Sermon 10 - What Is Ruling And Dwelling In You? Series

Introduction:

A. Today, I want us to start by considering the concepts of ruling and dwelling.

1. Let’s ask ourselves: Who or what is ruling in my heart and life?

a. In other words, who or what is sitting on the throne of my life and heart?

2. Let’s also ask ourselves: Who or what is dwelling in our hearts and lives?

a. In other words, who or what are we allowing to fill our hearts and minds.

B. Consider how different is the direction of a person’s life and the outcome of their life based on what is dwelling in them or what is ruling them.

1. What if pride or self-centeredness are dwelling in them or ruling them?

2. What if fear or insecurity are dwelling in them or ruling them?

3. What if bitterness or envy are dwelling in them or ruling them?

4. What if pleasure or materialism are dwelling in them or ruling them?

5. People driven by or filled with those kinds of things are going to be very weak or worldly or dark.

6. But in contrast to all of that, consider how different the direction and the outcome of a person’s life that is ruled by the peace of Christ and filled with the word of God.

C. Recently, in our sermon series from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we have been working our way through Colossians 3.

1. We have been learning about focusing on things above and not on earthly things.

2. We have been learning about the kinds of things we need to put to death or to put off.

3. And we have been learning about the kinds of things we need to put on and add to our lives and the most important of those virtues is love which binds them all together in perfect unity.

D. The verses that follow those verses about the things to put off and the things to put on are these: 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:15-17)

1. As you might remember, the title I chose for this sermon series on Colossians is “Complete in Christ and Worthy in Walk,” because the goal of each disciple of Jesus ought to be to grow to completeness in Christ and to live a life that is worthy of Christ.

2. Accomplishing that goal includes the putting off and putting on of certain things, but even more fundamental to the putting off and on is the allowing certain things to rule and dwell in our lives.

3. So, the things I want us to focus on today are so important to being able to move toward completeness and faithfulness in Christ.

I. Ruled by the Peace of Christ

A. Let’s start by talking about peace.

1. We live in a turbulent world – a world of conflict, both within and without.

2. So much of this lack of peace comes from the fact that so many people are not at peace with God, at peace with themselves, or at peace with others.

3. Only God can offer true peace, but Satan tries to manufacture a counterfeit peace and many pursue Satan’s offer of peace.

4. Many people are looking for a way to have peace or find a refuge or an oasis.

a. Some turn to alcohol or other kinds of drugs, both legal and illegal to produce peace.

b. Some people turn to aromatherapy, potpourri, candles and music to arrive at peace.

c. Others turn to a good hot bath, yoga or other kinds of physical exercise – the proverbial runner’s high.

d. Others resort to materialism or what’s called “shopping therapy.”

5. The peace that any of these counterfeits produce is shallow and temporary.

a. None of them can bring the real deep and lasting peace that we need.

B. But the good news is that God can give us the peace we need.

1. Jesus is the true “peace-giver.”

2. He is called the “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:7)

3. Jesus promised: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (Jn. 14:27)

4. Jesus promised: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (Jn. 16:33)