6-18-2006
Like Father, Like Son
Colossians 3:15-17
West Glendale Baptist Church
Pastor Don Jones
Father’s day is all about fathers. It is our day to enjoy being waited on and pampered. My wife would say it is just like every other day.
Father’s Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact, when a “father’s day” was first proposed, there were no Father’s Day cards!
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd’s mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across America, other people were beginning to celebrate a “father’s day.” In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. Finally in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
Father’s Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. As many in this room know, it is easy to become a father but it is difficult task to be a father.
The passage this morning is about living the Christian life. It even gives us steps, not simple steps, but steps in accomplishing God’s will in our lives. Does it give us fathers a life plan and goal to reach? Yes, but it is not a particularly easy thing to do especially in light of today’s world view.
It has been said that those who aim at nothing will always hit it. That is especially true when it comes to the Christian life and being a godly example as a father. Let’s turn our attention to the five principles Paul gives us to living the successful Christian life.
Cue slide - Rule
The first step to walking in sync with the Lord is to allow the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. This has a two-fold meaning.
Primarily, it means that you have at some point received Jesus as Lord of your life. At one time we were at war with God, all of us. We rejected Him and his Son and we were living contrary to His purpose and His will. We were in essence, doing what we wanted to do according to our will. The peace of Christ comes from no longer being at war with God because we trust and believe in Him and live according to His will. Ephesians 2:3-5 gives us a description of this war and peace. It says,
"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. (The war.) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved". (The peace.)
Until you are ready to receive Jesus as Lord of your life, all endeavors of godly living will fail. Jesus is the starting point of living a godly example before others.
Secondly, the peace that Paul speaks of comes from knowing that God loves you and desires only the best for you. Scripture says you have the provision, protection, and power of Almighty God. He even gave His only Son for you. That’s how much He loves you. What do you have to worry about? Nothing!
The peace of Christ is to rule our lives. The word "rule", brabeuetoô that we find in this passage literally means "to umpire". We are to allow the peace of Christ, knowing He died for us and we are no longer at war with God, knowing He gave His only Son for us and loves us perfectly, guide or "umpire" all of our decisions.
Cue slide - Rejoice
Secondly, we are to rejoice and be thankful. Verse 15b says,
"And be thankful"
When we know that God loves us and that Christ died for us we cannot help but rejoice. Add to that the fact you don’t have to worry because God is in your corner and you can’t help but give thanks and rejoice. The literal translation says we are to "continually" be thankful. It is similar to Philippians 4:4-7 where Paul says:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Cue slide - Reside
How do we do this on a continual basis? Verse 16a says,
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."
We do this by residing in God’s Word. It literally means to make our home in God’s word. We are to let His Word determine what we believe, how we act, and how we react to the things that go on in our lives. When we do this we live according to His will.
I have been asked as a pastor, "What translation should I use?" My first response would be, "A reliable one such as KJV, NIV, or RSV, one that is edited by the International Bible Society. But most importantly, use the one you are going to read, understand, and follow in your life. This is the translation you should use."
Cue slide - Re-educate - Rebuke
Paul says in verse 16,
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God".
Paul reminds us that the indwelling of the Word comes forth in words of teaching to others, teaching that results in changed behavior. Hence the word admonish is used with teaching. We need to help others in their Christian walk. Sometimes that means telling others where corrections need to be made. But we need to be aware of how this takes place.
First, teaching takes place when we live what we attempt to teach. Anyone can say what the Bible says, but we are to take instruction from those who live the Word. Paul says "in your heart." The Word is to be lived by the teachers.
Second, teaching and admonishment is always done with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. Notice the words used; wisdom, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. These are the instructional tools we are to use to teach and admonish others.
Cue slide - React
Lastly, we are to act and react according to the Word of God and the character of Christ. Paul says in verse 3:17,
"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."
As one commentator put it, "this is a sort of Golden Rule for Christians “in the name of the Lord Jesus”. Our motivation, our mindset must be that of Jesus Christ. And it is not limited to "church" things, he say "whatever we do" meaning, in everything and every area of life. John MacArthur expresses this by saying, "To do everything in the name of Jesus is to act consistently with who He is and what He wants. Paul expressed the same thought in 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” For the believer or the godly father, we are to do everything as Jesus would do them.
Guy H. King relates the following story:
Years ago I was leading the Children’s Special Service Mission at one of our South Coast holiday resorts. As I was approaching the beach one morning, this little fellow was going along there, too. As he caught sight of me, he said, “Mummie, here comes the JESUS man.” He only meant that I was the man who spoke to the children about the Savior; but his remark meant far more to my heart that day. What right had I—have I—to be called a JESUS man? What degree of resemblance is there about us?
What, if anything, would someone call you? Would you be considered the "Jesus" man or Jesus father? If not, now is the time to start. The first step is to personally know The Jesus, our Lord Jesus Christ by accepting Him as Lord and Savior.
Outline
Like Father, Like Son 6-18-2006
Colossians 3:15-17 WGBC
I. Rule v. 15
• Receive Jesus as Lord
• Trust that God cares for you
• Rule means to "umpire"
II. Rejoice v. 15b, 16b
• Be thankful
• Do it continually
III. Reside v. 16
• Dwell (live) in the Word
• The Word is our guide for living
IV. Re-educate and Rebuke v. 16
• Teach & Admonish
• Live what you teach
V. React and Act v. 17
• Everything in the name of Jesus
• Live Jesus
