(Back to Helps Home Page)    (Sermon, November 17, 2002)
(Back to sermons Home Page)    (Back to Shultz Home Page)

November 17, 2002 - Colossians 3:1-17

Open It

1. What does it mean to be rich?
2. What riches do you have externally and internally?
3. How does one acquire that which dwells in you richly?

Explore It

4. What virtues does God seek to plant in us? (3:12, 14)
5. How were the Colossians believers called to clothe themselves? (3:12-17)
6. Why did Paul call on the believers to be peaceful and thankful? (3:15-16)
7. What should we do? How? (3:17)
8. What is one principle that ought to guide everything we do? (3:17)

Get It

9. How should life in Christ affect the way you treat others?
10. How are all your relationships to be built around Christ?
11. Why do we need to be loving toward others?
12. Why is a thankful spirit an important part of holy living?

Apply It

13. What can you do this week to develop richness in you?
14. How can you be more thankful and loving to those who are close to you

NOTES

Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day: (1) imitate Christ's compassionate, forgiving attitude (vv. 12-13); (2) let love guide your life (v. 14); (3) let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (v. 15); (4) always be thankful (v. 15); (5) keep God's Word in you at all times (v. 16); (6) live as Jesus Christ's representative (v. 17).

All the virtues that Paul encourages us to develop are perfectly bound together by love. As we clothe ourselves with these virtues, the last garment we are to put on is love, which holds all of the others in place. To practice any list of virtues without practicing love will lead to distortion, fragmentation, and stagnation (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Christians should live in peace. To live in peace does not mean that suddenly all differences in opinion are eliminated, but it does require that loving Christians work together despite their differences. Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others' needs. To live in love leads to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of believers.

The word rule comes from the language of athletics: Paul tells us to let Christ's peace be umpire or referee in our hearts. Our hearts are the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash--our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love. How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants? Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace--which choice will promote peace in our souls and in our churches?

Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, you represent Christ at all times--wherever you go and whatever you say.

(Back to Helps Home Page)    (Sermon, November 17, 2002)
(Back to sermons Home Page)    (Back to Shultz Home Page)