Series: Action [#163]
GET CLOSER TO GOD- RELATIONSHIPS
Colossians 3:18-4:18
Introduction:
Life is about relationships- Your relationship with your family, your classmates, those you work with, those you attend Church with, your neighbors, and many others. The most important relationship that you will ever have is your relationship with God. Your relationship with God and your obedience to Him is reflected in your relationship with others. In order to live victoriously each day, we must have godly relationships.
Paul lists some types of relationships and responsibilities.
Colossians 3:18-21
1. Family relationships.
There are several types of family relationships discussed in these verses. Some of these relationships may not be relationships that you are in now; but you still need to know what God has to say about them.
* Wives to husbands.
We live in a time that many of our Nation’s leaders cannot even define what a woman or man is. It is not that they do not know; but if they say it, they may lose their place in the political world. Before we look at the responsibilities of a wife, let me make an obvious observation- God’s plan is women marrying men. There are not any responsibilities for same sex unions because God does not recognize that as marriage.
The word submit has been misunderstood for years. This word does not mean that the wife is the husband’s slave. Submission to the husband means to be selfless, to be accountable, and to show respect.
* Husbands to wives.
Husbands are to love their wives. In Ephesians, husbands are told to love their wives like Christ loves the Church- The Church is the Bride of Christ. Jesus not only died for the Church; He also lives with us. Husbands are told to not be harsh to their wives.
* Children to parents.
Here is another word that people do not like to hear- Obey. This means to do what you are told to do and not to do what you are told not to do. Children are to obey their parents in everything. Children, unless your parent is telling you to do something illegal or against God’s Word; do it. I love a saying that Karen used at JCA, “Obey right away, all the way, and the happy way”.
* Fathers to children.
Fathers do not make your children bitter. How you treat your children matters. You can guide and discipline your children without making them hate you. This does not say to not punish wrong doing; but it does matter how you punish them. It also means that a father’s example should be one worth following. If you do not, they will become discouraged and do their own thing.
Colossians 3:22-25
Colossians 4:1
2. Workplace relationships.
Many of you go to a job several days a week. Some of you are the employer and some of you are the employee. I want to give a couple of disclaimers here- Anyone that says that a stay at home parent is not a real job has never been a stay at home parent; but this is talking about the workplace. Also, this Passage talks about slaves and masters. While, none of us are slaves, this passage does speak to employers and employees.
* Employee to employer.
Employees, work your job like your boss is God. You need to work as hard when the boss is not watching as you do when they are watching. You are serving Jesus at that job that God has given you. Regardless of how you are treated, you work hard and be an honest employee.
* Employer to employee.
If you employ or supervise people, you need to be fair and honest with them. Do not your position make you think that you are better than other people. Do not forget that your Master is God.
Colossians 4:2-6
3. Church relationships.
I want to preface this point- You do not have to attend a Church to be a Christian. I am talking about the relationships that Christians have with others.
* Christians to Christians.
Christians, you need to pray for one another. You need to watch out for one another. You also need to thank God for one another.
* Christians to Ministers.
Christians need to pray for their Ministers that God will open doors for them to preach the Gospel clearly. As my brother said years ago, “If you do not like something a Minister is doing in your Church, pray for them”. You cannot change them; but God can.
* Christians to the lost.
Christians need to make the most of each time you have with someone who is not a Christian. Watch what you say and show them grace and mercy. You need to be prepared to give them answers to their questions about Jesus and your faith.
Conclusion:
Paul ends this letter by giving instructions concerning personal relationships in his life.
Colossians 4:7-18
