“Let Christ rule”
Colossians 3:15-17
There is a true story:
of a woman who’d just given birth and
had brought her newborn to the office
to show off to her fellow office workers.
Everyone gathered around:
oohing and ahhing and
totally enthralled with the baby.
In the meantime:
her 7-yr. old son had gotten bored and he
quietly came up beside his mother and pulled on her sleeve.
“Mommy, can I have some money to buy a soda?”
- The mother looked at her son and asked: “What do you say?”
- He replied “You’re thin and beautiful”... and she reached into her purse and gave him the money. (Mercury Nicks, Reader’s Digest 9/08, p. 87)
Now - why did that boy tell his mother that she was thin and beautiful?
Because he wanted that soda and
he knew that was what she wanted to hear…
The message I want you to hear today is from Colossians 3:15-17:
“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 message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 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.”
The message we have been studying in Colossians 3:
- is that we Christians are new creations in Christ
- that MUST die to the unGodly things
- that used to occupy our lives
- that we NEED to put on a host of good things that are overwritten
- with a generous amount LOVE
Paul has been using the imagery of changing clothes:
- of taking off your of changing out of your old clothes (meaning activities)
- changing into your new clothes (new activities and motivations.
Galatians 3:26-27 tells us...
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There’s a custom among:
some of the churches in Africa that (after they’re baptized)
they burn their old clothes and
then put on a new white robe to show our new position in Christ
What Paul has been telling us here in Colossians:L
is that when we become Christians,
we need to change our clothes.
Our old way of living life:
is like filthy garments that need to be taken off & burned.
Then we need to clothe ourselves with a lifestyle that glorifies Christ,
because we have “put Christ on” like a new and beautiful garment.
NOW because Christ:
- is our life
- and we call Him Lord
- we need to get busy
- Letting Him take over in our lives
Can we says with Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Our old way of life was “ME CENTERED”:
- it was all about what do I want
- it was about how I FEEL
- it was all about elevating MYSELF
As a Christian everything is “God centered”:
- it is about what God wants
- it is about elevating Jesus
- it is all about Him and not about Me
Today’s text gives us 3 ways we can LET GOD REIGN IN OUR DAILY LIVES...
1- Let the peace of Christ rule.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
The Christian was once at war with God:
- before we had a relationship with Christ
- we were his enemy
- we were alienated from God
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—” - Colossians 1:21-22a (NIV)
Once we are saved by Christ:
- we have been justified through faith
- we have peace with God through
- Jesus Christ the Lord
Once save we are at peace with God:
- we are no longer at war
- Peace with God only comes through Jesus
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1 (NIV)
When we are at peace with God:
- we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit
- given to us at the point of baptism and salvation
- with the Holy Spirit comes the fruit of the Spirit
Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit:
- all Christians are to display the fruit of the spirit
- in their lives they will have peace
- that non believers do not have
Jesus said in John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace with God and peace from God:
- are defining traits of a Christian
- that are lacking in the LOST of the world
Not only are we to have peace:
- that peace from Christ
- it is to RULE our hearts
The word “Rule”:
- is like that of an umpire
- an umpire is the one who makes calls in a game
- once the umpire has made a decision, it stands.
We must not let:
- angry emotions rule our hearts, or
- worry and anxiety rule our hearts
Let the peace of Christ;
- rule your mind
- rule your will
- rule your emotions
- rule your conscience
When God’s peace rules:
- each individual Christian
- it allows for the peace of Christ
- to rule the entire Church
Stan Mikita:
a 1960’s Canadian professional hockey star,
used to get into a lot of fights during games.
He stopped when his eight-year-old daughter asked a very grown-up question: "How can you score goals when you’re always in the penalty box, Daddy?
How can:
the church grow and win souls
if she is always fighting?
Could this be one reason why the Lord’s church
doesn’t seem to be growing in America?
Hatred is growing:
in our world and our country but
it must NOT be in the Lord’s church!
Far too many Churches lack peace:
- bicker and fight
- struggle over who is going to run things
- gossip and lie about each other
- and when this happens the Church suffers
They lack peace in their lives:
- individually they are immature and rebellious
- these type of people are divisive
- and they are sinful
- they need to repent
- they need to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
We are to let the:
peace of Christ rule in OUR hearts, and
we are also to be thankful people
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
All over the place the Bible tells us to be thankful:
“Give thanks to the lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (NIV)
The greatest reason we have to be thankful:
- is that we have salvation in Jesus Christ
- we are no longer dead in our sins
- we are no longer objects of wrath
We are now by the blood of Jesus:
- who loved us and gave His life for us
- so that we can spend eternity in heaven
- Jesus changes our destination from Hell to Heaven
If you have not:
- given your life to Christ
- if you have not turned away from your sin
- if you have not believed in Jesus
- if you have not confessed Jesus and been IMMERSED
Then there is no peace for you:
- Oh, the peace is offered to you
- but you can not hope to find the peace of Christ outside of Christ
- peace is only found in Jesus
- you need to submit to the Gospel NOW, TODAY
2- Let the word of Christ dwell.
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)
Another translations says:
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,” Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
The phrase the “word of Christ” is a reference to the Scriptures:
- we are to learn the scriptures fully
- we are to meditate on God’s word
- we must learn then live by God’s word
What this is saying is:
- that if we expect to have the peace of Christ in our hearts
- then we must let the Bible dwell in us richly
When you think of the word, ’dwell’ what comes to mind?
To dwell certainly means to live,
but it is a very permanent sort of living.
When you go on vacation:
you would not say that you dwell or live in the hotel.
You are just staying there temporarily.
The Apostle Paul commands us:
to “let the Word of Christ” dwell in us richly.
The commands and teaching of Jesus
are to take up permanent residence in our hearts.
The first part is:
to let the Bible dwell richly IN US
Once the word dwells in us richly
Then we are to teach and admonish others
Admonish means “to warn”:
- part of what that means is that we need to be around other Christians
- I mean how can we warn each other if we aren’t near one another
- how can we teach one another if we don’t meet together
The trend now is to:
- sit at home and watch the worship service online
- when that person could come physical
- this breeds isolation, separation and
- hinders fellowship
God wants us:
to sharpen one another,
love one another,
take care of one another, and
to do that we have to take Church attendance seriously
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
What are we to do with a so-called Christian:
- who can’t find their way to Church?
- the one that refuses to meet together with the
- rest of the body of Christ
What fellowship can we have with a
part of the body that is not connected to the body?
Moving on...
How are we to teach and admonish one another?
- with all wisdom
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” Colossians 3:16a (NIV)
Warren Weirsbe said,
“There is a danger today that local churches minimize the Word of God. There seems to be a lack of simple Bible teaching in Sunday School classes and pulpits. Far more interest is shown in movies, musical performances, and various entertainments than in God’s Word.” I tend to agree.
The purpose of:
teaching and admonishing,
in all wisdom,
the purpose is that we would raise up
mature believers in Christ
The method of teaching and admonishing:
- that Paul says to use
- is through songs
- and through singing
Tuesday night at choir:
we sang a bunch of Christmas songs,
one of the songs was “Mary did you know?”,
and you know what?
I’ve had that song circling in my brain for days now.
Music is one:
- of most effective way to teach and admonish one another,
- People quickly learn and remember songs
- songs can stick with us and help us to meditate holy things
“teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16b (NIV)
Christianity has always been a singing religion:
- one time Paul and Silas were thrown into prison
- they were in the inner cell with their feet in stocks
- Do you know what they did?
- They prayed and they sang!!
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 (NIV)
If you pay attention:
- to the songs we sing
- we sing praises to God
- we sing them in an attitude of worship, but
- the songs we sing are also instructional
- the hymns we sing - teach deep truths of the Bible
We need to:
be thankful and
let our hearts be filled with thanks
to God on a regular basis.
“teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16b (NIV)
The NKJV is a more literal translation here, saying…
“singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16b (NKJV)
We are to sing “in grace” or “with grace”:
- we are to sing with an awareness of what God has done for us
- with God’s goodness on our mind
Wilbur Fields wrote in his commentary
“Those people who are most keenly aware of the grace of God and what it has done in their lives are the people most likely to sing about it.”
3- Let the name of Christ live.
“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.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Everything we believers say and everything we do:
should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus,
remembering his constant presence and
bringing honor and glory to him in every aspect and activity of daily living.
When we give our lives to Christ:
We are a representative of Christ
Christians should be the hardest working,
most reliable employees a company has.
When we serve, we are to do it as if we are directly serving Jesus.
We are to give God our best, not the leftovers.
I want you to think for a moment about your service to God’s church.:
Are you giving it your best?
Now, if Jesus Himself were standing here today,
What would He think about how you are serving Him?
If Jesus were standing next to you as you served:
would you do it differently,
with a different attitude and with different energy?
I know there are:
some members here who have NO ministry in the church.
If Jesus were standing next to you would that motivate you to serve?
Guess what?
Jesus is with you,
He does know what you are doing or not doing for Him.
When we do something in the name of Christ,
we are to do it as if Jesus Himself were doing it.
The story is told of 2 old friends:
who bumped into one another on the street one day.
One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears.
His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, my old friend?”
The sad fellow said:
“Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me $40,000.
That’s a pot of money.
But, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and
left me $85,000 free and clear.
Sounds like you’ve been blessed.
“You don’t understand. He interrupted.
Last week my great aunt passed away and I inherited a quarter and a million.”
Now he was really confused. Then why do you look so glum?
“This week. . ..nothing.”
“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.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
Thankfulness:
allows us to realize our place and
to put God where He deserves to be.
This is our commitment to Christ:
- that everything we think say or do
- is done in the name of Christ
The name of Christ stands for:
- everything about Christ
- His authority
- His love
- His deity
- His grace
We should do everything in Christ’s name:
- we should also do it with thankfulness
- not out of reluctance or obligation
- when you are thankful you are “glad to serve”
“giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17b (NIV)
Colossians 3:16 was just talking about music:
- now in 3:17 it is talking about thankfulness
- if we connect the music from vs. 16 and the thankfulness from vs. 17
- we can conclude that our singing should also express our thanks to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) affirms our commitment:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
We continually need to ask the question:
- Does this activity I’m involved in please God?
- and we will know the answer if we ask the 2 part second question
- “Can I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus, and can I give thanks to God about it?”
Let's take a minute and review
How we can let God reign in our lives.,
1- Let the peace of Christ rule
2- Let the word of Christ dwell
3- Let the name of Christ live
Do you know why God forgives sinners?
Did God forgive you because you were in the “right place”
Did God forgive you because you DESERVED to be forgiven?
Did God forgive you because you were better than the person next to you?
Oh no… God forgave you EVEN when you were His enemy:
God forgave you even when you were self centered and self righteous.
God forgave you even when you deserved to die for your sins.
Psalms 103:11-12 is beautiful…
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
The beauty of becoming a Christian is that – God gives us a new life.
A life freed of the filth and shame and guilt of the past.
A life filled with God’s love and acceptance.
There is nothing like it in the world….
There is nothing in this world that even compares…
CREDIT:
I am going to try and credit everyone I borrowed from:
Jeff Strite, Jeff Anselmi, Troy Borst, Steve Shepherd and I used Wilbur Field's College Press commentary.
