To Really Gaze.
Colossians 3:14-17NIV
To Gaze, is to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise or admiration.
When is the last time you have gazed? Gazed at the lasting-results of Jesus? Gazed into God’s words? Gazed into the peace of Christ? Gazed into redemption? Gazed into grace? Gazed into Holy Spirit? Gazed into Trinity?
According to the book, They Call Me Coach, by John Wooden, Patient-perseverance is the Key, and should characterize the life of every believer. Patient-perseverance requires the art of gazing. Catching vision. While reading this book, I came across a passage that illustrates this virtue. The author, a highly successful basketball coach at UCLA for many years, said, “In gameplay, it has always been my philosophy. That patients will win out. By that, I mean patience to follow our game plan. If we do believe in it, we will wear the opposition down and will get to them. If we break away from our style, however, and play their style, we are in trouble. And if we let our emotions command the game, rather than our reason, we will not function effectively. I constantly caution our team, play your game… Eventually, if you play your game, stick to your style, class will tell in the end! This does not mean that we will always outscore our opponent, but it does ensure that we will not beat ourselves.”
Paul the apostle had one plea for the church/His body- Stay the course. Refuse to deviate from God’s peace, Refuse to deviate from God’s word. -Learn to gaze at Jesus!
Colossians 3, The apostle Paul begins by encouraging believers to put off the old man, to put to death the works of the flesh. Remove all traces of the old man. Paul writes about the new man, walking in forgiveness.
And then Paul writes, Above all these things, Colossians 3:14-17NIV And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.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 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.
Again, Gazing is vital. Gazing entails trust. Gazing states by its action, or inaction God is in control. Gods got this. Gods on my side. Gazing into the things of the Word/Spirit changes everything. -Gazing changes atmosphere.
Several words jumped out at me as I read this Text:
Colossians 3:14AMP Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
1. Above all/ Above everything... Put on love.
-Love like this is a choice. -You choose love.
Paul goes on, “Because love binds them (Every other virtue), all together in perfect unity.”
Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Love becomes the complete summary of my life. Love is the total sum.
Clarke Commentary, ...but above all these things put on love: “Upon all, over all; as the outer garment envelopes all the clothing, so let love invest and encompass all the rest… Let this, therefore, be as the upper garment… that invests the whole man.
Again, 1. Put on love!
2. To receive you have to surrender.
We see as we read, Colossians 3:15-16, the words... Let the peace...Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly...
There’s another word that should grab our attention. Colossians 3:17...And whatever you do...
Let...Let...And whatever you do. - These words have the same thing in common:
There’s an art I call, The Art Of Letting Go! The Art Of Letting God! The Art Of Letting...is vital. And whatever you do...Don’t forget to gaze. P.H
Are you willing to surrender your will, for His?
Testimony- I have been greatly impacted by the biography of Hudson Taylor, one of the most effective missionaries in history. Rev. Taylor was a godly man of prayer who established churches throughout China's vast interior, Taylor ministered for years without joy. He was downcast over his struggles and thoughts of unbelief. In 1869 Taylor experienced a revolutionary change within. He saw that Jesus had all he needed, and that there was only one way to Jesus's fullness: Through faith. Taylor determined to stir up his faith, yet even that effort proved vain. Finally, in his darkest hour, the Holy Spirit gave him a revelation. Faith comes not by striving, but by resting on the promises of God.
Again, my will gets selfish, my will gets greedy, my will gets corrupt, because “I” isn’t enough. “I” gets in the way.
However, His will is perfect, pure, full of wisdom, 100% love, complete joy, His will is inviting, everyone is welcomed. -His will is well worth surrendering to. -Because He can.
His will comes with benefits. Listen, James 4:6AMP But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
Again, To let..To let...Whatever you do... -Means surrender. As you surrender, in return, you receive His grace...Grace, upon grace. P.H
3. Let Peace Rule In Your Heart.
There has to be a submissive attitude of letting. Letting go. Letting...leads to...receiving!
Charles Swindoll: The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than success, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company … a church … a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you, we are in charge of our attitudes.
Again, 3. Let Peace Rule In Your Heart.
Hear some of Jesus’ last words, John 14:27NIV 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.
Let peace rule, let peace call the shots, let- peace dwell. Clarke Commentary, There appears to be here an allusion to the Shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, which dwelt in the tabernacle and first temple.”
Testimony- If you don’t have peace, you have nothing. I had a bus ministry leader by the name of Glover Tatum, he and his wife couldn’t have children, and they accepted that. Brother Tatum would say to a young family maybe going through a down time. He would say, “I’ll give you a million dollars for your baby.”
Again, There’s a surrendering, a simple letting... Whose peace? -The peace of Jesus Christ!
Colossians 3:15AMP Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
Remember, you’re welcoming peace. -The very peace of Jesus Christ. Shalom, inner peace, inner confidence, inner strength.
Colossians 3:15b...You were called into peace for one body. -And be thankful to God always.
I’m often asked how a person can follow God’s will? James 3:17-18NIV But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
I think it's safe to say that musing into the Word of God, gazing into this love letter marks you with Peace.
4. Let the word, (the message) of Jesus Christ have its home within you.
Colossians 3:16AMP Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
A simple letting. Let God’s word dwell. Let God’s word find a dwelling place within.
Hear the apostles Paul’s admonishment to the, Church of Thessalonica:
2 Thessalonians 3:1KJV Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
2 Thessalonians 3:1MSG One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you.
Other translations: Paul prayed that God’s word would speed forth, spread rapidly, Run swiftly and be glorified.
Hear this powerful prayer given by Jesus that proves our unity, and God’s glory given to believers.
John 17:21-23ESV that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Jesus says, in essence, “The glory that You gave Me, Father, I have given to them.”
Jesus is saying that we have been given the same glory that the Father gave to Jesus. -Amazing!
Yet, what is this glory and how do our lives reveal it?
The glory Jesus refers to here is unimpeded access to the heavenly Father. Hebrews 4, states that every believer shall enter boldly into God’s Holy place/His throne room to obtain free grace.
Is there anything Jesus’ grace can’t resolve?
Jesus made it easy for us to access the father, continually opening the door for us by the cross. -Matthew Henry
5. Do everything in word, and deed in Jesus’ name.
Colossians 3:17AMP Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Is what I do glorifying Jesus? Is what I say glorifying Jesus?
Q&A: Are you dependent on Jesus?
Again, Colossians 3:17MSG Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Benediction. Are you bravely facing lopsided odds? The Art of Letting...Really gazing upon Savior can change everything.
