Christ Is the Answer
Introduction:
The congregation is Colosse, like many congregations, was
made up of many classes of people: wives, husbands, children, fathers,
mothers, servants, and masters to name a few. Paul informs them that when
the Word of Christ dwells in them fully and completely, their relationships
with each other will be affected for the better. They will become better
wives, husbands . . . This begins and ends with the Lord. Our relationship
to Him comes first. If our actions toward others [children, servants . . .]
are not right, our relationship with the Lord is not right, either.
Theme:
Christ is the answer if we desire approval from God in all our relationships
here on earth.
Text:
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Body:
I.
Wives
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
NKJV
·
“Submit” – Be subject, place under This is the same word as
in Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are
appointed by God.” NKJV But remember that submission
is not inferiority. Paul puts it like this in Ephesians
5:22-24. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as in the Lord. For the
husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is
the Savoir of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ,
so let the wives by to their own husbands in everything.”
NKJV The husband possesses headship.
[It cannot be brushed aside.] The only time the wife would have a right to
reject the headship of her husband is when there is a conflict between the
demands of Christ and the desires of her husband. Note Peter’s words in I
Peter 3:1, 5-6. “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that
even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the
conduct of their wives, 5-6 For in this manner, in former times, the holy
women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their
own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you
are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”
NKJV
A domineering wife has a problem with the Lord.
·
This submission is “fitting in the Lord.” This is your
Christian duty. If wives respect the Lord, they will submit to their
husbands. If you refuse, your heavenly home will be refused to you.
II.
Husbands
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.”
NKJV
·
“Love” [Agape] seeks what is best for his wife, treats her
with affection. (Ephesians 5:25, 28-29) “Husbands, love your wives, just as
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her; 28-29 So husbands
ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife
loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and
cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.” NKJV
This means she, above all people, will be first and foremost, well-cared for
and protected. It means he would die for her!
·
“Bitter – Harsh Do not let resentment spoil your marriage.
Don’t take frustrations out on your wife. Both husbands and wives have
responsibilities here.
·
Husbands are to cleave [adhere closely] to you wife. Shower
her with love, compassion, and kindness. It’s easy to take the wife for
granted; instead do all in your power to help her reach heaven. This will
keep bitterness and harshness out of your marriage.
·
Prayer for a Christian husband:
Lord, may there be no moment in her life,
When she regrets that she became my wife. Help me to do the utmost I can
To prove myself her measure of a man. Since years must bring to all their
load of care, Let us together each burden bear. And when death beckons one
its path along, May not the two of us be parted long. [Unknown]
III.
Children
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the
Lord.” NKJV
·
It is God’s desire; it pleases Him, when children respect the
authority of their parents. This is right.
(Ephesians 6:1-3) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first
commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live
long on the earth.’ ” NKJV Teaching children to obey
parents prepares them to obey God.
·
Parents need to encourage their children to study the Bible
while reducing TV and video time. This will make a huge difference.
IV.
Fathers
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
NKJV
·
Read Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your
children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the
Lord.” NKJV The father is given responsibility in
training his children. He is to teach them to become good citizens, good
neighbors, good employees, husbands and wives and above all, good
Christians. This should begin early in a child’s life. (II Timothy 3:14-15)
“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured
of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you
have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
NKJV Correction is sometimes necessary.
·
“Provoke” – Stir up, irritate, make bitter This instruction
protects the child from unjust, severe treatment. Do not be too critical,
too demanding, or neglectful. “Discouraged” – broken in spirit, loss of
self-respect The Christian father must use the right approach in training
his children.
V.
Servants
Colossians 3:22-25
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not
with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you
serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has
done, and there is no partiality.” NKJV
·
Because of the mistreatment of servants/slaves in the 1st
Century, one might be tempted to give half-hearted service to their
masters. This should not be said of Christian slaves. They were to work
with all their heart, whether or not their masters were watching.
(Ephesians 6:5-8) “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as
to Christ;
not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but as bondservants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service,
as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he
will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
NKJV They were to remember that they were ultimately working
for the Lord. They were to put their whole heart and soul into their work.
Never be lazy or slothful. The real reward will come from God – recompense
– paid in full. But also, if you do wrong, you will be paid back for all
your wrong doing. God is fair and just in every way.
VI.
Masters
Colossians 4:1
“Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you
also have a Master in heaven.” NKJV
·
Just as God is just and fair, masters are to be also.
Remember you have a master in heaven. (Ephesians 6:9) “And you, masters, do
the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master
also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
NKJV You must not take advantage of those in your employ.
Treat them with respect.
Conclusion:
By allowing the Word of Christ to abide in us fully, a
husband will be rewarded with a better wife and a wife with a more loving
husband. Parents will be rewarded with obedient, respectful children, and
children with caring parents. Employers will have more diligent workers and
employees fairer bosses. Yes, Christ is the answer to a better world.
Bobby Stafford
April 22, 2018
