Wives, Husbands, Children, Fathers, Slaves And Masters

Colossians – Jesus Holds It All

Wives, Husbands, Children, Fathers, Slaves and Masters

October 7, 2018

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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.

Peace cannot rule in our hearts unless the word of Christ first dwells there.

Colossians 3:18-19 NIV

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

The first place we practice our faith is at home.

• Marriage is a refining fire that God uses to bring us to Christ-likeness

• Marriage confronts our selfishness and our immature emotions.

We cannot remain immature and selfish and stay happily married.

v.20 - Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

The first people we learn to obey is our trusted parents, so that one day we can learn to obey the trusted God.

v. 21 - Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Notice there are two commands for the men – love your wives, do not embitter your children.

We can only give away what we have.

Who we are translates easier than what we say.

v. 22 -24

Slaves obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

• Slavery in the ancient world was very diverse— not to be automatically equated with slavery in the American South

• Paul had no thought of the possibility of undoing the system (no one had the power or a plan to do that— unlike Wilberforce and Parliament or Lincoln and the Civil War)

• But it’s important to note that the impetus for the abolition of slavery for both Wilberforce and Lincoln was their faith in Christ

There are four basic needs that humans are instinctively motivated to satisfy all their lives:

1. Acceptance – I need to be loved

2. Identity – I need to know who I am

3. Security – I need access to basic needs

4. Purpose – I need significance

Jesus has accepted us

Jesus has given us an identity

Jesus has provided all we need

Jesus has a plan for our life