The Ideal Christians
Col. 3: 15-17
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Introduction:
How do you define an ideal Christian? When I say Christian I don’t mean Christendom. People would always explain that because they born in the Christian countries they are Christians. The Roman Catholics, the protestants, the Iglesia ni Christo, the Baptist , the Adventist and all non- Muslim religions would call themselves as Christians- but by the word Christian I mean the one who places his or her faith in Jesus. If I were to ask you to describe ideal Christians you will have different explanations in mind. But today we will refer to the explanation found in Col. 3:15-17.
l. Ruled by the peace of Christ.V1
A. LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS.
Apostle Paul is telling us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
Notice that word “rule.”
In the original Greek of the Bible it is an athletic term that was applied to the officials of the games. We would call them “umpires” or “referees” today. They were the ones who controlled the action on the field of game.
V15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
What does actually rule in our hearts?
• Worry? - If you let worry have its way –
There will be no peace.
• Complaining and criticizing? - If you let worry have its way –
There will be no peace.
• Guilt? -If you let guilt grip you –
There will be no peace.
• Anger? If you let Anger have its way –
There will be no peace.
• Bitterness? If you let bitterness control you.
There will be no peace.
• Hatred? If you let guilt grip you –
There will be no peace.
• Revenge? If you let revenge control you.
There will be no peace.
Believers are to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts because they are called to peace as members of one body.
The closer the believers are to Christ, the closer they are to each other.
In interpersonal relationships “ peace should rule or arbitrate, not by their wrangling.” Ano ba, away o gulo? Away na lang para walang gulo.
Christ followers should put on the virtues Paul listed in Col. 3:12-14.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Scripture tells us that we promote peace by putting the needs of others ahead of our own.
We promote peace by forgiving those who have sinned against us,
& by seeking forgiveness from those we have sinned against.
A prayer of a married woman.
“Lord, I pray for: Wisdom - to understand my man;
Love - to forgive him; Patience - for his moods.
Patience - for his moods.
We promote peace by praying for people & with them.
We promote peace by refusing to gossip & grumble, which Scripture calls sin.
We promote peace by seeking the good in people & praising them for it.
You make that choice & God will change your life.
Let Jesus rule in your life & His peace will rule:
a. your heart
b. your word
c. your relationships
d. your attitudes
Col. 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
B. And be thankful.
The Christians are to be thankful.
An attitude of gratitude contributes to an enjoyment of spiritual tranquility, whereas grumbling makes for inner agitation.
ll. Richly indwelt by the Word of God.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Illustration:
Over & over again for nine years the pastor has been repeating these words every Sunday to his people.
Why? “I repeat these words each week to remind us that our sole source of authority in life is this book! We are to live by its teachings...” (Mark Adams, Redlands Baptist Ch, Rockville, MD)
I agree. So let’s look more carefully at what this passage of Scripture is teaching.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you…”
a. Not just visit you.
b. Not just a guest in your heart.
c. Not just to stay in your heart for a while.
d. Not just come by appointment.
e. But dwell in your heart.
What does it mean to dwell in you?
To “dwell in you” means to let the Word of Christ move in & take up residency in you.
If you allow the Word of God dwell in your heart, then His Word will:
a. Remodel your life
b .Remake your priorities
c .Reshape your thinking
d. Replace your old life with His new life for all eternity.
ILL. Someone wrote, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, & the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true…
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, & comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, & the Christian’s character. Christ is its grand subject, our good its purpose, & the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, & guide the feet. Follow its precepts & it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; & yes, to glory itself for all eternity. (Adapted from Troy Borst, Sermon Central)
So, what shall we do with the Word of God?
a. Love it .
b. Learn it.
c. Live it.
Get into His Word so that His Word can get into you.
“For the word of God is living & active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul & spirit, joints & marrow; it judges the thoughts & attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
As Psalm 119:105 puts it, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet & a light unto my path."
Paul Powell writes, "Many say the Bible is old fashioned.
Well, so is the sun, but without it we men grope in darkness.
So is the air, but without it men gasp & die.
So is water, but without it men go mad.
In the midst of the complexities of life, don’t forget the Holy Bible. Believe it, read it, & heed it. It holds the key to life." (Mark Adams, Redlands Baptist Ch, Rockville, MD)
lll. Regard what they say and do. V.17
A. Whether in word or deed ( by lip or by life). All should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, for His glory and with thankful spirit.
V.17 tells us, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
ILL. The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied: “No, Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian.” Maxwell replied, “You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language.” Again the Hindu responded, “No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No man can live with you & not become a Christian.” Wow! What a testimony his life was!
“And whatever you do”- that means everything including your job, your parenting, your shopping, your driving on the road – ‘do it all” – that means every part of everything that you do in the Name of the Lord Jesus- .
Three times in three verses Paul mentioned thankfulness
V.15 And be thankful
V. 16 Sing with gratitude in your hearts to God
V. 17 Giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
A thankful heart is a heart where Christ’s name is lifted up.
In Jesus Christ we have so much for which to be thankful!
Salvation
Family
Friends
Food
Church
Conclusion: In Jesus Christ we have so much for which to be thankful!
Believers are to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts because they are called to peace as members of one body. The closer believers are to Christ, the closer they are to each other.
Note: The outline of this sermon is made by me, but ideas are gathered from different sources. Thanks to the Sermon Central for being a source of access to variety of preachers.
