God's Indwelling Word

Text: Colossians 3:16

The Indwelling Word

Introduction:

A. The editor of a well known London newspaper sent a
letter of inquiry to one hundred important men
asking them one question: “Suppose you were sent
to prison for three years and could only take
three books with your. Which three would you
choose? Please state them in order of their
importance.” Out of those replies, ninety eight
put the Bible first on their lists. The Bible is
an all-time best-seller. The readers of the Bible
have discovered that it is not just a book of the
month-it is the book of life, eternal, life
changing, and ever dependable.

B. There is no reason, then, for the surprise that
the apostle Paul told the Colossian Christians
to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in them
richly.” The word of Christ could refer to Christ
as the living Word. For as the prologue to John’s
gospel points out, Christ is the eternally living
Word of God.

C. Colossians 3 focuses on the Christian life. It
clarifies some characteristics we should remove
from our life as well as some that should be
removed from our lives. Under girding it all is
the fact that the Word of God should fill the
Christian life and we should follow what it says.

a. God’s Word should direct every aspect of the
Christians life and control every thought,
deed, and action performed through their
lives.

b. Dwell means…
i. To live in

ii. To make a home in

c. Every Christian should make a home for God’s
Word in their heart.

D. Through this Sermon Series we are going to look
into three reasons why we need God’s Word to dwell
in our lives?

The first reason is…

A. God’s Word Exposes Sin

a. Sin definitely needs exposing: (Romans 6:23)
i. Sin leads to danger
ii. Sin leads to destruction
iii. Sin leads to death

b. Illustration: "Two teenagers grew up in
Dallas. Both were rough and troublesome.
The faithful Sunday School teacher of one of
the boys contacted him ever week for a
year. But the other teacher felt that he
did not need that type of boy in his class.
The first boy was saved and is now the
director of evangelism for a state
convention of Southern Baptists. The other
boy assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
Because of the love of a teacher and the
changing power of God’s Word this young man
became a great part in the Kingdom of God.

c. The Savior’s Word definitely needs
exploring
i. Abide in God’s Word (John 8:31-32)
ii. Hide God’s Word (Psalm 119:11)
iii. Hold to God’s Word (Matthew 24:35)

The second reason is…

B. God’s Word Educates Students

a. God’s children must become students of The
Word

b. Three great reasons why you should become a
student of God’s Word…
i. Reason # 1 = The Word directs your path
ii. Reason # 2 = The Word builds you faith
iii. Reason # 3 = The Word