There was a time when the most popular type of books were the “how to” books. Now, in this video age, we find that practically anything you want to know how to do can be found on Facebook or YouTube. You name it, from the most popular of topics to the most obscure of topics, there is somebody somewhere who will be glad to tell you how to do it. This is paralleled in the spiritual realm, too.
“Many voices in this world want us to listen to what they say, but only God’s Word is what we must hear and obey.”
Here in God’s Word, in our passage for today, Paul gives us a brief tutorial on how we, a Christians, can live as God wants us to live. If we are going to live as God wants us to live, then we must . . .
1. Walk where God wants us to walk - v. 15
That is, we must walk in God’s will. But how can we know God’s will for our daily life? Paul tells us the answer here. God speaks by His Spirit through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and wise council to reveal His will for our lives. But Paul would have us understand how we know it is the Holy Spirit speaking. We know this by the peace the Holy Spirit gives us.
“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” - Colossians 3:15 (Amplified, Classic Edition)
This translation brings out the role of God’s peace (which is produced by the Holy Spirit) in letting us know if I am in God’s will or not.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
In making decisions, we should seek wise council, and we should consider circumstances, and we should look to God’s Word and we should pray. But what are we looking for to know God’s answer? Peace. And notice: His peace will show us how to feel about things - “guard your hearts,” show us how to think about things - “guard your minds,” and how to move forward with things - “as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Like an umpire, God’s peace lets us know if we are “safe” within God’s will or “out” of God’s will. Notice that Paul uses the word “let.” This indicates that whether or not I know if I’m in God’s will is up to me. God is always speaking. But am I always seeking?
2. Worship as God wants us to worship - v. 16
A. The purpose of worship - “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly”
The purpose of worship is that we might grow in our knowledge of God through His Word dwelling in us. In other words, when we gather to worship (and Paul is obviously talking about corporate worship here as he mentions “one another”) we should do so with a desire to hear a personal Word from God, to find how He wants to speak to us personally through His Word. This speaks to the attitude with which we should approach worship together. This is captured well in the chorus of the old song: “Speak to my heart, Oh speak to my heart, Speak to my heart I pray, Yielded and still seeking Thy will, Oh speak to my heart today.”
Notice again that Paul uses the word “let.” This indicates that whether or not I get something out of the experience of worship is up to me. God is always speaking. But am I always seeking?
B. The practice of worship -
1) Teaching - “as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom”
Teaching and preaching of God’s Word must always be center stage in our corporate worship experience. We’re told three things about it:
A) It must be biblical. Obviously, if the objective of worship is to help us have the Word of God dwell in us richly, then the instruction given as part of worship must have to do with God’s Word. Besides, there is no power in man’s opinion, even the preacher’s. The power to change lives comes from the Word of God.
B) It must be passionate. I heard a preacher say once that when Sunday came around, he wanted to have something to say, not just to have to say something. The greatest sin committed Sunday after Sunday is for preachers and teachers to take the most exciting book ever compiled and bore people with it.
C) It must be applicable. Wisdom is all about lessons learned in life, so when God’s Word is taught its focus must be on how His truth applies to life. It should answer three questions: What? So what? And Now what?
2) Singing - “and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs”
Three thoughts here:
A) The importance of participation in singing. When Paul says, “as you sing,” he isn’t addressing those who lead singing, but all who are part of the congregation. It is “you” plural, like “you all.”
B) The importance of “pulling out all the stops.” Paul mentions using a variety of songs in worshiping the Lord together: Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. What’s the difference? Psalms are biblical texts put to music. Hymns are biblical truths put to music. Spiritual songs are biblical testimonies put to music.
C) The importance of our songs being biblical. What is the purpose of our songs? The same as the purpose of our teaching, to cause the Word of Christ to dwell in us richly.
C. The person we worship - “with gratitude in your hearts to God”
We have talked about joy in the Christian life. Paul says here that our worship should be joyful. It should all be about expressing gratitude to God. We have said that joy comes when there is zero between Jesus and you. But there is another definition of joy that is applicable here. That is that joy comes from putting Jesus first, others second, and myself third. Paul would have us understand that this is how we can have true joy in worship.
We put Jesus first. It’s all about Him and giving Him glory. Then we put others second. Notice that we gather for worship to “admonish one another.” That means my focus in worship is first and foremost on honoring God, then secondly, on ministering to the needs of others. When it comes to our gathering together for worship, I should be more focused on whether or not our worship is blessing God and blessing others than if it is blessing me. However, here’s the deal: if my primary concern is with blessing God and blessing others through our corporate experience of worship, then the result will be that it will also bless me, for I will worship with JOY.
3. Work as God wants us to work - v. 17
Paul tells us that if we are going to work as God wants us to work, then we will do everything for Christ’s glory. No matter what it is we set our hands to do, it should be done for the glory of our Savior and as service to Him. This attitude is what gives meaning, purpose and significance to all we do, no matter how common or mundane.
I once felt led by God to do an experiment in my time management. I began the day in prayer and asked God to tell me what I was suppose to focus on doing that particular day. Then, having made a list of the items I was to do that day, I prayed for God to show me what to do first, second, third, etc. The result of that God inspired experiment was that I learned that no matter what the task, if it was something I was doing for God’s glory, at His direction, in service to Him, then there was nothing more important for me to be doing. Going about our daily tasks in this way will give us a sense of purpose and significance no matter what the task may be.
If I can do some good today, if I can serve along life’s way; if I can something helpful say, Lord, show me how. If I can right a human wrong, if I can help to make one strong; if I can cheer with smile or song, Lord, show me how. If I can aid one in distress, if I can make a burden less, if I can spread more happiness, Lord, show me how. If I can do a kindly deed, if I can help someone in need, if I can sow a fruitful seed, Lord, show me how. If I can feed a hungry heart, if I can give a better start, if I can fill a nobler part, Lord, show me how.
Conclusion: Paul tells us that if we, as Christians, are going to live as God wants us to live, then our daily passion, our daily pursuit, our daily pleasure must be found in the peace of Christ, the Word of Christ, and the glory of Christ. And notice, we are told that the privilege of experiencing His peace, and knowing His Word, and bringing Him glory should be something for which we should be thankful “And be thankful” (v. 15); “with gratitude” (v. 16); “giving thanks” (v. 17).
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” - A.W. Tozer
