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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