Chico Alliance Church
“The Effectual Boarder”
“Let the Word of Christ dwell richly”
Colossians 3:16
• Hold fast to Christ
• Continually pursue or seek things related to the eternal.
• Continually contemplate or think about eternal things.
• Deny any expression by fleshly desires left over from the old life.
• Release the longings of the new heart implanted by the indwelling Christ
• Allow the peace of Christ to arbitrate in the heart.
• Let the word of Christ live in the heart of the individual and the church.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE COLOSSIANS
We start today with the one here in Colossians 3:16
“Let the Word of Christ dwell richly within you”
The Word (logos) of Christ
The word used here is the word LOGOS, the word. Even in early Greek this word had the idea of explaining or reckoning. This word is simple yet full. The depth of the word lies in its context. It has to do with words spoken to express reality. You have the word of man.
You have the word of God. You have the word of the Holy Spirit. Logos speaks of communication. It is a name used for Christ I his role of explaining the Father. In the beginning was the Word and the Word became flesh. The Word of Christ refers to all teaching of Christ who also spoke the Word of God. Teaching others to obey the things Jesus taught is vital to our commission. We are to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. We are to allow the Word of Christ to continually dwell.
“dwell” present tense
Dwell has the idea of live or inhabit, take up residence. Paul instructs us to be saturated with the words and teaching of Christ. The only way the word can dwell to this extent is to study, memorize, meditate and practice it. When we apply the truth that God reveals to us to our everyday life, the Word finds a home in every part of our being and becomes the guiding force in all that we do.
“richly” -- fullness of good
We are to allow the word to penetrate every area of our life, to fill us up with it’s goodness.
Application within the church
The benefit to the body of individuals who allow the word of Christ to richly dwell is sound teaching and effective encouragement.
“Teaching”
To impart information to the point of understanding and practice.
To cause to learn.
“Admonish”
means to put into the mind
What part does the Bible play in your everyday life? We have in our hands a wonderful resource. In a world where everything is subject to opinion and feeling we need a solid foundation and structure. We also live in a world where everything is relative. Few people do believe in absolutes anymore. We need something that won’t change. We need a foundation that is absolute.
THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BIBLE
The surest resource for God’s communication to man is the written revelation, the Bible The Bible is absolutely the most unique book in all the world in all of history.
Unique in its continuity
Written over a period of 1600 years over 60 generations
Written by at least 40 authors from every walk of life.
Written on three continents
Written in different places
Written during different moods
Written in three languages
In spite of all of this, the Bible demonstrates continuity of thought from Genesis to Revelation. There is one unfolding story of “God’s redemption of man.”
Unique in its Circulation and Translation
Has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book in history.
Unique in its Survival
It has survived copying, persecution, criticism. Voltaire said the Bible would be extinct by 1850. Oops!
Unique in its Teachings
Touches every aspect of life and provides the framework to address any question related to life here on this earth.
Unique in its Influence
Not other book has effected the thinking of people throughout history.
THE BENEFITS OF GOD’S WORD
In the Bible, God recorded all that He intended to reveal about Himself. It is a record of His thoughts, feelings, desires, decrees, plans, longings, intentions, instructions concerning life under his authority, character, interactions with people and their response to him. If you want truly know God, you must know what has been written.
Psalm 119 Benefits
Blesses, Stabilizes, Purifies, Counsels, Delights, Strengthens, Encourages Reverence, Saves, Revives, Comforts, Preserves, Illumines, Sustains, Makes wise, Delivers, Establishes, Enlightens.
The Bible testifies over and over again concerning the value and benefit of God’s word, the word of Christ.
It is the source of faith
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
It is the source of life
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' " Matthew 4:4
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63
Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. John 6:68
but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31
It is the source of new birth
for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. 1 Peter 1:23
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures. James 1:18
It is the source of spiritual growth
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 1 Peter 2:1-2
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:41-42
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
It is the source of blessing.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. James 1:25
It is he source of hope.
because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel, Col. 1:5
It is the source of answered prayer. John 15:6
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7
It purifies and sanctifies 1 Tim 2:15
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 1 Tim. 4:4-5
"Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. John 17:17
that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, Ephes. 5:26
It transforms and revives the soul.
My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Thy word. Psalm 119:25
Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
It continually nourishes the soul.
In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 1 Tim. 4:6
It works.
And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. 1 Thes. 2:13
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
It brings stability in the storms of life (wise man’s house on the rock)
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. Matthew 7:24
It defends against the lies of the enemy.
Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth Ephes. 6:14
It defeats the enemy as a sword.
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephes. 6:17
I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:14
For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil. And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:19-20
The example of Jesus – “It is written.”
It keeps from sin.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11
The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip. Psalm 37:31
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. Psalm 119:9
Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.
It exposes sin.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13
It brings freedom from sin.
Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
Psalm 19
• It makes wise the simple
• It rejoice the heart
• It enlightens the eyes.
• It endures forever.
Is it any wonder that the enemy wants to keep us from the word. Do you want to experience the things mentioned above? These are the result of the ministry of God’s word in our life.
MAN’S VARIOUS RESPONSES TO GOD’S WORD
Ask anyone who has been around church circles for any length of time what are the essential activities necessary for the Christian to practice. Somewhere near the top of the list is time in the Bible along with Prayer, fellowship with other believers and sharing the good news with those who have not heard. However, there seems to be a gigantic gap between belief and behavior. If we really believed that the Word of God is the source of all those things mentioned above, why does it look more like a visitor instead of a resident in our life? We have been called to let it dwell richly to the point of permeating and directing our life as well as flowing out of our life to benefit the body of Christ in significant ways.
Psalm 119 reveals some attitudes and actions of a heart after God’s word.
Walk in it. Observe it. Keep it diligently. Treasure it. Rejoice in it. Meditate on it. Regard it. Don’t forget it. Long for it. Incline your heart to it. Trust in it. Wait for it. Keep it continually. Seek it. Do not turn aside from it. Hasten to obey it. Give thanks for it. Never forget it. Love it. Incline your heart to perform it. Fear it. Love it more than gold. Esteem it right. Pant for it. Anticipate it. Stand in awe of it. Sing of it. Love it exceedingly.
The early leaders devoted themselves to the Word of God and prayer.
Let it richly dwell or abide in us and us in it.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Col. 3:16
Long for the pure milk of the word.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3
The newly formed church devoted themselves to the apostles teaching
Both hear and do the Word
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. Matthew 7:24
Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. James 1:21-22
Handle accurately the word of truth.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15
We are instructed to live by the word, abide in it, receive it.
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' " Matthew 4:4
Speak the word with boldness
Preach & teach the word
Tremble at His word.
"Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest? "For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:1-4
Conclusion
If you want the results listed above you must set time hearing and doing his word as priority in your life. Then take Paul’s admonition to heart. It is not just a forced exercise but a longing to hear and be filled with the knowledge of his will. You cannot be filled with a knowledge of His will without interaction with the record of His will and His wonderful person as recorded in the Bible. The Word is nourishment for the soul. The writing and reading of many books is tedious. The Word gives life. It is nourishment to the soul.
“Let the Word of Christ dwell richly.”
Specific Application of Message
We make choices in life based on what we deem important and valuable. Base on our value system we carve out the necessary time. Based on the message I urge you to stake some time to establish some new values in the family and your life.
1. Read back over the truths about the benefits of the Word of God.
Meditate on these benefits. Ask yourself what you have been trusting and practicing to produce the things mentioned there. What part has interaction with the word of God and the God of the Word played in your life in the last three months.
2. Read back over the responses to the word.
Which of these are true of you in the past three months? Which ones would you like to be true of you?
3. Commit to interaction with the Word on each of the following levels.
General familiarity – broad reading
Exposure to the word through the teaching and preaching of others
Preparation – study & observation “What does it say?”
Presentation – Interpretation & correlation “What does it mean?”
Ingestion – Memorization, meditation “Permeate the recesses of the soul”
Assimilation – application “What should I do?”
Think of your response to the Word as to the preparation of food.
• General shopping at the store to determine what you want to fix for tonight’s dinner
• Listening to other cooks and reading other cookbooks as to ways to prepare food
• Personal preparation of the food
• Presentation of the food on the plate along with complementary foods
• Ingestion of the food
• Assimilation by the digestive system to produce energy for growth
3. Adjust your weekly schedule to accommodate your commitment
If you intend to grow, you must eat.
Remember!
“Man shall LIVE by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
