The Ideal Christians

The Ideal Christians

Col. 3: 15-17

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 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.

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.

Introduction:

How do you define an ideal Christian? When I say Christian I don’t mean Christendom. People would always explain that because they born in the Christian countries they are Christians. The Roman Catholics, the protestants, the Iglesia ni Christo, the Baptist , the Adventist and all non- Muslim religions would call themselves as Christians- but by the word Christian I mean the one who places his or her faith in Jesus. If I were to ask you to describe ideal Christians you will have different explanations in mind. But today we will refer to the explanation found in Col. 3:15-17.

l. Ruled by the peace of Christ.V1

A. LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS.

Apostle Paul is telling us, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Notice that word “rule.”

In the original Greek of the Bible it is an athletic term that was applied to the officials of the games. We would call them “umpires” or “referees” today. They were the ones who controlled the action on the field of game.

V15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

What does actually rule in our hearts?

• Worry? - If you let worry have its way –

There will be no peace.

• Complaining and criticizing? - If you let worry have its way –

There will be no peace.

• Guilt? -If you let guilt grip you –

There will be no peace.

• Anger? If you let Anger have its way –

There will be no peace.

• Bitterness? If you let bitterness control you.

There will be no peace.

• Hatred? If you let guilt grip you –

There will be no peace.

• Revenge? If you let revenge control you.

There will be no peace.

Believers are to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts because they are called to peace as members of one body.

The closer the believers are to Christ, the closer they are to each other.

In interpersonal relationships “ peace should rule or arbitrate, not by their wrangling.” Ano ba, away o gulo? Away na lang para walang gulo.

Christ followers should put on the virtues Paul listed in Col. 3:12-14.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Scripture tells us that we promote peace by putting the needs of others ahead of our own.

We promote peace by forgiving those who have sinned against us,

& by seeking forgiveness from those we have sinned against.

A prayer of a married woman.

“Lord, I pray for: Wisdom - to understand my man;

Love - to forgive him; Patience - for his moods.

Patience - for his moods.

We promote peace by praying for people & with them.

We promote peace by refusing to gossip & grumble, which Scripture calls sin.

We promote peace by seeking the good in people & praising them for it.

You make that choice & God will change your life.

Let Jesus rule in your life & His peace will rule:

a. your heart

b. your word

c. your relationships

d. your attitudes

Col. 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

B. And be thankful.

The Christians are to be thankful.

An attitude of gratitude contributes to an enjoyment of spiritual tranquility, whereas grumbling makes for inner agitation.

ll. Richly indwelt by the Word of God.

Col 3:16 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.

Illustration:

Over & over again for nine years the pastor has been repeating these words every Sunday to his people.

Why? “I repeat these words each week to remind us that our sole source of authority in life is this book! We are to live by its teachings...” (Mark Adams, Redlands Baptist Ch, Rockville, MD)