Title: Digging into God s Word: Colossians 3 Pastor Chad E. Billington

Transcription

1 Title: Digging into God s Word: Colossians 3 Pastor Chad E. Billington Evening Service Sunday, May 13, 2012 Smythe Street Cathedral Tonight s session is setup as an interactive Bible Study, I would encourage you to download and listen to the recording of this message, available at Chad E. Billington

2 Colossians 3 Memory Verse Basis of message is Colossians 3:16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly Thought it would be good to look at Colossians 3, and dig around to see what we could find. Colossians 3 Reading (the whole chapter) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your a life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. b 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 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 Love Like Jesus John 13: Page 2 of 6

3 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. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 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. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Observation what does it say? In seminary, what we do is no different; we first begin by trying to observe questions in the text? Story of intent looking o Heidi tells me I need to move things, it s a man way of looking. When I move things, I find more stuff. o Same with Bible, why this word, how does this fit together, are there connector words I m missing DON T MOVE TOO FAST BEYOND QUESTIONS, OR SMALL ITEMS THAT MAKE YOU CURIOUS. SOMETIMES WE WANT TO GET TO CONCLUSIONS, BUT THE FIRST STEP IS TO LOOK FOR LEADS Group discussion look over chapter for things that surprise you, make you wonder, or a question you have. Love Like Jesus John 13: Page 3 of 6

4 (After a few minutes, ask people to share some of these items with the larger group.) I ll record them and perhaps we can answer some as the night goes on. My questions & thoughts o V Set my mind on things above Christ emphasis o V. 12 therefore, indicates a connection what s it going to o You v. 16 plural, what to do with that o Why the household stuff in the letter? v. 3:18-4:1 Interpretation This is where we put the pieces together What does this mean? Correlation (Context) - Context of the book o Study Bible Paul, written from prison, under pressure for other religious beliefs. General Background Christ is over everything! He is the foundation of everything for us as believers. Here are some verses Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Love Like Jesus John 13: Page 4 of 6

5 Colossians 2:13 (NIV) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. Col 3:2-3 things above Look in the verses above, there were religious people who were trying to judge them and get them worried about food laws, festivals and Sabbaths. Others were focused on special angelic revelations (2:16-18) The point is that our focus is to remain on Christ (see 2:19) o V. 12 Christ has given us a new self, which is why we need to take off the old practices. These new selves, and identities are fundamentally different than our old self, (gender, class). This changes the attitudes we have towards the world and each other. No holding on to the old stuff, not just because but because we are new people. V. 16 Plural You We could think if we just had this verse by itself that the passage was about having God s word memorized. While that is valuable, that s not what we re talking about here. It is talking about how we teach, admonish and encourage each other. See also let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, is less about tranquility and more about relationship! Household stuff Colossians 3:18-4:1 Take a look at the whole chapter Don t get distracted by our arguments, let s look for what it meant to them. Submit we can see this and miss the point. Look for obvious (not mysterious meaning) WE WANT TO LOOK FOR THE OBVIOUS MEANING OF A PASSAGE, NOT THE OBSCURE THING If you don t what it means that our life is hidden with Christ in God, tuck that question away for another day. Don t chase obscure things, because the obvious is plenty enough. Love Like Jesus John 13: Page 5 of 6

6 OUR PROBLEM IS NOT THE PASSAGES WE CAN T UNDERSTAND, BUT LISTENING TO THE PASSAGES THAT WE CAN. Christ is the foundation for existence, and as Christians we are invited to set our minds on things above and live as the new people of God. This is not just something we do alone, but it influences and transforms all our relationships, including our family and workplace relationships. What is my application? Love Like Jesus John 13: Page 6 of 6