he describes the believer’s new identity in Christ. Now Paul begins to tell believers what to put on. Paul described what God has done for the believer. In these verses he describes what God expects of the believer in response. A righteous identity must issue in righteous behavior. Such behavior is the outward manifestation of the inward transformation when Christ is all in all, and it is the only sure proof that such transformation has taken place. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” “Christ is everything and in us all.” Williams NT
I. PERFORMANCE BASED ON GOD’S GRACE New Deeds (vvs. 12-13) “As the elect of God…Put on”—Since Christ is all , one must remember you are both loved and chosen of God and have been set apart from the world to show what the Lord is truly all in all in your life.
1. Put on compassion (v. 12a) “tender mercies”—Wear Jesus’ compassion. To show compassion you must feel with another. . . and not just for a few seconds. It means entering into the pain of another person and truly sharing that pain. Ray Stedman describes like this: "Compassion is what we would call a ‘heart of pity.’ It is a sense of sympathy, of empathy with someone. Approach life with compassion; that is what Paul is saying. Put it on when you get up in the morning. You are a new man, or new woman; therefore, live that way!"
2. Put on kindness (v. 12b) “kindness”— We live in a harried world. A word or act of kindness can make all the difference. This is to be our attitude in relation to others & the opposite of harshness & severity. "Be ye kind one to another" (Eph. 4:32) is God’s command. "Kindness is action that reveals com-passion, action that arises out of a sense of sympathy. It can take many different forms---a smile, a kind word, a pat on the shoulder, an invitation to lunch, etc. We are to put on compassion & kindness as we start our day & throughout the day.
3. Put on humility (v. 12c) “humility”—The third article of clothing is humility. Humility is the opposite of pride. True humility is not putting ourselves down but rather lifting up others. If we concentrate on lifting up others, putting down ourselves will take care of itself. As we go through life exalting Christ and others, then genuine humility will be inevitable.
Illus: A young woman went to her pastor and said, "Pastor, I have a besetting sin, and I want your help. I come to church on Sunday and can’t help thinking I’m the prettiest girl in the congregation. I know I ought not think that, but I can’t help it. I want you to help me with it." The pastor replied, "Mary, don’t worry about it. In your case it’s not a sin. It’s just a horrible mistake.
4. Put on meekness (v. 12d) “meekness”—Gentleness is a trait also known as "tact." It is the character trait that leads you to relate to others with tenderness and softness. If you want to know what it means to be gentle, look at Jesus. “Meekness” describes "a wild horse that’s been tamed"; a person tamed by the grace of God & His indwelling ongoing ministry of His Spirit in sanctifying me, in progressively setting me apart from this evil world and to Himself for His holy purposes, for His glory alone! Thus the word describes power under control. It is the quality of the man whose anger is so controlled that he is always angry at the right time and never at the wrong time.
5. Put on patience (v. 12e) “long suffering”- Put on Jesus’ patience, "This is the spirit which never loses patience with its fellow-man. Their foolishness and their unteachability never drive it to cynicism or despair; their insults and their ill-treatment never drive it to bitterness or wrath." “Long-suffering” is a long holding out of the mind before it gives room to action or passion. It describes a state of emotional calm or quietness in the face of provocation, misfortune or unfavorable circumstances. Vernon McGee writes that the word ...means “long-burning”—it burns a long time. We shouldn’t have a short fuse with our friends and Christian brethren. We shouldn’t make snap judgments." "Please be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet!"
6. Put on forbearance (v. 13a) “bearing with one another”—“Bearing with is used of a holding back or stopping of hostilities - a truce, make allowance for each other’s faults or simply stated put up with each other! The words means to be patient with, in sense of enduring possible difficulty. It means to en-dure, to hold out in spite of persecution, threats, injury, indifference, or complaints & not retaliate.” The words characterized Paul, who wrote to the Corinthians, "we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted (followed or pressed hard after, pursued with earnestness and diligence, in this case with repeated acts of enmity), we endure (anechomai)" (1 Cor. 4:12). The present tense calls for this to be our continual practice, our way of life as saints.
7. Put on forgiveness (v. 13b) “forgiving one another”—Slip on Jesus’ forgiveness. Forgiving ("given as an act of grace") means literally to give freely and unconditionally or to bestow as a gift of grace & then to remit a debt, & hence to forgive. The word means "to show kindness or favor." The concept came to include both the gracious action & agreeable human qualities. It is used of God Who in grace freely bestows on believing sinners the gift of salvation. When we put on the “new man” all the rules change. Grudges have to go. Revenge is out of the question. We leave judgment to God. We are forbearing and forgiving.
Illus: Old Joe was dying. For years he had been at odds with Bill, formerly one of his best friends. Wanting to straighten things out, he sent word for Bill to come and see him. When Bill arrived, Joe told him that he was afraid to go into eternity with such a bad feeling between them. Then, very reluctantly and with great effort, Joe apologized for things he had said and done. He also assured Bill that he forgave him for his offenses. Everything seemed fine until Bill turned to go. As he walked out of the room, Joe called out after him, "But, remember, if I get better, this doesn’t count!" What a picture of the way we often treat one another! We like to "bury the hatchet" with the handle sticking out. That way we can easily pick it up again and use it to our advantage. If our sinless Lord is willing to forgive us--with all our faults--how can we withhold pardon from those who have sinned against us? True Christ-like forgiveness buries the hatchet completely.
II. PERFECTION BASED ON GOD’S GRACE (v. 14) “Above all these things put on love”-- It goes without saying that the “love” implied here is that which is patterned after Christ’s sacrificial, self-giving love for sinners—a love personally experienced by every member of His body.
1. The attitude (v. 14a) “Above all things”-- Let this be the upper garment, the robe, the mark of our dignity & distinction. Or, Let this be principal & chief, as the whole sum & abstract of Lord’s commandments. Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:5-7, “Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control…to godliness brotherly kindness, & to brotherly kindness love.” Bruce writes, “The grace which binds all these other graces together is the crowning grace of love.”
2. The affection (v. 14b) “Put on love”-- He lays the foundation in faith, and the top-stone in love, which is the bond of perfectness, the cement and center of all happy society. Christian unity consists of unanimity and mutual love..
Love is here spoken of as the outer garment, or the belt, which binds all the other virtues together just as the girdle held the various garments together. In a succinct way Paul has here put the idea about love set forth so wonderfully in 1 Cor._13:1-13..
3. The action (vvs. 6-7) “the bond of perfection”—All this is in order to make up perfection. All the Christian graces are bound together in love. It is the source of them all. It holds together in symmetry all parts of the Christian character. It is possible that a person might manifest some of the virtues above without really having love in his heart. And so Paul is emphasizing here that what we do must be done in a genuine spirit of love for our brethren. Our action should not be grudging but should be born out of wholehearted affection. The Gnostics thought of knowledge as the bond of perfection, but Paul corrects this view by insisting that love is the bond of perfection. Love begets love; and the more a man loves God and his neighbor, the more he is enabled to do so.
Illus: "Love is the power which holds together all the other virtues. There does not seem to be sufficient reason for regarding it now as a girdle, though the idea is possible. The phrase “the bond of perfectness” is best understood as meaning that love, in its binding power, gives perfectness, or completeness, to the other virtues in combination. For lacking love they certainly would not be perfect.” Vincent
III. PRIORITIES BASED ON GOD’S GRACE (vvs. 15-17) “Let the peace of God…the Word of God…do all in the name of”—As Christ was full of God, even so we are to be filled with God (2:9-10). These verses focus upon the fullness of Christ’s peace, the fullness of His Word and the fullness of His name:
1. The priority of being full of His peace (v. 15) “Let the peace of God”— The word "rule" was an athletic term meaning "to preside at the games and distribute the prizes." The umpire rejected the contestants who were not qualified and who disqualified those who broke the rules. The peace of God is the "Umpire" in our believing hearts. When we obey the will of God, we have His peace within; but when we step out of His will, we lose His peace. There is a false peace like when one may say, "I had peace about it!" Jonah sleeps in a storm. The peace of the heart alone is not always the peace of God. If we have peace in our hearts, we will be at peace with others in the church. It does not bring discord and harmony. Jonah thought he was a peaceful man, when actually his sins created a storm. Thankfulness is nothing other than the response of gratitude to God’s grace. When our buckets are full of Christ, our lives are bathed with the peace of God with thanksgiving. There is an eternal peace, internal peace and external peace.
2. The priority of being full of His Word (v. 16) “Let the word of Christ”— This speaks of the teaching of Christ and the message about Him. The Word of Christ ought to make its home in our lives. Paul: "Be sure that the Word of God finds a permanent place to live in you." Here Paul describes a local church worship service (1 Cor. 14:26). Our singing must be from our hearts and not just our lips. Let the music of praise overflow. When the buckets of our lives are full to the brim with God’s Word, we cannot move without spilling forth in song.
Illus: Before Clara Schumann, the widow of German composer Robert Schumann (1810-56), would play any of her husband’s music in public, she would first privately read over some of his old love letters. Inspired by his words, she said it seemed as if his very life filled her, and she was then better able to interpret his musical compositions to the public. In the spiritual realm, if we will read God’s words of love to us until we are thrilled by their truth, His Spirit will fill our hearts and minds. The Lord can change our selfish attitudes and fretfulness through our meditation on His Word. We will then experience increasing evidence in our lives of the peace and servanthood that characterized the life of Christ. The words of our Lord are crucial if we are to be able to teach and help others effectively.
3. The priority of being full of His Name (v. 17) “Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”—the authority of Christ--"--Jesus’ name will hallow every ordinary thing and give significance to the small and meaning to the monotonous. Everything we say or do (“Word or deed”) in life is to be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Note that we belong to Jesus Christ and are in a vital relation with Him. This means that we can be in harmony with His will, in subjection to His authority and in dependence on His power. Let us not disgrace His name. Maclaren: "That name hallows and ennobles all work. Nothing can be so small but this will make it great, nor so monotonous and tame but this will make it beautiful and fresh." Note that in everything we do we are to retain a sense of God’s goodness and are to be careful to thank Him.
Illus: Pliny, the Roman Governor of Bithynia, sent a report of the activities of the Christians to Trajan the Roman Emperor: "They meet at dawn to sing a hymn to Christ as God."
Illus: D.L. Moody: “CHRIST is all in all to every one who has truly found Him. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Shepherd, Teacher, and also sustains toward us many more offices, to which I desire to call your attention.”
Full pails cannot help but overflow. May each day result in deep thanksgiving.
CONCLUSION: In closing, remember:
1. There will be new deeds when Christ is all in all. When we are saved, we are to put off forever, the deeds of the old man. Put on – "Once for all" Here are the new deeds of the new life.
2. There will be a new direction when Christ is all in all. It is no longer the world the flesh and the devil for the believer. Now, it is the will and Word of God.
Illus: “Don’t pray "Lord, use me!" but "Lord, make me usable!" V. Havner
3. There will be new decisions when Christ is all in all. No longer are we interested in pleasing the flesh, the world and the devil, but every decision is based on whether or not it brings glory to the Lord. Place your total commitment in and let Christ be all in all. Let Him be your all in all. May we say with the Martyr John Lambert, “None but Christ none but Christ.” Something to ponder: WILL GOD BE - ALL in Few?... ALL in Many?... ALL in Most?... SOME in Some?... SOME in All?... or - ALL in ALL?...
You Are My All In All
You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek,
You are my all in all. Seeking you as a precious jewel,
Lord, to give up, I’d be a fool, You are my all in all.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your Name.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your Name.
Taking my sin, my cross, my shame, Rising again — I bless your Name.
You are my all in all. When I fall down, you pick me up,
When I am dry, you fill my cup. You are my all in all.
Illus: The story is told about a wounded soldier who was being taken to a hospital tent by some of his comrades. After they had carried him but a short distance, he urged them to put him down and go back to rescue someone else. As he was mortally wounded, he knew there was no hope for him anyway. Granting his request, they left him and returned to the combat area. In a few minutes, however, an officer stopped to ask him whether he could assist him in any way. The wounded soldier weakly replied, "No, thank you, sir. There’s nothing at all you can do." "But can’t I at least get some water to quench your thirst?" the officer inquired. The dying man again shook his head saying, "No, thank you, sir. There is one thing, however, you could do for me. In my knapsack you will find a New Testament. Please open it to John 14. Near the end of the chapter you will find a text beginning with the word `Peace.’ I would appreciate it if you would read just that one verse to me." The officer found the passage and read these words, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). "Thank you, sir," said the dying soldier. "I have that peace and I am going to the Savior who made that promise. God is with me, I want no more." Shortly after that, the wounded man entered into the presence of his Lord. Because he had Christ, he had peace with God, and since he had learned to commit everything to His care, he also had the peace of God.
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